“I trust everyone is okay,” the Sultan asked Zaid as soon as he entered his father’s conference room.
“Yes, sir,” Zaid answered. “The envoy was brought to the hospital and all have been released. They are here at the palace now. I think we lost a couple of security guards in the chaos but that information hasn’t been forthcoming.”
“That’s a shame,” the Sultan replied, his frown deepening. “I’m sorry to hear that.” He shook his head. Zaid had never seen his father look so troubled.
“We’ve already had a small debriefing with the diplomatic envoy,” Hazim informed the Sultan.
“Okay, good,” he said. He looked around the room, suddenly struck speechless.
Ahmed and Khalid were both fuming as they stood with their hands behind their backs, listening to the reports as they came in.
“What do we know?” Zaid asked sternly.
“The authorities are calling it an act of terrorism,” his father said.
“That much is obvious. We were there when it happened,” Zaid told his father. “There were three separate explosions. Have the authorities said anything about bombs or explosives?”
“They haven’t released any real information yet,” the Sultan told him. “Just that they are opening a formal investigation and have started gathering evidence.”
“And where is Alacabak?” Zaid asked.
“He’s at the scene of the apparent attack with the investigators,” the Sultan said.
Of course he is. Zaid simply nodded. Except that, he wasn’t there when the blast hit.
Hazim chimed in. “I’ve increased security around the palace including regular patrols in teams of four instead of two. All cameras are operational and we are checking all vehicles before they enter the grounds. But as of right now, we’re secure. We’re safe.”
“Great,” said the Sultan. “Now, I need a moment alone with my sons. We have other matters to discuss in the midst of this disaster.”
“Yes, sir.” Hazim nodded and left the room.
Once the door was closed, the Sultan pulled a chair back from the table and sat down. He looked troubled and tired, as if the weight of these events simply compounded matters that were already bothering him.
“It’s time, Zaid,” he said.
“I’m sorry, sir, I don’t follow. Time for what?” Zaid asked.
He and his brothers pulled out chairs and sat down.
“It’s time for you to marry.”
“Father, now is not the time to discuss me getting married. Not in the midst of all this chaos,” Zaid argued.
“Stability. That’s what the people need right now. And a royal wedding is just the kind of thing people will want to see,” the Sultan continued. “It’s something to celebrate. Something that brings people together; unifies them. Something that could restore their faith in the Al-Qasimi family. Right now, there are probably many people who do not feel safe after the attack, but we can fix that with a wedding. A big, beautiful, public spectacle with lots of guests.”
"No disrespect intended, father, but that is the worst idea. What the people want to see is what we're doing to keep them safe.” Zaid looked to his brothers who nodded at him encouragingly. “To spend so much money on a public spectacle will only fuel any animosity already felt toward us with this migrant issue we’re dealing with.”
The Sultan stared at Zaid making him feel as though he was a child again. “Now is not the time to speak to me of disrespect. Did you think I would not find out that I have another grandson hidden away in your quarters? Exactly how long did you intend to keep that information to yourself?”
Zaid’s stomach churned as he tried to figure out how best to respond. “Father, I can explain.” The Sultan held his hand up and Zaid went silent. Turning to look at his brothers, he couldn’t tell what Khalid was thinking from the stoic expression on his face but he detected a smirk on Ahmed’s face. Turning his head slowly back toward his father, he watched his face break out in a grin.
“Another grandson.” Clapping his hands together. “You will marry this woman, yes?”
“Yes, sir,” Zaid agreed readily; although he still had to talk Rebecca into it.
“Excellent. You will announce your engagement and reveal the identity of your bride at the Jazia Ball next week. The timing is perfect as it culminates with the end of the diplomatic tour. We will hold the wedding shortly after the ball, within the next few days,” the Sultan continued.
“Yes, sir.” Zaid felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from him. “I like the sound of that. I think that would be very appropriate, and it would be a good thing for the people to see.”