Heir Apparent: A Nigerian Story.

XXXIX

Queen Mina's POV.

I held my husband's hands, they're going to turn cold soon. I know I'd be arrested any time now and honestly I'm not frightened, at all.

My husband is on life support, something that isn't accepted but I had to, I had to secure the throne and the kingdom.

I huff, my eyes tearing up.
I still remember the day we got married, the day I became Queen and here we are now.

Suddenly the door is barged open and men in uniforms swarm the room, surrounding me but I didn't budge.
They all raised their guns staring at me.

I smile.
Ali, the General Of the Palace Guards walks in.
"We've been ordered to detain you, your Highness"

I nod "By who?"
"I'm sorry but based on the law of the kingdom we are not liable to answer any of your questions, you've committed treason and must thereby be apprehended"

I nod.
"Please come with us without hesitation, we still respect you and wouldn't want to have to use force"

I smile.
"Of course, let's go"

I give my husband a peck on the forehead before voluntarily following them out.

::

Amjad's POV.

Huda's mouth hangs open.
She looks at me then back at the house.

"Your father owns a house like this in West Moroni?"
I nod.
"Why? Does he ever come here? He just has a house almost the size of a stadium sitting in West Moroni?"

I shake my head "I never said my father was a law abiding citizen so while others are obsessed with cars, clothes, watches, he's obsessed with houses"

She nods "It's shocking, especially because now the watch I bought him for his birthday won't mean anything"
"His birthday?"

She tilts her head, raising her eyebrows "On the 16th next week? I can't believe you don't remember" she rolls her eyes.

The front door opens and a woman comes out running over towards us. I'm guessing she's Najib's mother but she looks so young and good looking too.

She embraces Huda who reluctantly hugs her back.
She pulls away "I feel like I know you already" she says to my wife before turning to me "Your father told me you were coming"

I raise my eyebrows, sometimes I really fear what my father actually knows.

.

We were seated in the living room, Huda and Najib's mother sitting side by side as I sat on another couch.
"Please call me Ummu" she tells us with the widest, yet saddest smile.

I was curious to know why this woman is in my father's house and how they are in contact.
"I would tell you to feel at home but I'm the guest here"

I shake my head "It's your home"
She smiles "I know you two have a lot on your plate and I don't want to waste your time so you can ask me as much questions as you want".

We nod.
"How are you and my father in contact?"

She smiles "Through Najib"
Huda and I look at each other shocked.

"My son, may his soul Rest In Peace since the death of Masoud had not been able to sleep a wink. He felt guilty and decided to figure out what had a happened. He knew alone he wouldn't be able to handle it so he asked your father for help"

"What kind of help?"
She shakes her head "Apparently he was close to finding out who it was and it was someone powerful and respected, he knew alone he might not have a chance to take him down. Finally he found out, on the night he planned to give him—" she trails off, obviously fighting the tears.

Huda puts her arms around her as both women tear up.
"We can just talk about it another time"

She shakes her head "No, we've already wasted enough time" she turns to Huda "He told me he'd talk to you that day"

Huda sniffles, wiping away the tears that escaped her eyes "He called me, he sounded distraught and scared. He apologized for what happened and for not being there for Masoud and I when we needed him. Then he told me that when I was ready that I should come to you to get his phone. I got worried but all of a sudden the fear in his voice was gone and he sounded cheerful again, he laughed saying he was just pranking me because it had been a while since he had done it, I told him I was sleepy and that I'd get back at him, he laughed and told me I should go back to sleep, he'd call me when in the morning. All of it hit me when I heard what happened, it wasn't a prank"

She huffs "I should have listened to him"
"He had his reasons for not telling you" I tell her.

My phone starts ringing and I pick it up.

Hello, Hafiz?

Amjad, where are you?

Living room, why?

We have a serious problem, check the news.

I hurriedly pick up the remote and put on the tv.

"—it's news that shock us all, this is a woman we've all come to cherish and love.
Headlines: Queen Mina, has been detained with speculation of Treason.
We're not sure about the details or why she has been apprehended but it has created a buzz around the Kingdom. We haven't heard a statement from the Emperor or his adviser and will patiently wait for further details".

My mouth hung open.
"What's happening, Amjad?" Huda asks scared "Why will they arrest her?"

I get back on the phone with Hafiz.

Have you met with Uncle Awwal? Why is she being detained? Something has to be done.

It's because of the Emperor, I think people in the court found out about his condition.

So? We can't just sit still.

Amjad calm down. We can't do anything, this is a legal issue and getting in the middle of it is dangerous. Why do you think your father hasn't done anything? This might just be a ploy to get who they want on the throne, if you or your father interfere they'll connect you to the crime. I'll talk to Uncle Awwal and see if there's an alternative. I don't know where you are or what you're doing but you better get it done quick. Things here are getting too intense. I have to go.

Okay.
He ends the call.

I turn to Huda "We should get what we came for and best be on our way home".

::