HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

If there's one type of news the press and people of Hadewa enjoys more than anything, then it's any news relating to the Royals of the Caliphate.

And by Royals, it entails the children of Calipha Bello.

How can they not? They are the type of people that would make you want to follow their lifestyle every step of the way. Or at least, the part of their lives which they leave out in the open.

Considering the lifestyles they all live, they hardly get together at the same time unless something is going on in the family. And each time they are rumored to gather together, the press gets all over the royal palace, or at least, as much as the guards will allow.

They don't care much though. They will not be able to know what's going on in the inside personally, but the maids and guards always talk about everything that happens so they get all the details.

Besides, staying out isn't so bad. It allows them to see who goes into the house, in which car, and get a glimpse of the person.

Same thing is going on at the moment.

With how fast the news of Muneer getting married spread round the Caliphate, almost every media outlet person is there. There hasn't been a Royal wedding in a long time so they didn't want to miss the scoop. Besides, Muneer is getting hitched to a Non Nigerian—now that is news.

They had been swarming the palace for days and so far, the best news they've had to offer to the public is the return of the next Calipha of Hadewa Caliphate, Aali Bin Bello II.

Almost everyone amongst the Royals have been involved in one scandal or another except Aali. Reason is because he hardly gets himself involved with anything press related, his life is the only one that's private in the palace.

It's no surprise because the Calipha favors his eldest child more than anything—everyone knows that. His health, security and image matters the most out of everyone else's. They can all mess up freely, with little to no reprimands. They are all adults anyways, so there's no point in reprimanding them over issues they are supposed to know.

Then again, it's not like they do anything that bad. It's just minor stuff here and there which can't be avoided. They are Royals after all, people's attention will always be on them so they all are careful.

"Kai...look!" Said one of the press personnel from some TV station. He has his hand outstretched and index finger pointed at a car approaching the palace.

His companion who was fixing the lens of his camera looked up, following his friend's line of sight. His eyes widened in realization the minute the car was within clear eyesight, "Wait...I think that's..."

Before he could finish off his statement, the others pulled out their cameras that were lined up already and started snapping pictures from any angle they could get. They couldn't get close to the car considering the guards have limited their actions. They couldn't get the picture of the person either considering the striking white Hyundai Veloster N is heavily tinted.

The guards were quick to open the gates for her so she didn't stop or reduce the speed at which she was driving.

Driving past the guards and the press at the gates, she made her way over to the father's chamber where she's sure everyone would be. At that moment, she didn't need to see her brothers' cars parked to know that everyone has arrived already.

She always comes after everyone arrives. Her being late has always been intentional and she has her reasons.

Parking the car in the open spot beside that of her brothers', she turned it off. Extending her Vincero Eros Mesh watch clad hand, she picked up her Chanel quilted bag, opening the car door she stepped out. Her flat shoes made contact with the ground first—she has never been a fan of heels, not that she doesn't wear them. She does, but she's tall enough that she doesn't need heels.

Sighing, she fixed her medicated glasses that she wears whenever she's going out. At first, it was such a hassle going around with glasses, but that's a story for another day. Now, years later, she isn't the same person without them. She got the best designer frames that suited her taste and goes around in them. If not that everyone knows they're medicated, a complete stranger will mistake them for fashion spectacles.

Blowing out a low breath, she mentally prepared herself before she continued her long, confident strides.

She's Hudayya Bello II—the only female child in the Bello family. And she does not plan on letting anyone have the satisfaction of seeing how she truly feels every time she meets her family.

The thing is, as much as the Royal life comes with glamour and all, the palace and the people in it will make one loathe it—her family included.

You never know what type of life the Royal of Hadewa really is like until you are a part of it. All the riches, power and glamour are for the eyes. Internally, it's a life that would make one run for his life.

It's one of the major reasons Hudayya pities the woman about to join the family. The poor Turk has no idea the kind of life she's signing up for.

At the thought, Hudayya released a small breath that had her full, oxblood matte covered lips parting slightly. Before she reached the spot where the guards guarding the chamber stood, she fixed her veil that she paired with her straight gown which fell off her shoulder. When she was certain there are no flaws regarding her dress up, she held her head high and strode over to the guards.

"Ranki dade! Allah ja zamanin Gimbiya Huddaya!" The guards began to chant the minute she was within eye sight.

Hudayya offered them a small smile, making a mental note of giving them something when she comes out of the chambers—hopefully, she won't be irked to the core then.

Two amongst the guards hurried and opened the double door for her without wasting a minute more. Though they won't admit it in public, but rather amongst themselves--they all preferred Hudayya to her siblings. She goes around with her 'I don't care' and 'Don't mess with me' attitude, but she is never rude towards the guards.

Her siblings however are another issue. They allow the royalty get in their head too deep.

The minute Hudayya stepped foot in the chamber, her smile fell and a stoic look overtook her features. From where she stood, she could hear chatters and laughter coming from the parlor. She had to resist the urge to scoff. One would mistake the family for one big happy one with the way they all sound.

Pushing her legs further in her ever confident strides, her svelte figure made it to the parlor. The first person to notice her was eldest brother who stepped out of their father's room just at the precise time. His full lips stretched into a grin, revealing his set of straight, pearly white teeth. "Autan Mama" He teased.

Hudayya's lips stretched into her first genuine smile since she stepped foot in the palace. She hates it and the people in it but not her brother. He's the only person who makes the place feels partly like home. "Ya Aali" She made her way over to his open arms, wrapping her arms around him.

Aali chuckled slightly at how tight she embraced him. But he understood what she didn't voice out. It's her way of showing how much she misses him. She doesn't admit it, she hardly admits anything, but he knows his sister too much. So, he patted her shoulder lightly.

She has and will forever have a soft spot in his heart being his only sister. Yes, Hudayya is the only female child of Calipha Bello II. Every other female in the family is either a cousin, or an in-law but not a blood daughter.

And that is why Calipha Bello treasures his daughter just as much as he treasures Aali. Obviously, there's a difference between them but just as Aali is his oldest child and successor, she is his only daughter that he wouldn't trade for anything.

Aside from that, Aali is his amanah.

If he is made to choose between the throne of Hadewa Caliphate and her life, he would give up the throne in the flicker of an eye. He loves her that much.

Hudayya stayed in his embrace for a couple of seconds longer before she pulled back, her smile disappearing as she turned around to face her family. Her hand remained in her brother's though, she didn't let go. She will need every bit of support she can get to get through this meeting.

Without him in the past years, it had ended up badly. Now that he's there, she hoped it will turn out a bit differently.

"Hudayya..." It was step brother, the third in the family, Hasnain who spoke. His lips were stretched into a smile that she didn't need think twice about to know is fake.

Is there even a thing in the family that's real?

Nevertheless, she faked a smile of hers too. Is it not a façade? She can put on one too. Everyone amongst them is talented when it comes to that. "Ya Hasnain..." She expertly extended her smile into a grin, "It's been a while"

Hasnain nodded in agreement.

The next person that spoke up was Hafsa, Hasnain's wife. Just like her husband, she had a similar smile plastered right across her make up baked face, "It's been a while indeed, everyone missed you" There was that edge—the taunt—in her tone that Hudayya has grown to hate.

Hudayya isn't sure if they all noticed the sarcasm in Hafsa's tone, or if they did and choose to ignore it but she didn't give Hafsa the satisfaction of getting under her skin. So, she nodded slowly, "I'm sure they missed me as much as I miss hanging out with you"

A couple of people amongst the members of the family either cleared their throat or chuckled lowly. Everyone knew that was a blatant lie. Hudayya misses hanging out with Hafsa? It might as well be the biggest lie of the season.

It's no secret that Hafsa and Hudayya were the best of friends before Hafsa married Hasnain.

You'd think your best friend marrying your brother should be good news, right? It wasn't to Hudayya. The things she found out when the topic came out in the open were far from good news. Their relationship as friends ended the minute Hudayya realized Hafsa was never a friend to her but was after her brother instead.

But, that wasn't the only thing Hafsa was after. No, that was the least she wanted out of Hudayya.

So, in the process of becoming part of the Bello family, Hudayya lost a friend.

It doesn't bother her anymore. She's done mopping around over people that do not deserve her or her kindness—especially not her sister in law. She knows Hafsa well, or at least she thought she does, and so, knows how to get under the girl's skin as well.

Hafsa's grin faltered as her left eye twitched. She didn't say anything though. She simply swallowed down the insult and embarrassment hard and looked away. She knows Hudayya well, if she dares to go on with that game, it will end in tears. Premium tears for that matter.

The rule regarding Hudayya is pretty simple, don't ever mess with her. You won't like the way things will end up for you. Royal power, riches and title aside, she can handle you as Hudayya alone.

"Mama na" The Calipha spoke for the first time since the small banter started. He grew up in a similar home too, the royal family has been the same for ages—he knows there's no point in getting in between children's petty arguments unless when necessary. "Come sit" He said, a warm smile plastered right across his face.

Hudayya was named after her paternal grandmother. Her genuine smile returned as she nodded.

Aali led her toward the empty spot he was sitting before he went to his father's room to drop something off. The spot is beside their father on the carpet. The same spot that allows one to have a view of everyone in the parlor.

As Hudayya took the spot beside Aali, she had one thought in her mind.

The Bello family is sure one messed up family she'll advise anyone to get as far away from as possible. Nothing is as it seems.

Everything that meets the eye about them is a lie. Everything.