Fickle

Chapter 47

As Hanifah’s web of influence tightened around Daura, the stakes grew ever higher. Her careful manipulation of key figures within the royal court had placed her in a position of power she could not afford to squander. She was no longer just the exiled sister of the Crown Prince; she was a shadow queen, pulling the strings from behind the scenes, carefully orchestrating a chain of events that would either result in her ultimate success or her utter downfall.

She knew that her time was running out. The palace was now under the scrutiny of every noble, every official, and the people who had once looked to her for leadership. If her plans were to succeed, she would need to act decisively, taking advantage of every crack in Abdullah’s leadership. And she was prepared to strike at the heart of the royal family.

It was Ruqayyah, the mole who had long served Hanifah from within the palace, who became the final piece in her plan. Though Ruqayyah had been playing both sides—feigning loyalty to Abdullah while secretly working for Hanifah—she had her limits. Hanifah knew that with enough pressure, Ruqayyah would turn on her true allegiance, revealing critical information that would bring Abdullah’s rule to the brink.

One night, Hanifah sent a letter to Ruqayyah, outlining her next move: a carefully staged scandal that would tarnish Abdullah’s image in the eyes of the court. The letter was designed to create doubt in Ruqayyah’s mind, to make her believe that the time had come to take matters into her own hands. Hanifah had long been a master of using people’s insecurities and ambitions to her advantage, and now, she would use Ruqayyah’s loyalty to her own ends.

The plan was set in motion. Hanifah directed her agent in the palace to plant forged documents implicating Abdullah in a conspiracy to undermine the royal council. The documents were forged with precision, designed to seem authentic to anyone who would read them—secret plans to discredit the council, manipulate the kingdom’s wealth, and even betray his own family. 

The forged documents were swiftly delivered to the royal council, where they were presented by one of Hanifah’s secret allies in the court. It didn’t take long for the members of the council to begin questioning Abdullah’s authority. The council, already divided over the direction of Daura’s future, now had the perfect excuse to challenge his leadership. The documents were damning, and the court, hungry for any sign of weakness, quickly seized upon them.

As the council deliberated over the evidence, a sense of unease swept through the palace. The people of Daura, though initially hopeful for Abdullah’s return, now found themselves questioning the integrity of their leader. The whispers of conspiracy, the seeds of doubt that Hanifah had planted over the past months, were beginning to take root.

Meanwhile, Othman, ever the loyal brother, was in a difficult position. He had already been aware of the growing tensions in the court and had kept a close eye on the situation. But as the scandal surrounding Abdullah grew, Othman found himself torn. His loyalty to his brother was unwavering, yet the documents in the council’s hands seemed irrefutable. The thought that his brother could be involved in such a conspiracy left Othman rattled, uncertain of where his duty truly lay.

In private, Othman wrestled with his emotions. He knew the truth of his brother’s character, but the situation was dire. If the council moved to strip Abdullah of his title, or worse, forced him to abdicate, the future of Daura would be uncertain. Othman needed to act quickly, but how could he defend Abdullah when there was no clear evidence to counter the charges?

As the tension in the court reached a breaking point, Hanifah prepared for her final move. She knew that once the council turned against Abdullah, it would be almost impossible for him to regain control without drastic action. But she underestimated one thing: Abdullah’s resilience.