The Riddle Of Us.

Amir Qasim's steps carried his usual regal aura as he made his way further in the direction of Giwa's chambers, his expression blank as always. The guards situated at the entrance, immediately upon spotting the Crown Prince were quick to crouch low, their greetings spilling out instantly. But Amir Qasim did not spare them a glance much less reply their greeting, an act that had them exchanging looks between themselves, immediately sensing that something is off.

Despite the Prince being much different than he was before, he was not one to snub them like that, and whenever he does, it could only mean one thing. He is furious—and this time around his anger was evident in the softness of his steps as he made his way into the chamber.

The guards zipped their lips shut, already knowing something might happen once again between the mother and son—but no one will ever know the details, no one ever does.

Considering it was already late and beyond the time which the Queen would see anyone, Jakadiya who was in the living room, upon hearing the front door open then parted her lips to speak. "Was I not clear when I said Giwa does not want to see anyone again?" She asked as she made her way towards the entrance, intent on stopping whoever it is. "She has retired for the night and---Your Highness!" Her words came to an instant halt, matching her steps upon spotting the Prince—his pointed look making her swallow down her words.

Her knees weakened, and beyond that which is the usual courtesy, she found herself crouching down. "Ranka ya dade, barka da dare..." She greeted, her voice slightly shaky as she hung her head low. She could not help but be surprised herself by how much the Prince intimidates her now with his mere presence.

It was not like that before. Now though, his presence alone is enough to have her and everyone else cowering away, not to mention when his look becomes pointed—that is enough to kill.

Amir Qasim's steps did not halter as he parted his lips to speak, his voice a low grumble. "Where is she?" He needed not elaborate, there was only one person he was there to look for like that.

Jakadiya weighed her option for a second, torn between wanting to uphold Giwa's instruction of letting anyone in, and needing to cave in and give the Prince the answers he demands. She decided to go with the latter—she is sure Giwa would understand the urgency of the situation.

So, she parted her lips, and then answered. "She is in her room." She replied, her voice small.

Amir Qasim's steps remained steady as ever as he directed himself in the direction of his mother's bedroom, glad that his father is with his step mother today lest the old man witnesses the bad blood between the mother and son.

Stopping by the door, he knocked on it, once, twice, and then for the third time.

"Jakadiya, I told you I am not seeing anyone again." Giwa's voice came, holding its usual coldness.

Amir Qasim pushed past her words, and then took a hold of the handle and pushed the door open, before stepping in and closing the door behind him. The lights in the room had already been dimmed down, but he was certain she was not asleep then. She turns in early, but she does not sleep early. Giwa, wanting to know who dared to ignore her words and stepped in turned her head around from where she stood by the vanity table, removing the last bit of jewelry she had on for the day.

Her eyes found the culprit as Amir Qasim emerged from the dark corridors, stepping into the dim lights of the room, and her shoulders instantly stiffened upon sighting the look on his face. But, it was only for a second because she then turned her head around, putting the now removed jewelry back in place with practiced ease, as if unaware of the storm raging within her son.