The Desert Alpha's Mate

CHAPTER 17-AUTHORITY

Prince Badr was on his way to the banquet hall. Wearing an elegant blue Bisht with red and gold embroidery, over his plain kameez making him look more regal. He partnered it with a royal blue shemagh and used his egal with a royal insignia on it. The hallway going through the banquet hall was heavily decorated with ornaments and had a warrior in every corner. Prince Badr knows every twist and turn of the palace halls and where the regular posts of a warrior should be. That's why he immediately noticed that the number of warriors scattered around had doubled.

"Effendi Raj," he called the Chief Warrior who was behind him, "Did you increase the number of warriors here in the palace?" he asked, displeasure evident in his tone.

"Yes, my Prince," Effendi Raj answered from behind him.

He abruptly stopped in his tracks and faced the Chief Warrior. Effendi Raj's steps faltered too. Prince Badr looked at the Chief Warrior with a straight face.

"Why? And why was I not informed of these changes?" he asked. Although his reaction couldn't be read, his voice was laced with authority.

"I was just ensuring your and the King's safety, my Prince. It is my duty, and I am bound to follow a direct command," the Chief Warrior answered him, not daring to look into his eyes.

"How about at the borders? Didn't I directly order you to add more warriors at the borders and in the Capital?" he asked, his tone was too calm, an indication that he was just holding back his anger. He didn't like the idea of adding more warriors inside the palace. They are Royals, but they are not imbeciles, they can protect themselves from harm and they must protect their people and not the other way around.

"I assure you that we would have enough men for the security of our Kingdom and the Capital, My Prince," Effendi Raj answered him. Not once did he try to look at the prince, his head hung slightly, and his eyes were down.

"Who gave you the orders?" Prince Badr asked through gritted teeth. He needed to know who gave the orders and bypass his authority. Although he already had a clue who it was, he needed confirmation.

"Beta Sabir, my Prince," Effendi Raj answered him, still without looking into his eyes.

Prince Badr let out a deep sigh when Effendi Raj confirmed his suspicion. He knows that the intention of their Beta was pure, and he just did what he thinks was right for him and his father. But Prince Badr thinks that adding more warriors inside the palace was unnecessary. The warriors were more needed outside to secure the safety of the border and their clan members, especially now that all the twelve clans are slowly coming in.

He couldn't undo the command that his uncle gave to Effendi Raj, he doesn't want to disrespect their beta and undermine his authority over their warriors, even though he can. Prince Badr doesn't want to have a conflict in giving out orders and confusing their warriors. So, he decided to let go of the matter, even though he was displeased.

"Okay," he just said to their Chief with a heavy sigh. "Just bring the report of all the warriors in my office tomorrow, and who was assigned where," he commanded Effendi Raj. "And I might have a word on Beta Sabir," he added mumbling, more talking to himself than the Chief Warrior.

"Yes, My Prince," Effendi Raj, immediately answered him and bowed his head.

Prince Badr just nodded to Effendi Raj, and then he resumed walking. Effendi Raj silently followed him. When he reached the banquet hall, two warriors greeted them. Bowing down low and baring their necks to the prince. He just waved to acknowledge them, then the warriors opened the grand doorway at the same time. He entered the great banquet hall, and on his tail was the Chief Warrior.