Desert Encounter
Chapter 17

Wandering through the corridors of the palace in search of my assigned room, I realized that I had no sense of direction.

“I think I got lost,” I said to myself.

I found myself in a hallway that I didn’t recognize. I must have taken a wrong turn and now I didn’t know where I was.

At the same time it was my first and only escapade in the corridors of the palace, besides I was supposed to always be accompanied, so where was my so-called bodyguard?

I was about to turn around when I heard footsteps and the voices of a woman laughing, I was saved.

It’s true that the sheikh had ordered me upon my arrival to speak to no one here except him but it was a question of life or death good cava I’m exaggerating a little but I really didn’t have I wanted to redo the entire palace just to find a room that fit, plus I was starting to feel tired from our outing.

The more the steps advanced and the more the laughter, they spoke in Arabic like everyone else in this country I suppose, but I had to try my luck.

When they were within my reach, I approached them with a confident gait and positioned myself in front of her.

They stared at me for a long time then began to whisper among themselves.

It started out pretty well.

– hmmm excuse me, do you speak English?

The first looked at me bluntly, while the second had a big smile which seemed very fake to me for a first meeting

– come on, Sanaa, that’s not how you welcome a future colleague. She said to her friend with that same smile.

What??? Well, I’m sure it doesn’t concern me

– of course, like everyone else in this palace. She said this time if looking at me

They were really beautiful, with their long jet black hair, very beautiful, an oriental beauty in all its splendor.

– All right! I didn’t know, could you……

– I know who you are. She said

– I don’t understand you

– you’re Emir’s new favorite, it seems.

She said that with so much disdain, walking around me as if she were inspecting merchandise

– I don’t know what you’re talking about

– don’t act innocent.

Said the one named Sanaa

– we all know who you are here, the foreigner, the new concubine of our Emir

– sorry, I won’t allow you

– stop pretending, since you’ve been here Emir hasn’t come to see us anymore. Said Sanaa

– but…..

– you don’t have to be ashamed, not long ago I was my favorite, let me introduce myself to Maïra

– and I’m Sanaa.

– I suppose you will come and join us soon. Said Maïra

– what nooo, wait wait, will you join?

– but in his harem of course, what did you think that Sheikh Emir al Khali was going to continue to house you like a princess ahahahaha, obviously if he brought you here it’s for this reason.

– I’m not like you

– that’s what we thought too, but tell yourself that why haven’t you gone home yet, Emir doesn’t welcome strangers like that into his palace for no reason. If you don’t want to come like us, flee before it’s too late

– I don’t understand you, it’s better I’ll leave you

– you will understand very soon otherwise if you need help don’t hesitate between women we are united. Maïra added before leaving followed by Sanaa who gave me one last look before disappearing into laughter.

But what had just happened, what was this story about a harem and a favorite? I was planning to clarify all that this evening at this dinner.

How do I now find my room. I wandered around for a few more minutes before coming across a servant who, when she saw me, started talking or shouting? incomprehensible words then threw the basket of laundry that she was holding in her hands to the ground and pulled me to signal me to follow her.

Very quickly I found the comfort and solitude of my room.

But the words of these women kept running through my head, I had to rest a little otherwise I risked exploding.

The sheikh had been locked in his office since he returned from his little trip.

He had received photos which had made him angry but had done everything not to let anything appear before his guest as he liked to say so well.

But now that he was in his office, all his fury could come out, he was accompanied by Salif, Ibrahim and some of his trusted men

– what’s going on your majesty. Just asked one of his men

– observe for yourself. He said, showing them the tablet

– but it’s……

– yes it’s him, my cousin Aziz, he was seen in the neighboring town

– but it’s been years since we’ve heard of him . Said another

– I feel like it’s getting closer. Said Salif

– yes and I know what he’s looking for, so find him

– I think he did it on purpose to be seen. Said Ibrahim

– explain yourself

– I have the impression that he wanted to send you a message, your majesty.

Emir squeezed the points on the back of the chair very tightly.

– everyone go out, and find me Aziz al khali. Ibrahim, Salif you can stay

– good, your majesty.

The room emptied with a single click

– Ibrahim, I want you to return to your post

– well your majesty. And he came out in turn

– that’s who he is, it’s the first time I’ve seen him, you’re hiring again

– no, of course not, it’s just an exception. He said, blowing, passing my hands over my face.

– well, and what is his position

– since when have you been so curious my dear friend. Said the sheikh as he stood up. And since when have I, Emir al khali, justified myself? Eh?

– I just wanted….

– end of debate, tell me where is the mission I gave you?

– I’m still searching but I have the impression that I’m reaching the goal.

– good because you don’t have much time left.

– otherwise let’s talk about something else, the foreigner, she’s still here for a long time

– why, she interests you. He said, frowning.

He smiled

– you know me, pretty girls, plus she’s….

– forget it. He had been firm. No one touched her or came near her.

– why do I have the impression that….

– that nothing at all, now you can go out I have a lot of work waiting for me

Salif tensed his jaw, he didn’t like how Emir spoke to him, like s he was a stranger and not his childhood friend, he should normally be used to it but he was much too proud for that.

– well your majesty. He bowed like his predecessors before leaving his office