Royalty Gone Bad

***

Writer's POV:

The palace people weren't surprised when the prince returned very late, drunk, high and smelt of cheap perfume from the dishonorable women he probably was with. Djafar had to order the guards to hurriedly take him up to his room before his parents had a heart attack, at the sight of their son. Lipstick stains all over his once, pure white and expensive shirt. Everyone pitied the old King.

--

"He's an airhead," Saïda told her father, while she fixed his bed with new sheets.

"Saïda, the language," Djafar corrected, resting in his armchair and tired from all the day's activities.

"Sorry, father. But it is true. I feel so bad for the king and Queen. They sure are nice people, yet their son gives them high blood pressure. I wish he could be a little more grateful towards them."

"Saïda, my dear. It is better we don't mind their business. I too, disapproves the Prince's attitude, but what can we do? His parents need to firm up a little more. Maybe it's not to late to change him."

"I hope," she stepped back, finished. "I'm done."

"Thank you, my dear," he stood and hugged his only daughter.

Djafar had two children. An older son, Ahmed, and Saïda. Ahmed had been sent to Istanbul for studies and to learn how to be independent. He returned to Zagreh every holiday. Djafar was a proud father because, alone, he'd raised his children into hardworking, independent and very intelligent people. He'd lost his wife two years after Saïda was born.

"You are welcome."

He kissed her forehead and she left.

***

The next day, it wasn't still surprising that the Prince hadn't come down for breakfast or lunch. It was past one in the afternoon, and he was probably still asleep. His parents didn't bother this time as they were busy, making sure the arrangements for the evening's ball were being made. Whether Asahd liked it or not, he would attend it and meet Zhou.

--

"Saïda, your father will give you a list of names of very important people that will attend the ball tonight." the Queen told the young girl, that afternoon.

"Yes, my Queen."

you about them. They are royal friends and highly recognised personalities, here. You know how my son is," the woman shook her head in disappointment. "He knows none! And to avoid embarrassment, you'll go everywhere with him, tonight, and make him greet all

Should I also stay with him, until he's done talking with Zhou?"

with her, you leave. I want them to spend some time together so they get to know each other a little," the Queen regained her fancy seat. "Hopefully, he will learn to appreciate her and just

asked, a hint

"Yes, my dear."

Saïda thought

for her.

you won't be needing my services anymore, my Queen, I would love to return to my duties

"Yes you can, dear."

and

***

She'll tell you whom is whom and what you should discuss with them. Understood?" Djafar

past six and the

still hurting from last night's hangover. It was by miracle that he'd made it back home, safely. It was stupid of him to have driven in that state. He could've

aspirin?" Djafar

"I– I think."

teach you to act like an

and taking

to get an aspirin, then

his phone rang. It was his daughter calling. He excused himself any picked

ready to teach him the

him downstairs," Djafar hung up and turned to the prince. "Saïda is waiting. You'll have to pass through the gardens,

I wonder how I'm going to retain all she's going to tell me. The time

slept all morning and afternoon, you would've had

"I plead, guilty."

you for help

he stood, feeling better. "How

And you'll have to

in a glass. "This marriage stuff is killing me. I hope Zhou is very beautiful. That ought to make things a

of Mr. Raman

mused. "I need her to be prettier than every woman I've ever met and servant girl in this palace. On a score from 1-10, how many do you give her?" he asked and the man

"Please, Djafar." Asahd insisted.