The only one who would know

The emir could remain blank whenever he wishes to. But there are times when he is too anxious that his feet taps the ground on its own accord. Of course, that would only show when he is thinking severely.

Bugaji, Babu's replacement for his trip to Oceane is covered with concern. But he didn't dare voice it. He could only worry silently and pray the emir isn't in some kind of trouble.

The tapping of his feet is steady and well paced. It's like he is doing it methodically. He looks like a statue. Times like these, Bugaji is filled with inward wailings about this unfair cycle of life. Babu is off keeping the lady watched while he is here suffering and lamenting his poor fate.

Bugaji has never seen his highness worrying so much before. This makes him feel lost and apprehensive. Sometimes, the emir has volatile moods that didn't bore well for everyone.

It took time. And then his highness said "I want to see the Bastille Earl"

Bugaji instantly felt alarm. The emir and the Mrithi Alkali, the Bastille Earl do not always see eye to eye. In public, the Mrithi Alkali was always cool and passive with the emir. But the Emir does not acknowledge him after the customary greetings. THe emir does not really talk in public unless there is dire need. So people mostly read his mood and draw their own conclusion. Truth is, the Alkali are the clan of clans and no emir would be able to rule Macki comfortably without their support. But the Alkali clan also need the emirate to enforce certain societal expectations of them. Their Mrithi needs the emirate to be able to accrue enough power to rule the thousands of them. There is no win when they fight.

Some say it went back to when they were in military school. The Bastille Earl was bested by the emir and got himself the golden badge. So he held a grudge. But of course, since the emir does no wrong, it might be possible the truth got distorted along the line somewhere. No one can say for a fact why they don't wish to let bygones be bygones. Then again, it might be because the Bastille Earl is always advocating peace between the Takhis and the Thiltes. And he has always believed the other smaller number of tribes also need to be recognized by the emirate.

The emir clearly does not roll that way. When the Takhis, his own people, cause problem, he would subdue them with force. Casualties be damned. If the Thiltes begin to become overbearing, an example is made of some unfortunate power monger and they are subdued through action. He does not like the former ways of emirs past that were always advocating peace which does no one any good. The Takhis and the Thiltes are always fighting still. Nothing ever changes. It's always better to discourage them from revolting or rioting in the first place.

So of course, Bugaji is surprised the Emir is asking for the Bastille Earl. Afterall, no one knows of the true nature of the emir's relationship with Mrithi Aisam.

When the Bastille Earl arrived, the emir is receiving his mail while it was being read to him. There isn't a reply yet and the mail is ending already.

"Leave us" he ordered.

When it was just the two of them, Aaisam got tired of waiting for the emir to talk and asked "do you like seeing me kneel before you or do you actually have something for me?" He sounded impertinent. Like he is trying to goad his majesty.

Aariz said simply "both"

Aaisam frowned, resisting the urge to glare at him. "It's her new Royal highness isn't it?" He asked snidely, a terrible frown that might tell someone he is becoming very annoyed replaced it in seconds. It won't do well for others to think he is openly disrespecting the emir and give room for them to try and cause trouble.

Aariz remained silent.

"I knew it! She is the only one who would make you summon me!" He complained trying to sound bitter but failing miserably. Here is an opportunity to do a favor for his highness. There is no need to be bitter. Except everyone will expect it of him. But Ya Allah! The emir never ever summons him. He mostly waited until he came for his timely report to speak to him about something since he is responsible for keeping the balance of peace in Maicki. Every force is under him. He is the one true link between the emirate and any type of force or security detail. That is the general duty of the Bastille Earl.

"There's more" Aariz told him.

"Perhaps you will tell me then" he replied.

"She needs your help" he replied.

"What are we talking about" Aisam asked truthfully.

"Your lady knows" he assures.

Aisam frowned. His wife, Naeema, knows? He wondered. It must be related to the in inner house. Perhaps the queen has made her move.

Poor Aairah, he thought to himself.

...

Neemah, as usual, is impeccably dressed. She looks like she is going for some posh meeting. Her suit is casual. Yet, so stylish it's a wonder why it is even called a suit. The designer made very good use of glitters to hem the edges and what are those big shiny buttons placed for anyway? She wore a veil that has the color of metallic green sheen which is the same as the buttons to cover her head but half of it is still exposed fashionably, to give the right idea about how nice it looked even though it is supposed to be covered. The only accessory she wore is a bangle winking furiously for all the diamonds used to decorate most of it. The deep blue sapphire that was used to give it color came out positively sparkly too.

From the looks of it, she is about to have a weekly meeting with the Alkali women. Perhaps she is going to throw another ball and he won't even see her for another week.

"Assalamu alaiki" he greets as he entered fully into the room. Even though she saw him when he entered the first time, it was only when he said the Salam that she made an effort to show she is aware he came by.

Neemah turned to look at him fully and after answering the Salam said "oh dear! I hope you aren't inviting me to dinner. I have an appointment in an hour and I'd hate to be late" she stated. She suddenly looks like she is in a hurry. Aisam bit back a retort. He is not in a mood to fight today. He wants something from her afterall.

"Are you saying you don't have my time?" He asked questioningly.

She rolled her eyes as if she couldn't believe he is even asking it. "Mrithi dear, who would dare not have your time? I am your wife. All my time is yours. If you ask, I can delete the appointment as if it was never made. It's only my dignity on the line" she replied bitingly.

Aisam tried not to burst into flames. Neemah has guts, that's for sure. But her jabs weren't enough to to make him lose his cool. He has too much control, he told himself. But it's hard. Eighty percent of the time, he wants to bite off her head and chew on it so nothing remains to taunt him in life!

"Mistress Alkali, the emir needs your help" he went straight to the piont. That is, before they came to blows.

"Well, you should've said that in the very beginning!" She complained. Quickly, she motioned for him to come sit. He stood there, refusing the invitation. This woman does not look to be Ina hurry anymore.

"He said her highness needs help" he told her, trying to quell the feeling of bitterness rising in his heart.

Neemah nodded seriously. "Oh I can help her. I know everything. But if we don't hurry, it will be too late to save her" she assured.

"What happened?" He asked, relenting and sitting right next to her. This is because he didn't like standing and talking to her. She is too smallish in nature. It makes him feel like a bully. You know, since, they must fight when they talk. It's the norm.

Neemah smiled at him in a way that says she is smug and rightfully too. She had anticipated that he would not be able to endure standing over her while they talked.

"My dear Mrithi. Didn't our emir tell you?" She goaded. Okay, maybe that too.

"Just tell me already!" He stated impatiently.

"Fine! Aairah is accused of being non virtuous. In fact, she has suffered the widow's due and has been thrown in the maze of the ancients to cleanse herself before going into exile" Naeemah explained in one breath. Then she exhaled, studying Aisam to see his reaction. But the blockhead just looks puzzled.

"Hello? Are you listening to me? She has no virtue! She is going to be ruined the moment she is sent into exile!" Naeemah raised her voice mockingly.

Aisam creased his nose in distaste. "Please! Her highness having no virtue is not possible" he ascertained.

"Why would you even say something like that? Were you there when his highness proved she has none?" She questioned.

Aisam made a face. "Of course I am not there! But it doesn't mean I can't tell when something smells fishy" he retorted.

"Whatever! The queen found a way to frame her even if it isn't true. It doesn't matter at all. What matter now is getting her out of that maze without arousing suspicion. But I don't have any way of making her avoid exile. The emir is the only one who can do it" she told him.

"He doesn't really need anyone" Aisam snorted.

Naeema frowned. "Are you saying, you came here to know what really happened?" She asked, a dangerous note to her tone.

"How else will you tell me? You are always busy. And when you are not busy, you are busy trying to provoke me. Sometimes I wonder which one of us is the Mrithi!" He retorted.

"Aisam Alkali, did you just lie to me?! You weren't sent by the emir, were you?" She demanded angrily.

"Not really. He would not tell me what is going on. But he knew you would know. Who doesn't know how much you enjoy gossip! With all the women walking in and out of this house, I am not surprised that even the emir is aware of the one woman who would surely know the secrets of the Royal house before they want anyone else to know!"

"Ha!"she gasped. She looks hurt and annoyed. But she didn't say anything to that. Her expression grew dark and broody. She said "does the emir want a distraction?"

Aisam nodded, feeling bad already that he was so harsh with her. He didn't feel remorseful enough to apologize.

"Fine. I'll make a visit to the Royal house right away" she replied curtly. Her eyes glinted with renewed vigor as she added. "for a chance to annoy queen Neemah, I don't need an invitation"

Aisam did not say anything. He left. In his mind, he is wondering if the queen will be suffering a result of his provocation. The thing is, they get along fine mostly, except when they communicate. They have nothing in common and they wanted different things from life. Naeemah is perfect for the mistress Alkali role, he knew the moment he met her. So he lied and said he liked her to get her to be his mistress. But reality has a way of showing up at every opportunity. It became very apparent just how incompatible they were.

She is definitely oil and he is pure water!