Laws Of Royalty ✅

CH18; A ROYAL FACADE.

HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

The next person that stood up and left was Hasnain, followed by a fuming Hafsa.

On her way out, she tried to bump Aria's shoulder, but the girl moved away just in time. Hafsa nearly stumbled from the action but she caught herself before she disgraces herself further.

That only infuriated the woman more, but she opted to keep her mouth shut and quietly storm out after her husband—no doubt wanting to give him a piece of her mind about not standing up for her.

Aslam glanced at the couple one last time before he stood up, hands tucked in his hoodie which he wears all the time—and head clad in his signature raven beanie--, he side stepped them and headed out with no word or reaction gotten out of him.

No one could really tell if he's happy for them or not. The guy wasn't this cold before but his twin's death has changed him. And such change is one that no one in the family could comprehend.

He keeps to himself. As always.

Habib shook his head, then leaned back and brought out his phone, having zero intentions of talking to his brother or his new sister in law. This whole thing is a waste of time to him. He could've done something important but of course, they all have to come scrambling with the Oh so great Crown Prince needs them.

Pathetic.

Farhan on the other hand offered them a grin. He stood up, made his way over to Aali, and offered him a bro hug. When he pulled back, he grinned at Aria, "Welcome to the family sis!"

She grinned back, "Thank you"

Amir didn't move from his position. But, when his eyes met Aali, he gently tipped his flute and offered him a grin. Aali grinned back—though it was very much a fake one. The man had been feigning grins since he stepped into the room yet no one, not even Aria could tell that it was fake.

Muneer, who didn't know about the marriage eventually snapped out of his trance. His eyes were still slightly dilated since he was taken aback. Of all the things he had expected Aali to do, he definitely did not expect that.

"How is this even possible?" He voiced out the question on everyone's mind, though no one asked—until him. "You guys have only known each other for...I don't know...two weeks?" He added.

Aali and Aria exchanged looks. The grin on their faces never fading. The glance was the only thing needed to confirm that they are on the same page. And judging from the glint in Aria's eyes, Aali knew she's on the same page as him.

To everyone else the look they shared was one out of love. Funny how it was a silent agreement on the plan they are about to improvise.

The story behind that two weeks is one the people sitting presently in the front room will never understand. And albeit Aali doesn't know Aria's side, just as well as she doesn't know his, they both knew better than to let any slip happen.

"Well...two weeks is long enough" Aali responded, moving his gaze from his wife to Muneer. He moved closer to his wife, placing his hand on the small of her back.

Aria nodded, leaning close to him although ever fiber in her being was screaming otherwise. She forced herself to wrap an arm around him too, "Yeah...a lot could happen in two weeks" Her grin widened; and quite fortunately, none of them recognized the double meaning behind it.

One of Aali's aunts, the youngest in the Calipha's household snorted. "I doubt it" The woman glanced between the two. She's amongst the women that weren't exactly fond of Aria while the others were busy swarming over her. "You two don't look like you're in love. Two weeks?" She hissed lowly, scoffing at the mere thought. "What is this, a Korean drama?"