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“Well, I heard it’s not Nabeela’s beauty that made Prince Hafiz accept,” Janet said in a sly tone.
Lacey wanted to change the topic immediately. But she was scared to open her mouth, not sure if her secrets or a scream of howling pain would spill out. She stared at her teacup and forced herself to reach for it. She didn’t like how her hands trembled.
“Rumor has it that the sultan and the prince made an agreement,” Janet whispered fiercely. “If he marries this Nabeela without incident, Hafiz will become the crown prince.”
Lacey’s breath hitched in her throat. She set the cup down before it snapped in her hands. So that was the reason. It made sense, and she didn’t question it.
Lacey sank back in her plush chair and tilted her head up. She stared at the mosaic ceiling made of lapis lazuli as the low murmur of different languages faded into a hum. The clink of fine china blurred into nothing as her thoughts spun wildly.
She always knew Hafiz was ambitious. Driven and determined. A man like Hafiz couldn’t give up the chance of the throne. Even if it meant discarding his mistress. Although now she wondered if it had been a difficult decision for him. She couldn’t compete with a crown.
She should have seen the signs. After all, she had been in this position before. Her parents had been just as driven, just as single-minded with their dreams to become rich and famous. Once they decided having a child was holding them back, they had abandoned her with a swiftness that still took her breath away.
But this time she hadn’t looked for signs because she thought they were in love. She had wanted to believe that this time she wasn’t the burden. That she was not only welcomed into Hafiz’s life, but that he would move heaven and earth to be with her.
When was she going to learn? She did not inspire that kind of devotion. No one would ever love her like that.
“What about his brother?” Lacey’s voice sounded rough to her ears. She pushed her plate away with tense fingers. “I thought he was the crown prince.”
“Ashraf?” Janet asked. “Yes, I wonder how he feels about this new development. He’s been the heir to the throne for a decade.”
“A decade?” Lacey repeated slowly. “How old is he?”
“Just a few years younger than Prince Hafiz,” Janet said, glancing at Inas for confirmation. “He became the heir to the throne when Hafiz lost his birthright.”
Lacey blinked slowly as a buzzing sound grew in her ears. “Hafiz lost—?” She gripped the edge of the table as her heart fluttered against her rib cage. “I mean...Prince Hafiz? What do you mean by birthright?”
“He was in line to be the next sultan,” Janet explained.
Lacey tilted her head sharply. Her arms went lax as she slumped in her chair. She felt as if she was missing a vital piece of information. “He was supposed to inherit the throne? When did this happen?”
“How do you not know this?” Inas’s eyes widened as she leaned over the table. “I thought we covered this during your history lessons.”
Lacey slowly shook her head. “How can a prince be displaced in the line of succession?” She was hesitant to even ask. Did he renounce his right? Did he commit a heinous crime? Neither sounded like something Hafiz would do. “You have to do something really bad, right?”
“I don’t have all the details on that, but I can tell you this.” Inas gave a cautious glance at the tables surrounding them before she went on. “It had something to do with a woman.”
Lacey felt her lungs shrivel up as the bitter taste of despair filled her mouth. Hafiz lost everything over a woman? Numbness invaded her bones, protecting her before she doubled over from the intense pain.
“What woman?” Lacey asked dully. She must have been extraordinary for Hafiz to take such a risk. It didn’t make sense. The man would do anything to protect and serve his country. He did not put anyone before his duty. Hafiz did not put himself before Rudaynah.
“I heard it was a mistress,” Janet said quietly. “A series of mistresses.”
Inas shrugged. “One woman is all that it would take to lose the throne.”
