HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

"Poison?" Umma asked, staring at the doctor, who happened to be a grandchild of hers, with eyes slightly dilated in anger. "You're telling me that the Prince was poisoned?!"

The young doctor, a cousin to Aali, nodded. "Yes Umma. He was poisoned that's why he lost consciousness" Since the Prince's health is of utmost importance, Umma personally picked him to be Aali's doctor because she trusted him.

He's family after all.

Aria who remained seated beside Aali who is still unconscious, tightened her hold around his hand. She had been beside him since he was brought home with the help of Amadu whom just as she expected was near and there to help her when the Prince collapsed. Her gaze remained fixated on Aali's face which was slowly regaining its color while her hands remained holding Aali's not so cold hands. But, she is still listening to the conversation taking place in the room.

How could she not? She's also worried about her husband, even if she is too stubborn to admit it.

Umma released a long sigh, eyes flickering to her grandson that laid on the bed. "When will he regain consciousness?"

The doctor sighed, "Honestly Umma, nothing is certain at this moment. I've done all I can to help him now, we just have to pray for the best" He would've recommended taking the Prince to the hospital, but that would be more dangerous so he decided against it.

Umma nodded, turning around to face him. "Okay" She muttered, hands fisted by her side. "No one else is to know about this other than us. Especially not the Calipha"

He nodded.

"And definitely, not--"

Before she could finish, the door swung open and before anyone of them could register what's happening, the woman has made her way over to Aria and landed a slap right across her face.

Umma's eyes widened, just like the doctor and Aria who had received the end of the slap.

She placed her hand on the cheek that's now stinging, before whipping her head to stare at her mother in law who looked furious to say the least.

"Get out of here" Queen Zara's voice came out low, as she pointed a finger at the direction of the door, her eyes narrowed at Aria in slits. When the woman made no move to do as she said, instead, remained glaring at her; she held Aria's arm and pushed her away from Aali, making her land on the floor. "I SAID GET AWAY FROM MY SON!" She yelled this time around.

That seemed to have snapped Umma out of whatever trance she was in. "Zarah, what is going on?" She asked her daughter in law, stepping closer to her.

Queen Zarah refused to acknowledge her mother in law. Her gaze remained fixated on her own daughter in law, who simply stared at her with a blank expression.

Aria pushed herself off the ground, though her arm hurt from how she was pushed on the floor. She didn't let it show though, she simply remained standing, gaze staring back at the woman that stared at her with so much intensity that would send one scramming for his life.

She didn't let it show on her face, but she was just as furious as she was confused. What could she do though? Nothing.

"Don't you understand English anymore?" Queen Zarah asked, her voice raising with each word she uttered. It's been so long since anyone has seen her act that way which it why they are still caught off guard. "STAY AWAY FROM MY SON IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU!" She yelled again, making a move to hurt Aria again but she was stopped by Umma who stood between them.

This had the Queen moving away.

"Enough of this!" Umma scolded, shielding Aria from the furious woman. "Why are you acting like this out of the blue?" This was why she wanted to tell the doctor to not inform the Queen because she might overreact.

"She" Queen Zarah pointed her finger at Aria, "Is the one who had my son poisoned"

Aria released a breath she didn't know she was holding, before she looked away forcing herself to not roll her eyes.

"What?" Umma scoffed slightly. "Zarah do not make silly accusations like this in this kind of situation; especially not at the poor woman that is devastated over what happened to her husband"

It was Queen Zarah's turn to scoff. "Poor woman?" Her question was directed towards Aria, who refused to spare her another glance. She then moved her gaze to her mother in law. "Umma I am not making anything up. If you think I am lying, then would Amadu lie about it?"

That had Aria snapping her gaze to Queen Zarah.

The woman hummed, releasing a small scoff. "See, at the mere mention of his name she is looking at me like a drenched deer caught in a headlight" She pointed her finger at Aria who looked taken aback.

How couldn't she? Queen Zarah just brought up Amadu in this.

Umma wasn't quick to make a decision though. "What do you mean Amadu wouldn't lie about this? What does he know?" Umma asked calmly.

Queen Zarah released a small breath to calm herself down. "Umma you wouldn't believe me if I say it anyway so why not ask him yourself. Then I'd like to see her deny it" She threw a glare at Aria, whose head is still swarming with thoughts on what Amadu has to do with all of this.

Umma nodded in agreement. She wouldn't make any decision until she hears it from Amadu herself. So she ushered them all out to leave Aali alone to rest while they all filed out to the living room. She sat on one of the couches, with Queen Zarah occupying another while Aria found a place on the carpet and settled on it. Umma sent the doctor to call Amadu on his way out and soon enough, the called man stepped into the living room where the three women are waiting.

"Amadu" Umma called out.

"Yes, Umma" Since the woman wanted everyone to call her so, they all do regardless of their position in the palace. She'd been addressed as 'Your Highness' more times than she could count so she preferred the Umma for a change.

She glanced at the two other women before moving her blank gaze to him. "What happened at the restaurant?" She asked.

Amadu's gaze remained on her unwaveringly. "About half an hour after the Prince and his wife went in, I was called in when he collapsed out of the blue. And when I got there, he was in her arms as she tried to wake him up" He stated.

"Then?"

"After finding out that he was poisoned, I went to look for the waiter who served them and I got to him just as he was trying to run away. I interrogated him as the Queen has instructed and what he said was, he was ordered by the Prince's wife to poison him" His voice didn't waver one bit, nor did he blink or show any sign that he is lying.

Everything he uttered was nothing but the truth. He relayed the message just as he was told.

Though he didn't believe Aria could do such a thing, he still couldn't lie about what the waiter told him especially since the man kept claiming that. He had refused to change his statement.

Umma took in a deep breath, clenching her fist by her side as she flickered her eyes close to calm herself. She didn't want to make any irrational decisions.

Queen Zarah however wasn't planning on keeping her mouth shut. "Go ahead" She spoke up, her eyes still narrowed at Aria who still looked stunned in her position. "Deny it now all you want!"

"Zarah..." Umma's warning came.

Queen Zarah moved her gaze to her mother in law. "Pardon me Umma but I refuse to let that woman stay close to my son. Over my dead body shall that happen!" She had never went against that old woman but for the first time, she was so tempted to do so. "If I can have it my way I'll have her thrown out of the palace!" And she wasn't kidding. The only people more powerful than her in the palace are the Calipha and his mother. If not that the woman still lives there, she would be the one to make the decision.

Her decision would definitely be to send Aria out without a second thought.

"What was that you told the Calipha?" Before Umma can respond, she continued, her gaze moving back to Aria. "You said you wanted to help the people, right? Well congratulations, but unfortunately your first mission of taking my son down has failed. You should be glad Umma is here else wallahi I would've made sure your life here is a living hell"

"ZARAH!" Umma yelled, finally shutting the woman. "Yelling at her is not going to solve anything" She stated through gritted teeth, glaring at the woman who tried hard to hold back her scoff.

Queen Zarah took in a deep breath, before she finally spoke again, oddly calm. "Tell me Umma. How would you feel if the Calipha was poisoned?" She knew that she just stroked that place where Umma couldn't retaliate.

But she underestimated the old woman. "I know for sure I wouldn't be acting like an illiterate woman" She retorted, eyes never moving away from Queen Zarah who swallowed harshly, then looked away. "I get that you are angry, but yelling will never solve anything"

When the Queen refused to say a word and instead opted for looking away, she turned her gaze to Aria.

"Tell be Aria, be honest, do you have anything to do with this?"She didn't believe one bit that Aria indeed had someone poison her grandchild. But, for the peace that she doubts any of them will get, and for the benefit of doubt, she wanted to hear from the girl first.

Aria shook her head. "I don't even know the man Umma"

Umma inhaled deeply, then nodded. She kept quiet for the next couple of minutes, making her decision on how to handle the situation. At long last, she made her decision, before she moved her gaze to Amadu, "Arrange for Aali to be moved to my chambers" She stated, "I will take care of him till he regains his health" She didn't want to separate the wife from her husband. But, until everything is cleared up, it would be best if the Prince stays with her. At least, that will stop some of the fights bought to occur between Queen Zarah and Aria.

Amadu nodded. "As you wish Umma"

"And..." She added, "Not a word of this shall reach the Calipha by any means. If he inquires about the Prince, which I know he would, tell him that I asked the boy to take a break"

Amadu nodded once again.

"You may go and get everything ready" She dismissed him. Once he has left, she turned her gaze to Aria. "You would stay here. I will have Salaha move here to stay with you until everything is cleared up" She then moved her gaze to Queen Zarah, "And I don't want to hear you raise any more argument Zarah, until we find out who really is behind this. Am I clear?"

As much as Queen Zarah hated Umma's decision, she nodded nonetheless.

Contented with that, Umma stood up. "Let's go and allow the girl to rest. She'd a long night" She ushered Queen Zarah out along after biding Aria farewell. And as she promised, she did send Salaha over whom Aria directed her to stay in one of the guestrooms for the time being.

While that was going on, Aali was moved to his grandmother's chamber leaving Aria with her maid alone.

Even after taking off all her makeup and changing into her night gown, Aria couldn't stop thinking about the activities that took place. Her head hurt from thinking so much. And for the first time she married Aali, she slept alone and somehow, it felt empty and cold without Aali.

She's sure she would've had problem sleeping early if not that she had a splitting headache.

Besides, something told her that she would need the energy she could get because of what awaits her the next day.

And she was right.