My First Choice

Stranger

Sometimes we don't know the significance
Of people until we face them future.

---

Back in my chamber, I sat on my bed, reflecting on everything. Was it me that was changing, or was it just the struggles of growing up? I didn't know. I was only twelve—why did I have to live in someone else's shadow when I had my own potential? Was it because I was a girl? I sighed and stared at the ceiling.

Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. I looked towards the window and noticed that the curtains were open, the cold night air drifting in. I went to close them, but then I noticed a figure—a cloaked figure lurking in the shadows just beyond the window.

My heart pounded in my chest. I rubbed my eyes, thinking I must be seeing things, but no. He stepped closer into the light, and I saw his eyes—vivid blue, piercing. He looked about eighteen, and when our eyes met, he put a finger to his lips, pleading for my silence.

My breath caught in my throat. I knew I should scream, alert the guards, but something about his expression stopped me. There was a desperation in his eyes that I couldn't ignore. Against my better judgment, I raised my hand, gesturing for him to wait. He nodded in return.

Quietly, I walked over to my wardrobe and pulled out my burq'. I slipped it on, covering myself entirely, and carefully opened the door to my room.

"Good evening, Amira," the guards greeted as I stepped out.

"Evening," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm going for a stroll. I will return shortly."

"Yes, Amira," they responded in unison, stepping aside to let me pass.

My heart raced as I approached the figure. He was still standing in the shadows, his vivid blue eyes watching me intently. I decided to disguise my voice, making it higher and more childish. I couldn't let him recognize me—I wasn't supposed to be interacting with strangers, let alone a cloaked figure outside my window at night.

"Salam, ya shāb. What brings you here at this hour?" I questioned, trying to sound casual but firm.

He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I need your help," he said, his voice low, almost a whisper. "Please, I mean no harm. I was sent here with a message for the Amira, but I can't let anyone else know."

My eyes narrowed beneath my veil. "A message? From whom?"

He glanced around, as if checking for eavesdroppers. "The Amir sent me. It's a matter of great urgency."

A chill ran down my spine. Who was this boy, and why was he here in the dead of night? My mind raced with questions, but I knew I couldn't let my guard down. I had to be careful—this could be a trap, a threat to the palace.

"If what you're saying is true, you must know how dangerous this is," I said cautiously. "Why not deliver the message through the proper channels?"

He shook his head, his eyes pleading. "Please, I can't explain everything here. If you could just give me a moment of your time... away from prying eyes."

Everything about this situation screamed danger, but there was something about his expression—a look of desperation and sincerity—that made me hesitate. Against my better judgment, I decided to hear him out.

"Fine," I said, my voice steady. "But if I sense even the slightest hint of a threat, I will call for the guards."

He nodded, relief washing over his face. "Thank you. You won't regret this."

As I led him towards a secluded spot in the garden, I couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and curiosity. Who was this stranger, and what could be so urgent that he would risk sneaking into the palace grounds?

Whatever it was, I had a feeling my life was about to change forever.

---

As we reached a secluded corner of the garden, hidden behind tall hedges and blooming thistle, I stopped and faced him.

"Speak quickly," I demanded, my eyes never leaving his. "The guards will be suspicious if I'm gone too long."

He took a deep breath and removed his hood, revealing messy black hair. There was an intensity in his eyes, but also something else—fear.

"My name is kabr," he said, glancing around once more. "The truth is that I wasn't sent by anyone."

I froze. "Who are you?, what brings you here ?" My uncle was a powerful and enigmatic man, rarely involving himself in anything that concerned me directly.

Raed hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Amira I believe there's a plot against the royal family. I come to protect you, Amira."

My heart skipped a beat, fear intertwining with disbelief. "A plot? Against us? What proof do you have?"

He reached into his cloak, and my breath caught, half-expecting a weapon. Instead, he pulled out a parchment, sealed a crest. Carefully, I took it, breaking the wax and unfolding the letter.

As I read the words, a chill spread through me: "Dearest family, we are attacking the royal family tomorrow. We will end the era by the end of the majlis."

I looked up at kabir, my mind racing. Was this really true ?, or could it be an elaborate trick? Kabir seemed to sense my doubts.

"Please," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "I know it's hard to trust a stranger, but there's more. I overheard conversations—whispers of a coup. They're planning to act soon. We need to leave the palace before it's too late."

I wanted to dismiss him, to call him a liar and alert the guards, but there was something about his eyes that spoke of sincerity and fear. And if there was even a grain of truth in his words, then everything I knew, everything I held dear, could be in jeopardy.

My heart pounded, the decision weighing heavily. If I chose to believe him, I'd be leaving the safety of the palace and venturing into the unknown, with only this stranger to guide me. If I didn't, I risked ignoring a warning that could cost me my life.

Taking a deep breath, I made my decision.

"What do we need to do?" I asked, my voice barely audible.

Raed looked visibly relieved, a small smile playing on his lips. "Pack only what you need. We must leave tonight—before they realize what's happening."

The weight of his words sank in as I nodded, turning back towards the palace. My life, once sheltered behind walls of stone, was about to change forever.

Why is there a crest on it ? Is it from the royal or some kind of a powerful community? .