Layla

Chapter 8

Layla

Once the former queen had gone, it was just the king and me left. I avoided his eyes and stared at anything but him. "Look at me!" He demanded. I slowly glanced up, hoping, praying that my anger didn't show on my face. "So, what do you think?" He asked gesturing around the ornate room.

"It's beautiful." I answered honestly.

"Good. I'm glad that you like it. Soon you will be sitting by my side, the whole city of Jabbah bowing to their queen." He smiled.

His grin revealed a straight set of teeth and it brightened his whole face up. "Pardon me? But- don't you believe I should have a say in all of this?"

"Of course you have a say, I know how to respect a woman, let alone my future queen and bride. You can do whatever you like, whenever you want. No one is to object." He answered almost ignorantly.

"I meant in this whole marriage fiasco. You cannot be serious!"

He stared at me with a straight face. "Are you denying the possibility of being queen?"

"Yes! You haven't even asked me! There is no way that you can force me to marry you! That's just wrong!"

"You are foolish. Girls would kill for an opportunity like this!" He tsked.

"You're definitely correct. Most girls would kill for this opportunity, I'm not one of them. I just want to go back home, to my brothers! Please. You can have any girl in this city and they would do anything you ask, so let me go and I will help you find this perfect girl." I negotiated.

He chuckled his eyes softening, "Indeed, I can have any girl in this kingdom, and they would do anything I ask of them, no questions asked. But what you aren't understanding habibti (ha-bib-tea) is that I do not want any of those girls. I want you."

Alright, I'll admit my heart skipped a beat when he said those words and I can't deny this attraction that I have towards him but I don't want to marry this man. I want to marry someone more on my level, a man that I love. A man that isn't the King of Jabbah.

I stood silently, knowing that nothing I can say will change this man's mind. He is the king and what the king wants he will surely get. The King just stared with a calculating look on his face.

"Habibti, let's make a deal, I do not wish to entrap you in an unhappy marriage. I only want your happiness, so I want to compromise. Stay here for three months, in those three months, I will try to woo you. If you can resist my love and affection and still don't want to become my wife, then you may leave. But- if you have even an inkling of love towards me, you must stay here and become my queen." He stated, boldly.

I pondered over this for a minute, three months, three months... all I have to do is avoid falling in love with the man in front of me. That should be easy enough, I have self control, surely I can resist the King of Jabbah for three months and finally go home.

"So mahboub(ma-h-boob)? Do we have a deal?" He inquired stepping closer so that he was now barely a breath away from my face.

"Yes we have a deal." I confirmed.

"Great, you shall be mine by the end of the third month." He said, bringing his hand up to caress my jaw.  His face inched closer to mine, only centimeters away.

My heart started beating rapidly in my chest, my eyelids fluttering shut while nerves and anxiety attack me. Is he going to kiss me? Suddenly his touch and closeness vanished, leaving me flushed. My eyes opened to see him standing a couple of steps away with a satisfied smile on his face.

"You can pretend to resist me mahboub. But I know that deep down inside, you crave my love and care as much as I crave for yours." He chuckled and walked away.

I was left confused and dazed. Why in the world did I just do that, how could I allow myself to become so, so pathetic?

●••

I found myself walking around the magnificent palace. Seeing things that I have never seen before. Intricate tile work and wonderful pieces of art all over. I honestly could get used to the view here.

I found myself stumbling out the castle and to the courtyard, where I had first seen the king. From beyond the pillars, the bazaar could be seen with hundreds of people walking around and purchasing items. It looked so busy but it had an odd calming effect. As I got closer to the exit of the place, I could feel the guards eyeing me warily. They are aware of the fact that I am unable to leave and just that thought crushed any dream of me actually leaving.

As I people watched something caught my eye, there was a man walking around from person to person speaking animatedly. His hands flying around as he aggressively explained something. When I got a closer look I noticed who it was and my heart jumped. Zaid.

I ran to the edge of the courtyard and came to stand in between two giant pillars. A couple of guards shuffled closer watching to see if I would escape.
Zaid went from person to person, thankfully, he was headed in my direction. When he was just ten or fifteen feet away I called out his name. "Zaid!" I hollered, praying to get his attention.

He looked around but didn't see me, I tried once again. "Zaid! Over here; look towards me! Zaid!" This time he looked in my direction but still wasn't able to see me I started waving my arms like a mad woman. "Zaid!" I called out in happiness when he spotted me. He had a look of shock and confusion as he rushed to where I was.

Not thinking properly I walked off the courtyard and jumped at him pulling him into my embrace. All the emotions and sorrow from within pouring out as he hugged me to him. I kissed his cheeks, tears trailing down my face.

"Layla! Oh my, Layla! How is it possible, Amir said you were taken." I looked up in shock.

"Amir- Amir is alive?!" I cried out. "Oh thank goodness. I've missed you all. You can't possibly imagine what I've gone through." I said glancing behind me to see that the guards were watching me.

"Layla how are you here? Why are you at the palace?" His brows coming together on his face while lines formed on his forehead.

"It's a long story, one I must tell at another time. But please let Amir know, as well as Shakeel and Khaleel, that I am alive and well. That I love them very much. Alright?"

"What are you saying? Come you can tell them yourself." He pulled me with him.

"No Zaid st-" before I could finish a group of guards came to pull me away. Zaid immediately started to become angry.

"What are they doing?! Layla! Layla!"

"Zaid just do as I asked! And find a way to come and see me, I'm here at the castle!" I was pulled away and back into the courtyard.

"We are sorry for handling you like that Majesty. But it is the King's order for us to keep you on the grounds of the palace.

"It's alright, I understand." I said wiping away my remaining tears. "Just please call me Layla. I am not queen nor do I intend on owning that title."

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Alright lovelies. There goes another chapter. I hope you all enjoyed it very much. I know I'm not the best writer but I am trying to improve.

Well tell me what you think about the whole ordeal between Layla and His Majesty. I personally think Habib is quite dreamy. But I guess it's all based off of personal preference.

Quick vocabulary!
●Habibti- love/ my love/ lover
○Mahboub- dearest/ my dear/ darling

Anywhooo.

Love you all!!

COMMENT VOTE LIKE {show that support} ❤❤

Thanks for reading.

Always

Yours Truly....

Angel