I was very careful with my appearance, choosing a low-cut gown that revealed a small amount of cleavage. The gown, a soft brown satin, darkened my skin tone, giving the illusion that I was tanned. I let my hair down, and it dropped to my waist. I pinched my cheeks to bring some color to them, and when I glanced in the mirror, the lady who looked back at me appeared very sexy. Satisfied with the results, I slipped my feet into my silk slip-ons and hurriedly flew across the great hall.
I joined them in the dining room a few minutes later. The conversation stopped automatically as the guards opened the double doors and I walked in. The dining room was a beautiful room with elegant tapestries on all four walls, candle chandeliers hanging from the cathedral ceiling, and silk curtains that draped around the French windows. The dining table was a shiny, black cherrywood that could easily seat fifty guests, and its matching chairs were beautifully carved with an elegant flower design. The silverware was sterling silver, and the water goblets were made of fine crystal, as well as the wineglasses. A lavish Oriental carpet covered the marble floor. But then I did not expect anything less from royalty.
Everyone, except for Billal, was looking at me. He looked the opposite way. He sported a black eye. I could tell there was a lot of tension between him and my prince. Every gentleman at the dining table stood, and I walked over to my seat, which was next to Nidal's. I waited for the servant to push my chair in, and after I sat down, all the men sat too.
Everyone greeted me with a smile and a hello, except for Billal. He did not say one word to me. How absurd! He isn't allowed to talk to me, yet he sits at the table with us. I will never understand the customs and traditions of Arabia.
I glanced sideways at Nidal, and I could tell he was angry at his cousin's presence in the room. I lowered my gaze to his lap, and I saw Nidal clenching his fists. I just wanted all this to stop. Nidal's jealousy needed to stop. His actions were embarrassing the palace, and it was putting a strain on the crown. The king had already warned him to check his behavior.
This was not an intimate affair. I thought lunch would be a little less formal than this, but I was wrong. Altogether, twenty-five of us were sitting down for lunch. They all pretended to eat, but I caught the guests stealing glances at the prince and myself. The queen was staring at me too. I knew she disapproved of my presence in the palace. She had never smiled at me. The queen had not even acknowledged me at all since I had come there. She had never spoken to me, not once. She simply ignored my existence.
I had lost my appetite. I just wanted to get through this, excuse myself, and run to the safety of my room, where no one could see the pain I was feeling in my heart and the tears about to form in my eyes. I could seclude myself there in privacy and not be under the constant scrutiny of these people who already prejudged me unfairly.
The servants were taking their time serving us the six-course meal. The main course was duck served with red wine sauce, and there were roasted potatoes and three different kinds of vegetables. All this food was mouthwatering, and I was famished, having skipped breakfast.
Everyone ate in silence. No one dared say a word. Finally, the queen broke the silence, and asked the man sitting opposite her, "Have you ever visited the gardens? The flowers are in full bloom this time of year." She said sweetly.
The man just stared at her for a split second. Tiny balls of sweat formed on his balding head, as he was trying to decide if that were a trick question or if she truly favored his response. He decided it was the latter, relieved, he quickly answered with a fake smile, "No my queen, I have never seen the garden in all its glory, but would look forward to doing just that after we are finished with dinner."
Again, there was silence as the guests finished the last of their meal. The servants cleaned up the table and brought out the pastries and tea. The guests chimed in conversation again, and all spoke almost at the same time. The tension was gone, there was laughter and smiles, and everyone was drinking tea and having a good time. Even Nidal's tone was neutral, but he had a smile that was as dangerous as a cobra waiting to bite. His blue eyes had darkened as he glanced across the table at his cousin Billal.
He stole a side glance at me. His eyes were empty and sad. I looked away quickly. Tension was in the room again. Everyone's laughter broke off abruptly when all witnessed the look that Nidal had thrown me. It was suddenly very quiet in the room again, and it seemed like a lifetime later when the king quickly muttered something and everyone at the table picked up their conversation where they had left off.
I saw the queen take a deep breath and sigh as she gazed at her son and me with a disapproving glare. I felt so uncomfortable at the way she conducted herself. It was not fair that she judged me so. I felt a wave of sadness, and I wished things could have been different. I wanted to befriend the queen. We both loved Nidal, and it would be to both our benefit if we tried to be civil to each other.
At that moment, Nidal took my hand in his, and I looked up surprised and saw him staring blankly at the guests. He probably wasn't even aware of what he was doing. The fine lines on his face relaxed now, and he almost looked like he was having a good time. With his fingers, Nidal gently caressed my hand. His light touch felt warm on my skin, and I started wishing that things were different and that he was not a prince with a million responsibilities, but just another man who lived a simple life, a commoner who could come and go as he pleased. People thought the prince was born to a life of privilege, but they did not know that Nidal was a slave to his crown.
