The Crown in the Storm ✔️

Touchdown

Hello, everybody!

The "Crown in the Storm," is about representation, how nothing is truly black or white and how the people around you can shape your destiny. It might seem to go slow, but a slow burn has the biggest payoff. Choices will be made, the past will be referenced, romance will blossom and games will be played. It's going to be a wild ride. Vote, comment, and share!

Here's what I imagine these characters to look like.

Elena

Rania

Izzy

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I adjusted my sunglasses and peered outside the car window.

I should have accepted the helicopter. The plush seats of the car were a nice alternative, but the long drive was bound to tire me out.

"How long will you stay Begum Sahiba (Ma'am)?" I sighed. The honorary title was one thing I did not miss.

Although, the weather was a close contender. June was a brutal month in Akbarabad and Gulzar Mahal was miles away from the city.

"No idea," I replied. He shook his head as he tried to avoid hitting a street vendor. The city was wide awake and people were getting on with their daily routines. The traffic was going to be terrible.

"Why are they sprawled on the street!" Aziz's frustration was amplified with his constant honking. I massaged my temple. This was definitely going to be a long ride. Aziz muttered under his breath and I raised the screen divider between us to get some relief from the sun. I relaxed against the seat as Aziz tried to navigate smoothly through the morning traffic.

Half an hour later, the car winded towards the castle and I felt my heart clench at the familiar sight.

Nestled comfortably above the rest of the city and away from the ports, Gulzar Mahal was a fortress. I looked at the old, rugged fortress, covered in climbing moss and crumbling in a few places.  Despite this, the keep presented itself proudly, perched atop the peak of the hill, overlooking the loose-fitting stone battlements that ran all the way around it. My great-great-grandfather had re-constructed the old fortress, and although the stone of the defenses had the look of a beauty fallen out of grace, the greenery that lay between the wall and the keep was entirely new. This was the only remnant of the old Kingdom.

Aziz drove up the winding road and stopped at the main gate.

"Begum Sahiba," the guards bowed their heads and gestured for us to be let in. Aziz whisked the car onto the road that led to the driveway.

"Adaab (greetings) Begum Sahiba. Aziz, get the bags in, Begum Sahiba we had no idea you'll be arriving or we would have been prepared. Does Choti (little) Begum Sahiba know?" Andaleeb, the head of the household said, all the while frantically trying to manage Aziz and shout for the other staff. I stepped out of the car placing my sunglasses on my head. "Alia, go notify Bari (elder) Begum Sahiba, where is Choti Begum Sahiba?"

"It's fine Andaleeb, I'll go announce myself to my mother and Rania said she'd be out visiting the new site, she'll be back by sundown. Just get the bags to my room and have them unpacked."

"As you wish Begum Sahiba," she said lowering her head, adhering to protocol.

"How are your children? Aziz tells me Sania is quite the devil," I asked, walking into the house. Andaleeb laughed.

"Ali has just started high school, and you know Aziz Begum Sahiba, he thinks his sister is the worst." I smiled.

"Don't they all?" a dry voice cut in from behind Andaleeb. "And look at who's here. Finally remembered you had a home?" Izhaan remarked emerging from the library, giving me a hug and tousling my hair.

"I have a home in London. I came here for you since someone was in a rush to get married",

"Andaleeb, I'll take her to Ammi Jaan (mother)," Andaleeb bowed her head and walked out of the foyer. "How nice of you. You spared time for us. Uncle EJ will be here tomorrow so both of you can tell us all how busy you've been."

"What do you mean, I've been in contact with everybody. Uncle EJ, on the other hand, disappears every time," probably to solve another family crisis and save us from any embarrassment.

"A few texts a month does not count as being in contact," he added gesturing with air quotes. "You really should have told me that you would arrive today, I would have picked you up. We are family after all," I rolled my eyes at the sentimental words. "Aziz told me right before he left. I had to wake up an hour before I usually do, just to make sure I was here when you arrived."

"You were far too busy. We would have met at dinner, we are going out for Chinese right? I also told Rania not to disrupt her schedule." I answered, avoiding his gaze as I looked around the hall. A new painting caught my eye. "Your work?" I asked jerking my chin towards the painting in question.

"It's been five years Elena. We wanted to be here when you came back home."I turned around so I did not have to look him in the eyes.

"We?" I asked my eyebrows going up in surprise. "Who's we?"

"We meaning me. Surprise!" Rania bounded into the room brandishing a bunch of colorful balloons over her head. She was dressed in her standard garb, silk shalwar kameez, a shawl around her shoulders, and low heels. The opposite of my jeans and silk duster.

"I thought I told you to not make it a big deal. I won't be here for long. Does no one care about the fact I said no fuss? And why aren't you at the site?" I said hugging her tightly. My baby sister. My little girl. She smelled of roses, jasmine, and the sea. She smelled of home.

"I painted that, it is one of my finest works. Come on, you had your fun with Andaleeb. Let her have her fun," Izhaan interjected giving me a light punch on the arm.

"I leave in an hour.  It's been mere minutes since you've set foot in this house and you're already bossing me around. Was Andaleeb frantic? Did she drop her glasses in surprise? "Rania remarked twirling around and placing the balloons underneath Izhaan's painting.

"No, but she wasn't far off. Humble much Izhaan?" I answered rolling my eyes walking towards the staircase "When do I get to meet the muse that inspired that artistic mess...?" I said gesturing vaguely.

"Hania will be here tomorrow for the final tastings. I haven't told her much about you, so be at your best behavior," he answered turning right into the main hallway.

"I'm always at my best behavior, right Rania?" I replied pausing in front of the master bedroom.

"Always," she answered walking ahead and pushing the big mahogany door open. "May we come in, Ammi Jaan?"

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