Talking to the Moon ✔

-Chapter: Thirty Eight-

The next morning I lay on my bed contemplating. In the night, I had decided that I would go meet Prince Omar. Maybe convince him, in my own way, not to go Rayt. The mere thought of him going made me queasy as if something bad was going to happen. I could feel it.

"Lady Ayah." Nala entered my room with a worried look, "Are you all right?"

I am fine, I signed and sighed. One of the worst thing of living in a palace was that one could never be alone. It was not that I did not love Nala and the care she gave me, but sometimes, I wanted to be left with my thoughts.

Nala nodded and left the room. Maybe my sigh was an indication that I wanted to be left alone.

There was also that thing of me poking my nose into things when it was not needed. Of course, Omar had never made me feel that opinions was unwanted but I could not help but think that Monarchy had done well without it. Maybe I simply did not know how to keep my heart and mind seperate. Maybe he was right.

I sat up on my bed and frowned.

I would not be satisfied until this feeling in my gut calms down. I had to ease it.

I stepped out of my bed and went to my wardrobe to dress up.

"You are not going to sleep?" Nala entered. Maybe she had heard me moving around. I shook my head in response as I picked a normal looking dress and started dressing up.

"Are you all right, Ayah?" She put a hand on my shoulder and I stopped. I sighed and nodded. I would be fine, I couldn't say that about the Prince.

"Do you need anything?" She asked concern evident in her voice.

I shook my head at first as I put on my dress. As she was about to leave, I nodded.

Get my brother, I told her and then thinking I might have been rude, I added, Please.

She nodded and exited my room. I braided my hair in a hurried manner, glad that she had understood that I didn't wish to be poked and prodded by the other ladies.

My brother poked his head inside and gave me a smile as he sauntered in looking like any other man from the palace - royal and important. He fit in perfectly.

"I was summoned." He gave me wink as he sat on the bed with a loud thump.

I nodded, We are going to meet Master Wali.

"Oh no!" Asad groaned and I couldn't help but smile.

"What is it about?" He asked me.

Prince Omar, I said and surprisingly found myself not meeting his eyes. What was wrong with me?

He gave me an odd look but then said, "Is it about him going to the Rayt?"

I nodded.

"Everyone is going mad about it. Aqib is almost willing to tie Omar to his bed as long as it ensures that he is in the palace. I saw Wali and Omar argue and I have never either of them raise their voice at each other."

I sighed and sat beside him, What do you think?

"I think he is doing the right thing. Someone has to make the move before it is too late. He cannot control the drought or the rain but he can control people from rallying against the Monarch. If we put our sentiments aside, one cannot help but agree with him. Right now, he is important to us because we know that he is the only royal family sane enough to handle the kingdom."

I gave him a look and he raised his hand as  if saying - it is the truth.

"But according to them," he continued, "If he goes and visits them, it is still not the Monarch. But at least, the Monarch thinks that the situation is serious enough to send his brother rather than the representative of  their people. Do you follow me?"

I nodded hesitantly. I didn't want him to be right but when he explained it that way. I had to agree.

"And we need to give credit where it due." Asad said, "Omar has lost a lot too. He is not oblivious to the truth. He knows what those people did to his family but he is thinking of the Kingdom. He is thinking like a Monarch and someone who rules a nation cannot let personal emotions influence decision."

I shook my head. No, they could not. It was the basic lesson anyone learned when they were taught of politics.

When did you become so smart? I asked my brother.

"I always was, Ay." Asad grinned, "It is hard to acknowledge that when people get impressed by this."

He pointed at his face.

When did you become so arrogant? I scoffed and asked.

"I think too much of Aqib around rubs on you." He shrugged.

We stayed there in silence. My mind reeling with what he had said. I was still dreading that he was going.

It would be nice if Aqib went with him, I said.

"Someone has to take care of this place when he is gone."  Asad answered as if he had thought of that option too.

We are not that bad, I smiled.

"It is not us that he is worried about." Asad looked at me pointedly. I looked away.

"I am impressed, Ay." Asad nudged my shoulder, "I know I didn't say it often but you are doing a great job with the Monarch."

Really? I asked.

He nodded, "Yes."

I beamed at him.

Half of the time I don't know what I am doing.

He chuckled, "I can't blame you."

I exhaled loudly and then looked at my hands. It was politically sound move and Asad was right. I could not continue to pretend that Omar did not know what he was doing -- or the risks. He was smart individual and he had proved it often.

"So we are not going to Wali, I suppose."

I shook my head. What was the point? I was going to ask the same questions to Wali that I had asked my brother. I probably would've got the same answer too along with some witty remarks here and there to infuriate me.

Asad lay on his back and stared at the ceiling. Then, he pulled me so I was lying down too.

"Good then," he said, "I can spend sometime with my sister."

I smiled.

Do you think I changed? I asked him.

He frowned at my question and then answered truthfully, "I think we both did. We grew. We became more aware of ourselves."

Is that a good thing or bad? I asked.

"It is neither." He answered, "We grew, Ay. Growth cannot be classified as good or bad. It is something that happens naturally."

What if I don't like what I am growing into?

He turned towards me and looked at my face thoughtfully, "I don't know what you see when you look at yourself, Ay. But when I see you, I see a thoughful strong lady who can stand up for herself and make her own decision. In case, you didn't realize, you are a woman who made her presence known and feel valid even you were surrounded by apparently strong men. I like what you turned out to be despite disagreeing with you often."

He turned to face the ceiling again and moved closer so I could put my head on his chest. I could feel his heart beating rhythmically and I closed my eyes. He placed his hand on my hair and started playing with a strand of hair.

I like what you turned out to be too. I said.

"Thank you." He said, "I was wondering when you would say that."

I grinned.