CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER NINE – SPARE THE YOUNG PRINCES "Her Majesty Queen Bitaqir and Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha " The Aghas announced the moment they set eyes on the pair approaching. "That chair wasn't there this morning, I guess they won't allow their queen to stand during the execution. Awww how thoughtful, as if!!" Bitaqir whined to herself. Looking away from the chair Bitaqir noticed her traitor brothers along with their sons in chain and felt a pang in her chest. She has always hated how once a prince commits a crime and is to be executed his sons are always executed alongside him, those poor boys will have to lose their lives because of a crime they had no hand and knowledge in, it was simply unfair to them and it broke Bitaqir's heart. Right then and there seems decided to abolish that rule. " Ibrahim Pasha wait" Bitaqir stopped the Pasha when they were just in view of the courtyard. "Majesty?" Ibrahim called arching his eyebrows. "I would want for my nephews to be spared, they have no hand in their fathers crime, so they should be spared. I will not allow a child to pay for his father's crimes " Bitaqir spoke with conviction. " Your father thought the same thing but the Viziers always convinced him otherwise. Majesty, with your wits now will be the perfect time to abolish that rule " The Pasha replied supporting her even though he was aware how much controversy that move will bring to the council. " Thank you for your support Pasha" Bitaqir said truly happy that Ibrahim Pasha supported her. She will not have to relive another innocent life being taken away like what happened to her late brother, she had nightmares for weeks. "Greetings, your Majesty " The Viziers greeted as she passed them towards her seat. "These dammed Viziers still refused to address me as their queen.  Let's see how long that lasts" Bitaqir thought as she sets upon herself a new challenge. "Greetings Pashas" Bitaqir said after she had confidently rested on her seat. " The three traitors and their sons are before you , we await your orders so that the executioners will carry out their job work" Mahmoud Pasha spoke as if he was referring to sheep not humans. "Guards!!" Bitaqir called and everyone present became confused, wondering why she called for guards when she should be giving the executioners a go ahead. Two confused guards that had been newly assigned to join Bitaqir's personal Knights walked towards her and stopped beside her nephews when she signaled them. "Prince Ozqur and Prince Muhammed, you have been accused of treason, what do have to say? " Ibrahim Pasha asked after Bitaqir signaled the start of the trial. "My only regret is that I didn't kill her " Prince Ozqur spoke hatred lacing his voice. All the Pashas turned to Bitaqir expecting her to react but Bitaqir just smirked pretended as if her brother had just praised her. "Prince Muhammed, do you have anything to say?" Ibrahim Pasha asked when he saw how unbothered the new young queen looked. "You have made the worst  mistakes by letting a woman rule, you should just kill her and appoint someone else" Prince Muhammed spoke in a bored  tone. "Majesty, your verdict ?" Azim Pasha asked "Princes Ozqur and Muhammed I sentence you to death by the sword" Bitaqir spoke in a monotone. "Majesty, Please exit the courtroom so that the execution can be carried out" Azim Pasha spoke and Bitaqir ignored. "The three young Princes shall be spared as they have not commited a crime. "Bitaqir added in the same tone unbothered of the changes in the faces of the Viziers and all present . "Guards! Unchain the young Princes and escort them to their mothers, immediately!" Bitaqir said and the guards followed her orders though hesitantly. "Your Majesty, you cannot do that " Mahmoud Pasha spoke out hurriedly " I already have, Pasha" Bitaqir said in a matter of factly manner "That is not the law" Abu Bakarr Pasha supported. "Exactly that is not the law but rather it is the tradition which you have all blended with the law to suit your selfish motives." Bitaqir said not sparing them a glance. "Are you insulting us" Azim asked smirking internally as he has got a trap for Bitaqir. "I was stating a fact. I will never sentence a child for his father's mistakes. " Bitaqir replied not caring about their reactions. "But...." Azim started and a commotion broke out. " Enough !!, guards why are the young Princes still here?" Bitaqir snapped and the viziers become silent surprised at he authorative voice the young queen exuded and the guards felt a chill hence hurriedly took the young Princes away. "Thank you, my queen" The once hateful Prince Ozqur spoke in a humble voice that took everyone by surprised. Bitaqir subconsciously pierced her palm to make sure she wasn't dreamy or in an illusion. " No need to thank me, I was just carry out my responsibilities as queen " Bitaqir replied and flashed her brother a quick smile, after she has recovered from her initial shock. "Haha, I was unaware that you were such a double skinned person" Prince Muhammed spoke in a fit of laughter. " This unworthy lady will never be my queen, let her die and give a real man the throne, this daughter of a whore who...." Prince Muhammed stopped and everyone just saw him drop dead and Bitaqir standing before him with a bloodied dagger and the eyes of a predator. "He talks too much, don't you think so gentlemen" Bitaqir spoke and the Viziers still frozen from shock and surprise did not even hear . " Prince Ozqur say your prayers" Bitaqir said in an  encouraging voice. "I'm ready" Prince Ozqur replied. "Executioners " Bitaqir odered and said a silent prayer for her brother. "ALLAHU AKBAR" The executioner chanted and in one swift move slit the Princes throat and Ozqur fell lifeless. Azim Pasha who had recovered from his shock now looked at Bitaqir with a new light, with awe although he was still doubtful of the Queens abilities. All those present even those peeking and the servants passing by, all looked at Bitaqir like she was a phoenix rising from the ash. The women  always stayed away from executions and bloodshed as it was too gruesome and violent for them. But the young queen not only witnessed the execution but also carried it out without even blinking an eye. Truly, Queen Bitaqir was more than the eye could see. Ignoring the surprised eyes on her, Bitaqir walked away with grace and elegance and blood stains on her. " Kalfa!!" Bitaqir called once she was in the hallway. "Majesty " Nigar Kalfa replied and walked towards Bitaqir. " Get me a change of clothes" Bitaqir ordered curtly. " Yes majesty" Nigar Kalfa r eplied *************************************** Standing in her room Bitaqir looked at the elegance it exuded in comparing it with her former chambers. The high chamber is divided into sections , an eating place, the bed chamber, a work table, a dressing room, a bathroom that she did not even want to get into detail about, a very large terrace with sitting areas cushioned with cotton. Walking to the terrace of the high chamber Bitaqir looked around admiring the amazing architecture around her. The high chambers located in the heart of the palace has four path towards it . The path towards the south leading to the royal harem, the western path leading to the imperial court and throneroom, the eastern path leading to the mosque and the gardens in the front. The royal palace of Azbedran is located by a rocky seaside. "Majesty you have guests " Nigar Kalfa called bring Bitaqir back from wonderland. "Who ?" Bitaqir asked whilst staring at the gardens " Sultanas Ezgi and Ayse along with Princesses Serra and Sierra." Nigar Kalfa reported . "Bring them here" Bitaqir ordered as she took a seat. "Greetings Majesty " The elder Sultana greeted with a bow, followed by the other Sultana and the two Princesses. "Greetings, seat with me"  Bitaqir said whilst pointing to the seat across her. "How are you and the Princes, I hope they've recovered from the near death experience earlier? " Bitaqir inquired as soon as they sat down and Nigar Kalfa bought refreshment for them. " They are fine, Majesty " Sultana Ayse replied. "We're here to thank you for sparing our sons lives " Sultana Ezgi the wife of now late Prince Ozqur declared after some small talks. " Yes majesty, you have not only spared the life of three innocent boys but have also spared the pain and heartbreak of two mothers " Princess Sierra said in a soft spoken manner as always. "You need not thank me, I was only doing what I thought was correct" Bitaqir said with a smile . " We will wish to take our leave, Majesty" Sultana Ezgi said after a while and Bitaqir stood up and the others followed suit. "Be well" Bitaqir replied giving them consent to leave her presence. "And yes" Bitaqir said once they had reached the doorway. " I wish to see you all at the entertainment tonight " Bitaqir said with a smile and sincerity radiating from her eyes. " We will be there " Sultana Ezgi replied and they all left the chamber with the new found hope. As the wife, concubines or daughters of traitors they were to receive harsh treatments and worst case scenario abandoned completely destitute. But this new queen and her mother have shown them kindness and apart from the judgmental eyes and criticism from the other Sultanas and Princesses, no privilege has been taken away from them. They only hope that this kindness will last.