"Adda, there's a call for you"

Queen Zara moved her gaze to her sister who stood beside her, uncomfortably shifting on her feet. The glare her sister sent her had her wishing she had kept her mouth shut. But it was an important call, and the woman has to answer it. Queen Zarah let out a long, harsh breath, before turning around. "Reject it" She said through gritted teeth.

"I can't" Came her sister's voice, "I've already answered it" She had to. This person is a very important person to their plans. He had been helping them for long enough so he's not someone she can ignore.

Queen Zara turned around to glare at her sister again, hands akimbo. "I said reject it" She repeated, her words slow so it would sink in her sister's head.

"But it's--"

"My my, Your Highness" Came a voice from the other end of the call. She had put the call on speaker and the very minute his voice came, Queen Zara recognized who it was. "I don't think it'll be wise of you to start rejecting my calls now"

Queen Zara snatched the phone out of her sister's hand, throwing the two a glare. "Leave" Just one word, and they were gone in the blink of an eye. But she wasn't convinced even then. So, she quickly made her way over to her room and locked the door, before removing the call off speaker and bringing it to her ear. "Hello"

"Your Highness" He acknowledged. "I'm sorry to say but I happen to overhear the conversation between you and your...son" He chuckled slightly. His call came while Aali and her were talking. And Muneer's mother didn't think twice to move closer to the scene so he could hear their conversation. At least, the part that were audible. "Sad to say, the boy no longer respects you" He tutted.

She fisted her hand tightly to the point that she could feel her nails digging into her palm painfully. "How much did you hear?" She kept her voice calm, compared to when she was speaking to her sister and Aali. But she knew she needed to thread carefully with him. He is a big asset to her plan.

Maybe even bigger than Muneer since the man is proving to be a useless person. Aali is always one step ahead of him.

The man hummed, "I heard enough to know that he just declared war on you" He chuckled. He has been wondering when the Prince will finally start showing his true colors. Acting like a clown was starting to get old.

It was about time he showed them what they are up against. Not that he didn't know of it yet.

She hissed under her breath, "That ungrateful boy!" She exclaimed, "After everything I did for him" She then scoffed, as she started to pace round the room. "I basically raised him since he was a child!"

"Well even if you did that, you still tried to have him killed" He stated as a matter of fact.

"Because I need Muneer to be the next Calipha, not him"

"And he will be" He assured her.

She shook her head, still unconvinced. "But you heard what he said to me, right? If that boy gets the throne, then we are done for"

"No" The man on the other side tutted, "You are done for, not me. He only knows about you, but nothing about me"

She chuckled humorlessly, throwing her head back. When she spoke again, she kept her voice low so the threat would ring loud to him. "And you think I'll just let you get away scot-free?" He must be delusional to assume that, "If I fall, I'll drag you to the darkest pits of hell with me"

Instead of pleading with her to protect him, or cowering back, he only chuckled. "Go ahead Your Highness. I dare you" His voice came out calm, as he wasn't fazed by her words one bit.

His threat had her clenching her fist tight.

When she said nothing in reply of his threat, he continued. "What? Go ahead and tell him. Tell everyone the truth and I promise you, you will not see the light of life again. Between the two of us, I will be the one to send you back to your family in hell for a reunion. And worry not, your children and sister will follow you right after" He added.

"Are you threatening me?"

"No" He paused, "I'm making a promise to you"

She blew out a shaky breath. First Aali and now him? "We're not enemies here" She resorted to saying. She couldn't have him as an enemy.

"Exactly" His tone came out amused by how quick she caved in. "Now you need to stop acting so slow. You've gone soft. This is not like you, Your Highness. How could you let those children, Aali and Aria treat you that way? They are the biggest threat to you getting everything you want at the moment"

She inhaled sharply, lips set into a tight line. He was right. She's going soft. "They think they can mess with me"

"Show them how wrong they are" He encouraged, knowing that in her is this fire that needs to be let out. "Show them who they are truly messing with. Show them how your legacy still lives after twenty-five years in the name of the East Wing"

She blew out a breath. His words fueling this anger in her to the very tip. "I will get what I want. Muneer must be one to get that throne" She would've vouched her son to be the next Calipha, but that boy barely acknowledges her or the royal life. She had tried to persuade him into caving in but he didn't budge. She doubts he would, ever.

She couldn't let any other son of the Calipha have the throne though. Muneer is the closest to a son that she had. Besides the boy is foolish enough that if he does end up becoming the Calipha, she will control him howsoever she wants.

"And he will be" The man assured her. "Once you handle the thorns in our part"

She nodded even though he can't see her. Anger masked her features and she looked like she's so close to losing her calm. "I will reign hell in this palace and make their lives miserable. I promise you that" And it is a promise that she will keep.

They've underestimated her, and now she will show them what a war truly looks like.

Ending the call, she forced herself to look calm before she opened the door, meeting with the sight of her Jakadiya. She was sure the woman didn't hear a single word from what just transpired.

"Your Highness" The woman acknowledged.

"I want you to let Umar know that I request his presence as soon as possible" She stated, her voice monotonous and face blank. Her eyes though, it held that fury.

"As you wish. Is that all?"

"No" She shook her head, "Get me Eric Moyers too as soon as possible. And make sure no one finds out about this"

As the common saying goes, 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend' She meant it when she said she will raise hell in the palace on the two. First things first, she will need those two men to start with.

~*~

"Hey girl, guess what?"

"What?" Aria asked, placing the food warmer on the dining table. She wasn't sure if Aali would come over for lunch, but if he did, then she would be glad she at least she prepared food for him. Besides, she hasn't seen him since he went off to talk to his mother earlier. He must've ventured off somewhere afterwards. Balancing the phone between her ear and shoulder, she fixed the food warmers, "You know I barely have any luck when it comes to guessing stuff"

Delilah let out a breath which laid of boarder line scoff. "Well" She finally spoke up again, "I found out what you asked me to"

"What?" Aria hastily got her hands off the food warmers, then reached out to get the phone from where it rested. She shifted it to her other ear, moving away from the dining room to get some privacy despite knowing there's no one there but her. "Already? That was fast" It has only been a couple of hours since they had talked. She thought it would've taken longer to get the answers.

"I thought it would take longer too but it didn't" Delilah admitted, "But I sort of sneaked into his office and searched around. Wallahi girl I thought my life would be over when he almost caught me. He walked into the office while I was standing behind his desk" Delilah voice came out barely above a whisper. Her heavy breathing could be heard from Aria's side.

That must've transpired just a while ago.

"What?" Aria was at loss of words, "What happened afterwards?" She asked. She didn't know what she would do if something happens to Delilah. The woman has always been close to her and if Delilah gets hurt because of her problems, she would blame herself.

Delilah let out a shaky breath, "Don't worry he was on the call when he came in so he didn't see me at that moment. But he did and he ended the call then and asked what in as doing in his office. Of course I came up with an excuse about having to give him a report on the recent missions he had been missing"

"He believed you?" Aria may not have been close to Eric but she knew that the man is smart. He wouldn't have possibly believe her that easily, right?

"I don't know honestly" Delilah murmured. "Bottom line, I got out safe and with the answers you need. Or at least, some of them"

Aria swallowed thickly, flickering her eyes closed as she shook her head. She still had this unsettling feeling at the pit of her stomach about Delilah being cited by Eric. She would've ignored it but it's her gut feelings here. She never ignores them. "So tell me, who is it?" She pushed away the thoughts, knowing if she brings them up she'll only add to her friend's worries.

"A royal"

Aria didn't hold back her scoff, a hand placed on her hips. "I knew it" She clenched her teeth. It has to be one of these wicked souls. "Who exactly?" That made her more curious. Or more like, the lack of knowing who in particular gained her attention more.

Though deep down she had a hunch. But, she wants it to be confirmed first.

"I don't know honestly" Delilah stated, her voice low. "I only heard bits of the conversation he was having when he came in. Something about coming to the palace and discussing the Tayyu's case. He wasn't being that secretive when he spoke because his office is out of earshot. He must've thought no one would be listening"

Aria narrowed her eyes at nothing in particular. The hand that was on her hip now clenched tightly. "I have an inkling on who it is"

"Really?"

"No" Aria shook her head, despite knowing her friend can't see her. "It's not an inkling. I know who it is" She was certain about it. Maybe because she gets off vibes from the person more than anyone else.

"Who is it?" Delilah wouldn't have pique in if Aria hadn't involved her in it. She'd always been the 'mind my business' type of person. But now that she is involved, she wanted to help Aria however she can.

Aria blew out a low breath. "My mother in law. I am--" Before she could finish her statement, the phone was snatched out of her hand from behind her. That had her whipping around sharply, brows furrowed, eyes narrowed and lips tugged into a deep frown.

Aali met her gaze with a blank expression, his eyes never leaving hers. "She'll call you later" He said to the person at the other end before ending the call.

Aria swallowed thickly. She knew that he and his mother have a good relationship and she knew without a doubt that he had overheard her conversation which consisted of her accusing the woman.

If she doubted whether he took it personally or not, then the look on his face confirmed that he did. She had never seen him that way, especially not towards her.

"Aali..."

"We need to talk, now"

~*~

"Your Highness, I agree with you. There's no need to beat around the bush like this but...why would I get myself involved with you?" Umar asked, his lips curling into a smirk too smug she wanted to wipe it immediately.

She placed her hand on the armrest, face blank as she stared down at him. "Tell me, Umar. Would you rather have me as an enemy or as an ally?" She rose a brow, her voice oddly calm.

Too calm that it had his smile wavering.

He didn't expect her to sound like that. Sure he never liked her because to him she's too much of the Calipha's supporter. However, with the proposal that she had just brought up, he knew instantly that betrayal can come from the person that's closet to you.

It had him knowing that it's stupid to trust anyone in the palace for if the Queen can betray her husband, then what's loyalty?

Umar chuckled. looking down in the process as he shook his head. When he looked up again, there was a grin on his face. "I'm sure you know the answer to that" He said, "But I'd like to ask you the same thing. Now that I know your true colors, would you rather I be your enemy or ally?"

"I wouldn't have asked you here if I take you as an enemy"

He nodded slowly, not looking convinced one bit. "Of course" He tried to hide the sarcasm in his tone so it wouldn't seem too direct. After knowing she is planning, or more like had already betrayed the Calipha, Umar has zero doubts in mind that she will stab him in the back if he takes her as a partner too.

"So? What's your answer?"

"I'm honored you think I'm good enough to want to be an ally, I really am. I'll keep the fact that even you think I'm that good in mind for any plans I have. But, I'm sorry to say I cannot accept your offer" He maintained eye contact with her when he said that, just so it would sink that that he means every word he utters.

She blinked, in a way that of he wasn't watching her up close, he wouldn't have caught it. "And why is that?" She didn't let him see the rage burning in her for him to turn her down like that.

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked, as if it's the most blatant thing in the world. "You cannot be trusted, Your Highness" He was using her title to mock her, and that infuriated her more. "You are betraying your husband of almost thirty years. If you can do that to him, what more to me, whom you've never liked to begin with. Worry not though, the feeling is mutual"

She glared at him.

"What?" He spoke again, "Does it anger you that I am telling you the truth?" He knew he was striking a nerve, but he did not stop. He had always looked for a chance to infuriate the woman, and now that he has gotten it, he wouldn't let it go. "I have nothing to gain if I agree with you and if I didn't know any better, I'll say you're growing desperate which is why you are trying to get me to join you. Face it, you need me not the other way around" His lips curled into a smirk, "And I'm sorry to say I will never offer that help to you"

With that said, he pushed himself off the carpet and stood up, his gaze never leaving his and vice versa.

He offered her a grin. "I wish you nothing but absolute failure, Your Highness" Should he be scared of her? Yes. But he also knew that he is right. She needs him so she cannot do anything to him. He also knows that what he said would irk her, and he found joy in that.

However, instead of the glare, scowl, and yells he expected; she did the total opposite.

Instead, she grinned whilst crossing her legs. She then leaned back comfortably on the couch. She stared at his smirk that morphed into a scowl, and because of that, laughed. Her laughter filled up the living room. And, there was only one word to describe it. Maniacally. "Funny how you think I was giving you a choice"

He stared at her with brows drawn in, confusion evidently masking his features.

She shook her head, her laughter still not dying down. "They all think they have a choice" She muttered, pulling a sympathetic look before the glare that graced his face had her laughing again.

He breathed out heavily. There was something about her words and action that had him knowing there's more than she's letting out. And judging from her reaction, he would not like it one bit.

The sound of footsteps reached the living room, and without either of them breaking their stare, the guest made his way over to Queen Zara and handed her a folder. She took it from him, her gaze never leaving Umar's before she threw the folder at him, hitting him on the knee before it dropped to the floor.

Umar didn't wait for her to say anything. But slowly, he leaned down and picked it up, throwing her a nasty glare. He finally broke the stare off and fixated his gaze on what she had rudely thrown at him.

With every page he flickers, he found himself tightening his hold on the folder and swallowing thickly. He was at the point that he has almost squeezed the folder into ruins, but he knew it would be pointless to ruin that one because she obviously has backups of it.

"I think he's in shock" She said, after a while when the man had not gotten his eyes off the folder. She threw a glance at Eric who stood beside her like the loyal dog he is, "He's actually in shock" She laughed again, moving her gaze to Umar who finally looked up.

She was the only one laughing, and it was creepy. They could both testify to that. Even Eric that's on her good side felt chills going down his spine.

Umar threw the folder away somewhere, his eyes narrowed at the Queen in slits. "You--" He attempted to step closer to her. Why? Probably to strangle her to death so the truth won't ever come out but before he could take two steps, Eric was already in front of her, shielding her from the assault.

"What?" She asked, once Umar had taken a step back due to the threatening glare he got from Eric. He had also stepped aside so she could see Umar now. "Are you going to try and kill me like you have been doing to the people of this Caliphate? Huh?" She mocked, and if one didn't know her true colors, they'd fall for her sympathetic look. "You can fool everyone else but not me Umar. Every murder that had occurred recently is on your shoulders. Feigning to be a good man in front of the people does not make you a saint. You will forever be a murderer. And fortunately for me, I have proof of it all"

Umar clenched his fist by his side, his face turning red.

"You really are heartless to go around killing innocent people" She taunted, and the look on his face had her grinning. "Now here's what is going to happen if you want the truth to remain a secret. You already know what I want from you. It's not an option" Her grin widened seeing his left eye twitch. "Oh and I'll suggest you delete that recording you just took of our entire conversation. I'd hate to have to get back at you for that. I'll repay tenfold given how generous I am"

Umar, unable to take it anymore turned around and stormed off, slamming the door loudly on the way out without waiting for the guards to do so.

Queen Zara shook her head, still grinning.

"Who's next now, Your Highness?" Eric asked, turning around to face her.

"The Tayyus of course. I want to see them on the ground with nothing. Just like everyone else, they have skeletons in their closet. I want them out so they could suffer. By the end of the day, I want them to have nothing but shame and a wish of death for that would be much better than what will become their reality"