The Crown in the Storm ✔️

Let the games begin

I banged the file on the table.
"So we have no idea", I growled. Uncle EJ
shook his head and massaged his temple. His eyes were red and there were bags under his eyes.

"Begum Sahiba, our guards are on it, they're questioning everyone and they have a sketch of the man" I looked at Major Zaroon. He met my gaze head-on. "We'll know more come morning"

Uncle EJ gave him a cautious glance. I knew he was right, I knew that but my blood boiled as my mother's face flashed in my mind. "Have you seen your Khanum (female leader of the Khan clan), Major? Have you seen what that person did to her? How can you be so calm?"

He gave me a slow blink. "I want answers and I want them now. How could someone just sneak into the castle? Someone is lying. And where were you at that time Major?" He gave me a patient glance.

"I was with my father" Uncle EJ straightened up and looked at Major Zaroon.

"Rather convenient," I said moving forward to stand in front of him. He was taller than I remembered, I barely came up to his shoulder. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"You have nothing to fear from me Begum Sahiba"

"I would hope so. Ammi Jaan trusted you with her security and look at what has happened", I hated that my voice quivered at the end. Major Zaroon met my eyes and lowered his head. I balked in shock.

"I am truly sorry for what has happened to her. I regret that I was not there to protect her, truly I do" he kept his head lowered and continued. "You have nothing but my loyalty Begum Sahiba."

"He's not to blame Elena. Bottle your anger. We need to find who did this. Zaroon, you may leave, I expect you to be here in the morning." Uncle EJ said coming to stand by side. Major Zaroon nodded and looked at me.

"By your permission?" he asked me. I clenched my jaw and gave him a brief nod.

"There's something wrong about this man. I can feel it", I said after he had left the room.

"You're projecting Elena, there's nothing wrong with him. He's not your enemy"

"He's not my friend either", I replied. Uncle EJ sighed. "You promised to tell me, everything uncle" He looked up at me as his shoulders dropped. "But tomorrow. Go to bed" He smiled and gave me a kiss on the forehead,

"Goodnight darling, get some sleep, we'll figure this out"

I stared at the empty room. There were guards posted outside everyone's rooms now. The safety of this castle had been compromised, how could anyone go to sleep. I did not feel safe in my home. The attacker had to be someone from the inside but Ammi Jaan had told Uncle that she had injured the man. She had not been able to take off the mask but the force and stature led her to believe it was an inexperienced man. But why the attack? And during the day. What had she done?

I looked at her files. Times were hard. The elections could not be over soon. Everyone needed a breather as emotions were running high. I read the facts and figures and educated myself about the situation and settled comfortably in my father's chair.

"Eli!Eli!" someone was shaking me awake. I woke up groggily, not understanding where I was.

"What? Where..."I looked up to see Rania staring at me with worried eyes.

"You feel asleep here. Major Zaroon and Uncle EJ are waiting for you. Ammi Jaan is waiting for you. Also, the minister will be here soon. Someone snitched. He'll want to meet you"

"What... what's the time?" I asked, still not fully awake.

"It's six-thirty" I had been asleep for a grand total of five hours. My head was pounding. I looked up at my sister.

"Okay, where's Izzy? Let's have breakfast with Ammi Jaan. How is she? Has she eaten anything?" I said getting up and wincing at the stiffness. My neck ached and my shoulders were hunched as I followed my sister to Ammi Jaan's room. We came across Andaleeb who stopped and lowered her head.

"Begum Sahiba," She said her voice quivering. "... I am sorry about, about what happened"

"You should have been by her side Andaleeb. Why was she alone? " Anadaleeb flinched at the accusation in my voice.

"We're humble servants Begum Sahiba. She asked for us to leave her alone. We would not disobey her" she said her with her head still lowered. Rania stood beside me and both of us looked at each other. Rania nodded and I asked her to get us breakfast and something for my headache. Andaleeb scurried away to get away from us.

"She's been here since we were born and this is the first time I have seen her so rattled"Rania muttered as she smiled at Alia as we walked. Alia nodded her eyes filled with tears.

"Uncle EJ told me she was pretty upset when he interrogated her. You know uncle, he would have been sweet but if she was upset in front of him... something's up" I said, nodding at the guards and pushing the door open. I smiled as I entered the room. My mother, the fighter, was sitting upright, her arm in a grey sling with a napkin on her lap. She was ordering Sania to open the windows to let in some fresh air.

"Are you sure that's safe?" Izzhaan said moving to place the breakfast tray on the bed.

"Unless someone is planning to fire a missile, I think we can handle it if someone decided to attack," Rania said taking the toast and buttering it up for Ammi Jaan. Ammi laughed lightly and the ball in my chest loosened up a bit.

"How are you feeling Ammi?"I asked sitting at her feet. She looked at me affectionately.

"It's going to take a lot more than just an apprentice to assassinate me", I shook my head at her light tone, her face from yesterday still fresh in my memory.

"We'll make sure that doesn't happen. Ever." Izzy said fiercely. Ammi smiled, wincing as she repositioned herself.

"Where is EJ?" Ammi asked drinking her tea. Even after being attacked she was trying to do everything herself and with grace.

"He said he'll visit you later in the day. He's having breakfast with Major Zaroon. Elena, he wants you to join him after breakfast"

Major Zaroon. He had not flinched from my gaze or my questions. Clearly, the army was training them well but there was something about that man that did not sit right with me. Those eyes spelled trouble.

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