Fickle

Chapter 34

The royal palace, once a bastion of stability, now felt like a chessboard, every piece carefully positioned for an inevitable confrontation. Othman and General Mustapha worked tirelessly, aware that Hanifah's schemes were tearing the kingdom apart.

Seated in a secured chamber deep within the palace, Othman studied the latest intelligence reports while Mustapha paced the room.

"She's cunning," Mustapha said, his voice edged with frustration. "Every move she makes pulls another thread from the fabric of this kingdom. We need to act decisively, or she’ll have it unravel completely."

Othman nodded but remained calm. "Decisive, yes, but not reckless. If we strike too soon, we risk playing into her hands. Our moves must be as calculated as hers—if not more."

Othman understood that Hanifah’s influence over the nobles was one of her greatest strengths. To counter this, he and Mustapha began reaching out to those who had not yet pledged loyalty to her cause.

One by one, Othman met with key nobles, assuring them of the monarchy’s commitment to Daura’s stability. He shared carefully chosen intelligence that revealed Hanifah’s manipulations without exposing their sources, planting seeds of doubt about her intentions.

"I know these are uncertain times," Othman told a hesitant noble during one meeting. "But Daura has stood for centuries because of its unity. I ask for your faith—not in me, but in the truth. Together, we can preserve the kingdom’s legacy."

Some nobles began to waver in their support for Hanifah, though others remained firmly in her grasp.

The military was a cornerstone of Daura’s stability, and Hanifah’s attempts to sow discord within its ranks had not gone unnoticed. Mustapha took personal responsibility for rooting out spies and reinforcing loyalty among the troops.

In a series of secret meetings, he addressed the officers directly:

"Your loyalty is not to a person, but to Daura itself. Do not let whispers and rumors lead you astray. Stand firm, for the kingdom depends on your strength and unity."

His words resonated, especially with the younger officers who had been swayed by Hanifah’s propaganda. Mustapha’s reputation as a steadfast and honorable leader helped rebuild trust, and the military began closing ranks against the growing tide of unrest.

Recognizing that Hanifah’s propaganda was fueling public discontent, Othman launched a counter-campaign. Trusted clerics and scholars were enlisted to deliver sermons and speeches emphasizing the importance of unity and cautioning against hasty judgments.

Public forums were held where citizens could voice their grievances and receive direct responses from the royal administration. These efforts, though small, began to chip away at the narrative Hanifah had constructed.

One notable moment came during a town hall meeting, where Othman himself addressed a skeptical crowd.

"I understand your anger," he said, his voice steady. "But ask yourselves: Who benefits from this chaos? Is it Daura, or is it those who seek to divide us for their gain? I promise you, the truth will come to light."

His words were met with murmurs of agreement, a glimmer of hope amid the growing storm.

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Ruqayyah’s network of spies remained a vital lifeline for Othman and Mustapha. Through her agents, they learned of Hanifah’s plans to frame Mustapha as a traitor and destabilize the military further.

With this knowledge, Mustapha took preemptive action, staging an elaborate operation to “catch” a supposed foreign agent. The staged capture and subsequent confession—crafted with Ruqayyah’s input—exposed Hanifah’s involvement in spreading false accusations against Mustapha.