36. Respect (Patreon)

Today was a hot day in Sadina, they always were, but especially so today. That didn’t mean that the activity in the court was going to stop by a little heat.

Shahrazad wrote and filed some documents on her desk. Whilst she wasn’t basked in riches or power, she had a fully equipped office that granted her every necessity. She technically possessed servants but never used them. Though she wouldn’t deny that having lunch brought to her office every day was a godsend.

The emir had petitioned to assign some plantations to drug production, and even if she wasn’t in agreement with such an idea, she did her work to the best of her abilities. Such changes took a lot of paperwork to be dealt with, but thankfully, she hadn’t needed to expropriate lands out of farmers’ hands.

She had already done that years ago.

Shahrazad Ayad wasn’t a woman loved by the people or her peers, yet she did her work diligently. This is the lesser evil. If she wasn’t in her position, another person would. And they would do a worse job than her, and most likely than not, with worse ethical codes dictating their actions.

After fidgeting the documents over free lands, the effects of the plague Tamara and Dana, her fellow court scribes, had mentioned became apparent. It hadn’t reached the city yet, but the surrounding counties had been affected, and by proxy, the frontier farmlands.

“Hmm.” Shahrazad pondered over a cup of tea.

The most affected county is Keyzd, judging by these mortality rates. It wasn’t under her jurisdiction, but Shahrazad enjoyed eying documents and numbers. It borders Loyata, but Tamara said the plague was originally from Ydaz, so I guess it’s just a coincidence. Still, with these numbers, it would make sense to close some roads. Maybe I should... But before she could continue with that train of thought, a figure appeared through the translucid curtains of her office.

Upon recognizing that figure, Shahrazad stood up from her seat and bowed down.

“What brings you to my humble office, my Sultanzade?” Shahrazad respectfully welcomed the imperial princess.

“Not much.” Rani graciously sat on top of Shahrazad’s desk. “Though there’s no need to address me as such. You can talk to me informally, Shahrazad. Aren’t we workmates?” Pearly white teeth hinted through the slight opening of her mouth, a startling contrast with her bronze skin.

She was, of course, incapable of complying with such demands.

“I’m afraid I can’t, Princess Rani.” Shahrazad bowed down. “The Sultanah would hang me if she knew I have referred to one of their children without due respect.”

“That’s better. Not much, but better.” Rani stood up from her desk’s countertop. “But you are wrong. Aaliyah doesn’t care about her children.”

Shahrazad gasped at Rani’s statement. Not only because she was partially offended that a daughter would refer to her mother by name, but also because it bordered treason. She had referred to the sultanah as Aaliyah instead of Aaliyah-al-Ydaz. That simplification meant Rani didn’t respect the sultanah’s authority or titles.

“Your Highness, that...” The grown woman tried to argue, but the young one, barely twenty, cut her off.

“Oh, I know it’s treason, but it doesn't matter.” The sultanzade dismissed the matter as if it was a light one. “It’s my mother, whether I like it or not. She won’t kill me for that.”

“And...?” Once again, Shahrazad was interjected.

“No, not even exile me.” Rani sighed. It appeared this wasn’t the first time she let out such blasphemies. “Besides, if she hears it, which she probably has - that witch has ears everywhere - she’ll even like it. ‘Her little daughter has grown some spine’ or something like that. If I or one of our siblings were to attempt a coup against her, then yes, she would kill us. But at the same time, that’s what she encourages us to do. If she were to die at the hands of her own children, that would only mean she was weak. And weakness befits death.”

Shahrazad almost fainted at the princess’ words. Not because of the danger that supposed hearing them, but because they echoed through her body. A voice so powerful that pained her to be near to, let alone listen to.

“I...” Shahrazad gasped, having problems speaking after that assault. “I see, Princess Rani.” She took a deep breath and recomposed herself. “Can I do something to help you then?”

“That I shall see.” Rani finally took an appropriate seat as she sat on the pillow in front of Shahrazad’s desk.

Her body shifted gorgeously on the pillow, curves appearing everywhere. The princess’ bronze skin was visible through the many seams of her dress, especially her scandalous calves. Shahrazad was a mature widow and a woman, but even she wasn’t immune to the charms of the Sultanah’s offspring and found herself blushing like a maiden. Rani rejoiced in the scribe’s reaction but didn’t comment further.

The sultanzade gifted her a smiled and continued. “What do you think of my brother’s idea?”

“The emir’s idea to use fields to pacify the unrestful assassin population?” Rani nodded. “Well, this is only my opinion, of course...”

“Of course.” The princess smiled, pearls showing off, and groomed her mane. The jet-black hair flowing down her arm as she rested her face on her palm.

“...I do believe it can work. There are many empty fields in Sadina right now for a plethora of reasons, so not only assigning some to the production of drugs would not suppose a loss of agricultural output, but it may put more workers in the economy as this will be a government-founded enterprise.”

“I see...” Rani’s expression faltered, the smile becoming darker, but still present. That wasn’t the answer wanted to hear. “That may be in the short term but think in longer.”

“Longer term, princess?”

“Yes. What my brother is doing here is showing weakness. Sure, he may pacify the assassins at a moment of instability, but they aren’t a population to be satisfied or a country to be negotiated with. Assassins do not know the definition of favors.” Even as she lay on the pillow, the sultanzade grim words struck the scribe deeply. “Once they see that the great Hassan-al-Sadina provides them free drugs, they’ll only want more. And they’ll take more. And more. Until there’s nothing left.”

“I...” Shahrazad didn’t know what to say. Right now, she was more scared of Rani than the assassins. “Should I then speak with His Highness to cancel the plans?”

“Don’t.” Rani instantly denied it as she stood up from the pillow. “He doesn’t respect you, Shahrazad. If you go against his wishes, if you are no longer useful nor obedient to him, she’ll make you out, or worse.”

Then she approached her. The princess lay a finger on Shahrazad’s neck, and she skipped a heartbeat. She didn’t know if it was out of fear or excitement. Shahrazad was partially ashamed as she was around two decades older than the sultanzade. Rani’s lips got close to the scribe’s ear and whispered.

“But someone in the court respects you, Shahrazad.” She felt Rani’s breath caressing her. “Me.”

It took all of Shahrazad's willpower to stay upright. And even more to talk back.

“Then what do you suggest me to do... my Highness?”

Rani smiled and looked directly at the poor woman’s face. Her royal eyes shone like amethysts.

“I want you to support Hassan, to push that plan forward. Make him think his idea is incredible. Make him use even more resources than expected on it.”

“Ehm... didn’t you say that doing so would be a show of weakness?” Shahrazad added shyly.

“Indeed.” Rani smiled innocently; she appeared like a saint descended from the heavens. “And mother despises weakness.” The smile turned into a twisting nightmare, the face of a monster of the night.

No, worse. A djinn.

“Think about it, will you?” The princess caressed Shahrazad’s face with her soft hands. “Remember, I’m the only one who respects you. And I reward my subjects... graciously.” Rani gifted her one last smile before disappearing into the curtains, her body salaciously swaying as she walked.

Shahrazad started hyperventilating the moment Rani disappeared from her sight, her heartbeat and mind were a mess. No matter what she chose, she would either become enemies with the emir or an imperial princess.

Neither option was good, it was obvious she had been trapped in a scheme far bigger than herself. She had to trek carefully and wisely. But even if she didn’t openly support Rani or notify Hassan-al-Sadina of the plot (which would instantly gain the sultanzade’s wrath), it was true that her job was filling those fields with drugs.

“What a woman.” Shahrazad sighed, mostly fearing for her future.