Vanquisher

Prince Sheikh’s arrival was due shortly.

Zefra placed the tea leaves into the pot and asked Naila to fill it with boiling water.

Today was special.

The Prince had been awarded a ceremonial sword and granted the title of Vanquisher for his military victories.

She wore a black velvet gown and, around her neck, the same jeweled necklace Sheikh had thrown at her feet after her dance.

When Sheikh arrived, his face lit up at the sight of her.

He had waited all day to tell her the news.

Zefra bowed dramatically.

“Welcome, Prince Sheikh.”

She raised her head with a playful smile.

“Or must I now address you as the mighty Vanquisher?”

Sheikh placed a hand over his heart.

“I fought many battles to earn that title.”

“Oh, so incredibly humble.”

Sheikh stared at her.

Then he laughed.

Without warning, he wrapped an arm around her waist and twirled her around.

Zefra cried out before dissolving into laughter.

When he placed her back on her feet, he affectionately pinched her cheek.

“Careful,” he warned. “The mighty Vanquisher has a reputation to protect.”

Zefra slapped his hand away, still smiling.

“Then perhaps he should stop behaving like a child.”

Sheikh laughed again.

For a fleeting moment, neither remembered the court, the crown, or the bargain that had brought Zefra into his life.

There was only his laughter and the warmth of her smile.

Zefra poured him a cup of tea.

---

The room was filled with guards.

Prince Sheikh lay choking on the floor, foam spilling from his mouth as the skin around his lips turned blue.

Several physicians crowded around him, administering one antidote after another.

Zefra sat nearby with her head bowed, her arms bound in heavy iron chains.

Blood dripped from her split lip.

She pleaded again and again that she had done nothing.

No one listened.

The physicians examined the remains of the meal and confirmed that the poison had come from the tea.

Zefra was immediately dragged to the dungeon.

Her fate now rested in the hands of the Crown.

Prince Siddin entered the royal court dramatically.

The trial of the maid accused of poisoning Prince Sheikh was already underway.

Sheikh had barely survived and remained bedridden. The full extent of the damage caused by the poison was still unknown.

Siddin stepped forward.

“I accuse this wench of poisoning my brother.”

He lowered his head.

“And I bear some responsibility. I was the one who presented her to him as a gift. Punish me as you see fit.”

Gasps and murmurs swept through the court.

To many, it appeared to be the confession of a heartbroken brother.

Ambition had blinded them to the performance unfolding before their eyes.

“I had nothing to do with it!” Zefra cried. “Please, believe me!”

Siddin looked at her coldly.

“And why should anyone believe you?”

“You betrayed my trust from the moment you entered this castle. Wandering without your attendants. Meeting men alone.”

“That is not—”

“You arranged an audience with Prince Sheikh without my permission and gained his favor.”

“And then you were found roaming the castle at night and entering Prince Engin’s chambers.”

“She even tried fleeing the palace with one of my brother’s most precious family heirlooms.”

“Was that innocent too?”

Zefra stared at him.

“Or was he to be your next victim?”

“No!”

“The fact that I gave you away drove you mad with resentment.”

“And my brother paid the price.”

“My lord!”

Engin’s voice cut through Siddin’s well-rehearsed speech.

“She is innocent! She is my friend. We only read books together.”

The young prince pushed through the gathered courtiers.

“You have to believe me. Zefra would never do such a thing.”

Tears streamed down his face.

“All she ever wanted was to travel and see the world.”

“See?” Siddin gestured toward him. “Even now, this vixen has her hold over people.”

He turned toward the court.

“Your Honor, I would like to call her maid forward. She was the one who alerted the physicians to my brother’s poisoning.”

Zefra’s eyes widened.

Naila stepped forward.

“M-My liege…”

Her hands trembled.

“Lady Zefra did leave her chambers every day without permission. And she was furious with Prince Siddin after he gave her away.”

Zefra stared at her.

“She refused food and drink. She refused to see Prince Sheikh.”

Naila swallowed.

“She wanted revenge.”

Heartbroken and betrayed, Zefra screamed.

“You lying wench! You know the truth!”

Her chains rattled as she struggled against them.

“Tell them! Tell them I am innocent! Tell them you were the one who convinced me to accept Prince Sheikh!”

But no one seemed to be listening.

Every eye in the court was fixed on Siddin as he pulled the sobbing Engin into his arms and consoled him.

How brotherly.

Still holding his younger brother, Siddin turned toward the throne.

“Your Majesty, may I suggest a suitable punishment for one whose head has always remained so high in the clouds?”