Masked A Zayn Malik AU

Chapter 4: Allies

Chapter 4

Arya's POV

"I'm Prince Zayn," he says trying to start a conversation.

I look up and say softly "I know your highness."

"What... what was your princess like?" he asks hesitantly.

What should I tell him? How am I to judge myself? What am I like? What am I in the eyes of my people?

"She was a kind and religious girl. She believed it equality and she couldn't stand her cousin, Anwar," I pause not knowing what to say.

"Well, we have some time before we get to Zailaan you should rest," he says softly with care.

I nod, closing my eyes and lean on the side of the carriage. Soon I fall asleep, and then we suddenly halt, waking me up. I stare at him for a second then looks down and one of his soldiers comes up to him. He is so handsome and he tries to be a good leader but he's new to leading, I can tell he is inexperienced and commanding.

"Your highness, there is a group of people blocking the entrance to Zailaan," his soldier says.

"Your Highness, may I talk to the soldiers that are blocking the entrance?" I ask.

To my surprise he says "Yes, you may."

I get out and his soldiers are about to accompany me but he stops them. I wonder why he didn't send them to after me. How can he trust me?

"But your Highness, she might leave," I hear the soldier say apprehensively.

"No, I don't think she will. I think she is true to her words," he says softly barely audibly from where I am.

I walk up to the soldiers and say "As-salam alaykum (A/N Islamic greeting)."

"Wa 'alaykum al-salaam (A/N Islamic greeting)," Major General Akbar says turning around.

"Princess!" he exclaims astonished, enveloping me into an embrace.

"How are you? What are you doing here? Have you heard of all the trouble at Ajra?" he fires away question after question in concern.

"Relax Akbar," I say calmly "I need you to do me a few favors."

"Anything for you, you Highness. Your wish is my command," he says in all seriousness.

"Akbar enough of the joking, now I need you to let this carriage go through and I need you to keep a very close eye on Anwar and what he does. Also intervene anything you think I would not approve of but make sure you do it in a way that Anwar cannot punish you for treason. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course your Highness," he says.

"Also don't tell anyone that I have arrived," I say apprehensively.

"Why not your Highness?" he asks baffled.

"Just don't please Akbar, I am trusting you to only tell Lieutenant General Othman that I said 'the tiger has been caught, and not to worry I'll meet him soon' Can you do that for me?" I say looking back at the carriage.

"Of course but what does it mean?" he asks bewildered.

"Ask Othman later but now I need this carriage to go through." I say in an urgent manner.

"Of course your Highness but isn't that Maliamora's Prince Zayn's emblem?"

"Yes, it is. I'll explain later but now I have to get back there. Thank you Akbar." I say leaving.

I come back and say "They will let us pass your Highness."

"Thank you Lady Soraya," he says.

I get confused at the name then realize that I am Lady Soraya to him now. He knows me as Lady Soraya the late warrior; to him Princess Arya is dead.

He stares at me with his beautiful brown and says "What did you say to the soldiers?" with great interest.

"Um... well I just said that they need to let us through" I say not knowing what else to say.

He looks as if he was thinking if he should ask anything else or leave the conversation there.

"Well we have some time until we reach the palace so you could rest a little until then," he says gently.

I slightly nod and close my eyes letting my mind wonder. I fall asleep quickly.