Chapter 5
S unlight seeped through the curtains and into Aza’s eyes.
Remembering what day it was, Aza leaped out of her bed.
She dashed into her bathroom and quickly ran her hairbrush through her slightly knotted hair.
Then she sprinted to her wardrobe, throwing dresses here and there, trying to find the prettiest one.
As if she could hear all the racket Aza was creating, her handmaiden, Mara, entered her room.
“May I make a suggestion, Your Highness?” She said gently.
“I need the prettiest one! None of these are good enough!” Aza shouted frantically.
“Why don’t you sit down. I’ll do your hair, and we’ll get you dressed.” Mara suggested calmly. Somehow, she always managed to keep her patience with little Aza.
“I need to be ready and look my best!” Aza said, tears starting to fill her eyes.
“Have I ever let you down?” Mara asked, and Aza shook her head no. Mara continued, “I have the perfect hairstyle idea for you. Let’s start there.”
Mara went to grab hair supplies from Aza’s bathroom and from the bag she kept in the front room. Aza sat on her bed like she always did.
Mara started to brush through Aza’s hair, ever so gently. She then took some of the strands that framed Aza’s face and braided them before she pinned them backwards, forming a crown around Aza’s head.
Aza’s little body tried so hard not to move around as Mara did this, but Aza was filled with anxious excitement, for it was her mother’s birthday today. Aza had a whole day planned with what she wanted to do with her and for her, and the daylight burned quickly this time of year.
"Is it done?" Aza asked, slightly impatient.
"Yes, dear. Why don't you go take a look while I grab something for you?"
Aza leaped off the bed and made her way to her bathing chamber to look at her reflection in the mirror.
She was very pleased with how her hair turned out.
She had the same color hair as her mother.
The only difference was that Aza retained her father's curls, while her mother's hair was pin-straight.
When Aza exited her bathing chambers, her eyes landed on the bed—a pale pink dress laid out for her. Ruffled sleeves, a layered skirt, a small train trailing behind.
Her eyes widened, and she rushed toward it with a delighted squeal.
"I had it specifically made for you, dear Princess." Mara said, "Now, let's get it on so you can get to your mother with her special breakfast."
Aza squealed out a "thank you.”
After she is dressed and puts on her best shoes, Aza dashes out her front door and stops in front of her guard, Killian.
"We need to go to the kitchens, quick!" She demands, grabbing his hand and tugging him.
"Alright, Princess. We will go. I've already made sure her special breakfast is ready for you. You need not worry."
"Thank you, but I need to bring it to Mama when she wakes up, so hurry!"
"Okay, okay," Killian said, picking up speed.
They eventually reach the kitchens. The chefs and servants greet Aza with pleasantries.
Mama Nubia stands holding a tray of the most delicious food she’d ever smelled.
She smiled down at Aza before lowering the tray to show Aza all of the delicious goodies.
Each plate held toast spread with jam, fried eggs, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, and diced meat.
There are also two cups filled with sweet tea, and Aza can smell the honey radiating from them. The Queen loves her sweet tea.
"Shall we?" Mama Nubia asks.
"Yes!" Aza jumps with joy.
Mama Nubia follows Aza and Killian towards the King and Queen's room.
The King is an early riser, so he won't be in the room, but instead will be either in his office or a meeting room.
Aza begged him to give her and Mama a girls' day until her birthday dinner this evening, which he happily obliged.
When they finally made it to their chambers, two guards stood outside.
Killian exchanged brief words with them, and they stepped aside to let Aza and Mama Nubia in.
She crept to the bedroom, seeing the sleeping frame of the Queen.
Mama Nubia carefully and quietly set the tray on the nightstand and left the room.
Aza climbed into the bed next to her mother.
Aza whispered a soft and joyful "Happy birthday, Mama," before placing a small kiss on her forehead.
Mama’s eyes fluttered open, and a small smile spread across her face. “Good morning, my darling.”
“Good morning, Mama. I had a special breakfast made for you.” Aza announced excitedly.
“Did you?”
“Yes! There’s toast with the jam you love and your favorite sweet tea!” Aza describes with pride.
“That was very thoughtful of you,” Mama says in a sweet, gentle voice.
Aza’s smile spreads. Mama sits up in bed, grabbing the tray, and placing it in the middle of the bed, inviting Aza to eat with her. They enjoy their meal together, reflecting on old memories and chuckling through sips of sweet tea.
Aza wanted to soak up every bit of this moment, but it fled too fast. One moment Mama was laughing. The next, she had gone still.
“Mama?” Aza asked gently.
Mama didn’t respond. She just kept staring off in the distance, as if fear gripped her and held her in place. Aza tapped her shoulder, trying to gain her attention and get her out of whatever nightmare or trance she found herself in yet again. But she didn’t flinch.
Eventually, after what felt like the longest moments ever, Mama spoke, “Aza, can you step out of the room for a minute and close the door? Mama needs just a moment, and then I will join you.”
“Mama?” Aza tried to protest, but saw the look in Mama’s eyes and did as she asked.
Aza left the room and closed the door behind her as Mama asked.
Aza took a seat on Mama’s small sofa, which she loved to sit on while reading and enjoying her tea.
Aza looked out the window at the bright day outside.
From inside Mama’s bedroom, she could hear Mama talking but couldn’t discern any of her words.
Mama had moments like this—lost somewhere Aza couldn’t follow.
Aza had tried talking to Baba about it many times, but he always said that Mama was fine, just imaginative.
Aza was young, that was true, but sometimes she felt like what she had to say didn’t matter because of it.
She knew her Mama, and she knew when things weren’t right.
It was clear that Baba loved her very much, but sometimes his love seemed to blind him.
Eventually, the talking ceased, but Mama still didn’t exit her room. Aza started to hear the rustling of objects. Filled with concern, Aza went up to the bedroom doors and knocked.
“I’ll be out in a moment, darling,” came her mother’s voice, calmer than Aza had expected.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Aza went back to the small sofa and sat down, but she couldn’t help her little leg from bouncing anxiously.
After what seemed like forever, Mama finally opened her doors and walked out.
She wore a beautiful golden tan dress, the color of desert sands, with gold ribbons on the sleeves and trailing down the back.
Her pin-straight hair was softly pinned back on either side of her head and cascaded down her back.
She wore delicate gold bracelets and a diamond necklace with a thin gold chain that Baba had given her on her last birthday.
Aza thought she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.
With her mouth hanging open in awe, Aza said in admiration, “Mama, you look beautiful.”
With a soft smile, Mama replied, “Thank you, darling. What is it that you had planned for today?”
“First, we’re going to ride on the horsies.” Aza declared with enthusiasm.
“Is that right?”
“Yes, Mama! You love the horsies, but I know you don’t ride them as much as you want to.”
“You are wise beyond your years, dearest.”
Aza smiled and did a little twirl before running over and grabbing Mama’s hand, pulling her towards the door. Outside, Mama’s guards and Killian were waiting.
“We’re ready!” Aza calls out.
“Where are we off to?” Killian asks with a jolly smile.
“Off to the stables. Mama and I are going to ride the horsies!”
“Lead the way.” Killian encourages with an outstretched hand.
Aza nearly skipped the entire way to the stables.
When they finally make their way there, Aza asks the stableboys to get Mama’s horse, which they happily oblige. The boys help Aza mount the horse, then help Mama mount behind her. When they are settled, they take off on a slow walk, guards following slightly behind.
Aza leaned her head back to peek at Mama, and found her smiling, looking completely free and content. This makes Aza instantly happy, and she rests her head on her mother’s chest.
“Do you like your surprise, Mama?” Aza asks.
“I love anything from you, my darling.”
“I love you, mama.”
“I love you the most, my darling.”
They continued along a path that takes them to a small oasis just beyond the castle.
Mama said that when she was young and the visiting princess, Baba, took her here for a lovely picnic.
She said that he had placed a beautiful gold blanket over the sand, just at the end of the small pool of water.
But he was so nervous to impress her that he ended up spilling their tea all over the blanket.
She said she couldn’t stop laughing. They ended up just sitting in the sand and eating their meal, but by the time they were done, they were covered in sand and had to wash off in the water, and they rode home soaking wet.
Mama said that was the day she knew she wanted to marry him.
Shortly after, they were married, and Mama had Aza.