Arabian Nation Of Zidra
"So? Ready to take on the role?" Salim asked with a smile
"As ready as I could ever be" Zayed said grumpily
"You are born for this, Zayed. This is your birthright. You are going to love it" Salim said
"No. You are wrong. It was your position, Salim. I don't think I will ever be able to overcome that fact. And how will I love something that I was never prepared for?" Zayed asked
Salim chuckled.
"Seven years ago, you were an artist, Zayed. A reclusive artist who had no interest in anything other than the artworks he created'' Salim pointed out
"So? What's your point?" Zayed asked in irritation
"And then you stepped into Zidra's oil business. Do I need to remind you that you excelled in it?" Salim asked
"That's different" Zayed argued
"Not really. Business is something you never fancied. Yet, over the years you started enjoying the thrill it gives. You love Zidra and our people, so there is no doubt that you are going to love this" Salim said
"He is right" Basim seconded his elder brother's opinion.
"Well, I only hope I can do the job half as good as you did" Zayed said
There was a knock on the door.
It was Hugo.
"What is it, Hugo?" Salim asked
"Lockwood and Walker family has arrived" Hugo informed
"Ben and Julian? Great. Take them to the main reception room. I will be there right away" Zayed said with a smile.
"Ben and Julian? Your friends from university?" Salim asked
"Yes. I had invited them for the coronation" Zayed said
"I didn't know you were in touch with them," Salim mused. As far as he knew, after what Ava supposedly did, Zayed had cut himself off from his social life
"I wasn't. Recently, I met them when I was in the UK. They were there when Brianna issue happened" Zayed said
"Ah okay. You go and greet them. Let me go and see my wife and baby" Salim said and left to spend time with his wife and newborn baby girl.
Zayed walked into the reception room and found Benjamin, Julian and Elena. His university friends. There was another younger woman with them.
That must be Ben's wife Isabella, he thought.
The younger woman had a few scars on her face and arms, evidence of a recent accident.
"Welcome to Zidra" Zayed said loudly, earning the attention of his friends.
"Hey Zayed. So, you actually live in a Palace, huh? I have always imagined your Palace to be a dilapidated building" Julian joked good naturedly.
That is one issue with the Western people. In their eyes, a middle Easters province means something ancient and ruined. Well, can't blame them either. Some of the provinces around Zidra are still as ancient as a nation could be. With zero progression in their lifestyle.
"Your jokes haven't improved at all, Julian" Zayed said, rolling his eyes
"So? A king, huh?" Ben asked, clapping his hand on my back.
Zayed simply smiled. There is no reason to let them know that he is still apprehensive.
"Hey, you haven't met my wife before, right. This is my wife, Isabella. You can call her Izzy. That's what everyone calls her" Ben said, wrapping an arm around his wife's waist, making her blush.
"Mind you, never ever do the mistake of calling her Bella" Julian said in a stage whisper
"Why is that so?" Zayed asked in an amused tone seeing Ben making faces at Julian
"Because, only Benjamin can do that" Julian said
Zayed could very well relate to it. If anyone ever his wife Aveline, it makes him furious. No matter her name is Aveline.
He prefers it if everyone calls her Ava. The name Aveline is reserved for him only
"Where is your wife?" Elena asked
"There she is" Zayed said, spotting Aveline walking towards them.
*****
"Papa is going to be the king?" Zian asked in confusion
"Yes" Ava said with a soft smile
"But you told Uncle Salim is the King" Zada asked
"Yes. Uncle Salim was the King. Now papa is going to be the next King" Ava said
"But, everyone said I would be the next King after Uncle Salim" Zahir said grumpily
Ava rolled her eyes at her elder son.
"You can be the King when you grow up. I am just taking over, so that you can grow up peacefully" Zayed said, taking a seat next to Ava.
"But I have grown. See, I became more taller than before" Zahir pointed out
"That you did. But you haven't grown enough to be a King" Zayed said
"You have to be as tall as papa to be a King, isn't it papa?" Zada asked cutely
"Yes. That's right" Zayed said, picking his daughter and placing her on his lap.
"Okay" Zahir said sulkily. He so badly wanted to be a King. So that everyone obeys him. Then he could get people to bring him toys and chocolates.
Even momma would have to listen to him when he says he wants lots and lots of ice creams.
"Now, all of you go and play. There are new friends for you here" Zayed said and the triplets rushed out of the room to find the new friends.
"Let's go to our desert camp tonight" Zayed whispered, pulling Aveline closer
"What? Are you crazy? Tomorrow, it's your coronation" Aveline said, staring at him in disbelief
"We can come back by morning" Zayed said
"No Zayed. Absolutely No. What if somebody finds out. And it is not safe to take a few months old baby into the wild desert" Aveline said
"Who said anything about taking Zaif with us?" Zayed asked with a frown.
Oh he definitely loves making babies. He definitely loves their babies. But when it comes to Aveline, he is extremely possessive.
"You want me to leave a baby, who is wholly dependent on me for everything, here and go into the desert with you?" Aveline asked in disbelief
"Yes. There are nannies. And it's just the night." Zayed said
"You are crazy. Absolutely crazy if you think I will do that" Ava said, shaking her head in disbelief
"Well, it was a nice idea. But seems like there is no luck" Zayed said grumpily
"My grumpy baby" Aveline said with a chuckle and pulled him in for a long passionate kiss.