Royal Balls and Revelations
Back in the past...
That night, there was a lavish ball at the royal palace. A herald came forward and blew a horn so loudly that everyone in the ballroom had to cover their ears. "Announcing the presence of Their Highnesses Prince Malik of the Tree of Life and Princess Hilah of Ghandi!" he bellowed before blowing the horn again. "No need to overdo it, sir," Adesh thought to himself as he slowly removed his hands from his ears. Malik and Princess Hilah entered side by side. "The future King and Queen will dance the first dance, and everyone else who wishes to dance will follow," the herald bellowed. As the prince and his future bride, or rather that's what everyone in the room apart from Janna thought she was, made their way to the centre of the ballroom, Malik and his real wife briefly locked eyes. Janna could tell from her husband's expression that he didn't want this; he didn't anything but her. The problem was that Malik hadn't come up with a plan yet.
Malik and Hilah begun to dance the waltz, while Janna watched from a corner. "So, since we're going to become, as they say in the Bible, "one flesh", we should probably get to know each other, wouldn't you say?" Hilah stated. "Er, okay," Malik said awkwardly. "Tell me, my prince, have you always been this charming or were you a mischief maker like I was when I was a child?" she asked with a seductive note evident in her voice. "Er, well..." Malik started, not sure how to respond. "A bit of both, I guess,". "I see," Hilah nodded. "Well, let me tell you something, when I was a little girl, I always kept everyone on their toes,". Hilah then glanced at Janna, who looked very melancholic indeed and for a good reason. "What's her problem?" Hilah thought before turning back to Malik.
"Could I ask you a question, Princess Hilah?" Malik asked. "Of course," Hilah smiled, rubbing her finger on his chin. "Don't take this the wrong way, but are you marrying me out of love or out of duty?" he asked. "Well, in your words, a bit of both. I'm marrying you in the interest of my family. On the other hand, you're very handsome, and I doubt that you would disappoint in bed. I've got big plans for us on our wedding night, my prince,". she replied as she rubbed one of her hands on his shirt. "That's not love," Malik thought as they continued to dance. "That's lust,". "Er, tell me, Prince Malik. Who is that little girl over there with the flower in her hair?" Hilah asked, gesturing to Heather. "Oh, that's my little sister Heather," Malik stated. "I see," Hilah mused. "I have an elder brother. Maybe when Princess Heather is old enough, they could marry, and we would have more connections between our two families,". "And... how old is your brother?" Malik asked. "Thirty," Hilah answered.
It took all the strength in Malik's body for him to not vomit at the idea of his sister marrying a man twenty years older than her. "I see," he replied. "You know, Malik, I can't wait to marry you; then you'll be my prince, and I'll be your princess,". Then she didn't something that Malik was not expecting. Can you guess what she did? Well, she leaned in to kiss Malik, but he pulled away before she could do anything. "Oh, I see you're a shy little boy," she said teasingly. "I guess this is one of the instances where the woman seduces her man,". With that, she pulled Malik towards her, and she pressed her lips against his, forcing her tongue into his mouth. Hilah frowned; Malik wasn't kissing her back. "Maybe he's just tired," she thought as she pulled away.
This kiss was the last straw for both Janna and Malik. Feeling certain that Hilah had won and that Malik would commit bigamy, she burst into tears and ran off. As soon as Hilah had pulled away, Malik wiped his mouth, repulsed by what Hilah had done. "Could you please excuse me for a minute?" he asked, trying to keep the disgust out of his voice. Hilah scowled and went to get some food from the buffet table. Malik realised at this point that Janna was gone. "My beautiful wife," he thought. "My amazing Janna; our marriage will be saved no matter what the cost may be,". Without any further delay, he went to look for his love. He eventually found her outside the servant's quarters, slumped against a wall and crying into her hands. She wasn't aware of her husband's presence until he leaned down and gave her a cuddle.
"It's hopeless, Malik," Janna declared as she lifted her head up, revealing that her usually beautiful green eyes were bloodshot as a result of her crying. "Hilah is going to become your wife; you should just forget about me,". "Don't say that, Janna," Malik stated. "No one could ever take your place in my life, in my mind, or in my heart. I swore before God to take you to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from that day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, to honour and to cherish until death us do part, and that's exactly what I'm going to do. The Tree of Life is a place of full of hope and new beginnings, so let's not lose hope yet,". "I love you," Janna uttered as she kissed Malik. With this kiss, the feeling was mutual. Malik immediately returned the gesture, their hands were intertwined, and their tongues were making love. When they eventually broke away, they gazed into each other's eyes. "So, what are we going to do?" Janna asked. Malik thought about it for a moment before speaking up. "At this rate, I think there's only one thing to do; tell them the truth,".
Meanwhile, in the ballroom, Heather ran over to where her mother was. "Mummy, can you play with me please?" she asked the Queen. "Hello, angel," Queen Mzuri said. "Maybe tomorrow, darling; it's quite a busy night,". Heather looked at Shisht beside her mother. "Well, I certainly don't want to play with him; he's stinky," she thought as she walked away. "I wish Daddy was here,". She walked towards Adesh, who had just bumped into Hilah. "Oh, hi," he said awkwardly. "You look nice,". "Don't even think about it," Hilah replied sternly. "You know perfectly well that I'm marrying your brother, not you,". "Where is Malik anyway?" Adesh asked. "Don't know," Hilah answered. "He's gone AWOL,". At this point, Heather arrived. "Adesh, will you play with me please?" she asked. "Of course, Heather," he smiled as he took his sister by the hand and went off to play a game of hide and seek with her. Adesh would seek first, and Heather would hide first. As he covered his eyes and counted to twenty, she went to look for a good hiding place, eventually choosing to hide behind one of the doors.
Just then, Malik and Janna arrived. "Hi, Heather," Malik smiled at his sister. "Hi, Mal," she giggled. "Adesh and I are playing hide and seek," "Don't worry; I won't tell him where you're hiding," he smiled as he kissed her on the cheek and ran back into the ballroom. "I just hope our plan works out," Janna thought as she stayed where she was. Heather noticed Janna's bloodshot eyes. "Have you been crying, madam?" she asked. Janna nodded slightly; in response, the little girl wrapped her arms around the woman, who lightly ruffled her brown hair. "Mummy once said to me that a hug makes everything better,". Heather whispered. "Your mummy sounds like a very clever lady," Janna smiled, taking a shine to the little princess already. "She's the Queen," Heather explained. "Oh, I nearly forgot that you're Malik's sister,". "Uh-huh," Heather nodded. "You give nice cuddles,". This caused Janna to smile.
She giggled before frowning slightly. "How do you know my brother, by the way?". "Well, my name is Janna," Janna said, fiddling with her wedding ring. "And... it's complicated,". "Tell me, Janna," Heather pleaded as she gave the woman a reassuring smile. "Maybe I can help,". "Okay," Janna nodded. "Well, you see... I'm Malik's wife,". The little girl was completely unprepared to hear this. "Sorry?" she asked, wanting to make sure that she had heard correctly. "I'm married to your eldest brother,". Janna stated. Heather's eyes widened, realising that she and Janna were sisters-in-law. A smile instantly formed on her face as she hugged Janna again. "I always wanted a sister," she uttered as Janna cuddled her in response.
Then Heather had a realisation. "Wait, isn't Malik supposed to be getting betrothed to Princess Hilah?". Janna nodded. "What are we going to do?" "Well, at first, I thought Malik should forget about me since, as a prince, he needs to put his duty to his people before his duty to me,". "No, Janna," Heather shook her head, disgusted by the idea of her brother marrying Hilah when he was already married to Janna. "This isn't right; you need to tell everyone the truth and stop Mummy's boyfriend from declaring Hilah's betrothal to Malik official,". "Well, that's exactly what we're going to do; Malik told me what I already knew. That he loves me and that I'll always be his wife,". Adesh then appeared. "Found you, Heather," he declared. "Good hiding place, sis. Now, it's my turn to hide,". "Sorry, Ad," Heather said. "But our game of hide and seek is over; we have to stop Malik's betrothal to Hilah from happening,".
Just then, the herald tooted his horn again. "And there's that annoying horn again," Heather groaned. Just as Shisht was about to address the crowds, a voice yelled "WAIT!". That voice belonged to Malik. "I have something to say," the prince explained. "Can't it wait until after I've announced your betrothal to Princess Hilah, Malik?" Shisht groaned. "Actually, no; it can't. What I have to say is urgent,". "Okay," Shisht sighed. "Well, come up hear and say what's on your mind if it's that important,". So, Malik walked up onto the platform where the King and Queen's thrones were, and cleared his throat. "The truth is I can't marry Princess Hilah because... I'm already married,".
Everyone in the ballroom, minus Janna, Adesh and Heather, gasped at this news. Shisht glared at his stepson. "That's not funny," he snarled. "I'm not joking; it's the truth," Malik stated. Shisht looked even angrier now. "And, pray tell, how long have you been married for?". Malik looked at the ground. The ambassador from Ghandi, furious at this news, stood up and growled "Your stepfather just asked you a question,". "A year," Malik stated. Everyone gasped again. "So, correct me if I'm wrong," Shisht said, still trying to process what Malik was telling him. "But you've been married an entire year, and you didn't even bother to tell your mother or me?". "Yes," Malik nodded. "Who, dare I ask, is your wife, Malik?". Malik smiled as he saw Janna, along with Adesh and Heather, enter the ballroom. "Her name is Janna, and I married her because I love her,". Everyone gasped again. "Oh, would you all please stop that exaggerated gasping?" Adesh thought as Janna joined Malik on the platform. "This is an outrage!" Hilah exclaimed. "Am I honestly to be set aside for a peasant?". "That "peasant", Hilah, is my wife, and your future Queen," Malik replied curtly. "Oh, well, I shall practise my curtsey,". Hilah stated sarcastically.
"Malik, have you gone mad?" Shisht asked. "I mean, being secretly married is one thing, but being secretly married to a commoner? She could be thrown in prison for this,". "Well, my liege, I don't know what Janna crime is; in my eyes, she hasn't committed a crime at all. However, whatever punishment you give her, you will have to make me suffer the exact same one. Let it be exile, let it be imprisonment, let it even be death. Whatever punishment you decide, let us face it together,". For the first time in his life, Shisht's strict nature faded; he was genuinely moved by his step son's words. "You're right, stepson," he said. "I can't believe I acted like that. I now see that love does not take into account a person's background; your marriage to this beautiful young lady has my blessing,". He gestured to the herald, who immediately tooted his horn, causing everyone to cover their ears. "I hereby announce Their Highnesses Prince Malik and Princess Janna of the Tree of Life," he bellowed. Everyone in the ballroom applauded for the couple, delighted for them. Well, everyone apart from Princess Hilah and the ambassador.
"You can't do this!" the ambassador exclaimed. "You promised my King and Queen that Princess Hilah would marry one of your stepsons, and if that promise is not honoured, you risk starting a war between our kingdoms,". "Well, I'm pretty confident that I can help there," Adesh said, wanting to ensure his brother's happiness. "I have fallen in love with Princess Hilah, and I would like to marry her if she'll have me,". "Ad, you don't have to do this," Malik stated. "I know, Mal, but I want to,". "Well, in that case," Shisht declared. "Marriage negotiations will start immediately,". For the rest of the evening, everyone enjoyed the ball. However, after the announcement that negotiations for Adesh to marry Hilah would begin, the princess and ambassador of Ghandi mysteriously disappeared.
That night, when the ball was finished and everyone else in the palace was asleep, Shisht was on his way to bed when he was stopped in his tracks by none other than Princess Hilah. "Good evening, King Shisht," she snarled. "Though be honest with yourself; are you really a King or are you just a bolshy nobleman who married the widowed Queen to make yourself seem more important than you actually are?" "What?" was all Shsht managed to say. "If you were to conduct a survey across the country, I can guarantee that just about everyone would say that King Hasim, that is Queen Mzuri's dead husband and the father of Malik, Adesh and Heather, is their true King and that you are nothing more than a pretender and a usurper. From what I've heard, King Hasim was far more handsome, far more compassionate and far more decisive than you will ever be. However, you could change people's opinions. All you have to do is declare Malik's marriage to Janna invalid, and there won't be any trouble,". "But, Hilah, I can't" Shisht stated. "Of course you can; you're the Queen's husband,". (note that she doesn't say "King"; this is all part of her blackmail of Shisht) "But I don't have any reason to declare their marriage invalid; they were married by a clergyman, they signed marriage documents, there were three witnesses of the ceremony, and, given how in love they are, their marriage was consummated,".
"Perhaps I wasn't clear enough," Hilah growled. She gave a little whistle, and in came the ambassador of Ghandi, who immediately pointed a dagger at Shisht. "You're evil?" Shisht questioned, shocked that Hilah even contemplated killing him. "No, I'm not," the princess insisted, insulted by Shisht's statement. "I'm not a bad person at all; I only harm people who have wronged me,". "And how have I wronged you?" the man asked. "Well, you gave Malik's marriage to Janna your blessing, and now, you have a very important decision to make. Either declare Malik and Janna's marriage invalid so that I can marry Malik and rule the Tree of Life with him someday or be horribly killed and die unloved and unmourned by everyone, even your own stepchildren. If you really offend me, I'll take it a step further by making up a lie that you murdered the King and raped the Queen in order to force her to marry you. No one will remember you as a King; they'll remember you as a murderer, a rapist and someone who made everyone's life a misery,". Shisht thought for a moment before responding. "I told you, Hilah, I can't do it; Malik would never accept such a decision. He loves his wife too much,". "Oh, she is not his wife!" Hilah snarled. "I am! You know what; I've lost my patience with you,". She turned to the ambassador. "You know what to do,". "Right away, madam," the ambassador responded.
Hilah ran off. "Where are you going?" the ambassador asked. "Oh, well,". With that, he pounced on Shisht and stabbed him to death. Just as he struck the final blow, Hilah returned with the Queen. "It's awful, Your Majesty; the ambassador attacked the King!". Mzuri gazed at her husband's bloody body in horror. "Oh, no!" Hilah gasped, pretending to be horrified. "We're too late!". "Just what do you think you're doing?" Queen Mzuri demanded as the ambassador dismounted Shisht's dead body. "It's all Princess Hilah's fault; she did this!" he exclaimed. Hilah gave the Queen an innocent look. "Oh, don't be ridiculous" Mzuri scowled. "Hilah was brave enough to come and alert me about you, and you, sir, are in tremendous trouble. However, I will leave it up to the King and Queen of Ghandi to decide your punishment for the murder you committed,". With that, two members of the Night Pride came and took him away. Mzuri then turned to Hilah, who pretended to be upset. "I'm so sorry, my lady," she said. "Don't beat yourself up, my dear; you did all you could. Now, how about I get the chef to bake you a cake as a reward for your brave deed?". "That sounds good, Your Majesty," Hilah nodded. "Can I have chocolate cake please; that's my favourite,". "Of course you can," the Queen smiled.
Hilah had hoped that Shisht's death would cause a breakdown in marriage negotiations, but, if anything, it ensured that the negotiations would prevail. Her parents immediately denied any knowledge of plans to murder Shisht. The ambassador was sent home in disgrace, stripped of all his titles and positions and sent to prison for life. Queen Mzuri soon proved herself to be an expert diplomat, and it didn't take much for her to convince the King and Queen of Ghandi to agree to a match between Adesh and Hilah. However, because such celebrations would be inappropriate given Shisht's recent death, the wedding was delayed by a year. Two months after Shisht's funeral, however, the marriage contract was signed. Now, everyone was happy. Everyone, that is, except Princess Hilah.
To be continued...