CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER TWO – SHOCK It's been two days since father's death, he has been buried in the Tomb of Selim II ,alongside his predecessors. The gloomy and solemn feeling still lingers in the palace, the fear of the citizens evident in their eyes as I walked through the market place yesterday. I fear for the civilians as they will suffer the most once the battle for the throne begins. The beautiful infrastructure of our dear land will be destroyed, my brothers will kill each other, their wives, concubines and children will have to pay the price. "Your highness! Your highness!" Nigar called, bringing me back from wonderland. "What is it?" I asked without turning to face her. "Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha has arrived with a parchment containing the name of our next ruler" " What?!" I asked to make sure i did not just hallucinate. But the excitement in her eyes and the smile on her lips just confirmed it. "He has requested all members of the royal family in the court" Hearing this, it was as if a load has been lifted off my chest , yes I still felt a little pain in my heart but the happiness seems to overshadow it. "Seems like there won't be anymore bloodshed" I thought aloud. "Where is my mother ?" "Already at court, your highness" ****************************** Stepping into the court I can see it filled with family members, those that I'm familiar with and those that I haven't seen in forever. When was the last time that the entire royal family sat in the same room, I can't remember. I mean most of the time they're at each other's throats. "Bitaqir , sit with me " my step brother Prince Aroald calls me as I pass by. Prince Aroald, my elder brother is my favourite of all my brothers. I might get along with all my brothers, but I can feel the fake energy from them. But Aroald he's just so real and down to earth, not to be partial or biased. To my left is Prince Selim, my second favourite brother. Selim the womaniser, Selim with the largest harem, Selim the always in trouble with the King, that Selim who is the kindest is my dearest brother who taught me sword fight and hand to hand combat in secrecy as Princess should have nothing to do with any form of violence. He is my beloved brother whom I treasure more than anything else. " Little sister, how are you?" Selim asked in his ever playful voice, but Bitaqir detected a strange feeling coming from Selim. " Brother are you okay?" Bitaqir asked worriedly but Selim just brushed it off . " Don't! brother you're tapping your feet which means that you're anxious or worried.....or better yet both!" Bitaqir said to her brother in a hushed tone. " You'll find out soon, I promise" Selim replied and looked at his younger sister signs of worry flashing in his eyes. " Broth..." Bitaqir started but was disturbed by the Aghas announcing Ibrahim Pasha's arrival. " We will continue this later" Bitaqir glared at her brother and Selim just shrugged his shoulders innocently. Ibrahim Pasha enters the court and the court becomes so quiet that even if a pin is dropped all will hear it sound. All of a sudden it seems like everything is moving in slow motion. It seems like Ibrahim Pasha is counting his steps and taking extra long to reach the podium or is it just me being too impatient. Finally he reaches the podium, waving a parchment we can all clearly see it was still sealed with the late King's stamp. "Salam" he finally broke the silence. He opens the parchment and starts reading " I Sultan Soulayemane Khan, The thirteenth King of Azbedran in my right mind under no constraint and undue influence declare that this is my free and voluntary act. After observation and thorough examination of my children's ablilties and capabilities I hereby pronounce Shehzadi Bitaqir Khadija Khan, Princess of Azbedran as the ruler who will succeed me." Silence evaded the court.