Masked A Zayn Malik AU

Chapter 18: Guests and Recitations

Isabella's POV
After some time Mariam comes in to call me for dinner, I walk out dressed in a pink dress with a matching tiara, necklace and earrings. I follow Mariam to the dining room to find a table filled with food and people. I look around; Prince Zayn, Princess Arya and Princess Amira are nowhere to be found.
"Princess Isabella, do sit here," Mariam points to an empty seat next to a young male with beautiful blue eyes and brown hair.
"Thank you," I say sitting down.
"Prince Louis," he introduces himself with a beautiful smile.
"Princess Isabella," I reciprocate.
"Good evening," Prince Zayn comes and takes a seat.
"Good evening," everyone replies.
Where is Arya? Did she tell him?
"Prince Zayn, where is Lady Soraya?" another young man asks with a grin.
"Prince Harry, she is with Amira," he replies with a smile as the two princesses walk in.
"Good evening," Arya says softly as Prince Zayn looks up and Princess Amira takes a seat.
Their eyes meet for a second as Arya smiles and takes the seat in between him and Princess Amira.They will make such a good couple, if only they would understand it.
"Good evening," another male says coming in.
We all look up and see Prince Ali as Princess Amira's face lights up in happiness.
"Good evening," we all reply as he takes the last seat next to Princess Amira.
"Prince Ali, I did not know you were coming here," Prince Zayn questions teasingly.
"Oh, I sent a letter dear friend informing I was to come with the wedding dress," Prince Ali smiles at Prince Zayn.

Amira's POV
"Good evening," I hear a deep voice causing me to look up.
Prince Ali, what is he doing here? He isn't supposed to see me before the wedding. I mean we were told not by his mother not that I really don't want to see him. My brother is staring at the shy and timid Lady Soraya. He definitely likes her whether he admits it or not. Where did Princess Isabella come from? Why? At least Lady Soraya has someone she knows now.
"Prince Ali, I did not know you were coming here," my brother interrogates with a smirk.
"Oh, I sent a letter, dear friend, informing you I was to come with the wedding dress," Ali smiles at my brother.
"Salaam," Ali whispers.
I smile and nod and whisper back the reply. He smiles and starts taking food. He whispers to me here and there, small talk as the rest of the people at the table chatter away loudly, all except Lady Soraya, Princess Isabella and my brother. Lady Soraya finishes eating very fast then excuses herself from the dining table. A few moments later Princess Isabella does the same. My brother quietly finishes eating and remains seated as everyone else chatters away about what they did today.

Zayn's POV
"Prince Zayn, what did you do all day?" Prince Harry starts his interrogation.
"Umm nothing really, we took a walk and then we were in the library then Princess Isabella came," I shrug.
"Really Zayn?! We leave you with the girl and all you do is take a walk with her?" Prince Harry asks amused.
What does he mean? What should have I done?
"Um yeah," I reply ignoring his amusement.
"Wait so who was sitting next to Zayn?" Ali asks confused.
"That was Lady Soraya," Prince Liam smiles.
"Oh but what is she doing here?" Ali asks processing the info.
"Prince Zayn, here, found her in the middle of nowhere and kidnapped her," Prince Louis jokes.
What if that's how Afsa thinks of it like that? I mean I did kind of just take her.
"Not exactly, I found her in the woods, on the way here and brought her here for help," I shake my head laughing.
"Prince Zayn, are you sure she is who she says she is?" Prince Ali asks me raising an eyebrow.
Why wouldn't she be who she says?
"Why would she not be whom she says?" I inquiry immediately confused by his accusation.
"I mean you just brought her in without question, what if she's a spy," Prince Ali suggests.
"I do not think she is a spy, and besides when I found her she was on a royal horse," I quickly defend Afsa.
"I was just playing with your nerves," Prince Ali chuckles.
"Did anyone else notice how quick Zayn was to defend Lady Soraya?" Prince Harry teases.
"Oh yes he was, I noticed that too," Prince Liam confirms.
"Did anyone notice that Louis was staring at Princess Isabella or were you all too busy with me?" I ask changing the topic.
"Oh yeah I noticed that," Princess Roxanne says raising an eyebrow.
"It's obvious they both have a thing for each other," Princess Jacquline hints.
"I think so too," Princess Roxanne smiles.
"Well, I believe we should retire to bed now," Prince Louis says quickly causing us to laugh.
"Prince Louis is right, we shall go to bed eventually but not now," Prince Niall says laughing.
"I think we should call it a night," Prince Louis cries adamantly.
"I forgot to tell all of you, do not make any plans for tomorrow," I declare.
"What? Why?" everyone cries as I chuckle.
"Because I've created plans for you," I reply.
"What are we doing?" Prince Harry asks raising his eyebrow.
"You'll see," I smile, without answering I rise.
"Does it involve us getting out of the palace?" Prince Ali inquires.
"No," I respond shaking my head.
"Does it involve Lady Soraya?" Prince Harry asks.
"Maybe," I smile.
"Oooh it does," Princess Akhira exclaims with a wide smile.
"I'm off to bed," Prince Louis declares.
"Goodnight," we reply as I turn to walk up too.
I walk to the library to get my Quran as Mariam comes to me.
"Your Highness, Lady Soraya requested a Quran (A/N: Islamic Holy Book)," Mariam says quietly.
"There is a Quran in the desk drawer in the library," I reply opening the door to my large library.
She walks to the desk and takes the Quran and leaves the room. I walk to the shelf and take one of the spare Qurans since I brought my copy here earlier today and I just gave it to Afsa. I walk back to my room and sit down on my bed and recite Surah Yasin (A/N: 36th chapter of the Quran with a lot of importance, given the name as the heart of the Quran).

Arya's POV
I finish praying Isha (the night-time daily prayer recited by practicing Muslims. It is the fifth of the five daily prayers) as Mariam hands me the Quran and the wooden stand for it. I start reciting Surah Yasin as Mariam sits down next to me.
"That was beautiful," Mariam says as I close the Quran.
"Thank you Mariam," I say placing the Quran on the nightstand.
"Goodnight Your Highness," she smiles turning to leave the room.
"Goodnight Mariam," I respond as she leaves.
I get ready for bed when someone knocks on my door.
"Who is it?" I call out.
"Amira," Princess Amira replies softly.
"Come in," I call out as she opens the door.
"Lady Soraya, I just came to check on you and see if you needed anything," she says as I motion her to take a seat on the bed.
"Oh no, I don't need anything," I smile sitting across from her.
"I see you have read the Quran today," she notes looking at the nightstand.
"Yes, I just finished reciting Surah Yasin," I reply with a smile.
"Who gave you the Quran?" she asks with a smile.
"Prince Zayn, why?" I reply.
"No, it's just I didn't think you would know where to get one that's all," she replies with a smile.
"Oh, Princess Amira, do you have something to wear for a sword fight?" I inquire.
"Yes, I'll send it over by Mariam," she says standing up.
"Okay thank you," I say as she leaves the room.