The Sheikh's Secret Princess (The Quabeca Sheiks 3)

“Please do,” the queen said. “It is your place to serve those of a higher station than you.” She returned the smirk. Tiana cut a large slice and put it on a plate before handing it to the queen.

“I hope it’s not too small.”

“You're too generous.”

“No, my queen, you are more generous. No woman can share a husband as easily as you do.”

The King grunted and put his cutlery down. The atmosphere had grown increasingly uncomfortable and the veiled comments were disrespectful. They always fought in his presence as if he was not even there. “That is enough,” he said to them both and stood up.

“Your Majesty!” Tiana and Amira both cried out.

“I will leave you two to fight freely.”

“My King!” Amira said and stood up from the table.

“I am warning the both of you now; do not fight in my presence again. You will respect my position and at least pretend to get along, or not speak at all. In fact, no more meals for the three of us.” The King walked out. It was about time he stopped these painful meals. They were not doing anyone any good. He had let them get out of hand and now it was time to step in. The King headed to his office. At least he could bury himself in work for the next couple of hours. He had a few meetings lined up for the day that he needed to prepare for.

It was nearing lunchtime and the King was looking forward to having lunch with his friend, James. He had been in meetings all morning and had grown tired of them. Between his bickering wives and the constant jockeying for power among the local sheiks, he was in desperate need of some peace and counsel.

The King's maid, Alma, set the table for the King and James. When he arrived, she served them both. James bowed to the King before he sat down. The King was pleased to see him; he was his closest friend and confidant and the King realized that it had been too long since they sat down together. “How are your girls?” the King asked about his daughters.

“Females are hard to deal with,” James replied. The King laughed.

“Tell me about it.”

“It will be worse once they get into their teenage years. It already feels like they are.”

The King laughed before he responded. “I always thought your girls were sweet.”

“To you, maybe,” James sighed. “How are your women?”

The King shrugged his shoulders. “Troublesome as always.” He took a sip from his glass. He updated James on what had been happening in the palace. To his surprise, James laughed. The King raised his eyebrows.

“Pardon my laughter, your Majesty, but it started off with dresses?”

The King realised how stupid it sounded. “Exactly, my friend. You should have seen how it was during breakfast this morning.”

James laughed again. The queen was all right before Tiana appeared. It was simply bitterness. When the King first agreed to a political union with Tiana, she was quiet and almost humble; however, the sudden rise in station coupled with attention from the King got to her head very quickly. It was a shame to see them turn out like this, fighting over trivial matters.

As the two men finished their meal, the King knocked over the yogurt sauce and it spilt on his sleeve. He grunted and picked up a napkin to wipe it off but it left a small stain. Alma offered to take it to the laundry, but the King refused and rose, stating that he would take it to the laundry himself.

“Why?” James asked. It was odd that the King was going to the laundry.

“No reason,” the King said and left the room. He headed to the palace laundry with his retinue trailing behind him. As he entered the laundry, the maids scrambled into position and bowed their heads.

“Your Majesty, what brings you here?” the laundry supervisor asked.

“I have a stain on my shirt,” the King replied.

“Your Majesty, you did not have to come, you could have summoned one of us instead.”

“It's one of my favourite shirts.”

Alma creased her eyebrows slightly. The King did not have any favourite shirts.

“I will personally get it clean for you,” the supervisor bowed her head.

“You do it,” the King said and pointed at Zara. All the maids turned to see who he was pointing at. Zara stood there with her eyes wide open unable to move. The King started walking toward her. Rachael, who was standing next to Zara, quickly elbowed her friend to get her moving.