ARABIAN NATION OF ZIDRA
A couple of days later, Zayed was pacing to and fro in his study. Basim walked into his study room with a dull look on his face.
"Bass? Did you get in touch with Salim?" Zayed asked anxiously.
It has been two days since Salim left the palace with Camille, without informing anyone about his whereabouts.
The council members have maintained silence as ordered by the Royal family.
"No. No news. Hyder is trying to trace them" Basim said
"God! Why don't we ever get peace in our life" Zayed groaned, as he took a seat next to Basim.
"Well, part and parcel of being born in the Royal family" Basim said with a disgusted scoff.
"I hope Salim is coping well." Zayed said, hopefully.
"Milly is with him. She is his foundation. Nothing will break him as long as she is with him" Basim said
"That's my only relief" Zayed said
"Zayed, Basim"
They both looked towards the door and were pleasantly shocked to see Salim standing there. Both the brothers sprang up from their seats and rushed to their older brother.
"Oh God, Salim. Where the hell were you? How could you do this to us" Zayed asked as he embraced his brother in a tight hug.
"I am fine, Zayed. I just needed to get away from here" Salim said with a soft smile
"Right! I hope you are back to form now. Don't ever run off like that" Zayed said furiously.
"No. No more running away. And I have come to certain decisions" Salim said, making both the brothers frown.
"What decisions?" Basim asked
"Come. We will sit and talk" Salim said and walked towards the couch in the corner. Zayed and Basim took their seats across Salim.
"What is it?" Zayed asked
Salim took a deep breath before speaking.
"I am abdicating" Salim said
"What??" Both the brothers exclaimed in shock.
"I know it must be shocking. But it is the right thing to do" Salim said
"Rubbish! You are not doing any such thing. You are our brother, no matter what that woman said. Nothing will change that" Zayed said furiously.
"He is right. Stop this craziness" Basim was equally furious.
"I know. I know, nothing will change the fact that we are brothers. Our bond lies in our hearts. It will not change no matter what" Salim said and both the brothers sighed thinking Salim is coming to right track.
"But it doesn't change the fact that the blood running through my veins isn't Ahmed blood" Salim added
"Nonsense. It doesn't matter. You were groomed to be the Sultan right from childhood. You are our King" Zayed said adamantly.
Salim sighed realising that his brothers were being just adamant.
"Listen. The rule was written in the constitution generations ago. We don't have the right to change the rules. The throne should always belong to an Ahmed. And I am not an Ahmed." Salim said
"No. Let me speak" Salim said, when he saw his brothers all set to argue.
"If I remain the King, it means that my mother and her family succeeded in all their evil deeds. They wanted their blood to rule. And they did everything in their power to make sure it happened. They even went as far as to ruin your parent's marriage." Salim said
"They all are in the prison now. They do not matter anymore" Basim said
"They do. It will always be in my mind that I am ruling this country because of all the evil deeds my biological family did. And I will never be able to live in peace" Salim said
The brothers remained silence.
"Also, the pressure was getting too much for me in the past one year. There was a time when Milly and I both hated me being a King" Salim said
That was surprising news for Zayed and Basim. They always thought that nothing is more important than the country and throne for Salim.
Salim chuckled seeing the expression on his brother's face.
"It's true. The pressure to produce an heir. It almost ruined my marriage. Our relationship was on the verge of breaking when Camille became pregnant." Salim said
"We didn't knew" Zayed said softly
"There are things I can't share even with my brothers. I hope you understand. Just know that years of relying on multiple IVFs lead to a lack of intimacy in our relationship. Everything started becoming more clinical" Salim said vaguely, but the brothers understood.
"So I am taking this as a chance to build our relationship back to normal. I want our child to be born into a happy atmosphere" Salim said
"I don't know what to say." Zayed said, lost for words.
"Don't think that I am abandoning my duties to the nation. I am always a Zidran. And I will be right beside you as a political advisor among the council members" Salim said
"If that's what you want!" Zayed said
"And don't ever let your duties to the nation come in between your duties to your wife and children. They are as much important as the country" Salim said
"Never" Zayed said softly
"Great. Now, let me go share this decision with my father and Uncle Karim" Salim said
"We will come with you" Basim said
"No. Let me do it myself" Salim said
"Your wish" Zayed said
"Smile, Sultan Zayed Ahmed al Zidra" Salim said with a smile and Zayed tried to smile back.
Salim left to talk to his father and uncle. Basim also took his leave, leaving Zayed alone to ponder over his new title.
Sultan!
A title he never dreamed of! A position he never wanted. A power he never aimed for.
All his, by birth!
All he hopes is he could do the job half as good as his brother did for the past five years.
Life is so unpredictable!
Who would have thought that the once upon a time a reclusive artist will turn out to be a ruthless businessman, who in turn will become the King of the nation.