HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

Hadewa. The Home of Hospitality.

Hospitality—that was one of the things Aria expected when she arrived in the Caliphate. She came worried to the core and expected that the caliphate and the hospitality in it might help lessen her problems. Did she expect too much? Probably. But a little good news and cordiality shouldn't be too much to ask, right?

But what did she get? A prank orchestrated by her sister and supported by her parents.

Did they even know how worried she was? Do they have any idea the long hours she spent on the flight filled with worry and dread?

All for what? To get her to go to Nigeria and attend her sister's wedding?

For real?

Aria's mouth slackened, as she blinked multiple times—letting the news sink in. All her worries have been for nothing. Shaking her head, her shoulders slumped before she looked away from her sister and stormed out.

"Wait...Aria!"

Aria ignored her sister and headed to the next room. She didn't care who it belongs to, it's not the members of the family are much. There are enough rooms for them to occupy any. Having one to herself at random won't hurt.

She shut the door before Maya could come in and speak. Quickly turning the key in the lock, she locked up the room shutting out her sister.

She was too hurt by their prank to even try and listen to Maya's excuses, rants, or whatever she wanted to say. That was cheap of them all. They played with her feelings and that hurts, a lot.

After everything they went through, after everything she went through, did they think she would appreciate such jokes or whatever they call it.

Her Abu...even he was in on this.

Releasing a breath through her nose, she headed to the bed and sat, knowing that's the first step to calm her anger. She took in deep breaths, then exhaled completely shutting out Maya's voice at the other side of the door.

She needed to calm down first. She needed to digest the realization that all her worries were for nothing—that they aren't real.

Unconsciously, a couple of tears slid down her face. She reached her hand out and quickly wiped away the tear. She hated how she always tend to cry when she's angry. Why can't she be one of those people who throws tantrums when they're angry or break stuff? Why does she have to belong to the group of people who cry when they are angry?

Clenching her eyes shut, she balled her fists and hung her head low, unable to stop the tears anymore. However, she didn't even bother to do so. It's of no use. If she really wants to calm down enough to face her family, then she needs to let it out.

Only then can she feel better.

So, she did that. She let the tears fall along with the anger which slowly dissipated.

~*~

At a point, Maya left Aria's door when she heard faint sobs coming from Aria. That made her mood dampen. She didn't think her small game would make Aria this angry, she really meant no harm in it.

She only asked her parents to comply along with her plan because they all know Aria—she would throw a fit once she learns that Maya flew all the way over to Nigeria to marry a Nigerian.

It wasn't like the girl hates Nigeria. No, she just didn't want anything that will associate her with it. You can say she'll eat her intestines first before falling in love with a Nigerian.

She's against it that much.

So, how can they easily get her to come all the way over to Nigeria without her throwing fits.

This was the only way they could think of. Unfortunately, they didn't think of the cons in the plan. They didn't realize that playing with Aria's feelings like that would really hurt—especially after everything she had been through in the past couple of years. Her emotional stability is weaker than any of them.

Even though she pretends to be strong in front of everyone, they know that she's fragile and would crack at any slight pressure.

It was their fault for not thinking of that.

When Maya went back to her room, she called her parents who had stepped out and told them all that happened. It only took them a couple of minutes before they quickly returned home, and together, waited for Aria to come out when she's ready.

They wouldn't force her to get over what they did like that. She would at her own pace. And knowing Aria, it would only take a couple of hours.

So, they waited.

Eventually, she did come out—albeit, six hours later. It took her that long to bring herself together and loosen up all the anger and pain in her. It would've taken longer but she didn't see the point in holding grudges anymore.

It won't change anything so why bother?

She's done holding grudges against anyone. She would rather keep aside her beliefs and whatnot and be happy for her sister. That's why the first thing she did when she came out was head towards Maya who stood up, seeing her sister.

Aria stood in front of Maya, lips set into a tight line but the crease between her brows gave her away. She blew out a low, barely visible breath. "This wedding...are you happy? Like deep down, is this what you want?" She asked, keeping her voice steady.

Maya's lips stretch into a smile almost instantly. "Yes Aria. I wouldn't be making this decision if I wasn't sure"

Aria stared at her sister for a good couple of seconds, before a smile made its way on her lips. "Then I'm with you every step of the way. I can't wait to see what a Nigerian wedding looks like"

Maya didn't waste a second before she threw her arms around her sister, pulling her into a big embrace. She grinned, "Jazakillah khair! But you know...it's not just a Nigerian wedding"

Aria pulled back, her lips tugged into a small frown, "What do you mean?"

Maya shrugged, her grin still very much intact, "I mean...it's a royal wedding"

"Excuse me, what?"

~*~

Back in the palace, one person dressed up in a complete back outfit spotting a black jacket, cap and face mask adroitly avoided the crowd of people that eventually grows in the house and heads to the backside—an old chamber that has not been in use for decades. The only people aware of the chamber are people who have been in the palace for at least 30 years since no one even speak of it.

The story behind the chamber is one with a gag rule on it. No one dares to speak of it in the palace—not even the Queens. And if the Queens aren't allowed to speak of it, same applies to the Princes, Princesses and everyone else in the palace.

Anyone who dares to go against the rule and speak of it, is never heard from again—no exaggerations intended. The topic is that strict and grave.

And if speaking of it isn't allowed—going anywhere near it isn't allowed either. There are guards guarding it 24/7—those are guards handpicked by the Calipha himself. The guards are divided into two—the ones that stay till dawn and the ones that stays till sunset.

With the way the guards stand guard with limited movements—you'd think they're statues. They guard every single entrance, and nothing, absolutely nothing gets pass them.

Frankly speaking, anyone in their right sense wouldn't even think of heading in the direction. The guards aren't lanky—the complete opposite actually. They are all brawny and statuesque. All the time, they hold their local guns strapped around one of their shoulders, and the other hand holds an armament.

You'd think they're going for war with that much armaments.

All for what? They're protecting the story that should never be spoke of by anyone. At least, not yet.

But the anon was able to maneuver his way round the guards. Such moves are risky—it makes one wonder how he could pull such stunt and where he got the confidence to do so. However, as the popular Hausa saying goes—da dan gari ake cin gari. And same thing applies in the situation.

He stayed adeptly hidden behind a tree, blending in with the trees shadow. Stretching his hand out slightly, he gestured two fingers. Immediately, two amongst the guards stationed in front of the back entrance exchanged a look. They made sure the coast is clear before one of them lightly tapped the edge of his gun on the floor, and that was all the signal the anon needed to swiftly head in before any of the other guards could pick up another person was there.

It took him years—a whole decade—of practice to be able to make such a move without gaining attention. Now he's master it better than anyone. In the palace, he's the one person who could make such a move.

No one else.

Making his way into the chamber, he didn't go deep into it but rather took another route that leaded to a basement. It's times like this that he's thankful the only place guards were situated is outside the chamber, the interior is clear of anyone. Reason is, no one is ever expected to get pass the guards.

Apparently, not everyone.

The chamber truly holds secrets that everyone in Hadewa Caliphate would do anything to know because even the architectural design of it is nothing compared to any of the other chambers. Not even the Calipha has such a complex yet urbane design. It's also the only chamber with a basement.

The fear of the consequences of knowing about the chamber is the reason why anyone curious of it discards the thought immediately.

Hadewa Caliphate isn't one with strict rules and all. However, the East Wing Chamber in the palace is nothing like that.

Then again, anything happening in the palace shouldn't be spoken of outside but with the existence of the press now, it's impossible for the public to not know seventy percent of what's happening in the palace.

The anon reached the basement, where he closed the firmly behind him. With his shoulder straightened and stance stern, he spoke. "You wanted to talk?"

The room wasn't lit one bit. There's absolutely nothing that would lit it up, as there were no windows, light supply or even candles.

And the two people preferred it that way. It's better to stay in the dark. With the room lit, the walls will have ears. It's a sentence taken for granted but in the palace, the walls do have ears.

The other person nodded, though knowing the anon won't see it. "Make sure the wedding happens no matter what, I have a good feeling including that Turk in our plans will be easy" Spoke the person, the voice muffled. One won't be able to distinguish whether it's a man or a woman. "The first one was pathetic. The second one though...I'm sure she is the one"

The anon though knows the gender. After all, the person has been his partner and family for so long. Perhaps, the only family he acknowledges.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure it happens come what may" He said, his voice dripping with certainty, "We'll begin to execute our plans after the wedding. They won't see it coming"

"Not at all" The other shook the head, "It's a plan that has been long laid after all. I told you before, those Turks are our ticket to the throne. They have to be"

"What about the Calipha? Wouldn't it be odd for him to not know the truth?"

The person shook his head, "No, it's impossible for him to be unaware of it. He can't do anything though. He wouldn't want to risk it"

"We have to be certain this time though. You do remember what happened the last time, right?"

"Whatever happened last time was bound to happen. There was no middle ground for us then. Not like now"

"Isn't it odd how they easily agreed to the marriage though" Asked the anon, brows drawing in.

The other person nodded slightly. "Let's not let our guards down. I have a feeling they have something up their sleeves. Whatever it is though, I'm certain we can handle it. Do not forget, I am the foundation of the story behind this chamber and look where we are today, my legacy continues. This shouldn't be as hard. Trust me, we're set to go as long as that marriage takes place"

The anon smirked. "Like I said, worry not. By hook or by crook, it will happen. Losing is not an option. Hadewa Caliphate will be ours"