KING'S QUEEN

The First Strike

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Third pov

The following morning, Meera awoke with a new sense of purpose. Qasim’s words had lingered in her mind, and though she still didn’t fully trust him, the idea of gaining influence within the palace intrigued her. If she could harness that power, she could navigate the treacherous waters of her new life—and perhaps even bend them to her will.

But first, she had to prove herself.

The palace was a web of politics, gossip, and hidden agendas, and Meera knew that the only way to survive was to outmaneuver the people who wanted her gone. Zubaira was a significant threat, but she wasn’t the only one. The other wives, the officials, even the servants—all of them had a role to play, and Meera was determined to learn how to control the pieces on the board.

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As she dressed for the day, Meera felt a strange calm settle over her. The uncertainty and fear that had plagued her since her arrival were still there, but they were muted now, overshadowed by something stronger: resolve. She had been underestimated for too long. It was time to show them who she really was.

Later that morning, Meera made her way to the garden, a place she had come to appreciate for its solitude. The lush greenery and vibrant flowers were a stark contrast to the cold, rigid walls of the palace, and it was the one place where she felt she could breathe. But today, she wasn’t here for peace. She was here to gather information.

As she walked through the garden, she noticed several palace servants whispering among themselves. When they saw her, they quickly bowed and scurried away, but not before Meera caught a few words of their conversation: “The council… new alliance… the second wife…”

Her heart quickened. She knew something was brewing, and she had a feeling it involved Zubaira. The second wife had been too quiet lately, and Meera didn’t believe for a second that Zubaira had accepted her presence in the palace. If anything, her silence was a sign that she was plotting something.

Meera continued her walk, pretending not to notice the hushed conversations around her. She needed to be careful, but she also needed to act. If Zubaira was making moves behind her back, Meera had to be one step ahead.

That evening, Meera attended another dinner with Arad and the other wives. The tension in the room was thick, as always, but tonight there was an undercurrent of something more. Meera could feel it—the subtle glances between Zubaira and a few of the higher-ranking officials, the whispers that stopped as soon as she entered the room.

Arad sat at the head of the table, his usual unreadable expression in place. He hadn’t spoken much to Meera since the banquet, and she had no idea what he was thinking. But tonight, she didn’t care about his moods. She was focused on the others, on reading the room, on figuring out who her enemies were and what they were planning.

Halfway through the dinner, Zubaira finally spoke, her voice smooth and measured. “Husband, I’ve heard rumors that a new alliance is being formed with the neighboring kingdom. A strong one, with mutual benefits for both parties.”

Meera’s heart skipped a beat. An alliance? Why hadn’t she heard about this?

Arad raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking briefly to Zubaira before settling on Meera. “The details of such alliances are not yet confirmed,” he said, his tone casual. “But rest assured, when they are, you will all be informed.”

Zubaira smiled sweetly, but Meera could see the calculation in her eyes. “Of course. I’m sure we can all trust that the king has everything under control.”

There it was—the first strike. Zubaira was testing her, trying to undermine her by insinuating that Meera was out of the loop, that she didn’t have the same influence as the other wives. And worse, she was doing it in front of Arad.

Meera clenched her fists under the table, her mind racing. She couldn’t let Zubaira win this round. She had to strike back, but she had to do it carefully, without showing her hand too early.

“An alliance like that would be beneficial for the entire kingdom,” Meera said, her voice calm and measured. “But I trust that the king will ensure that all of his advisors are consulted before any decisions are made. After all, it’s important to consider every angle, especially when it comes to the future of the people.”

Arad’s gaze flicked to her, and for a moment, Meera thought she saw a glimmer of approval in his eyes. But as always, he remained unreadable, his expression neutral.

Zubaira’s smile faltered, just for a moment, but it was enough for Meera to know that she had hit a nerve. The second wife had expected her to stay silent, to back down—but Meera wasn’t about to play by those rules.

The rest of the dinner passed in tense silence, with Zubaira fuming quietly and Meera keeping her composure. When the meal was over, Meera excused herself and returned to her chambers, her heart pounding in her chest.

She had won this round, but she knew it wasn’t over. Zubaira would come at her again, and next time, she might not be so lucky. But for now, Meera allowed herself a small moment of satisfaction. She had held her own, and she had shown them that she wasn’t going to be pushed around.

Later that night, as Meera prepared for bed, she found herself thinking about Arad. He had been quiet throughout the dinner, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had been watching her closely, analyzing her every move. What was he thinking? Did he see her as an ally, or was she just another piece in his game?

She sighed, pushing the thoughts away. It didn’t matter. Arad was still the enemy, no matter how complicated their relationship became. He had trapped her in this marriage for power, and she would never forget that.

But as Meera lay down, staring up at the ceiling, she couldn’t help but wonder if the cracks she had seen in his cold exterior were growing deeper.

Maybe, just maybe, there was more to Mohammad Arad Mallik than she had first thought.

And if there was, she would find a way to use it.