AL-ZAHRA : A TALE OF LOVE, REDEMPTION AND DECIET [ON HOLD UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE]

04 Devil

❝Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there.❞

-Rumi

I silently made my way through the dimly lit corridor, dressed as a servant and with my face concealed by a scarf. I didn't want my father or anyone else to know I was entering his room. There were rumours of trouble in our kingdom, and I needed to find out what was going on.

Deep in thought, I finally reached my destination and slipped inside my father's chamber. I quickly located the scroll I was looking for amidst numerous scrolls and deftly concealed it within my dress. I made sure to leave no trace of my presence before leaving the room.

As I turned to leave the corridor, a soldier's firm grip seized my arm, sending a jolt of fear through me. I had made a mistake by not distracting the guards this time. I couldn't reveal that I was the amira, so I had disguised myself as a servant girl.

"Who are you?" the soldier demanded, looking doubtful.

"Amira," I replied, trying to maintain an air of innocence.

Their reaction was immediate, their eyes widening in shock and disbelief. "Amira?" they stuttered, their disbelief turned to mockery as laughter filled the air.

"Did you seriously expect us to believe that you are the amira?" one of them scoffed. "Given your attire, you must think we're fools."

I met their incredulous stares with a knowing smirk, my tone subtly laced with mockery. "In all honesty, absolutely yes," I replied.

"After all, if one couldn't grasp simple sarcasm and asked questions with obvious answers, then they must be a fool. And as for my attire, well, it isn't every day that an amira traipses around in the garb of a mere maid."

Their scowls deepened at my words, anger simmering beneath their surface. "Don't try to outsmart us," one of them growled, his voice thick with rage. "Who are you, and what are you trying to do?"

I could feel my heart racing as I searched for a way out. I needed to think fast, or else my plan would fall apart. I took a deliberate step closer, locking eyes with him in a silent challenge. "For your information," I began, my voice dripping with icy disdain, "Fatima had an emergency and was called away. And Amina? Well, let's just say, the amira had needed her services elsewhere."

Their expressions faltered for a moment, doubt creeping into their eyes. But I held their gaze with unwavering confidence.

"Understood?" I added, with a threatening tone.

As I entered the bustling kitchen, the fragrant aroma of spices enveloped me, mingling with the clatter of pots and pans. The warm glow of the hearth cast dancing shadows across the room, illuminating the busy cooks as they hurried about their tasks.