3 W I S H E S & 17 D A Y S

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"Lailah, are you listening to me?" The Sultan laid back in the velvet chair. He wiped his mouth with a clean cloth, placing it next to his finished platter of breakfast afterwards.

His bulging, round eyes gazed at his daughter who picked at her food while sulking. His thin lips tightened into a disappointing frown when he only received silence as an answer.

Lailah refused to look at her father, poking the bread stick with her finger. Her half-eaten omelette began to grow cold. She had her head rested on the table, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders and back. Her grey eyes were glossy, thinking hard about how she had just turned 23.

The Prince of Persia, the Kingdom of Thalathiyyah, just hadasked for her hand in marriage. He told her to think about it and if it was a no, it'd be okay with him. But what she knew from her father, she didn't have much of a choice. She could only marry royalty, and he was the likable suitor for her at the moment. Princes from Thamaniyyah, the Israelis, were out of the question and Lailah had refused the Princes of Egypt.

"It's okay, Abba." Shaaira, Lailah's older sister, pranced into the spacious dining room. Her wavy brown her framed her faced, and her tanned skin glowed in the morning light that washed over them from the large, open windows. "She's still young, plus, my wedding with Ahmed is in a few months. Let's focus on that for now!"

Lailah glanced at her sister, smiling a little for saving her. Shaaira kissed the Sultan on the temple of his head as he sighs, then taking a seat across from Lailah.

"It's just, I get worried about you girls." The Sultan rubbed his aging skin. "I'm getting old, I don't know who will take care of you guys if I'm gone."

"We can take care of ourselves." Lailah scoffed, rolling her eyes. The Sultan frowned and Shaaira gave a nudging glare.

"I'm sorry, I'm in a bad mood. I just don't want to focus on marriage right now." Lailah apologized.

"Understandable." The Sultan motioned for the servants to pick up his plate. Shaaira munched down on the bread sticks while Lailah pushed her plate aside.

"I think I'll go into Ayna today." She said.

"Is there a reason?" The Sultan raised his brow.

"No reason." She shrugged. "I want some fresh air."

"Alright." The Sultan nodded. "I'll have the soldiers prepare for your trip into town."

Lailah pushed her chair away, getting up. She walked over to the Sultan, kissing him on the cheek. It's been a few tough days for their relationship. Arguments after arguments had led to both of them being tired but they never failed to show each other love. Her father and Shaaira were all Lailah had. She couldn't see any other purpose to live other than them. Marriage? The thought terrified her. She'd had to move to a whole new kingdom to be with her husband and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that.

_ _ _

"Abba cares about you, y'know." Shaaira entered Lailah's room as Lailah slipped on a simple, rose garment. Her room was large, with a comfy king-sized bed in the middle. Her large vanity and dresser covered one entire wall. The bed faced the balcony-- the soft silk curtains giving her some privacy from the outside. "He just wants the best for you."

"I know, Shaaira." Lailah sighed, twirling her hair with a finger. "I've just been very tired these days. I don't know why."

"Is it because of Ummi?" Shaaira said sharply but then hesitated right after the angry look Lailah flashed towards her. Though that didn't stop her from continuing a moment later.