Masked A Zayn Malik AU

Chapter 17: Plan

Zayn's POV (a little before)
"True but if we get to know each other, we will understand each other's perspective better," I say thoughtfully.
I want to know more about you, Afsa.
"Your Highness, a carriage has arrived with the symbol of the princess of Orifa," Samar says walking into the library.
What is she doing here?
"Isabella?" Afsa asks shocked.
"Yes, should we let her in?" Samar asks.
Does she really need to disturb us now? Obviously we should let them in or else there might be more trouble.
"Why of course, we need not more trouble," I reply with a faint smile.
"But they are allies with Ajra," Samar says.
"We do not deny entry to the castle to any members of the royal families who come in peace Samar," I say as Samar leaves to open the gates.
"He's right though, Ajra and Orifa have been allies for quite some time," she smiles.
"Well we should go greet the new guest," I say irritated as I walk down the stairs.
Why don't we get this over with?
"Are you okay?" I ask from the bottom of the stairs.
"Oh sorry, I'm fine," she replies.
"Well come down then," I say as she starts descending the long stairs.
She looks so royal walking down the stairs with her head high and a emotionless, blank face. "Um, do you know Princess Isabella?" she asks as she reaches the bottom of the stairs.
"Not personally, but we do have a good trade with Orifa," I reply as she trips and I catches her. Is she okay? Oh no what happened?
"I'm so sorry; thank you," she apologizes flustered as she straighten up.
"It's quite alright; are you okay Lady Soraya?" I ask with concern.
She stares at me for a moment before realizing that I was asking to her a question.
Did she get hurt?
"Yes I'm quite alright," she says dusting her dress a bit.
"Are you sure?" I ask dubiously.
"Yes, I'm fine," she reassures as we proceed to the door.
We walk down the hall before ending up at the entrance to the palace.
"Your highness, may I present to you Princess Isabella of Orifa," the messenger says as he opens the carriage door to let Isabella out.
A beautiful girl, not as beautiful as Afsa in an emerald green dress steps out of the carriage; she has brown curly hair and green eyes.
"Princess, she's Lady Soraya, and I am Prince Zayn at your service, what may I do for you?" I ask rather formally pointing at her then myself as Isabella stares her.
"I need a place to stay for a few days if you don't mind," Princess Isabella says with a diplomatic smile.
Why not? Who am I to say no? It's not like I know you or have anything against you.
"Why of course your highness, you're always welcome here," I say with a diplomatic smile. "Wonderful the last carriage is filled with peace offerings to ensure that we come in peace," she says pointing to a carriage.
Does she think we are poor? Do we really need her 'peace offerings'.
"There is no need for them," I say with a firm smile formally.
"In Orifa people tend to be generous and it's considered disrespectful to go to one's house without gifts and to not receive a gift one brings," Afsa says with a smile.
"That is very true," Ella says.
Oh fine, there is nothing I can say nor do I care.
"Your Highness," Samar says coming to the entrance of the Palace.
"Yes Samar?" I turn to Samar.
"You have an urgent letter from your father," Samar says.
Oh father, I hope he is well. I really hope he gets better. Oh Allah please help him get better. "Okay, I'll go and read it, please call Mariam and tell her to show Princess Isabella to one of the guest rooms," I say.
I thought I was to plan the end of the war with Afsa.
"Yes, your highness," Samar replies slightly bowing before leaving.
"Lady Soraya, are you to keep me company or Princess Isabella?" I ask turning back to her. Will she go with her? She might since they know each other. I hope she stays with me.
"Would you mind if I said Princess Isabella? It's just that read your father letter should be personal," she hesitates.
So considerate, yet I'm not pleased with the response. I want her to join me; we have to talk about the plans.
"Very well then, see you soon," I say with a forced smile before leaving.
I go to the library and sit down with the letter. I open the letter and start to read it.
Dear Zayn,
I am not well; I cannot come to Zailaan as soon as we planned. I heard you have Lady Soraya in the palace in Zailaan. I have also heard Princess Arya is missing; we could stop the war soon. I believe we could pose Lady Soraya as Princess Arya in front of the world then we can earn more validity in the end of the war. She is to be trained to be a princess and to give a speech in front of many influential people. Keep me informed of all that happens in Zailaan. Be safe.
Your father,
King Yaser
What is father thinking? I do not think this will work. Father knows better than I, he knows what he is planning. I have to make sure that Lady Soraya is okay with this.
"Mariam," I call out.
"Yes, your highness?" Mariam rushes into the room.
"Go get Lady Soraya," I command leaning on the banister.
"Yes your highness," she says rushing out.
Will she agree? What if she declines? She might leave soon. Father might get mad at me if she refuses.

Arya's POV
I follow Mariam down the hall towards the library. Why does he want to speak to me? Have I done something? Has his father said anything to him? I knock at the door and pause as Mariam leaves.
"Come in," Prince Zayn calls out as I open the door.
"Your Highness," I greet with a firm smile.
"Haven't I told you to call me by my name?" he smiles.
"Prince Zayn, you wished to see me?" I smile irritated.
"Oh yes, I wanted to talk about how we are to stop this war," he says in a more serious note. "What do you suppose Your Highness?" I ask
"I was uh thinking that we could have you trained to be a leader, a princess and present you as the uh princess to the world. Then we could officially stop the war," he stumbles and hesitates. What does he mean by be presented to the world as the Princess? Besides I am the Princess so if I do go to Ajra I'll be able to stop the war regardless.
"What do you mean Zayn, I mean Prince Zayn?" I question baffled.
"Call me Zayn, I mean the world does not know who Princess Arya is, I mean they do but they do not know what she looks like. We can train you to talk and act like her then we stop this war," he explains with a pleading smile.
I despised the etiquette and presentation classes what makes me like them now? I may be able to go back to Ajra soon.
"But why can I not be Lady Soraya and end this war?" I ask.
"We want the most legitimacy possible, I believe if you can get everyone to believe you are Princess Arya then Lord Anwar is defenseless and cannot rebel. If you can convince everyone then you will have the upper hand that is why you must be trained," he enlightens.
Well planned Price Zayn, yet if you just take me to Ajra it would be easier.
"But she has left Ajra to me, if you just take me there I shall be able to stop the war," I present my thoughts.
Isabella's words keep ringing in my head, "What will happen if Prince Zayn finds out that you're Arya and not Soraya? ... Don't you think he will be angered by the fact that you didn't tell him and he found out from someone else? I think you should tell him, don't you think so?"
"He is eligible for the throne himself it may bring harm to you," he firmly replies.
"Are you suggesting I'm weak, Your Highness?" I inquire enraged.
"No, no, no, that's not what I meant Afsa," he sighs.
"What did you mean Zayn?" I recompose myself.
"I meant greed and corruption is enough determination to harm someone and I don't want you to get hurt," he whispers the last part.
"Speaking of hurt and fights I believe we were to have a duel to attend to," I smirk causing him to smile.
"Right, of course, we should have it tomorrow in the morning," he suggests.
"Tomorrow morning is good, good luck Zayn," I mock.
"Don't worry Afsa I'll go easy on you," he taunts.
"Oh I'm afraid it will be I who will be going easy on you," I grin teasingly.
"We'll see about that tomorrow," he says as we both laugh.