13th century- The Middle East.
In the heart of the Arabian desert, Princess Laila of Al-Shujae tribe faces an impossible choice to save her people from an ongoing siege. To secure peace, Laila agrees to marry the fearsome commander of Al-Muharibun...
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Chapter 10
The Sultan
I yearned for you when you did not come. And in needing you, I have destroyed myself.
She thought it amusing at first. The hardworking people around her ensured that her every need was met. Whilst simultaneously ignoring her very existence.
They cleaned her quarters, presented the most delicious food and provided the best of clothing. Yet, they did not speak a word to her. Of course, their stares and whispers did not go unnoticed.
The bride of the prince, and the prince had yet to make an appearance. Usman had been missing for many days. At times, Laila even believed that he had forgotten her in the vastness of the palace,
Still, in the darkness of a sleepless night, his words filled her mind. "I could no longer stay away..." .
As though the distance between them was painful. As though to be apart was to watch the world burn.
.
Perhaps he thought of her too? Perhaps.
She shook her head, forcing the thoughts of him to disappear. Her presence here was evidence of his crimes; she could not forget what he had done.
Laila paced around her room, a place which seemed so big only a few days ago now seemed as small as the prisons of Al-Shujae.
"Laila."
Before the names left his lips, her heart stopped. Usman.
She turned quickly, only hesitating when realising she wore a simple white dress and her hair was open and unkempt. How humiliating.
Her eyes went to the ground, "Usman" she greeted, silently.
Usman bit his tongue, taking in his wife after days of distance. It had been suffocating. He had thought that in the palace he could leave her to attend to herself, but his mind could not focus on anything other than the woman before him.
