Being The Sheikh's Queen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Ridwaan smiled at everyone in the room as he entered,greeting them all.He frowned when he did not see his parents in the lounge but that frown soon turned to a smile when his eyes fell upon a sight.He saw Ahmed on Farzana's lap,whispering something to her as she turned to speak to Sumayya who seemed in awe of the woman in front of her.Sumayya looked up at him with a smile and a wink that told him she approved of Farzana.Farzana looked up when Sumayya looked towards him and Faizal stood up to greet Ridwaan.When he looked towards Farzana she nodded and he nodded back.

"Ughi,come sit.We were just discussing a date for the announcement,Nikkah and walima." Ali informed his brother who took a seat next to Ali.

"What are the dates?"

"In a month we announce that you and Farzana are to get married,then on the 25th of September we can host the nikkah and on then on the 26th of September we can host the walima."

Ridwaan looked at Farzana who had picked up Ayesha and had put her on the other side of her lap,"Are those dates okay with you,Farzana?"

Farzana nodded but Nadir beat her at speaking,"Ughi,we consulted ughti Farzana before finalising the dates."

Ridwaan looked at his brother with a flat expression,"I had to make sure that you'll never force your way with her."

Nadir looked offended as he turned his gaze to Farzana,"Please tell ughi that we didn't force our way?"

Farzana smiled at the pleading look in his eyes as she gazed at Ridwaan,"I was the one who selected those dates because school ends on the 18th of September for end of the year so I can resign then as well."

Ridwaan nodded as he looked down at his feet before looking at everyone in the room,including his jadati,"I have made a decision regarding Ahmed's schooling without the Kingdom knowing his identity.For years we have used this way of hiding the next King's identity and not letting our Kingdom get a glimpse of him.I want to change that as I have realized that the teachers will not behave any differently towards Ahmed if they know he is the Prince.So as is a tradition when we do release photos of the wedding we will have Ahmed in them and his identity will be revealed.Security at the school will be upped and I will personally address the teachers on how to behave with Ahmed.Any one disagrees with me?"

Everyone shook their head along with Ummi Abdul Rahman who smiled,"I have hated that rule your great-grandfather had put in but could not convince your grandfather to remove it.This ensures that no other child is under a risk of being told that they are the King or being kidnapped and it saves us a lot of time from trying to hide him.I agree with your decision."

"Ridwaan,I have a question?" Razia spoke up after everyone voiced their agreement and Ridwaan looked at her,nodding his head,"I know it may not be my place but as a mother figure to Farzana I am asking this question.Will your parents not be involved in any part of your wedding preparations?"

Farzana gazed at Ridwaan at this question as she thought about what he had told her,she could not help but ponder over her sister-in-law's question,"Razia is right.They have not even come to meet Farzana since we last spoke."

Ridwaan gritted his teeth as he reached for his phone,exiting the room and he put it to his ear after dialling a number.

"As salaam mu alaykum,ibn." His mother's voice came through and he spoke.

"Wa alaykum mu salaam,ummi.Where are you and abi?"

"In our quarters,why?"

"I want the two of you to come to the main lounge immediately that is in my quarters,ummi."

"Ahh Ridwaan,we are busy." Ridwaan's hand curled into a fist before he spoke,this time the tone he used had a harsh edge to it.

"Let me make myself clear,ammi.It is your King's orders that you and abi come to the lounge,now ammi.I will not ask again.You have five minutes,ummi." Ridwaan cut the call aas he took a deep breath and let it go.They knew Farzana and her family were in the palace.He had told them but even if he had not told them,one of the staff would have spoke to their staff and told them.They were trying to show Farzana just how much they did not accept her,Ridwaan was not going to allow them to show such disrespect to his going-to-be wife.He closed his eyes,reeling his anger back before he walked back into the room.