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HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

A group amongst the council members met in the house belonging to their head where they usually have their closed off meetings. Their leader's house is a big mansion that he had built decades back. It wasn't a surprise that he is the first amongst all the council members to own nearly as much power as that of the Royals.

Keyword; nearly.

That to say doesn't mean he stands a chance against overthrowing them. He can't do that no matter how many times he had tried—which was a lot. He fails every single time.

So, he opted for gathering council members who have the same interest as him. They all trust him, despite not knowing his failed attempts, they knew he has the will to take over the throne. And at the rate they are currently, that might just be soon.

Seated in the walloping meeting room in the man's house are five council members. Amidst them are trays of fruits, refreshments, and food enough to make a commoner salivate. The scent alone is enough to have one's stomach grumbling.

One of the men who had taken off his cap when he started eating much earlier huffed lowly, his hand resting on his thigh. "This won't remain hidden for long" He said, his voice low enough only for the four other men to hear.

Albeit they know that nobody in the man's house will ever betray them by ratting them out—it won't hurt to remain cautious; especially when discussing a topic like that.

The man seated beside him turned around to look at him, a mischievous smirk taking over his features. "It won't. I'll make sure the press speaks of it over and over. The Calipha can only ignore them for so long"

The others nodded in agreement.

The man then turned to look at their leader, the head of council members. "Alhaji Umar, what's your take on this?"

Umar glanced at the man, face stoic and shoulders sagged slightly—an indication that he couldn't care less about their plan. "Do whatever you want. Just keep in mind that this won't be enough to make the Calipha speak up. You should all know better"

The men exchanged looks between themselves before the man who spoke up first spoke again, "People are being killed in Hadewa randomly, and brutally. You think will ignore this?"

Another man nodded in agreement, "Exactly. The people are furious, how can he stay still when his subjects are being massacred like this. What kind of Calipha does that make him?"

"Or better yet, who is behind all these killing" Umar muttered lowly, brows drawn in deeply.

The men, stunned, stared at him with wide eyes.

"Aren't you behind this?" One of them asked.

This made Umar stare at him with lips tugged down into a deep scowl. "Of course not. I want the throne not people's lives" He shook his head. He would do anything to get the throne but killing innocent people in the Caliphate is out of the equation. At least, that is what he is making them believe at the moment.

While the Calipha ignores the massacre, he takes time to visit the houses of those grieving so he could offer his condolences and something to get them through. The people of the Caliphate see him as a savior.

A hero.

The four other men have the same question running through their head when he said that.

If not him though, who?

Albeit, one man—the sole one that hasn't uttered a word yet stared at Umar warily though he didn't make his stare obvious. How could they all trust Umar after saying just that. How sure are they that he is not behind it? He could have planned this all so he can get what he wants and throw them all in the gutter.

It won't be the first time.

If the man is willing to betray his Calipha, what more them that are insignificant? What more of the people of the Caliphate whom he cares little about? Besides, Umar can act innocent all he wants, it won't change the fact that he's a sadist. The others have no idea of the things he had done before, but he, he does.

If you want to survive in the palace, you shouldn't trust anyone. That is something he learned long ago.

"Shehu" Called out Umar, his eyes resting on the man who had been doubting him.

Shehu who had managed to conceal his wary stare before he was caught focused his whole attention on Umar. "Yes?"

"It appears you have something on your mind" Umar's voice dropped, it held a certain edginess that is enough to make one gulp hard. "Care to share?"

Shehu maintained his gaze on Umar unwaveringly. He didn't let Umar see the doubt in his eyes though he's sure Umar knows it deep down. He nodded, "Yes. There is something"

"And that is?"

"You all seem to forget about the crowned Prince and soon to be Calipha, Aali" He brought up the topic that admittedly, all had ignored as they had ruled the Prince as insignificant.

One amongst the men scoffed, releasing a small seemingly offensive laughter. "That Prince is nothing but a clown"

The others nodded in agreement.

"All he does is live abroad and spend money lavishly. He should just stick to his business rather than leading the royal life. I doubt he know the basics of being a Calipha. His mother controls him" Added the man beside him; chuckling.

The three men continued to banter and throw insults at Aali every chance they get—all except Umar and Shehu.

Umar remained oddly quiet, thinking over Shehu's statement. There's a reason as to why he kept Shehu close to him all these years despite knowing the man's doubts towards him. Shehu is smart. And aside from Umar, he is the smartest out of all the council members. Despite the fact that there's a high chance Shehu might betray Umar, Umar still kept him up close because it's better to keep your enemies close.

His eyes move over to stare at Shehu, who is calmly folding his legs and reaching his hand out to pick up a date from the bowl it was placed in. Umar is only certain of one thing.

"Aali is a clown heir" Mocked the man closest to him, laughing at the Prince's expense.

No. Umar knew that's not true. If Shehu brought it up it means that Aali is not a clown heir because everyone knows Shehu is close to the Prince. But, for him to be certain completely he needs to test the Prince himself. And that's what he'll do.

~*~

The next day, after the meeting the council members had along with the Calipha, Umar set out to meet Aali. Although Umar is internally irked, due to how the meeting with the Calipha went. At this point, the council members don't see a reason as to why the Calipha calls them over for meetings when their opinions meant nothing to him.

It's one of the reasons almost everyone one of them wants nothing other than to dethrone him because at that rate, he will soon dissemble the whole council thing and then they would be left powerless.

Everyone knows that aside from the royals, the ones with the most power are the council members.

And they would rather have a Calipha whom they can control however they want rather than one who they have zero power over.

There's a reason as to why Calipha Bello doesn't listen to the advises and such. He would've, had they not been more concerned about filling their pockets rather than improving the life of the people of Hadewa. He could remove them all from their positions and instill new ones, or much rather rule alone—but he fears that might cause an uprising.

Albeit, he is one powerful Calipha, but he doesn't stand a chance against them if they all decided to team up and go against him despite not having as much power as him alone. After all, as the Hausa man says, Sarkin qarfi yafi Sarkin pawa. Hence, why he kept them near.

However, he hopes to dismantle them before his son takes over the throne. Come what may, he would try his best.

Umar on the other hand wants nothing more than to take down the Calipha and have the power over everyone in Hadewa. He's cunning, smart, and has as much power as the Calipha—lacking only by a little. So, he has a high chance.

The only problem is; he needs to ensure that Aali is not a threat to him. After all, what good will it be to him if he takes down the Calipha but falls in the hands of the next Calipha. What if Aali is more calculating, and holds more power than the father when he steps on the throne. What then? Would the plan he spent years planning just go the waste?

The other Princes won't be a problem because they all have their individuals flaws that he can use to bring them down should they decide to take over the throne. Aali however...he's clean—too clean.

Everyone in that family has a secret. What is Aali's?

"Alhaji Umar Shettima is here" Announced one of the guards that stood guard in Aali's chambers—announcing Umar's arrival even before he reached where they are.

The guards were quick to greet him, before they opened the double doors for him. They closed it shut firmly the minute Umar's entire being is past the door locking out any other person.

Umar paid no heed to Amadu who stood by the door on the inside, as always.

Amadu on the other hand gave Umar a onceover, wanting to make sure the man is of no threat to the Prince just from where he stood. Although he knows Umar is one shady man, he also knows that the man won't try anything stupid—not out in the open like this.

No, he's more cunning and would rather do it in the dark where there will be no evidence on him.

Umar, ignoring Amadu's gaze which he is well aware of is on him, pushed his legs forward and headed over to the living room in calm, confident strides. Despite being almost sixty years old, the man is still fit enough to be mistaken for someone in his late forties. It's not that much of a difference but still, he maintains that part of himself well enough.

Aali who sat on one of the couches in the living room with brows drawn in deeply, legs crossed and hands holding the multiple papers he got for work heard Umar's footsteps, but he didn't look up. His other free hand held the pen he uses to cross out certain parts of the contract document he's reviewing which he doesn't agree with. Although he's no lawyer, dealing with his business made him close to an expert.

Even then, he always has his best friend, who is an actual lawyer, review the document afterwards for clearance.

On the table that is infront of him lies his MacBook, beside it being a cup of Frappuccino which he had fetched himself earlier and the remnants of the contracts he had already went through.

He is donning a simple button up top, and denim—an outfit not fit for a Prince and soon to be Calipha outside his chambers. The sleeves of both hands rolled up to his ankle, exposing his light skinned hand which is a lighter shade than his entire being. Then again, most people's hands are shades lighter than their faces and all. And lastly, perched up on his nose is his spectacles, which he only uses when he's reading.

It wasn't until when the sound of Umar's footsteps reached the living room did Aali look up, his lips which he had folded in slightly while in thought unfolding and stretching into a small—diplomatic smile.

Umar's look mirrored that of Aali's—except his smile looks genuine. If Aali doesn't know better, he would actually fall for it. The Prince didn't comment on it though, too uncaring about that fact.

He stood up as Umar approached him.

"Prince Aali" Umar's smile stretched into a grin, hand extending out for a handshake from Aali.

Aali held Umar's hands firmly, "Alhaji Umar Shettima" He offered him a grin, one that was fake to the core. But like Umar's, it looks genuine. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Umar's grin remained unfaltering.

Time to find out whether he really is a clown or not. Umar thought, his grin reaching his ears.