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‘There is just one more issue that is of concern,’ Kareem said, after a welcome pause that Rashid had taken to meaning their business was over, ‘that must be discussed.’
‘Why, when I still haven’t agreed to take on the throne?’ Kareem had gone through page after page of notes to explain the path to the throne and the coronation that must take place if he did agree, while going on to outline not only the history of the tiny but resource-rich state but the current challenges, both internal and external, that it faced, and right now Rashid’s head felt as if it were about to explode.
Surely there couldn’t be anything else?
‘I am sorry, Excellency, but, now that we are on our way home, there is a question over Atiyah, and her place in the royal family.’
Rashid shook his head. This one at least was a no-brainer. ‘She is my father’s daughter. She is my sister. What possible question could there be?’
The vizier nodded. ‘Both true. However, the fact remains that thirty years ago your father was supposed to have been killed in a helicopter crash. A body was recovered and accepted as his. Questions will be asked if you claim Atiyah is your father’s daughter. Uncomfortable questions. The people will want to know where he has been all that time and why he abandoned them to their fate with his cousin while he was enjoying his life with a young mistress the other side of the world...’
‘You said he had to promise not to return!’
‘He did. But you had problems accepting that truth. Magnify that doubt by the population of Qajaran...’ He paused. ‘And of course, there are pockets still loyal to the memory of Malik. They will not want to believe this could be true. Is it not better to let history lie so they cannot dispute? Is it not better to let the population continue to believe your father died in that helicopter crash? Your coming home will still be the miracle they need—the child who miraculously survived and was spirited away to safety.’
Rashid’s head was pounding. His life was getting more complicated by the minute. ‘What does it even matter?’ he growled. ‘I’m Atiyah’s legal guardian, aren’t I?’
‘Technically, yes.’
‘Only “technically”?’
‘Guardianship of infants and minors by unmarried men is not recognised under Qajarese law.’
‘So? I don’t even know if I’m going to be staying all that long.’
‘It is an inconvenience, I know, but Atiyah will not be able to share your palace quarters if she is not officially acknowledged as part of your family.’
He sighed, pressing his head back deep into his head rest. He hadn’t asked to be this child’s guardian but it was pretty clear that he could not let her be whisked away to God knew where to be looked after for however long this thing took. ‘Then what can be done?’
‘There is a way.’
‘Which is?’
‘Adopt Atiyah. Claim her as your own, if only in public.’
Rashid sat back in his seat, his mind reeling. What was happening to him that this proposal sounded half reasonable? Minute by minute he could feel the weight of the responsibility of a tiny desert kingdom pressing down on his shoulders, and he wondered, when it all came down to it, how much choice he really had.
‘All right,’ he said at last. ‘What needs to be done?’
‘Oh, it is but a stroke of the pen. I can handle it if you so desire.’
‘Fine. Do it, then.’
If he thought that was an end to the matter and he could finally close his eyes and relax, he was sadly mistaken. Kareem was still there, watching him. ‘What?’ he snapped.
‘There is but one tiny formality.’
There would be. Rashid rubbed a hand over his jaw. ‘And that is?’
‘To adopt in Qajaran, one must be married.’
‘What? Why the hell didn’t you say that before? It’s pointless, then.’
‘There is no one you have in mind to take for your wife?’
‘No! Surely there is another way?’
‘There is no other way.’
‘Great. And you’ve only just discovered this now, when we’re already on our way to Qajaran?’
Kareem bowed. ‘My apologies, Excellency, this is a situation without precedent—I was hoping there would be something in the texts that might provide some comfort on this issue, but no. The texts are clear—only married couples can adopt. Perhaps, if there is no one you can suggest, I might be able to procure a suitable candidate on arrival in Qajaran City?’
