HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

"Don't call me that"

Aali chuckled. She had been saying that to him over and over since they got off the car. She rejects every single endearment he comes up with, and if he was being honest, he only kept listing it because he loved the reaction he got from her.

The guards that are situated by the door exchanged looks once they saw the Crown Prince and the unknown woman walk towards them. They exchanged curious looks between them, their gazes lingering on her for more time than necessary.

Moving their gazes from her to glance at Aali was the mistake they made, because they met with a glare that had them flinching back slightly. The man had always been friendly towards them. However, at the moment, he looks like he won't hesitate to strangle them if they as much as steal another glance at her.

There were invincible daggers thrown at them. And if they weren't careful, it would soon be real daggers.

They swallowed back whatever they had in mind and quickly pulled the door open for them. With a 'bismillah' and with her right foot, Aria stepped into the house after Aali. This time around, Amadu didn't step in. He remained rooted outside on the other end of the door, giving the two privacy.

Aria's eyes took the décor of the place, along with how most things were placed. She refrained herself from moving around and checking the place out. She will have time to do that later, when the annoying Prince isn't breathing on her neck.

They passed the living room and made their way—or more like she followed his lead—over to what she presumed is her room.

Yes, her room. There's no such thing as sharing a room obviously.

He twisted the doorknob, then pushed it open. He stepped aside, giving her space to step in. She did that without much hesitation, gaze already taking in the room where she will supposedly be staying.

"Is this my room?" She asked, already making her way over to the bedside cabinet and dropping her bag on it. She made a move to remove her wrist watch, turning around to glance at him.

"If by your room you mean ours, then yes" He made no move to move away from where he stood. Instead, he leaned back on the wall and crossed his arms.

Her lips tugged into a frown, brows drawn in like that of a furious cartoon character, "I'm sure this isn't the only room you have"

"It's not"

"Then what's the problem? I can take any other room if you so badly want this one" She took off her wrist watch, then reached her hand to pick up her bag again to prove her point.

"Yeah..." He shook his head, "No can do"

Her face turned blank, "Why not?"

"Because I promised to take care of you. I can't do that when you live across the world" They both know he's exaggerating, obviously, considering the room is opposite the one they are in.

If possible, her lips tugged into a much deeper frown. Her face sported a dead panned look, "Really, bro?"

He grinned. "Yeah, sis" He believes it's only fair he sis her if she bros him. That is what he calls gender equality.

She wanted to make a remark of what could possibly happen to her with the amount of security surrounding the chamber, but she refrained from it since it reminded her of her reason for being there. So, she held back that remark. "Fine, suit yourself" She dropped her bag again, this time around along with the wrist watch.

She really doesn't have the energy in her to banter with him over this. They are not kids. Besides, after the drama she went through in the past week, the least she wants to do is to argue with a stubborn, annoying Prince.

Given he keeps up that gentleman attitude he was displaying earlier, they're good.

"Your clothes, bags, and all are in the closet"

"Of course" She muttered, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "As expected" She added.

She did expect that to be honest. Not only does she know that her outfits and all are there, but so were her bridal gifts that were brought a day before the marriage happened. They weren't brought to her house considering that would only cause unnecessary attention. So, they were left in his chambers for her.

While she made her way over to the closet to find something to change into, he went over to the en suite to freshen up. It didn't take her long to find a decent sleepwear. Her shoulder length hair was tied into a low, loose bun and covered with a random cap she found.

By the time she stepped out, she met him sitting on the bed. He had changed out of his earlier outfit too and into a grey jellabiya. He had his gaze on his phone, that expression he was sporting earlier now apparent. However, when he heard the sound of the door closing, he looked up—the expression disappearing immediately.

He smiled at her, "Perform ablution so we can pray"

She simply nodded. She really did want to ask what was up with him, but she doesn't exactly trust him. She has her reasons. Besides, it's not like she doesn't have secrets too. She'll respect his privacy provided it has nothing to with her case.

With that thought in mind, she made her way over to the en suite to do as he said. When she stepped out, he had already spread the prayer mat and brought out a hijab for her. He handed it over to her which she accepted.

Together, they prayed and made dua for the very first time as a newly married couple. Though the situation wasn't what they had expected for themselves, considering Aali wanted to marry her on a much better circumstance while she on the other hand...had zero plans on getting married. Much more, not to him.

However, as much as she hates to admit it, she did love the prayer and the feeling she got. It was something she definitely did not expect. She has friends who had gotten married before. And each time they talk about marriage she felt like they have been exaggerating it.

Being in that shoe at the moment, she wonders if they really were or if it is all real.

Shaking those thoughts away from her head, she made a move to take off hijab just in time she saw him making his way over to the door. She paused her actions. "What are you doing?" She asked.

Aali turned around, then plastered a smile on his face, "I'll just head out for a while"

"At this time?" She really didn't care what he does. But he might as well respect her and not leave at the moment. He doesn't even have to stay in the room. In fact, she'll prefer that but doesn't ditching your wife seem a little bit...well...you get what she means.

"What?" Aali rose a single brow, his smile turning into a smirk, "Are you already missing me"

She didn't hold back the scoff, "Oh please. Of course not"

Aali chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll be in the living room. I have to talk to Amadu at the moment"

He expected her to throw in another question. But she didn't. instead, she simply nodded and muttered an okay.

"Don't wait up" He added, "This might take a while"

She feigned a grin, "I didn't plan on doing so. Take all the time you want"

He didn't reply. He simply chuckled and turned around to step out. The minute he stepped foot outside the room, his grin disappeared within a second and the larking facial expression he was sporting turned into a stoic one.

Slipping his phone into his pocket, he made his way over to the living room where Amadu was standing, patiently waiting for him. Aali took the space on his usual couch, leaning back slightly and crossing his legs, his gaze narrowed at Amadu, "Can you tell me what the hell that was?" He kept his voice low, not wanting to gain the attention of his curious wife.

She might be holding up that 'I mind my business' façade well, but it doesn't change the fact that she is a lawyer. And lawyers are known for being extremely inquisitive. If he raises his voice in a way that gains her attention, she won't think twice about eavesdropping or maybe, something similar.

Amadu blinked, and looked down for a brief second. Aali rarely talks to him like that, and when he does, he must be extremely irked. Judging from his tone, posture and expression, he's pissed. "It was a setup. We didn't see it coming"

Aali's narrowed eyes prompted him to speak further.

"Someone close is working with Eric in on this. They planned on taking Maya all along. She's the scape goat in their plans"

"What so called evidence do they have?"

Amadu kept his lips sealed. How could he answer what he doesn't know?

"What is it?" Aali repeated, through gritted teeth.

Amadu blew out a low breath. It's certainly in situations like this that he fears the Prince. Who wouldn't? That glare he is sporting along with the way he speaks is enough to make one's stomach twist in fear. "We don't know Your Highness" Though his voice was lower than usual, he's sure the Prince heard him.

Aali blew out a low, long breath. He then pulled out his phone. Unlocking it, he placed it on the center table and tilted it so Amadu can read what's written. He watched how Amadu's eyes dilated almost unnoticeably. He then uncrossed his legs and leaned close, his voice dropping, he tapped the space beside the phone. "How the hell does this person know about my wife?" His fist was clenched, and his teeth, gritted. His voice was nothing more than a harsh whisper.

Amadu blew out a breath again, the wheels in his head turning. "I don't know that either your Highness but we can find whoever sent it if we trace the number"

"Don't bother"

"But Your High--"

"This person isn't stupid Amadu. Only a stupid person would threaten my wife and not cover his tracks. This particular person, is anything but stupid. Tracking him will be a complete waste of time. But--" Aali wasn't willing to take chances. "Double the guards, have her guarded 24/7, I really don't care how but do it. Make sure she is protected at all times. We don't know who we're dealing with for the first time"

Amadu nodded.

"Same goes for Hudayya" These two women are the most important to him at the moment. And since there's some anonymous psychopath after them, he couldn't take any chance. "And please, make it discreet. I don't want them to talk my ears off about not wanting guards around them and whatnot" Hudayya already complains about it. He doesn't want to hear what Aria has to say about it either.

The best solution is to make it discreet enough so they won't know they are being followed. That should be easy enough. Right?

"As you wish Your Highness" Amadu nodded once again, "What are you going to do about Eric though?"

Aali ran his thumb across his knuckles as his brows drew in deeply, he focused his gaze on the wall he's facing. "Let him be" The look on his face shows how much those wheels in his head are turning, "We'll need him to find out who is the anonymous person"

"You mean the person he's working with?"

"No" Aali shook his head, "I know who he's working with. And this anon isn't him" He flicked his gaze back to Amadu, "We have two enemies here" He couldn't hold back the smirk, "One is stupid and the other..." His smirk disappeared, "...is extremely dangerous"

He didn't need anyone to tell him that. It's apparent in the works of the anon.

No one is safe. Whoever he or she is, the person is dangerous.