8: Fight for My Way

"What are you trying to do prince?" Faris is clearly disturbed.

"As I've told you. I'll either stop this stupidity or the selected girl will meet her demise". 

A smile appeared on my lips just thinking of how I'm going to crush the queen in her own game. 

"B..but" he wanted to tell me that Suleiman's sister is one of the participants. His one and only sister! Just when a stubborn bird dared to pass in front of the warrior and i shot it to death in a blink of an eye.

"It'll be fun" i watched the blood oozed from the helpless creature in satisfaction.

"I've told you Faris i miss the sight of blood, so I'm going to shed some now" 

The guard looks disappointed but not surprised because gone are the days when such things used to creep him.

"You should exercise caution, my prince, as the king will be closely monitoring the safe execution of the selection process,"he cautioned with his eyes cast downward.

"Like i care!" I laughed at his foolishness.

"The next thing that satisfies me after seeing my mother happy, and seeing fresh blood... Oh and making the queen perplexed, is infuriating the king. So much satisfaction in one place "

.......

As the Radiant sun illuminates the palace walls. A group of beautiful young ladies all dressed in a matching attire arrived at the queen's quarters arranging themselves into five lines each consisting of 5 girls making a total of 20. 

Fear and anxiety have taken root in their minds, yet they are all striving to soothe themselves by envisioning success and feeling fortunate to be here among the millions of girls their age.

The ladies in waiting lead them towards the hut shed the servants just finished tidying which is specially made for the queen's guest. That's the first step in showing them their important and what kind of luxury is awaiting the chosen lucky one.

Then the queen arrives followed by two of the palace oldest and highest ranking ladies whom over the years have trained hundreds of ladies about etiquette and poise and are experts when it comes to recognising beauty and feminity.

With a subtle smile, the queen's gaze settled on Layaal seated upright at the center of the front row. 

Here she is, my bait in capturing and crushing the prince. She said subconsciously. With deliberate grace she proceed to sit on her regal cushions, while resting her head on against her elbow.

The girls then started introducing themselves one after the other. These are all the symbol of power and greed. She thought to herself.

"I'm Layaal waziri Abbas . Greeting your majesty the Queen"

But she's the most powerful and dangerous weapon of all.

"Close the doors and windows" the queen ordered which the servants immediately complied. 

"Everyone should reduce their clothing, leave only your inners" one of the trainers added.

They started by removing their headtie and did as assigned. And the trainers proceeded to inspecting every inch of their bodies, including under the covered areas.

The queen has already set her mind on passing Layaal on every stage, but didn't even do anything during the first stage in which The participants will be chosen according to their facial characteristics and physical attractiveness. Being sure that none can compare to her slim but curvy figure, fair and delicate skin, Dimples, long hair and perfect neckline. She's fully Fulani afterall.

They took some hours before disqualifying 9 girls at once. And this time also, Layaal sat forefront the 11 participants left. 

And another 5 girls were disqualified at the second stage, which includes testing their knowledge  based on reading, writing and verbal communication... By now Layaal is really frightened seeing only 6 among 20 remains. And by the next stage only 1 of them will stood victorious, which might be her or not!. 

Fortunately the darkness of night has engulfed the sky forcing the heated competition to be put into a halt. So that the surviving contestants can rest their mind over the night or spend the night thinking.

After Isha prayer and a hearty dinner with the queen. They were offered individual rooms to sleep in with their servants. 

Layaal rested herself on the bed after her servant has tucked her in, When a knock came at the door.

"Who's there?" The servant asked.

Jakadiya led her way inside. "Forgive me for disturbing your sleep my lady, but the queen has requested an audience with you".

At this time of the night? Layaal thought.

But she just said "I'll like change from my nightwear "

"Okay, I'll be waiting outside" jakadiya exit the Room, and the servant helped her change her clothes before they set outside.

"She wished to see you alone" jakadiya emphasize eyeing Layaal's servant. 

"But I'm to ensure my lady's safety" her servant insisted.

"She's in the place with the most security in the whole North. So she'll be taken care of". 

Layaal placed her hand on her servant's shoulder "wait for me I'll be back in a jiffy".

And she left with jakadiya. 

Upon arrival at the queen's hall, she took me directly to her chamber which i never thought I'll set my foot inside in the near future.

I sat down and offered my greeting, she smiled "now that i look closer, our princess looks pretty even in the dark of the night"

"Princess?" She repeated absentmindedly.

"Yes, you'll be one if you want to "

"What do you mean?" 

She chuckled. "I mean to say i am the princess maker, i choose who'll be the prince's wife. This whole selection process is just a show".

Layaal is starting to feel puzzled so she doesn't say anything.

"I could make you Namir's wife if you want" she blurted.

Layaal doesn't know if this is a blessing or a curse in disguise. "B..but why me?" Her mind and lips questioned.

"There are so many reasons but if you want i can spend the night counting them".

Is it because of her father? Her brother?.

"I knew you like Prince Namir" the queen continues "and among the reasons i want you for him are your intelligence, beauty and poise. So why not you?"

Her face lightens up along with her heart. So it's because of her qualities not her position in the society.

"Thank you your majesty..." She started.

"Before then i need a little favour which will not be hard I'm sure". She cut her off.

"Just little information about the prince's activities, and his birth mother shouldn't be considered your mother in-law, i am".

If she could, Layaal could've stared inside the queen's eyes to make sure she's hearing all these right, but she couldn't so she just stared at the Egyptian carpet spreaded on the floor.

"In simpler terms you want me to be your spy" she dared to say. 

"If that's what you consider it as then yes" she admitted.

"Why can't i consider both of you as my mother in-law? Since you're the nation's mother and she's the prince's mother?"

The queen didn't expect convincing Layaal to be this complicated since she was proven to have feelings for the prince. But she's Waziri's daughter nevertheless. Her father was also strong willed.

"Everything in this world comes with a price Layaal waziri Abbas. Can't you pay this little to secure the man you love? And a high position at the noble kingdom?!"

"I can't?" She denied flatly. "I refused to be used for my desires"

The queen grinned creepily "then get prepared to get disqualified tomorrow"

"What if i clear the stages?"

"The prince could always have two wives at a time i know you won't like that, and it will be a disgrace for your family.  And she'll be the real princess, the one to accept my offer "

Layaal stayed silent, contemplating.

"Go and think it over. And if you've made up your mind just inform jakadiya and all preparations will be made. You can now leave, i wish to retire."

And that's how Layaal lost her sleep.

They woke up early next morning and the 6 of them were presented with the gifts provided by the prince which is supposed to be the most beautiful clothes known to man. They are to be presented in it for the third stage. However after taking their baths they opened the gift box a little find servant uniform lying inside.

"This might also be a test" many of them speculated and that's how four of the six remaining contestants resigned  without the queen's knowledge, Leaving only layaal and galadima's  daughter whom accepted and wore the servant's uniform.

The Queen was really upset about the prince's counter attack but couldn't do anything since it was already decided that those who resigned will no longer participate, so now she has lower chance of making layaal agree with her conditions.

Galadima's daughter is also not a bad option but she already has galadima in her palms. It's waziri she wants.

They proceed to the third stage which  involves the practice of proper etiquette. And fortunately but Layaal and Waziri's daughter managed to pass. 

So now it remains the mysterious stage the prince created.

He invited the contestants and judges to his training field. Everyone just dumbfoundedly watched as Faris stood there with a sword in hand while Namir sat on a high seat his other guards fanning him.

They all find their seats first before he started talking.

"Before a prince i was a warrior, and even as a prince I'm a knight" he stood up and walked to the centre of the training ground where Faris stood helplessly ready to duel just because he can't refuse the prince. 

"So my wife can only survive in the face of danger which I'm always surrounded by if she's able to protect herself".

One of his servants present the female warrior outfit he asked for in front of the ladies to take.

"I resign. This is too much" galadima's daughter gave up.

Namir looks at the queen's furious face. She's about to explode any minute and that excites him. He grinned, wide. Which reads 'how does it feels to be crushed in your own game?' but Layaal's voice seize his satisfaction.

"I accept. But I'll duel with you, not a mere guard!"

•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

***

Mrs Imran 💖