The Veil of the Throne *HOLD

The Harem

The Harem, Mazurri

"Allahu Akbar." The royal family chants, as they perform the morning prayers. The Queen Dowager, her two daughters, Naeema and Nawar, and the dearly beloved wives of Abdel—Salama, Afrah and Hanan stand, all behind him, as they round up their prayers.

"A family that prays together, stays together. Subhan Allah." The dowager says, kissing her Misbah. Abdel smiles at her statement.

"I'll go check on the food, Abdel. Allah Hafiz." Afrah, his second wife greets. He nods, in response to her adaab.

Over the past years, Abdel had married four wives. Hanan, Zara, Afrah and Fatima. Hanan was his first wife. Not only did she constantly warm his bed, but she was the only woman capable of manipulating Abdel into doing her bidding.

He and Hanan had been betrothed to one another since birth—both families had a mutual understanding. Zara, his second wife had been demoted from her rank as consort. Her brother Waheed, was a traitor and had betrayed him. I wouldn't stand for it.

"I'll retire to my chambers, Abdel." The Queen mother announces. She continues, "Nawar, come with me, will you?" Nawar nods and follows the Dowager.

"Allah Hafiz." They greet.

"Allah Hafiz." Abdel responds.

"Allah Hafiz. . ." Salama says, taking her leave. He nods, giving a small smile.

"Brother!" Naeema yells.

"Can you really not go a day without screaming in my ears, Naeema?"

She chuckles. "Well, there's some silk from Khatan. It's exquisite, brother! I heard it's for you, and I want it! Please, Abdel. Let me have it!"

He chuckles. "If I say yes, will you give me and my wife some. . . privacy?"

Naeema giggles. "Thank you."

After Naeema leaves, Hanan intentionally ignores him, walking out of the room.

"Stop." He commands, grabbing her arm. She tries to jerk her hand off. "I mean it. It's a command from your Emperor." Hanan laughs. She turns around, revealing her thick kajaled eyes. She was a beauty to behold.

"And I'm your Empress, Abdel. I love it when you command things as you want it. It shows how fierce of an Emperor you are."

I grab her arm. She gasps. Our faces are dangerously close, our eyes fixated on one another.

"I am a ruler. That's a given. I must. How do you think I can control the throne and the states under me?"

"You're a ruler to the people of Mazurr, but to me, you are Abdel, my husband."

"But I don't belong to only you, my dearest Hanan."

"Correct. You share not only your name with your wives and concubines. You share a physical and intimate bond with them. It is your right, but there's one thing I have that they don't. Your secrets, your thoughts, your mind, and the seat beside you on the throne."

Her response make me laugh. He lets go of her arms. "Hanan." He states, turning around to his war table. He picks up a glass and pours in some wine. "Allah has indeed blessed you not only with beauty, but brains too. A political mind."

"A Queen having a Lol mind is not only a gift to her, but a blessing to her Emperor, and the Empire." His wife responds.

Abdel turns to face her, a huge smirk on his face. "Indeed, an excellent response as always." It was one of the things that made him attracted to her. "That's why you surpass them all, Hanan. Your intelligence attracts me. Come, drink with me."

"No. I have some work to attend to. The same way you rule the empire, I, too, also have a harem to run."

Abdel nods. "Don't be furious when I bed one of my concubines."

Hanan smirks. "I won't, Abdel. Allah Hafiz." She retorts, doing the adaab. Abdel returns the gesture.

Hanan was beautiful and she was just as sly as a fox. Apart from having the highest rank of consort, she was also the unofficial empress of Mazurr. She could only become the Empress officially if she bore Abdel a son. However, she had been unable to conceive.

The Imperial court, Mazurr

"The Emperor is arriving!" The announcer announces. Abdel walks into the court room, nodding, and accepting the greetings of his ministers. He sits on his throne, his legs crossed. He closes his eyes. There is total silence in the court. It was a custom. He opens his eyes. He was used to meditating just a few minutes before matters began.

"Long live the Emperor!" The Prime Minister, Yussef, praises him. He smiles, enjoying the praises. The prime minister continues, "Your highness, you have ruled with your wisdom for almost a decade." He turns to the crowd of clerics, Imams, members of the Sharia board, and members of the Royal court. "No one has dared disrespect our law, however, we have been disrespected. We have been insulted by our inferiors!"

"Yussef, what do you speak of?" The teacher, Aziz al-Yur asks. After Abdel and the royal family, the teacher was the most respected person in the entire state of Mazur, even he, bowed to him.

Yussef answers the teacher, "Cascadia!" Abdel looks at Yussef furiously. Although Abdel was a very dangerous man, he possessed the virtue of patience.

"The Cascadians signed a treaty with your mother years ago while the Empress dowager was the presiding regent. Cascadia promised us free passage from their border if the need ever arose. However, the new king of Cascadia claims ignorance and has not only refused to grant us peaceful entry," Yussef says, approaching the throne. Abdel's eyes are fixated on Yussef. Abdel continues, "Your highness. They have captured our men, taken them hostage and the worst part of it all is. . ." Yussef pauses, looking at the cabinet members. "They have murdered our general, Sa'id." Yussef states.

"Ya Allah!" Members and ministers chorus, shocked. Abdel is shaken. Sa'id was his friend. They'd grown up together, and he'd promised to protect him for the rest of his life. He'd promised to be by his side for as long as he lived and he would even die for him, if the need ever arose. He kept his word. Abdel was beyond furious, heartbroken, even. He would never forgive Sa'id's killers. He would never. "We must show our hand, Emperor. We must show them, that they cannot do this."

Another Minister gets up, "This is a declaration of war, Emperor."

"The war flags must go up!" Another yells.

"You are quiet, my King. What shall we do?" Yussef inquires.

Abdel gets up, and he begins to walk away. He pauses, and turns around, as everyone present looks on surprised.

"Bring me his head."