The Unlikely Queens

Three

I am not sure if fate is against me or on my side when I see Sultan Zahid coming around the corner this morning. I almost stop and run back to my room, but I keep walking towards him. I have to if I wish to get to the library, which I do. I adore reading and Father told me that the sultan has the world's biggest library. I must visit before we leave.

"Goergiana," He smiles as we approach each other. "Where are you off to this morning?"

I curtsy, "To your library, Your Majesty."

"Wonderful. It has been ages since I've visited my library. Would you mind if I accompanied you?"

"I would not mind at all, Your Majesty. I would love your company, thank you." I smile.

"Great." He smiles, turning back to where he came from.

"Your Majesty, hold a moment." I murmur nervously.

"Yes, Georgiana?" He looks at me with interest.

"I sincerely apologize for my behavior yesterday. I should of been more tolerate with your customs. I should not of laughed so loudly and danced so terribly. I promise I was not making fun of you or your kingdom."

"Georgiana," He beams at me. "I am not offended in the slightest. I did not think you were making fun of anything to do with my kingdom or I. I have never met anyone like you before, someone who can laugh at themselves like you did. Everyone I come in contact with is always rushing to apologize for breaking these silly rules we follow. They were put into place long before I was born and I do not agree with them. I assure you, Georgiana. There is no need to be sorry."

I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding in, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

We walk to the library in comfortable silence. We turn another corner and we're met with two huge gold doors. The sultan pushes at them and they swing open with a loud creak. I gasp, my mouth agape. There are ceiling high shelves against every wall and they're all full of books. There is seating in the middle of the room, perfect chairs and pillows for reading for hours.

"Your Majesty, this is magnificent." I whisper.

"My father had it built for me when I was a child. I always had my nose in a book, even when people were talking to me."

"You do not read much anymore?" I ask.

"I do not have as much time as I like. When I sit down to read I want to do it for hours upon hours. As a ruler I do not have that luxury."

"You should make time for it. You are a sultan. Can't you do whatever you want?" I smile.

"If only." Sultan Zahid smiles. "Where would you like to start?"

"I have no idea."

"Here," He beckons for me to follow him. We go over to the bookshelf to the left of the door and he gently drags his fingers over the spines until he stops in the middle of the shelf. He takes out a small blue book and hands it to me.

"A book of poetry. I wrote it." He says.

"You write poetry, Your Majesty?" I open the book to the first page and see a poem titled My Homeland.

"Every once in a while. I had this published about three years ago. I wish I could write more, but I'm not very inspired at the moment."

"That's a shame."

"Not to worry. I will find it again." He smiles. "Please read it and tell me your thoughts. I am always looking for ways to improve my writing."

"I will, Your Majesty. Thank you." I hug the book to my chest.

"I especially would like your opinion on the very last poem. I think you will like it."

~

"These poems are wonderful. The sultan is talented." Eleanora says as she reads over my shoulder.

I nod in agreement. I cannot read fast enough. The sultan's poems are the best I have ever read, which is very significant because I have read hundreds of poetry books. I turn another page, almost to the end.

"He told me to pay special attention to the last poem." I murmur to Eleanora.

"Skip to it." She urges me.

I finish the second to last poem and turn the page. We are met with two pages full of a foreign language that looks similar to Arabic, but it is not.

"Is this Buranian?" I ask.

"I believe so. Father?" Eleanora calls to him writing in a chair across my room. He comes over and looks over my other shoulder at the book.

"Can you tell us what this says, Father?" I hand it to him.

He studies the pages and mumbles the words under his breath, "Remember, I only know a little of the language. But I think it is a love poem."

"Are you sure?" I whisper.

"Yes. See here, it says 'If you will let me, I will give you the world. If you will let me, my love for you will burn brighter than the sun. If you will let me...and that is all can read."

"Georgiana!" Eleanora exclaims.

"What is it?" Father questions.

"I am sure it is nothing." I take the book back.

"The sultan asked her to pay special attention to the last poem. I wonder why." My sister smiles.

"Oh," Father looks at me in surprise. "Interesting."

"I am sure he just wanted a woman's opinion. And he will get it." I dismiss the conversation.

But I cannot dismiss the thoughts that are already in my head. Why did Sultan Zahid ask me to closely examine the last poem so carefully? Hopefully it was just to get a woman's opinion like I said. But I cannot help but think...could there be something between us?