The Red Rose

2. Questions

We all have secrets that we never tell, then why are we all desperate to know about others?

As the first light of dawn washes over the bustling streets of Agrabah, the city awakens with a symphony of activity and color. From the grandeur of the palace gates to the narrow alleyways teeming with life, the morning air is alive with the hustle and bustle of merchants.

Alijah wakes up with the sound of a loud knocking on her chamber's door followed by more thud sounds.

"Amira, wake up, you've locked the door since last night, the king is worried" she hears Rubina almost screaming in worry.

The princess reaches the door with hurried footsteps and on opening the doors she finds Rubina standing, breathing heavily, worry all over her face.

"Ya rabb, what's wrong? Why are you screaming so early in the morning?" Alijah was almost annoyed, blaming Rubina for her disrupted sleep.

"

Shukar, you made me worried Amira, last night I saw you crying and you didn't open the door, I was so tensed that I reached the king the very minute the first Sunray fell and told him everything, and guards will reach here any minute to break the door open.... that's now wide open" she completed her sentence hesitantly.

"Silly" the princess let out a small chuckle hearing the foolish behaviour of her maid just because she was stressed.
"Now go and prepare water for bath" Amira gave her the morning duties and went towards her wardrobe to get an outfit for the day.

"Yes, Amira"

The morning continued the same as always, peaceful and calm, yet the princess's mind was loud and unclear. Strolling in the garden after breakfast she decided to meet the Sultan and discuss about her concern.

"Rehman" she directs towards her guard, "where's sultan?" She questions looking at the dark red roses in the garden, her favourite. She was nine when she insisted her mother to grow roses in the garden, she smiles at the bittersweet memory.

"In the courtroom, my lady" Rehman replies, eyes down with respect.

Without saying a word she starts walking towards the courtroom to meet her father.

"But he is atte-" Rehman stops mid sentence seeing Amira's warning glare. "As you say Amira" he sighs in defeat, and Alijah flashes a winning smirk in his direction.

Strolling through different corridors in the palace with her guard around her every second of the day, she finds this sophisticating and sometimes wishes she was never a royal blood.
"Rehman, don't you miss your family?" Alijah asks Rehman to start a conversation, he is her guard from the last two years thus she is comfortable enough to  question him. "you are here from two years, and never visited your hometown, don't you wish to see them?"

"Yes, my lady. I do. But I worship my work and duties the most" Rehman answered shortly.

Without making an effort to ask another question, she silently reaches the door of courtroom. But before she could open them, a hand on the door stopped her. She turns around only to find Arfan, the general standing in front of her.

Rehman sheaths his sword behind Amira in warning but Alijah stops him with a glare and waves at his guard to give them some privacy.
He hesitates a little but gives up at last.

"Back from Varsan, general?" She questions him, with a hint of rage in her voice.

"Yes, princess" he replies with the same energy.

"Glad to know, now if you'll excuse me I have to meet the Sultan" she says walking past him in a swift movement.

"You can't, he is attending an important meeting" he says again stopping in front of her.

"For your kind information general, he's my father" she says glaring daggers at him.

"I know, princess. But he's a Sultan, he has to do things for his people" he replies calmly.

"I want to talk to him. About something personal and important"

With that she ignores his presence and starts walking towards the door, not even waiting for his reply.

"About the queen?"

Hearing his sentence she froze just in front of the doors, turning around she finds him already walking back. Just hearing that she can't stop her desperation anymore, so she calls him once, twice, thrice but he ignores. Nonchalantly walking.

"ARFAN!" She finally screams making him stop in his ways.
She runs towards him gathering her dress and he turns around looking at her, at her desperation.

"What did you say?"

"About what?"

"The queen, general. You said if I want to talk about her with my father"

"Don't you think that your guard will doubt us, princess?"

"Please. Stop the games, general. Tell me what do you know"

"Nothing I just guessed, princess. As you are always talking about her only" he shrugged.

She sighs in disbelief finding a silver of hope in him, yet shredded in a moment. She walks back towards her chamber deciding she would talk to her father later. Who was she even expecting help from. The general and she were never even on good terms.

"I might help you, Amira"

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The general? Or the guard?

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