Havil left the palace deep in thought. When he went to the king's court this morning he had hoped to resolve tensions by offering scholars who he knew the king trusted to take over the academy. Instead that all backfired, whenever the king heard about the academy his eyes filled with annoyance and rage.

  Havil thought himself to be a patient man, not quick to anger, and knew the art of lying in wait to obtain prey.

  His son Herom had his own team of troops that followed him. Duke Majidi had reluctantly offered Herom the official position of captain, which after a long discussion, he denied. Instead he took a smaller job as an instructor and trained the guards in the military, the top guards were the ones who received the positions in the palace.

  Still the king remained unhappy.

  Troops were being assembled to protect the borders from rioters. It was not a big problem as of yet, there was a fire and many crops were destroyed. The villages and smaller cities on the outskirts of the kingdom were going hungry due to lack of food which led to thieves and now small protests. The emergency funds were not making it to the people because of the greedy hands it must pass first.

  Aminah personally sent her own grains as well as purchased grains from other merchants, then used her own troops to send the resources to the people easing the tensions.

  The troops that were being assembled only had to go and help pass out the reserves, not go and kill. The people in the villages were happy. The people in the smaller cities were happy. The king was unhappy.

  Havil sat in the carriage that would take him to the academy. His son will forever be unable to accept a higher position. His wife’s military achievements were only casting a dark shadow over the family. Not to mention his own actions.

  The very academy he was travelling to was becoming his own downfall. Havil was too blind to see it Blue moons ago. Accepting the academy was a trap. If he failed he would have lost his position, but if he succeeded like he has now, the king still had plans on using it against him.

  After the banquet seven days ago Hammaan sent a secret letter that he is not to speak to him in public. Until tensions eased with his father it was best they stay professional in the eyes of others. That was the only reason he was not punished for his Aaleyah’s actions.

  The carriage arrived at the academy and Havil stepped out. Staring up at the entrance gates he wondered how long the false peace would last. Students greeted him and Heavil vowed to himself not to give up. For his students, for the future scholars of the nation, Havil had to find a way back into the king’s graces.

  Entering the classroom Kemal rose to greet him. “Scholar Aljehni”

  “Kemal, there are no classes. today,” Havil said, making his way to his desk up the steps.

  Graduation was nearing and the seniors opted to self-study for the exams. The exam would determine what positions they could take. Of course the highest scores allowed for opportunities to enter the king's court.

  Kemal stood in position, his hands poised nervously at his sides. “This student came to greet Scholar Aljehni.”

  Havil poured a cup of tea and sat on the cushion. “I have been greeted.” He motioned to a cushion by his table. “Have a seat and tell me what it is you want? Surely you do not wish to ask about the upcoming exam questions.”

  Kemal chuckled nervously. “No, the student has learned his lesson. I will study without any tricks.”

  Havil finished his tea and sat his cup down. “Good. Then what is it you need.”

  Kemal sat and refilled Havil’s empty tea cup. “Does Scholar Aljehni think me to be a good man?”

  Hearing the sudden questions Havil arched his brow. “A good man? You have taken the position of my disciple, you tell me.”

  Kemal cleared his throat and doused his tea in one gulp. “As Scholar Aljehni knows, I, Kemal Adel am two Red moons.”

  Havil exhaled air through his nose. The interaction with Amenah had stirred something.

  Kemal continued. “My family is one of scholars. We do not hold the same power as the Ajehni name does but we come from the city of Tamon. It is far away from the capital city, and if this one does not obtain a position in the capital it is where I will return. However, my family has the funds to help others. We own plenty of land, we have a clean reputation. I have studied further than my father and uncles, and my family believes my future position to be high and one to be proud of.”

  Havil nodded, agreeing with Kemal’s assessment of himself.

  “At my age there are many things a man must do. A man must fulfill his education, he must prove he can provide for a future family, then he must,” Kemal took a deep breath, “then he must find the one he wishes to marry.”

  “And you believe you have found her? Does your family know about this?” Although it did not matter, no one would frown at the union.

  Kemal broke into a smile. “My father encouraged me to speak to her elder, and ask for an opportunity to court her.”

  “How many times have you met with my daughter?” Havil asked, cutting to the heart of the conversation.

  Kemal straightened his back. “I have spoken to her once,” he admitted, “but I have known of her since I came to Cabimal. The day I arrived I was lost and could not find my way to the academy, thus I stopped at a tea shop to think. It was there that Lady Amenah, she,” Kemal paused, “she took my breath away.”

  Havil fixed his sleeves, he had heard of his prized scholar saving his heart for his daughter. “I see. You wish to marry her, but does she wish to marry you?” His family moved and thought in a different way from others. He had no intentions of forcing marriage upon his children, if his eldest daughter did not wish to marry Kemal then he would deny the offer. But. Amenah marrying Kemal and moving out of the capital would keep her safe.

  Kemal frowned. “No.”

  Havil tapped the corner of the table. “Sit comfortably.”

  Kemal sat crosslegged. “This student only asks to court her, that is all. I am not sure if she is fond of me but I wish for the opportunity to try,” he admitted nervously.

  Havil recalled Hammaan’s words, marry his children off, Tamon was not too far away that he would never see her again, but it was far enough away that the king may forget her. “Come to dinner tonight, my wife and I will decide then.”

  Kemal’s smile was bright enough to light up the room.

  In the Aljehni manor Aaleyah snuggled in the chair, using a pillow to hold the book up. “Seven generations have passed and the Dlumaeni’s and Aljehni’s lived in peace. The war fifteen Red moons ago established a friendship that has not been broken since. If not for the war the two families would have bloody hands.” Aaleyah sighed loudly and threw her head back on the chair. I want to practice my skills from concealed weaponry! She screamed internally.

  She had been reading the same passage for 10 minutes and each time got distracted, and forgot what she was reading. She smacked the book on her forehead. From what she gathered the Aljehni family and the Dlumaeni family were enemies, then there was a war and they became friends and half a scroll later they live happily ever after. Groaning, but why were there still so many words left! Aaleyah huffed and forced herself to focus on the words in the book once more. She promised her father she would finish by the time he came home.

  Two hands slowly reached from outside the window and faster than a rabbit grabbed the book out of her hands.

  Rising from the seat Aaleyah caught his arms before he could retreat and dragged him inside through the window. “Zale! Idiot, give it back.”

  Zale held the book high above his head out of her reach. “Answer me a question first,” he said laughing at her attempts to grab the book.

  If he did not stop playing around she swore to the heavens she would kick him.

  “We are twins, we are supposed to be, and seem, and look the same. If I am the moon you are the ocean waves. If I am the lyre, then you are the musician.” He sighed as if he was being inconvenienced and switched the book to his left hand, “So how is it you are so short? I mean, it is as if your body gave up growing this Blue moon -”

  She had had enough. If father came home and blamed her for not reading she was going to take Zale down with her. With that thought she kicked.

  “Oww!” Zale went to kick her back but he had his shoes on and could not, instead he tried to elbow her in the side.

  “Give it back Zale! If father finds out I did not read the book I am going to get into trouble.”

  He pushed her away and Aaleyah sucked in a breath to hold back her desire to swing again. “That is not my fault, that is your future punishment that awaits you. How about you stop by the temple of Fsieis and see if he can take a break growing crops and help you grow instead.”

  Screaming internally Aaleyah pushed him, “You are a head taller than me, big deal. Height is not everything, it does nothing for your intellect!” She pushed again but Zale was annoyingly unaffected.

  “Small and weak, no wonder you have to be the Aljehni Head instead.” No sooner had the words left his mouth did he look regretful.

  Aaleyah only froze for a moment before choosing violence once again. She spun, ramming her foot into her brother’s stomach, throwing him back. If not for the edge of the chair that caught his side Zale would have been thrown into the wooden table.

  Zale fell to the floor dropping the book. The regret he showed instantly dissipated. “Oww! Ley Ley you always have to take it too far,” he attempted to yell, but the wind had been knocked out of his lungs and instead he rasped catching his breath.

  Aaleyah marched to her brother and ripped the book off the floor. Her anger at her brother’s words had not faded, but the wounded expression on his face lessened her glare. “I did not mean to kick you that hard,” she apologized.

  “But you meant to kick me!”

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “I meant to kick you!” She confirmed.

  “You meant to hurt me?”

  She refused to feel bad for her actions, it was not fair that he looked at her with pain, when he was the one who pushed to far. “You hurt me first!”

  “I never touched you!”

  “Your words were enough!”

  Aaleyah smoothed the pages of the book. “You claim to be my twin, is that why you say such things? Do you have fun knowing you can do everything I want to!”

  Zale pushed his curls out of his face. “You blame me? It is not my fault. Why must I take the anger for what I could never control?” Zale yelled back.

  “No. I do not blame you for the position of Aljehni Head. I blame you for dancing in the sands of my pain. What brother do you claim to be? You purposefully took up music instead of taking the last classes with me. You purposefully abandoned me. You will continue to abandon me as time goes on. You are going to continue the path of a scholar and what,” she refused to allow her tears to fall, “leave me to walk by myself? I am not the one who takes things too far, you are! You are the one who never thinks of feelings other than your own!”

  Zale pushed her away. “How dare you! I never care? Do you know how long I have wished to play the lyre? Do you know how long I have secretly wished to hear music? To go to the shows and hear them play, to write my own ballads, to feel my fingers strum the strings? Do you know how long I have craved it!” He pushed her again and again until her back hit the wall. “All you see is your own trouble, you never see mine!”

  Aaleyah laughed to cover her regret. “What are you talking about? Zale is still able to do everything Zale wants.”

  Zale ripped the book out of Aaleyah’s hands and threw it as hard as he could to the opposite wall, “The twin of the Aljehni Head must be her protector!” He raged, his face hot with anger. “You think you are losing your dream? I will never be able to travel and play music because I have to spend my life dedicated to you!”

  Aaleyah could feel her anger chipping back at his words.

  Amenah shot through the open door next to her and pulled them by the ear. “That is enough yelling,” she gritted.

  “Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow! Let go of my ear!” They shouted in sync.

  Amenah pulled until she was eye to eye with them. “You still dare to yell? Are you at the stables? Have you been raised by farmers? How dare you scream at the top of your lungs in the manor?”

  “Ow! Amenah, mother said you are not allowed to do this anymore,” Zale cried out.

  Amenah laughed, her eyes shadowed with a threatening glint. “You dare threaten me? The boy with shoes on inside?” She asked calmly, her smile sending shivers down Aaleyah’s spines

  “You punish us for yelling, but where is your punishment for violence?” Aaleyah challenged.

  “It is with the book Zale threw across the room.”

  Aaleyah closed her mouth and Zale’s face blanched. “How did you know it was me?”

  “You just told me?” Amenah lowered her hands but still did not release them. “This disagreement you both have with each other has been waiting to happen, but you do not need to scream. Do you think I have nothing else to do but listen to you bicker?”

  “We were not arguing,” Zale lied.

  “Yes, we were just talking loudly.”

  Amenah chuckled and glanced at Aaleyah. “You may be destined to become the Aljehni Head,” she moved her gaze to Zale, “and you the Head’s Protector but do you know what I am?”

  Aaleyah glanced at Zale, as far as she knew Amenah did not have any pre-destined position.

  “The oldest sister.” Amenah answered, pulling their ears again. “So as long as you live I will be there to ensure you walk a fine, silent line.”

  “Ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch,” Aaleyah whined.

  “Please let go, we are sorry,” Zale pleaded.

  Much to Aaleyah’s annoyance Dharam marched in. “Amenah how long will you bully them for?” He plopped in the chair Aaleyah was in. “I have something to tell you,” he told her in a sing-song voice.

  Everyone caught the playful gaze in Dharam's eyes and luckily Amenah dropped her ear and gave her attention to her twin. “What is it?”

  Aaleyah took the chance to escape alongside Zale.

  Amenah watched them race out the door. “Are you not supposed to be at academy?” She crossed her arms,how could she be twins with such a lazy person?

  Dharam waved his hand. “Never mind that. I was leaving class-”

  “So early? Does father know you continue to skip lessons? When he finds out you will be punished.”

  Dharam scoffed and rubbed his face “Heavens Mei Mei do you want to know what I heard or not?” He leaned his head on his index finger.

  She kept her arms crossed and sat on the arm of the chair next to him. “Fine, tell me.”

  Dharam mimicked her crossed arms. “Guess the topic first,” he teased.

  Rolling her eyes she obeyed. “Class?”

  “No.”

  “Weapons?”

  “Nope,” he answered with a mischievous grin.

  Amenah ran her thumb over her nails as she thought. “Is it about our family?”

  Dharam snapped his fingers, his face buzzing with excitement. “Correct.”

  Amenah grinned. “Is it about Herom? Is he going to accept the position as captain?” She asked excitedly.

  Dharam rolled his eyes. “Of course not. This news is about you.”

  Her eyes lit up. “About me?” How could he have news about her that she does not know about? “I have no more patience, tell me what you know.”

  Hearing that, Dharam snickered and Amenah shook him back and forth. “Tell me!”

  Allowing himself to be shaken he could barely speak through his laughter. “My twin has an admirer."

  Amenah lifted her feet from the floor to rest on Dharam for balance. “Your twin has plenty, I am beautiful,” she deadpanned.

  Dharam scoffed. “This one is different, he went to father first. It seems there is someone who hopes to court you.”

  Amenah twirled and dropped her head in his lap. “Someone wishes to court me?” Her mouth dropped open and she struggled to close it. She glanced up at Dharam, Heavenly Father, please do not let it be one of his friends. “Who?”

  Dharam pushed her off and rose from his seat, stretching lazily.

  Barely catching herself, she kicked him in the shin for pushing her.

  “Ow! Must you resort to violence? Were you not reprimanding our sibling about this being the wrong way to behave?”

  Amenah scoffed and placed her hands on her hips. “There is a man who wishes to court me for marriage and you are refusing to tell me who. Who is it!”

  There was a gasp and Aaleyah dropped the book she came to retrieve back on the floor. “I heard nothing!” she yelled frantically grabbing the book and racing off.

  Asbed poked his head in the open window. “Amenah will be married?” He asked in disbelief.

  Amenah rolled her eyes. “Nothing ever stays a secret in this place.” She moved her attention to Asbed who ran around the house to race through the front door. “No, I am not getting married.”

  “Oh?” Dharam raised a brow. “How can you be so sure? You do not know who this young gentleman is.” He shrugged his shoulders with open arms and an expression that made her long to kick him again.

  Asbed moved his head back and forth, his eyes filled with dramatic worry. “Married,” he whispered in shock, “when you marry does that mean you will leave the manor? You cannot leave Menah.” He clung to the sleeve of her robe.

  “Asbed, I am not getting married.” She yanked her arm away.

  “She might,” Dharam chuckled, “there are only good things to say about this young Lord. His reputation precedes him, most women in the capital would love to marry him.”

  Asbed shook his head. “No! You must not marry. Then you will leave the house. You can not leave me Menah. Aaleyah and Zale will bully me without you here,” he cried in fear.

  Dharam snorted. “You are two Blue moons older, start acting like it.”

  Ignoring Asbed’s complaints, Amenah glared at Dharam’s cocky attitude. “If there are many women in the capital who wish to take his hand in marriage then he can just marry one of them.”

  Dharam nodded with an evil smirk. “Already jealous and you do not know who he is?”

  “Then just tell me!” Amenah ordered her twin, but he shrugged.

  Amenah reached up for her hair stick and Dharam caved.

  “Alright, alright. Leave the blade in.” He fixed his robe. “Despite me having so much fun teasing you, I suppose I could give more information.”

  “How is this for teasing?” She raised her foot to kick Dharam when Herom walked in.

  He grabbed her arm with one hand, and pinched Dharam’s ear with the other. “What did we say about violence in the house?” Herom glanced at Asbed’s hopeless expression. “What is going on with him?”

  Asbed covered his face in horror as he sank to the floor. “Amenah is going to get married. She is going to leave us,” he cried

  Amenah attempted to yank her arm away.

  Herom raised a brow and caught her eye; then dragged them to the other room before releasing them. “Tell me,” he looked at Dharam, “everything,” he turned back to her, “now. Leave nothing out.”

  Amenah crossed her arms. “Yes leave nothing out Dharam,” she snided.

  Dharam rolled his eyes and made to walk away but Herom’s death glare stopped him. He sighed loudly. “Fine, I was only joking anyway.”

  Amenah’s jaw dropped. “You lied?”

  “I did not lie, I just meant that-”

  “You just said you were joking!”

  “I was joking but not about-”

  “So you did lie!” She shouted.

  “Enough.” Herom clapped his hands once loudly. “Dharam start from the beginning, Amenah no interrupting.”

  “Yeah Amenah,” Dharam repeated in a teasing tone.

  She grinned when Herom kicked him.

  “Ow. You said no violence in the house!”

  “Do as I say, not as I do,” was Herom’s cold response.

  “Then I am not telling anything. You can all figure it out on your own,” Dharam argued with crossed arms..

  Amenah turned to Herom. “See! He deserves to get hit.”

  “Maybe you are correct Mei Mei, no one will want to marry you,” Dharam argued.

  “Both of you stop talking.” Herom ordered with a look of exasperation. “Now, Dharam tell me what happened.”

  “I thought you said to stop talking. Now you want me to speak?” he muttered and Amenah’s hand was caught in Herom’s hand.

  “Father has invited a senior from academy home for dinner,” Dharam said flatly.

  Amenah crossed her arms but refused to speak under Herom’s watchful eyes.

  “The senior invited asked father’s permission to court Mei Mei,” Dharam continued.

  Herom nodded in understanding and Amenah felt ready to explode. “No, no. Dharam still has not said anything, why do you seem so understanding?” She motioned to her twin. “Who is the senior?”

  “Kemal Adel,” he answered, finally brushing past Herom and exiting the room.

  Amenah’s jaw dropped, the pretty privileged senior from the other day? But they had just met! She recalled his words of taking responsibility if he failed to become a scholar. Was he serious!

  “With a guest coming for dinner, make the proper arrangements,” Herom told Amenah with a shrug before he, too, walked away.