Chapter 44: A Visitor

A prince is subjected to an abundance of joys and luxuries in his life, so I can say with reasonable authority that there are few things that rival basking in the roaring approval of a crowd after winning a duel. I waited for the usual euphoria to hit me as I smiled my best princely smile.

Cheers fill the morning air and I told myself I had done it. I had won and everyone had borne witness, the sultan, a good portion of the court, far too many guards considering that some of them should be working, and a solitary figure that stood up at the very top of the palace wearing my favorite shade of blue.

The distance was too great to make out details, but it was Jasmine. I was sure of it. She must have learned about the duel from someone else because I had not told her. All week, I had debated the issue and, in the end, I had decided against it for the sake of propriety. Though, even I had to admit seeing her waving at me now was a welcomed sight.

I did not wave back. It would not do, but I did bow directly to her. I made it a big sweeping gesture so that the princess would be able to see it from her perch.

That was all I could think to do before facing my new subset of admirers, so I stood up and began. First, I turned to acknowledge my opponent. Fahir wore a shocked expression that gave me some satisfaction. The two of us shook hands and exchanged the proper words with each other. Next was Razoul who was still watching us. He said little, but I thought I saw some newfound respect in his eyes. Then there was Zunaid, the guard I had spoken with a few days ago. He was the first to reach us, somehow outpacing the approaching crowd.

The older guardsman congratulated me with an aggressive slap on the back and then invited both me and Fahir to his mid-morning practice sessions. I barely had time to tell the man I'd be there next week before I was mobbed with further offers of favors and praise.

It took over an hour to address all my fans. Afterwards, when I had finally made it off the training field and had arrived at breakfast, the eulogies continued. During every meeting I attended, and I had made sure to schedule many today, I was met with more congratulations.

Men who I had been working on for weeks suddenly opened up to me, deciding I was now tough enough by their standards. Ladies smiled at me with extra appreciation and a new host of them approached me.

At lunchtime, the princess surprised me by running into my arms and singing my praises as well. I made the mistake of commenting on this. Jasmine glared at me and launched into the expected scold that was only partially ruined by her sparkling eyes. I apologized with similar sincerity. In less than a quarter-hour, we had reconciled and she was demanding to know if I planned to duel again. I summoned a smile and told her yes. Then I spent the rest of the meal sharing my predictions about who might challenge me next.

When, at last, it was time for dinner, I was honored with another surprise. Zunaid and the other guards insisted I drink with them that night. The sultan who was secretly my hardest critic nowadays did not protest me missing the after-dinner entertainment. In fact, the man added his own flattery to the mix and seemed to be in earnest when he told me to go have fun.

Once I said goodbye to him, his advisor of the evening, and his daughter, I let myself be pulled into the nearest bar. The Agrabah guards might not be as battle-ready as the Mujulaain military, but they drank with the same abandon. I, myself, did not indulge overly much. The alcohol was unusually strong, but I made sure to join in on the revelry and male bonding, creating new allies and avenues for future endeavors.

On the whole, the outing was probably far more enjoyable than whatever well-disguised test the sultan had planned for me. Truly, the only downside to the day was how late I got back to my rooms. Jasmine and I did not meet up at night anymore, so it had been a while since I had stayed up so late. After Vinit helped me dress into my nightclothes, I fell onto my bed exhausted.

Two hours later, I was up to start a new day. A weaker man might have chosen to sleep in, but I wanted to make a statement. People were not to think that one measly victory was enough for me.

It wasn't, not by half. As I told the princess the day before, this duel was just the beginning.

My only compromise was taking a nap during the time I usually allotted to my secret deportment lessons. Otherwise, Prince Dhiren could be seen going through his routine. I trained in the morning and went to breakfast at my usual time. Then I attended a few meetings, though not nearly as many as yesterday. And now, as far as the outside world knew, I was sitting in my study diligently working as I did every morning.

Inside my study behind the closed door, I sat staring blearily at some trade documents on my desk.

It did not make sense.

Yesterday had been the culmination of weeks of improvement and it showed. For the first time since breaking my curse, I had fully lived up to my name and title. My reputation at court was at an all-time high and I was finally getting used to moving around as a human again. Everything had gone as near to perfect as could be expected. I should be filled to the brim with pride and gratification. I was on the verge of having everything I could want, everything any prince would want. And yet…

I placed my head in my hands and let out a low groan.

What the hell was wrong with me?

It was right after this inauspicious moment that I heard my study door swing open. It was too early for Shalin and besides, there was only one person I could think of who would enter my study without knocking. My heart thudded an extra beat. I looked up over at the door full of expectation, but I was mistaken. The person standing in my doorway and inspecting my study was not Jasmine.

"No need to look disappointed," the sultan said, his amusement readily apparent.

"Not at all," I replied as I did my best to straighten my posture and rearrange my face into something pleasant. "You merely surprised me, Sultan Hamed. What brings you here this morning?"

Instead of answering, the sultan with his eyes still scanning my study, produced the non sequitur, "I see you're amassing quite the collection."

"Thank you," I said, though I suspected it was more of an observation than a true compliment. Most of the decorations in this study were gifts from my growing list of allies. I kept the more tasteful adornments within my view. The items that were not to my liking such as a purely decorative sword that was balanced incorrectly, and a sculpture by an aspiring artist of limited talent but a lot of influence, lay behind me and out of my sight.

The sultan's eyes lingered on a spot to the left of my chair. I knew what he must have seen, the painting of the Mujulaain royal family. It had been a gift from Ambassador Bhushan. My family and I looked truly content in that portrait. The artist was very talented.

"Your highness," I prompted.

"Ah…" the sultan said. His eyes finally met mine. "I suppose, you want me to stop stalling and get to the point."

In a word: yes. What I said was, "It is rare for you to visit my study."

Rare, meaning he had never visited my study. When the sultan wanted me, he usually just showed up while I was on my way to some meeting and informed me that he had cancelled it. I cannot say I liked his high-handed approach, but I liked this break from his pattern even less. At least when he cancelled my meetings, I actually had free time to spare. Him showing up unannounced without even knocking was beyond disruptive.

I kept my voice even as I asked, "Is this about yesterday morning or were you simply curious about my study's décor?"

"Neither, I'm afraid," the sultan said, glancing at the portrait one last time. "Today, I have come to request your company."

"I see." As I feared, it was time for another test.

In addition to having a new vizier quiz me every dinner, the sultan occasionally planned afternoon activities for us as a way to 'get to know each other better'. Last time, it had been archery. The time before that had been woodworking. These were things the sultan excelled at and I did not.

It was not even a matter of me being out of practice. The man just had a few niche talents that I lacked. It was galling to admit such a thing, but I suspected that was the true purpose of these 'fun' afternoons.

I had no doubt that today would offer more of the same type of humiliation and considering the morning I was having, I could not think of a worse time for this. I braced myself and asked, "Should I assume you have already cleared my afternoon schedule?"

"No," the sultan said brightly.

"No?" I repeated. "I will need to talk with my secretary then." Perhaps I could delay this to the late afternoon or even tomorrow.

"That won't be necessary," the sultan said. His eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Why not?" I asked with commendable patience.

"I wish to have your company now," he said.

"Your highness," I am not in the mood. "I have much to do this morning. Would it be possible to reschedule?"

"You're fretting over lunch," the sultan guessed. "No matter. I've arranged that too, so don't worry," he said in the least sincere way possible, "my daughter knows you're with me today."

Wonder of wonders, I was not thinking about the princess at the moment. I tried again. "All the same, I would prefer-"

"To marry my daughter," the sultan finished, still cheerful as anything and unfortunately quite correct. He had the winning hand in this argument and we both knew it.

There was a distinctly smug look about him as he added, "I'll expect to see you at the stables, Prince Dhiren. In a half-hour. See you then!"

And with that, the vexatious man was gone.

I glowered at the now-closed door.

Of all the people in the palace, I never would have guessed that my greatest adversary would end up being the sultan. Not that he outwardly disliked me. No, it was not that simple. In company, we smiled, talked, and laughed together just fine. Sometimes I even believed we were close to reaching an accord, but then he would do something like this.

I could forgive him for subjecting me to all sorts of tests, barring my marriage to Jasmine for a time, and even keeping his daughter under much closer surveillance. Those things were done for Jasmine's well-being. However, barging into my study, ordering me around, and canceling my only private meal with his daughter simply because I won a duel yesterday was just petty. Now due to his interference, I would not see Jasmine until dinner and even then, the two of us would have less than a quarter-hour to really talk. The very idea of it made me clench my hands in frustration.

This is not what I needed today!

I wanted to slam my clenched fists down on my desk, fling all my papers and folders onto the floor, break every item on my back wall, and let out a throat-wrecking roar!

I wanted chaos and destruction and…and…

I knew what I wanted did not matter. I was a prince. I was above the petty tantrum I had just envisioned.

Instead of bringing shame upon myself and causing a scene, I forced myself to look back at the portrait of my family that had so captivated the sultan. My parents' deceptively calm faces, free of judgment or strain, gazed upon me. My sudden bout of rage cooled under their inspection.

I was being ridiculous. In less than a couple of weeks, we would hear from Mujulaain. Once my pedigree was confirmed, I'd finally have the power to properly break through the sultan's passive-aggressive front. Until then, I had to simply endure the sultan's tests, barbs, and tricks.

Thus, I compressed the last of my anger down until it became the socially acceptable emotion of mild annoyance. Then I got out a fresh sheet of paper and penned Jasmine a quick note.

Princess Jasmine,

I regret to inform you that I will be unable to join you for lunch

because your father has arranged an outing for me this morning.

Please remember to eat something, even though I will not be

there to remind you. Skipping meals is not healthy or responsible,

princess. Don't make me worry.

I will see you at dinner.

Yours Truly.

I examined my work. I think that would do. Hopefully, the princess would actually heed my words. Thanks to the sultan's mentorship and meddling, she had been busy lately. Some days she was so immersed in whatever project the sultan had her working on that I had to fetch her from her study and badger her into eating lunch.

Of course, the princess had new servants who should be able to do those things. However, from the few times I had had the misfortune of talking to her new handmaidens, I had deduced that they were either incredibly shy or incredibly dim. Therefore, it was best not to leave such a task in their incapable hands.

I folded up my note to the princess and put it in a hidden pocket, beside one of my concealed knives. I would give this missive to Vinit who actually had a brain in his head. I trusted he would deliver it to Jasmine after he helped me change into my riding clothes, or die trying.

He knew his duty and so did I.

I got up from my still pristine desk and left my well-adorned study. I needed to get moving. As I am sure the sultan knew, a half-hour was barely enough time for me to get ready and walk the considerable distance to the stables. This was likely another inane test and I had no intention of failing it.

A/N: What goes up...