Chapter 42
Chapter 42
“ Q ueen Nasheema,” JC and Calvin stood. They were sitting on a bench in the hallway in front of ZsaZsa’s door.
Queen Nasheema was very angry with her son for his high-handed way of handling the situation with ZsaZsa. As his mother, she would like to give him three lashes with a whip. But that would have to wait. She needed to spend a little time with her daughter, who she had missed over the years. Her anger must have shown on her face for the young men seemed to be a bit apprehensive.
“Good afternoon gentlemen,” she smiled. “Why are you outside the door?”
“James would want us to be here, Your Highness,” JC stated.
“You are President Harrison’s son are you not?”
“Yes ma’am, I am,” JC replied.
“It is an honor to meet you. Are you a friend of ZsaZsa’s as well?”
“Yes, ma’am, however, James Jr. is a brother to me.” JC replied.
“To me, as well,” Calvin stated. “In his absence, it is our duty to ensure Princess ZsaZsa is protected. That is why we are outside her door.”
“You are protecting her against what enemy?” Queen Nasheema inquired with a raise of her eyebrow.
“Anyone who is attempting to force her to do something against her will.” JC replied.
“I see. Does that include her mother and father?”
“No,” Calvin shook his head. “We would never interfere with your decisions regarding ZsaZsa.”
“However,” JC spoke. “It is not clear to us where King Aswan’s loyalties lie. As King he has the power to inflict his wishes on his constituents. As a brother he has the duty to protect his sister.”
“And you are not sure which way he will lean?”
“Correct,” Calvin replied.
“I see,” Queen Nasheema smiled. “It is good to know my ZsaZsa has you as friends. When she returns to America, I will not worry as much about her knowing you are there to protect her.” She pointed to the door. “May I enter to speak with my daughter?”
“Yes ma’am,” Calvin nodded then opened the door for the Queen.
When Queen Nasheema walked in, she noticed Sapphire immediately took a battle stance. Then she relaxed.
“Queen Nasheema,” she bowed.
“Hello Sapphire. I see you are just as protective of ZsaZsa as the young men outside the door.”
“She is a sister to me, Your Highness.”
“I am Nasheema to you.” She kissed Phire’s cheek. “May I have a word alone with my daughter?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Phire smiled at ZsaZsa. “I’m right outside the door.”
“Mother,” ZsaZsa blushed. “My friends are very protective of me.”
“I am pleased to see that,” she smiled. “It warms my heart to know that those in America love you as much as we do.”
“Mother, I need to tell you about something that happened to me while I was in the states.”
“You fell in love.”
“Yes, Mother, I did. I know it was not the intelligent thing to do. However, it happened, and I cannot and do not wish to change it.”
“A mother sees things that are not spoken. Which in your case, it is coming through loud and clear. You are vigorously fighting against the marriage Aswan has arranged for you. Your passion is so fierce I know it could not only concern the women of this country. Besides, all the signs are there, my daughter,” she brushed ZsaZsa’s hair across her shoulder. “The twinkle in your eyes. The way you express your concern for this young man. Yes, you are in love.”
She leaned into her mother’s embrace. “Mother, I honor my King, and love my brother. But I cannot do what he asked of me. I have not spoken with James, but I know he is coming for me. When he does, I plan to leave with him. Will you disown me as your daughter?”
“No. I will never disown you. Raheem was forced to marry someone he did not love. Over the years, it appears he and Akande have come to care for each other, but that is very different from love. I’ve also watched LaVeré attempt to marry someone he was not in love with to help this country. As you know it did not work. He married Carolyn, a woman he loves very much. His happiness has made me realize the value in a love match. I want each of you to be happy in your lives. I have come to realize that is more important to me than the amount of land we can rule over. We are far stronger in love than we are with alliances that only gain property. How can we be a strong royal family if we aren’t united. Land is not and cannot do that, but love will.”
“I don’t know what to do, Mother. My heart longs for James, yet I want to stay here to help the women become equal citizens with the men.” She exhaled. “Aswan is making it impossible for me to do both.”
“Men of our country can be a bit bull-headed.” Nasheema chuckled. “As hard as they try, they cannot control what the heart wants. You, my darling, have the will and the determination to stand up to your King. Share your dreams for the women of this country with him, using all the passion you have inside. He will not be able to withstand the power of your convictions. As for this James, you should revel in that magic of what you are feeling. Love is one of those things in life you cannot control. LaVeré has done well with you. You are a free spirit. Embrace the wonder of love and do not ever…ever stop fighting for it.”
In another room in the palace King Ahmed and King Aswan sat discussing the chain of events.
“Father, the actions I took were to ensure a better future for our country.” Aswan explained. “There has been a rift within the family between brothers. When Raheem suggested the alliance with Zyrier, I believed it to be a sound decision not just for the country but for our family as well. Granting this request for Raheem was my way of ensuring he was still a part of the Ashro family.”
“Yet in doing so you alienated your sister and your brother LaVeré. Your high-handed tactic was an insult to him and his family.” Ahmed stated. “Son, when I turned the kingdom over to you it was my belief you could be the vessel to take our people into a new way of life. LaVeré came to stand with you during the uprising. You knew a change was needed. He showed you the way.”
“LaVeré was not here Father. He chose his life in America. He was swaying ZsaZsa in the same direction.” Aswan countered. “Raheem was here, advising.”
“I was here as well, Son.” Ahmed reminded him.
“You placed the kingdom in my hands. All decisions. You did not guide me in any way.”
“I did not want you to think I had no faith in you, Son.” Ahmed admitted. “I did not, and still will not interfere in your actions. However, I will always be a listening ear. It was I who brought this country from poverty to prosperity. It is your duty to improve upon my actions. Raheem has proven in the past that his judgment is not always sound. His country is thriving because he has a wise queen at his side. Yes, he has a strong military regime, that is what he is built for. You have a strong sense of diplomacy. The high-handed actions at LaVeré’s home were placed in your mind by Raheem.” Aswan began to speak, but Ahmed held up his hand. “You do not have to admit nor deny. I know all of my sons well. You are a good man and will be a strong King. Rely on your own counsel and not that of Raheem. There is a reason I placed my kingdom in your hands and not his. The time for forcing the old ways on our people has ended. It is time to open new doors, a new way of life.”
Aswan walked over to the window that displayed the backdrop of the city in the distance. “It was easy to leave things as they were. I see now that was a mistake on my part. Change isn’t meant to be easy.”
“No Son it is not, however, change is what we must do.” Ahmed left his seat to stand next to his son.
“Your wisdom is what I am lacking father. You made it all seem so easy.”
“It was not, however, I believe our country is in good hands.”
“I have made a mess of things, have I not?”
“A hell of a mess,” Ahmed chucked. “You have the President of the United States in an uproar. You have a brother ready to cut your throat for threatening his family. You cannot locate your future brother-in-law. And you have a sister who is ready to lead a rebellion against you. More than that, your mother is threatening to give your head to our henchman.”
“Where do I start to repair the damage I have caused?” Aswan questioned.
“Let us talk it out. I am here to be the advisor you need. My first advice would be to stay away from the women in this family, for now.”