Influential

The Bahr Nur ruling court was, in essence, a charade, a hollow facade where self-centered men and women congregated for their own selfish gains. At the helm of this court were the royal Ashraf, the Sultan and his Sultana, who presided over its proceedings. The council of dignitaries from all corners of the nation convened regularly, forming a trifecta of councils.

Firstly, there was the higher council, a select group composed of the nine Nizars, who were consulted only on matters of utmost importance. Their decisions carried immense weight and impact.

Next was the sheikhs' council, an assembly of all 203 sheikhs in the country, each representing a noble house. They discussed and influenced various matters, shaping the nation's direction through their collective power.

The third and seemingly less prestigious council, yet paradoxically the most influential, was the court's council. This council was responsible for managing the daily affairs of the ruling court and, by extension, the entire nation. What made this council unique was its composition, primarily consisting of court ladies. These were individuals who had been granted noble titles by the Sultan himself, the same titles Albaqir had earned upon being named his father's heir. Despite the apparent hierarchy, it was this council that often held the most sway over the court's daily operations and the country's politics. 

In the court's council, the Gareh family held not one, but two noble titles. The first title had been bestowed upon Albaqir's aunt, Lady Nathia, many years ago in recognition of her significant contributions to the field of science. Lady Nathia was the youngest sister of Sheikh Alman, and she had recently entered into a marriage of nobility with a man from the Eastern region. This union had stirred quite a buzz in Ralton estate, as the couple was visiting for the first time.

Preparations for Lady Nathia's arrival turned the Ralton estate upside down. The maids and servants toiled tirelessly day and night to ensure that the estate gleamed like a jewel. To Albaqir's surprise, the estate truly sparkled under her scrutiny. His memories of Lady Nathia weren't exactly pleasant; she had a reputation for her refined tastes and a sharp temper. Moreover, she had used every opportunity to belittle his mother, and Albaqir harbored resentment towards anyone who spoke ill of his beloved mother.

Lady Nathia arrived at noon, accompanied by her towering husband. He possessed fair skin and a smattering of freckles across his nose, indicating his lineage from the Humur clan in the eastern province. His family held a higher nobility status, with his father serving as the Nizar of their clan's province, although he himself was not the heir, having elder brothers who would inherit.

Albaqir, as the heir to his father, took on the responsibility of receiving the noble couple. He and Sania stood at the entrance of Ralton estate. Albaqir respectfully bent down to kiss the hem of Lady Nathia's gown, though he couldn't help but omit the word "home" when he welcomed her, subtly implying that she was merely a guest in the Ralton estate. This was reminiscent of how she had treated him in the past, always insinuating that he was either a servant or a guest, but never acknowledging him as family.

"Come on, boy, give your aunt a hug," she insisted, embracing him tightly, though he refrained from reciprocating.

"Sania, my girl," she then turned her attention to Albaqir's sister.

"Welcome home, Aunt," Sania greeted warmly, giving Albaqir a playful pat on the shoulders.

"Say hi to your uncle," Lady Nathia encouraged Sania, urging her to greet her husband. Sania curtsied gracefully in greeting and Albaqir shook his hand firmly.

"How was your journey?" she asked Lady Nathia.

"It wasn't bad," Lady Nathia's husband replied.

"Please," Lady Nathia interjected.

"Asan, the flight attendants were rude and inexperienced," she continued, sharing the travel experience.

The entire Gareh family had gathered that day to welcome Lady Nathia. She seemed to thrive on the attention, and the occasion resembled a party, complete with food, drinks, and music, albeit a family affair.

Lady Nathia, like many from the Shuwa clan, had a slim and petite stature. Her eyes were notably large and somewhat mesmerizing. She was considered a pure-blooded Shuwa, without the mixed parentage that some others in the family had. While both Sania's and Albaqir's mothers hailed from the Shuwa clan, Sheikh Alman's second wife came from the A. Rashid clan, and her children inherited her distinctive, burgundy-like features.

With Lady Nathia's arrival, family gatherings became more frequent, and Albaqir often found himself left in the dark about the family's affairs. Sometimes he was excluded from the discussions, other times it was only the elders, and occasionally just the women. Something was brewing within the family, and Lady Nathia's presence seemed to be part of a strategic move to advance the Gareh family's interests. She had her own plans, and in time, she would likely achieve what she wanted.

"But it can be hard to secure such a contract, mining has historically been monopolized by the Royal family and higher nobility," Sheikh Alman shook his head in response to his sister's audacious proposal. She had arrived with a lucrative mining deal that could significantly enhance their wealth and elevate their status in the court. It was a daring move, even for her, as all mining operations were under the purview of the Sultan, who only granted a select few nobles the privilege.

"Sania may be of royal blood, and her marriage is on the horizon, and Sheikh, my husband Asan is a Hammad. He owns gold mines. All we need is a strong alliance, particularly with a higher-ranking noble from the southern region. I assure you, it's possible," she argued.

Seated around the discussion table were the elders of the Gareh family, along with the sheikh himself and his shiekha. Albaqir was surprised to be included in this particular meeting. The Gareh family possessed a piece of land with detected mineral resources, but if news of this reached the ears of the Royal family without a proper arrangement, the land could be confiscated by the government. The family had gathered to devise a strategy for mining it discreetly, but in a society like Bahr Nur, keeping such a significant endeavor hidden from prying eyes, especially among the nobility, was nearly impossible. If their secret was uncovered, they could be labeled traitors to the country, and Bahr Nur had little mercy for traitors.

To some extent, Lady Nathia's proposals seemed to hold merit. Sania, as a royal princess, could potentially sign a contract on behalf of the family if her marriage proceeded as planned. Convincing the Sultan to grant mining rights to her family was not entirely implausible. On the other hand, the Hammad family, through Asan, might be able to secure a gold mining license for Nathia's family. The southwestern region was indeed rich in gold mines, and alliances with either the Ta'isha or Rizeygat clan, who perpetually fought over these mines, could be advantageous. With the combined strength of these three potential alliances, Albaqir believed that objections from others would be less likely.

"I'm acquainted with several members of the Ta'isha clan, particularly the Baldar family. I've met them in the court, and I believe I could facilitate an alliance," Lady Nathia added.

The family seemed to consider these options carefully. Sheikh Alman, who had been skeptical at first, appeared more receptive to the idea, albeit cautiously. The prospect of expanding their wealth and influence was appealing, but the risks were substantial, and the family's reputation was at stake.

"I'm well acquainted with the Nizar of the Rizeygat clan; it should be relatively easy to secure an alliance with him," Sheikh Alman said confidently.

However, Lady Nathia's remark about the Qwalme family took everyone by surprise. Their reluctance to marry outside their family and their prideful nature posed significant obstacles to forming an alliance with them. The family members exchanged glances, contemplating the challenges ahead.

The Baldar family seemed like the only viable option for forming an alliance, but their unpredictable and often unruly nature made everyone hesitant. Their reputation for taking what didn't belong to them added to the unease surrounding negotiations with them. The family members were faced with the daunting task of trying to establish a connection with this enigmatic and unpredictable clan.

"The Baldar family is the largest noble family in the entire country," Lady Nathia emphasized.

"They have numerous eligible bachelors and bachelorettes. Forging an alliance shouldn't be that difficult. Sheikh, your sons are still unattached, none of them are engaged, and people will start talking soon," she continued.

"I understand," the sheikh replied with a heavy sigh.

"Qasiv refuses to come home, and Asaf still needs rehab. As for Albaqir, he seems to be the only option I can offer. While Haisa and Uffra are eligible as well, I'm hesitant to give my daughters to the Baldar family. Uffra already has a potential alliance on the table, and I haven't revisited it yet, waiting to see if a better opportunity arises," Sheikh Alman explained further.

Albaqir's eyes widened in shock as he listened to the heartless discussion about forming an alliance for their own selfish gains. He wanted to protest, to say something, perhaps even mention Najma, but his voice failed him. Only a sigh of frustration escaped his lips as he stared into the distance, his eyes hollow and distant.

"What is wrong with this family? What is wrong with this country?" he lamented quietly to himself. The elders continued their discussion, weighing the potential advantages and disadvantages of such an alliance. It was a significant political move that could either greatly increase their influence or lead to disastrous consequences if it backfired.

Albaqir abruptly fled the discussion room, ignoring the murmurs and judgments from the others present. He didn't care about their opinions at that moment; he just needed to be away from that suffocating environment. Tears welled up in his eyes as he hurriedly made his way to his room, seeking solitude to collect his thoughts.

"Dear!" Sania's voice called out, following him as she tried to catch up. But Albaqir didn't respond. He reached his room and locked the door behind him, shutting himself away from the world. Soft knocks came from the other side, accompanied by Sania's voice, but he refused to let her in. At that moment, he needed to be alone, to confront his frustration and helplessness in the face of his family's decisions.

"Albaqir, please talk to me," Sania pleaded, refusing to leave him alone with his turmoil. But Albaqir was resolute in his desire for solitude. His emotions churned inside him, a turbulent whirlwind of frustration, helplessness, and anger. His heart raced, and he began to sweat profusely as he paced back and forth in his room, unable to contain the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume him.

Albaqir's love for Najma was undeniable, a profound connection that transcended mere infatuation. She was his missing piece, and he was hers. Alone, they were incomplete souls, but together, they formed a perfect whole. Despite the internal struggle, Albaqir couldn't deny the deep sense of contentment, happiness, and peace that washed over him whenever he was with her. The idea of ending things with her crossed his mind on occasion, but every time he looked into her eyes, his heart rebelled against his rational thoughts, steadfast in its devotion to her.

"Come on, Albaqir, don't be so closed off," Sania pleaded, trying to break through his emotional barrier.

"Just give me some space, Sania. I need time to process all of this," he cried out, his emotions still turbulent.

"There's no time for that. The family has made a decision, and now it's your turn to make one, the right one," Sania urged before leaving him alone in his room.

His life was no longer his own; he was bound by the family's decisions, and they held the power to dictate his future, leaving him feeling like a puppet with no control over his destiny.