Saan grumbled watching his brother walk with Aaleyah on his arm as they passed; his grandfather sat in his chair, a servant holding a tray of food.

  Aaleyah bowed at the waist and would have continued going if not for his grandfather speaking. Unfortunately Asbed pulled him in a different direction and he could not hear the conversation.

  “Aaleyah Aljehni, you have grown in the past Blue moons. What a beautiful young lady you are growing to be,” King Saamun stood complementing her with what felt like false happiness.

  Aaleyah stayed with her head bowed, “Thank you your majesty.”

  “Rise. Allow me to see your face,” he ordered.

  Standing straight Aaleyah moved a step back before fidgeting with the embroidery of her brother’s jacket. Her eyes scanned the hall quickly scanning for any of her siblings. Was Zale not behind her with Saan?”

  “Tell me young Aljehni, tonight seems like a perfect opportunity to learn of your friendships with my grandsons.” King Sammun motioned to the front, “Sit with us.” As the king smiled Aaleyah could not help the shiver that traveled down her spine. Her feet turned to Hammun who still stood close to her.

  Smiling nervously, she debated what to say in a situation like this. Her father will certainly break her legs if she does not return to the table. “King Saamun, such an honor, please allow me to tell my father about this,” she spoke in the most respectful way she knew how.

  King Saamun’s eyes sparked with annoyance. “Servants obsessed with noblemen’s clothing,” he muttered in Ancient Aidjeeken and Aaleyah could only pretend not to understand. “Sitting with the king is an honor, your father will understand.” With a hand he motioned for her to walk in the opposite direction of her family.

  Hammun grinned at her side. “Not to worry Aaleyah, I can tell a nearby servant to tell your father where you are.”

  Swallowing her nervousness Aaleyah forced her feet to follow the king’s footsteps. Now that she had no choice, fate decided to have all of her siblings suddenly appear. Chiara stood a few feet to the left with a confused expression on her face. She shook her head and nervously looked at the person who was behind her.

  Turning behind her she saw Zale walking with Saanvand humphed to herself, so much for Zale sticking with her tonight.

  Chiara watched Aaleyah walk with the king and rushed to find Amenah. Her father was going to be furious when he found that Aaleyah had once again discovered mischief.

  Chiara made her way to Amenah just as she was finishing up her conversation with one of the musicians.

  “What is it?”

  Laughing awkwardly, Chiara filled her cheeks with air.

  “Chiara,” Amenah called in warning.

  “Whatever I say, everyone will just say it is my fault anyway, but I need you to know I did nothing wrong.” After all father told her as well that come meal time she was supposed to watch over Aaleyah.

  Amenah ran her thumb over her nails. “Heavens Chiara I asked what was wrong, just answer,” she exasperated.

  “But I was with you the entire time.” Chiara grabbed her sister’s hand, “You have to tell mother it was not my fault. I never left your side. How could I have stopped this from happening?”

  “I have the faintest idea of what you are saying. Speak clearly.”

  “Ley Ley is sitting with the king for the meal,” she whispered.

  Amenah’s sharp eyes immediately moved to the king’s table. “And why do you think you will be blamed for this?”

  Chiara pouted. “Father said that I had to keep an eye on her, and Asbed is to watch Zale.” She plays with a bracelet on her wrist. “But I did not, and mother is already disappointed in me. Is it my fault that Aaleyah always causes mischief? Must I truly be blamed?” Aaleyah was always running about breaking rules. Hence the long dress and robes the twins wore; they were to prohibit their endless movement. Mother would blame her for it claiming she was the older sibling.

  “Shh.” Amenah wrapped an arm around her. “No one will blame you. Mother is not disappointed in you-”

  “Yes she is, I am not doing well in my studies,” she confessed. The classes started too early so she was late and punished to stand outside. “When I come of age I want to join the military like Herom anyway. Books will not matter there.”

  Amenah shook her head. “What you learn from books will follow you wherever you go. Besides, education can aid you in military.” They continue to their table. “Father hopes to have one of us take over the academy.”

  “You can do it. Everyone says you are Herom’s counterpart, both of you holding the Aljehni legacy with grace and talent,” Chiara sassed. “Everything you do is always perfect, you never had to study so mother cherishes you.”

  “Chiara, mother loves each and everyone one of us. Stop speaking as if your family is filled with turmoil.” As she speaks her smile falls and Chiara catches her looking in Dharam’s direction.

  Chiara humphed. “It will be when father finds out where Aaleyah is.”

  Amenah’s lack of response proved her correct. Father would definitely not be happy. The Dlumaeni-Aljehni friendship was noticeably strained.

  Chiara followed her sister to the table just in time for her father’s headcount.

  “Amenah,” he called her older sister with relief.

  “Father”. Amenah made her way to father’s side, and Chiara clung to her arm the entire way.

  Havil glanced behind them an obvious question in his eyes. “Where is Aaleyah and the others?”

  Amenah placed her hand on Chiara’s shoulder, a graceful smile on her face. “Aaleyah was invited to sit with the king.”

  Herom stood from his seat and made his way around the table. “Aaleyah? Only Aaleyah?”

  Their mother rose from a sleeping Roset. “Aaleyah is underage, she should not be anywhere without a chaperone.”

  Father shook his head. “We can not tell the king that.” He forced out a stressed laugh and slowly turned to mother. “Aminah.” His face said it all, mouth closed in a hard line and the vein on his forehead was strained.

  Her mother squeezed father’s hand. “It is one dinner. She excelled in her lessons, she knows her manners. For one meal we will trust in her intelligence.”

  Dharam opened his mouth to give a sarcastic comment but Herom’s glare silenced him.

  Zale and Asbed made their way to the table. The tension was obvious and Chiara coughed to stop Zale from speaking, but as always he did not know how to stay silent. “Father, Ley Ley has been asked to sit with the king. Father need not worry, Ley Ley is good friends with Saan and Hammun, as am I. If you would like I can ask to sit with her too. Then you do not have to fear her being alone.” His offer was met with a quick smack to the back of his head.

  Chiara flinched and hid behind Amenah peeking around her shoulder to see Zale’s eyes filled with shock and pain. He slowly stepped back towards Herom.

  “You are to address them correctly.”

  Chiara silently thanks the crowd of people in the hall, for they prevent her father from yelling more.

  Father fixed the sleeves of his robe, yanking them down and soothing invisible wrinkles. “They are princes. How dare you address them by name!”

  At his quiet yells Chiara mimicked Asbed, and dropped her head to bow obediently.

  Herom pulled Zale to stand at his side, his eyes brighter due to anger. “Father, Zale meant no harm. He was not being disrespectful, as a child he was addressing his friends.”

  “Friends!” Father shook his head. “There is no friendship! That is the royal family, we swear our allegiance to them. We honor them, we die for them. Friendship must never come first.” His words were hard to hear for he whispered them, but Chiara could read his lips.

  Chiara hid her face in Amenah’s back, clinging to the back of her golden robe. Never had they been reprimanded in public like this. If father would hit Zale, surely he would hit her next.

  “Sit.”

  No sooner had the last letter of the word been sounded, had her and her siblings moved to their seats.

  Mother brushed dust off of father’s shoulders, a trick to calm him. “Havil.”

  Taking a deep breath, they both sat down as well.

  Herom placed a comforting hand on Zale’s arm. Both her and Zale looked off towards the king’s table for Aaleyah.

  Saan grumbled as he made his way to his seat only to freeze in shock when he saw Aaleyah at the left table. If he could groan out loud he would. While Hammun was able to sit wherever he wished at Aaleyah’s side, he had to follow protocol and sit by his father. Two tables away from Aaleyah. He could see her, but was unable to speak to her. Staring at his brother he begrudgingly sat at the left of his father

  “Father, why is Aaleyah here? It is not fair that Hammun gets to sit with grandfather. Father should call for him to sit here.” If Hammun was forced to move, Aaleyah would easily come too. He purchased a new dagger and was excited to show it to her.

  “Saan.” His father called in a commanding voice.

  Assuming he was going to be reprimanded Saan straightened his posture. “I am sorry, I was acting childish.”

  “Go sit with your brother.”

  “Huh?” Saan turned to examine his father’s expression. “Really?” he asked, his cheeks fighting to lift into a smile

  “Ensure that Aaleyah Aljehni does not speak.”

  Saan’s eyes scrunched in confusion. “What does that mean?”

  His mother squeezed his father’s arm and spoke happily.

  “Aaleyah is still young, the less she speaks the less likely she is to accidentally insult the king. This is a public space Saan, we all must be wise.” She reached past his father to tap his nose.

  His father’s expression was the opposite of his mother’s happy smile. His cold eyes boring into his own. “Aaleyah is not to speak, if you can help it speak over her, interrupt her, answer for her. If I see that she is speaking too much I will call you back to sit here,” he warned.

  “No! Father, I understand my parents' orders. I swear to follow them,” he vowed, excited to finally be Aaleyah’s protector.

  “Go.”

  At his father’s words Saan rushed over to his grandfather’s table.

  Approaching the table his grandfather chuckled. “Prince Saan,” he greeted warmly.

  Grinning widely, Saan greeted his grandfather with a proper bow. “King Saamun. Today father has granted me permission to sit with you. I hope to learn everything you can teach me,” he said excitedly, his eyes darting in Aaleyah’s direction.

  “Ah, is that so? Saan, come have a seat.” He motioned for Saan to sit next to him.

  Saan moved swiftly to sit next to his grandfather making sure to move his body to block Aaleyah from view. “Grandfather, I learned a new sword skill, will you please come to watch my lessons tomorrow morning?”

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  Hammun laughed silently and angled his body towards Aaleyah, “Have you started the Aljehni Sword Dance training?”

  Aaleyah shook her head. “I much prefer small blades. Or a staff, mother has her staff and leaves quite a strong impression, thus I am learning the Zuhos dance..”

  Hammun laughed, “A strong impression? Your mother’s staff is called the Blood’s Wind. She has trained a plethora of pupils and none of them have achieved the skillset your mother has. General Aljehni is amazing. No, the entire Medes family is amazing. Of all the staff dances and fighters, no one beats the Medes Zuhis Dance.”

  “Yes, my mother is amazing,” Aaleyah agreed with a wide grin showing her teeth.

  “Little Aljehni, what is it that causes you to smile so much?” Saan tilted his head in confusion, to his grandfather’s tone. Was he angry at something? He peaked in his father’s direction and frowned. Aaleyah could not even say three words? Surely he cannot interrupt her when she is talking to grandfather.

  Aaleyah sat at attention. “Prince Hammun spoke beautifully of my mother. It is an honor to hear such descriptions of her,” she answered politely.

  Saan nodded, there was nothing wrong with those words. But mother said talk of fighting was never good over food.

  “Oh? What did he say about General Aljehni?” His grandfather asked.

  As Aaleyah opened her mouth, Saan rushed to speak first.

  “It must be of Lady Aljehni’s grace. I heard many guests tonight speak of the beauty of her dress.” He gave Aaleyah a 'trust me’ look and turned back to his grandfather. "In fact all the Aljehni family dressed wonderfully tonight,” he complimented.

  His grandfather hummed at his words. “Tell me little Aljehni, how is your father?”

  Aaleyah set her spoon back down. “My father?”

  Saan felt the same confusion as Aaleyah. Does he not see Aaleyah’s father every day? Why ask her?

  “Yes, on the off days do you spend time with him?” King Saamun questioned.

  “On the off days,” she repeated and Saan caught the way her hand reached out and frowned. Rarely was she without Zale at her side.

  He turned to the Aljehni table, maybe he should invite Zale to sit with them too? Returning his gaze back to the table he caught his father’s look.

  Saan laughed awkwardly and jumped back into the conversation. “How would Aaleyah know? On the off days we go horse riding together.”

  Hammun snorted the soup of his spoon falling back to the bowl. “Is it together when you spend most of your time catching up? Or maybe you are still kindly allowing her to win,” he teased.

  Saan rolled his eyes. “What would you know, you never come,” he grumbled.

  “Aljehni,” his grandfather called.

  Saan frowned when Aalyah’s hand moved from her spoon. So far she had eaten nothing.

  “Do you have any interest in attending your father’s academy?”

  “My father’s academy?” Aaleyah’s eyes trailed to her family’s table.

  “Attending academy is a strenuous task. One must pass a series of tests to enter,” Saan answered for her.

  “As an Aljehni surely you will be allowed access,” his grandfather pushed.

  Aaleyah shook her hands, and Saan agreed with her silent disagreement, as an Aljehni the tests would be even harder.

  Hammun smiled at his grandfather. “The tests will be impossible. Grandfather, did you hear, Dharam failed the written exam.”

  Aaleyah frowned. “He did not fail.”

  “But his score was barely passing,” Hammun argued.

  “He received high marks in the other portions. And now after studying his writing skills are much better,” Aaleyah defended the tension fading from her shoulders.

  “Surely your other siblings are highly skilled?” His grandfather asked, interrupting them.

  “Chiara’s calligraphy is very beautiful. Grandfather, can you recall the poem from last Blue moon’s contest? Her handwriting was phenomenal, some believe that the old gods left behind skills for the Aljehni family to pick up,” Hammun bragged.

  “The old gods? Do the Aljehnis not worship the Lord of the Heavens?” At his grandfather’s words, Saan finally understood.

  King Saamun allowed for numerous faiths within the kingdom, but he did not approve of his father switching from the Old Gods to the Father of the Heavens. Did father believe the conversation would always lead to this point, is that why he asked him to stop Aaleyah from speaking?

  “Those are just rumours, intelligent people know nothing is correct without validity.”

  At the Aljehni table Aminah tries to ease her husband’s fears without scaring her children.

  “Dharam if another sip of wine touches your tongue I will drag you to morning practice,” she threatened while keeping her eyes locked on Aaleyah’s expressions at the table. Her youngest daughter’s eyes were wide, and the entire time she sat there no food touched her lips.

  Amenah kicks her twin’s foot, “Get it together,” she mouthed.

  Dharam dropped his eyes to his plate and Aminah forced herself to turn away from Aaleyah. Since the meal started no child had said a word.

  At her right, Havil sat with a grimace. No food had touched his lips either. She squeezed her husband’s hand, knowing he felt guilty for hitting Zale. The silent atmosphere at the table came from fear he regretted creating.

  Even Herom ate in silence, his angry eyes avoiding his father. Zale sat so close to him that Herom could barely eat. Lifting Zale slightly each time he raised the spoon to his mouth.

  Zale’s eyes drifted to his twin longingly. The two always consoled each other but now they were apart.

  Back at the king’s table, King Saamun slammed the cup down. “Saan, I did not ask you.”

  Saan gulped and dropped his head.

  “Aljehni!” King Saamun called “Your family is abundantly blessed. Which gods do you think your family receives their abundance from?”

  He held a hand up to silence Saan who pathetically looked towards the Aljehni table with a helpless expression. No doubt his son sent Saan here to act as sand winds between him and the Aljehni.

  Aaleyah looked as if she wanted to faint, and Saamun secretly dared her too. Nothing would bring him more joy than watching the scholar’s helpless expression as his daughter fell to the ground.

  “Scholar Aljehni teaches his children that there are three things to never speak of in public: love, politics, and religion. Grandfather it is not that Aaleyah wishes to ignore your question, but she is not sure how to.”

  As he turned to face his grandson Saan shuddered and lifted his tea cup.

  He turned back to the Aljehni and raised his brow.

  “My apologies your majesty. This one lacks enough knowledge to say what the Heavenly Lord chooses to do.” Her eyes fluttered between him and her bowl of untouched soup.

  “So you believe it was your Lord then? The so called Lord of the Heavens?” The Aljehni Lord that had stolen his son and grandchildren.

  “A god could never belong to me. Perhaps my father would be best to speak to, I am still not of age and lack the knowledge to answer such questions.” Aaleyah shifted away.

  “I?” Saamun chuckled. “So your king has made a mistake?”

  “Grandfather-” Saan started to speak.

  “Enough of you. Return to your father,” he dismissed Saan from the table.

  Hearing the order, Saan’s face blanched and he stood nervously on his feet. “My apologies your majesty,” he bowed deeply. With one fleeting glance at Aaleyah he left to his father’s table.

  Aaleyah moved from her seat and kneeled before him, “This subject has made a grave mistake. She asks your forgiveness.”

  “She?” King Saamun repeated once more with a challenging smirk. The hall grew quiet as eyes turned to watch the young Aljehni plead for forgiveness.

  Realizing her mistake she flinched and bowed her head to the ground before rising. “This one apologizes,” she corrected.

  King Saamun turned his attention to Havil Aljehni, he stood, but his feet remained rooted in place. Unable to come forward without invitation. May all within this hall see that an Aljehni holds no power over the royal line.

  “You need not be so fearful, Aaleyah,” Hammun comforted, raising from his seat to stand at her side. “Our king is kind and understanding, of course he understands. He is aware you have done no wrong intentionally.”

  The Aljehni knew enough to ignore his idiot grandson’s words and stayed kneeled on the floor.

  Saamun watched with anger as his son and the scholar locked eyes, a silent plea. His anger only faded slightly when his son shook his head. Silently telling the scholar to stay in place.

  “Come Aaleyah,” Hammun pulled at her arm to make her rise but she refused. “You do not need to stay kneeled on the floor like this.” He huffed when Aaleyah refused and lifted his head to face him. “Grandfather?”

  Hammun was an idiot, what was the point of proving the Aljehni family weak if his own grandson publicly attempted to say she was not?

  Hammun tapped Aaleyah’s shoulder. “You have done nothing wrong. And even if you did due to your age it would not be you who is punished but your father,” he laughed.

  King Saamun grinned. Hammun was not a complete idiot. “Yes Prince Hammun, you are correct.” Waving his hand, “Rise young Aljehni, and return to your father. Tell him that we will speak in the morning about your punishment."

  Aaleyah rose and bowed deeply at the waist before rushing off to her father. Her eyes stung with unshed tears, and Saamun could only hope that the scholar understood the warning.

  As she Hammun made his way back to his seat. “Will you truly punish Scholar Aljehni?”

  “That depends on your father.” He tilted his head in the direction of the high prince’s table. Go, I wish to eat alone.”

  Hammun bowed and moved to his father’s table.

  Inside the carriage on the way back to the manor Aaleyah’s mother and father patiently tried to figure out what happened.

  “Just tell us everything from the beginning,” her father ordered.

  “Start with the king inviting you to eat with him,” her mother commanded.

  “No, what was the reason you kneeled in apology on the floor? Start there,” her father said.

  “What if that topic started from the beginning?” Her mother asked her father.

  He scratched his neck, mother had a point.

  Unfortunately they both turned their focus back to Aaleyah who used both hands to cling to Zale’s hand.

  “What happened that caused Prince Saan to return to his father?”

  “No, your father is right. Why did you end up on the floor?”

  “Did the king question you? What did he ask you?” her father tapped her knee, urging her to speak quickly.

  “What were his parting words to you?” Her mother asked with a snap of her fingers.

  Zale squeezed her hand. The siblings riding in the carriages changed, and Herom switched with Roset, sitting across her next to her parents. His golden eyes watched silently, and Aaleyah wanted nothing more than to hide in his arms.

  “I told the king that he was wrong.” she answered meekly. “At least that is what the king said. But I promise I did no such thing.”

  “Just start from the beginning,” her father ordered in frustration.

  “We do not have time for the beginning, Aaleyah!” she jumped at her mother’s yell. “What were you talking about before then?”

  “We were talking about the gods and-”

  “I have told you numerous times not to speak of religion in public settings. Have you learned nothing?” Her father rubbed the side of his temple.

  “I did listen, I-”

  “You listened to your father’s order not to speak of religion by speaking of religion?” Her mother asked sharply.

  Her eyes filled with tears, but refusing to let go of Zale’s hand they dripped down her chin.

  “Mother.” Herom finally spoke, his hand reaching for Aaleyah to sit with him. “Father, let me speak to Aaleyah.”

  “Ley Ley,” Herom called in a calm voice and she released her death grip on Zale and carefully moved to the other side of the carriage into his arms.

  “Please tell me what happened? Why did you return with tears in your eyes?” He ran his thumb over her cheeks wiping her tears away.

  Aaleyah sniffled, her fingers wrapping around his robe to hold him closer. “The king asked me if I agreed that our family was blessed by the gods. And so I said I was not knowledgeable enough to know what the Lord does.”

  She stopped and sucked in a breath to stop herself from breaking into tears.

  Herom nodded, his hand rubbing her back.

  “Then he asked if I believe it was the Lord of the Heavens who blessed us.”

  Next to her, her father closed his eyes and took a calming breath, and Aaleyah hesitated to speak once more. Since High Prince Hammaan had chosen to follow the Lord of the Heavens the leading faith in the kingdom had slowly shifted; even she knew that. The king held on to old beliefs, but most men in the kingdom had long since let go of the old gods.

  “ Saan was told to leave because he continued to interrupt me.” Aaleyeh continued after Herom’s silent coaxing. “Every question the king asked, Saan would speak first and the king became angry and sent him away.”

  “The king yelled at Prince Saan?” Her mother attempted to pull Aaleyah closer and she buried her face in Herom’s chest.

  “I can hold her,” Herom dismissed and eventually Aaleyah felt her mother’s hand on her knee.

  “You said Prince Saan continued to interrupt you? What questions did he interrupt? Can you remember?” Her father asked.

  Aaleyah shook her head, keeping her face hidden in her brother’s chest.

  “Can you try? It does not have to be all of the questions, just some,” Herom coaxed.

  Aaleyah thought back to the conversation. “He asked about the academy, and if I will attend. Prince Hammun brought up Dharam’s low writing scores. So I said that the exams to get into the academy are not easy, and that Dharam did well in all the other sections. Then the king said as an Aljehni I would go, and Saan interrupted. Then the king asked if all my siblings were skilled.”

  Herom soothed her hair. “And what did you say?”

  Aaleyah sat back turning to glance at Zale before turning back to Herom. “I said nothing, Saan answered instead. He brought up Chiara’s calligraphy and talked about how talented she was.” She spoke faster. “Which led to someone saying that our family was blessed by the gods. The king asked if I agreed, but Saan interrupted, so he was told to sit with his father. Then the king asked me what gods do I believe are giving my family blessings.” She looked at her father. “That is what happened. I know your teaching not to speak about religion. I truly tried my best father. But somehow he asked me about the Lord of the Heavens, saying that he is my Lord. I said that the Lord does not belong to me, and that I am too inexperienced to talk about it, and that father would be best.” Her eyes filled with tears once more and it took more coaxing from Herom before she could continue speaking.

  By that point her parents' patience was being held back by a grain of sand.

  “In the end,” Aaleyah’s fat tears fell onto Herom’s arm, “the king thought I implied that he was wrong and asking the wrong person. So I apologized and knelt to ask for forgiveness. Hammun tried to get me to stop saying that the king will not punish me for my faults, and instead he would punish my parents.” Aaleyah broke into sobs, “And that is when, that, that is when he allowed me to return.” Her chin trembled and she bit down on her lip to silence herself.

  Her parents sat in silence which was proof enough that they were disappointed in her. .

  Zale opened his arms. “Ley Ley,” he called with watery eyes. Aaleyah moved out of Herom’s hold into Zale’s embrace and they cried together. Her head hurt earlier and she knew it was because something happened to him.

  The carriages arrived at the Aljehni manor and their mother ordered everyone to go straight to bed.