Acceptance Is Treachery

Chapter 24

Three years had gone by since that devastating day when Sultan Azman was murdered.

Nazia was now the Princess of Faizabad or commonly known as Faizabad's Shahbanu by the commoners of Faizabad who loved her tremendously. Nazia, was willing to take on the role of the Princess of Faizabad as her Father had given the Kingdom of Faizabad to her in his will.

Apart from that, Nazia, always had a soft spot for Faizabad. When she learnt how to talk and walk till date, she had grown up seeing how her father built Faizabad with his blood, sweat and tears.

Literally.

An incident which had always captivated Nazia, was the time when she saw her father clear the rubbish from the river that ran through the four kingdoms single-handedly.

Sultan Azman was a man who always believed in hard work and perseverance. Which would explain clearly, why he would lose his temper almost too easily.

It was never easy to please a perfectionist.

Nazia, looked at the sky, from her old balcony. Despite it being dawn, to Nazia, the sky seemed cold, dark and void of any light.

Having numerous responsibilities, coping with the death of a parent and not knowing if her spouse was the reason for her sorrow were the causes of Nazia's heartache.

"Queen, are you alright?" Hadija's shrill voice broke through Nazia's thoughts.

The sky was a clear blue and the sun shone brightly.

Nazia nodded before turning to look at Hadija.

"Queen, I've got a piece of news to share with you." Hadija mumbled before she played with her fingers. Not knowing how to phrase the news to her Queen.

"Is Ram back?" Nazia asked looking at her lady-in-waiting expectantly.

Hadija shook her head-indicating a no, before she looked up at her Queen.

Red, puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks.

Nazia looked at Hadija, afraid to hear what she had to say.

"Em-Empress Sh-Sheila-" Hadija managed to say while she bit her lower lip.

"Empress Sheila? What about her?" Nazia asked holding on to Hadija's arms.

"Sh-She, m-murdered," Hadija managed to choke out before she erupted into tears.

"Who did she murder, Hadija?!" Nazia asked looking directly at Hadija whilst she controlled her tears from falling.

"Queen Binita. She murdered Queen Binita." Hadija choked out before crying.

Nazia's legs gave way before she fell on to the floor.

Tears streamed continuously.

"How do you know that she killed Queen Binita, Hadija?" Nazia asked while she sniffed.

"I was at the Bazaar earlier, Queen. I met Aruna. Aruna and I used to cook together back in Uttarakhand. Even her brother Vinay used to thow parsley leaves at us in the kitchen." Hadija smiled looking back at Nazia who forced a grin as a reply.

"Queen Binita and King Ramji had a love marriage. Emperor Gaurav agreed for the two of them to wed as he wanted his son to be happy. However, King Ramji's happiness was unimportant to Empress Sheila. She was greedy. Greedy for power and status." Hadija began, detectable notes of anger slowly formed in her melodious voice.

"What did she do to, Binita?" Nazia asked while she looked straight ahead at the wall in front of her.

"It pains me to even articulate it, Queen. I never knew Empress Sheila could stoop so low." Hadija sighed as she took a seat beside the Princess.