Chapter 1

After the death of the great sultan Rashid Al Mahmoud Shah, his third eldest son Yakub who was 23 years old will ascend the throne since he was the most capable of being the sultan among all his brothers.

The coronation day was today. The air was charged with excitement as the sun rose over the magnificent palace.

The magnificent hall was filled with magnificent decorations that represented the Al Mahmoud Shah dynasty's illustrious past and lasting heritage.

Yakub was exceptionally stunning with a sharp jawline, straight pointy nose, and large pale-green eyes that may draw any woman.

He was clothed in regal garments and stood tall and assured. Yakub is prepared to accept his new role as the monarch of the realm.

As the event was ready to begin, Yakub made his way towards the throne room via the halls, accompanied by the royal guards.

The new sultan had arrived, trumpets blared through the hallways, "His Majesty, Sultan Yakub Al Mahmoud Shah has arrived." All of the royal warriors, courtiers, and nobles bowed down in submission before the new sultan as they gathered to take in this momentous occasion.

Sultana Habiba, Yakub's mother, looked proudly from the royal balcony with the queen dowager Sultana Fatima and all of his late father's concubines.

Sultana Habiba's eyes were filled with a mixture of happiness. She understood that the accomplishments of their son and the maturity he had shown at such a young age would have made her late husband, who had passed away, extremely happy.

Yakub couldn't help but feel a wave of responsibility wash over his young shoulders as he observed all those individuals bowing before him.

The burden of his late father's legacy and everyone else's expectations. After that, Yakub approached the throne, sat down, and motioned with his hand for them to rise their heads, which they did.

The grand viziers and ministers were invited to approach the new sultan Yakub and kiss his regal robe as a sign of respect.

The other three ministers who were watching the ceremony whispered among each other " Do you think he will be a capable sultan?" the other one replied " Who knows, I think the eldest Shehzad Rafiq who would be the most suitable to be the new sultan."

The third one replied annoyingly " please lets not discuss such things here, we will know in the future whether this new sultan is capable like our late sultan or not." The ceremony was near the end so the the grand vizier asked the new sultan to give a speech, Yakub nodded and slowly stood up.

As Yakub began his speech, the room fell silent, and all eyes were on him. He spoke eloquently, addressing the concerns of the ministers and assuring them of his capabilities.

His words resonated with conviction, instilling a sense of hope and confidence in the hearts of those present.

The ministers exchanged glances, realizing that perhaps their initial doubts were unfounded.

It was clear that Yakub possessed the qualities of a true leader. When Yakub was done with his speech, his subjects shouted " Long live our Sultan Yakub."

His two other older brothers jealously stood and saw everything, but they were unable to intervene because their late father had already made up his mind.

The second older brother, Shehzad Habil, was secretly observing their younger brother become the new sultan while his nostrils were flaring in rage and hatred. He had always thought he was the legitimate heir to the monarch, and his resentment grew as he watched Yakub take the throne.

Thoughts of a conspiracy against his younger brother raced through Shehzad's head, but he was aware that any rash action may endanger his life.

Yakub entered his chamber once the coronation ceremony was over and the guards followed him out of the big hall. Yakub delighted and gave his mother a hug as soon as he saw that his mother, Sultana Habiba, was waiting for him in his chamber.

When the guards shut the large wooden door, his mother turned to him and said, "Well done, my young sultan. I'm very happy, but I'm also scared." Yakub held his mother's hands and said, "Mother, I'm well aware of your worries, but I must tell you now I have power and I can take care of those who have bad intentions against me or my kingdom."

He chuckled knowing why his mother was worried. Sultana Habiba said as she gently regarded her son. "Yes, I know, my dear, but you do know Concubine Leila was always opposed to you becoming the sultan, wanting her son to take the throne, so I'm sure she may plot something again, so we have to be careful, and Bashir pasha will always be there to protect you,"

Yakub gave his mother a gentle grin and a hand-kiss. Then the door was opened, and the guards announced that "queen mother dowager Fatima has arrived." When Fatima entered the room, Yakub welcomed her and kissed her hands.

Fatima then prayed for Yakub, saying, "May Allah be with you my child and I hope you will be a just ruler." Yakub uttered "Ameen" with his mother. "My sultan, I have a very wonderful gift for you. Please come with me," Sultana Fatima immediately said. she then said, turning to face Sultana Habiba, "You too, Sultana, if you want. "

Yakub's mother and Yakub exchanged looks as they considered the present Sultana Fatima had brought for Yakub. But Habiba politely refused, saying, "My sultana, I apologize I'll take a nap in my room" and then she excused herself and left the chamber with her maids.

Yakub then followed his grandmother, Sultana Fatima, with guards and maids trailing behind.

Alongside him was Sultana Fatima, his grandma. Yakub watched his grandmother heading toward his favorite garden and he wondered what kind of gift she had bought for him "My Sultana, are we going to the garden of moonlight?" he enquired.

Sultana Fatima gave him a warm grin as she responded, "Yes, my dear sultan, and something is waiting for you there." Yakub noticed a stunning white horse with a small black blemish on its forehead when they arrived at the garden.

As Yakub regarded the wonderful creature in front of him, his eyes grew wider with admiration. A white horse with a distinctive black mark? He couldn't believe his good fortune! When he patted the horse, it grunted. "Shukran, my sultana, but is this a gift for my succession?"

Yakub asked as he turned to face his grandmother, Sultana Fatima. Fatima answered, "Yes, it's my sultan. I hope you've liked my little gift." with a grin and her dearest grandchild in her eyes.

"Small?!" Yakub exclaimed while laughing. "My Sultana, this is a huge gift. Thanks one more."

He turned to face Bashir and gave the order to send for a stable lad to take this beautiful horse into the stable and give it extra attention. "Are you not going to name it my sultan?" Sultana Fatima questioned.

"Later, I'm having trouble coming up with a name that fits it" Yakub retorted with a smile.

After talking for some time Yakub and his grandma left the garden and he went to his chamber.