And now—-
The love that her father spoke of—-
The love that was true—-
It was there in Altair's eyes...even when he was still glaring at her.
And when he finally spoke—-
"Promise me you will never be an idiot again, thinking that I did not love you."
Safiya could feel a smile wobble over her lips even as the sheikh called her an idiot for a second time.
Because beyond the words he spoke, she also heard what he did not say-—
Papa was right, after all.
The sheikh's love for her was true, and just as he was her beloved—-
Safiya knew now she was also his.
Epilogue
Dear Mama,
My new life begins today. And it starts with this letter...that I no longer have a reason to hide in the ashes. This will be just one of the many letters that I may finally keep in order to one day read to my child, just so they'll know that they have a grandmother in heaven watching over them.
On the last day of Tamara's trial, the prosecution unveiled its final witness, and it was none other than Sheikh Mahmud Tannous of Farigha. The palace, having been informed about the circumstances surrounding Mahmud's supposed acts of treason, had already granted Safiya's father a full pardon. The royal family had also intended to seal his case to prevent the public from learning about his actions, but on this matter the older man was adamant. He wished to ensure Tamara's conviction, and the only way to do that was to reveal the full extent of his involvement. And so with this, Sheikh Farigha revealed to the entire world his former dealings with Tamara, and his testimony proved to be the final nail in the defendant's coffin. The older woman was sentenced to solitary confinement for life, and when asked if she had any final words to say, she only asked to speak to her son in private. What she said, however, would forever remain a secret between Tarif and his mother.
Saul, on the other hand, was tried and convicted without any fanfare. His was an expedited process, with the palace granting Agent 53 special powers to decide the man's fate.
And 53 chose death.
She was not the only one he had abused, and she truly believed it was what he deserved. But as she watched his head fall from the chopping block, the emptiness in her didn't change, and she knew then something was wrong. Saul's death was supposed to free her, but it did not. She had lost herself in her bitterness over the past, and now...she just wasn't sure what to live for anymore.
Altair was not surprised when his department received 53's request for a leave of absence, but what did make him feel wary was when 53 came to the palace and requested to speak with Safiya.
53 didn't blame the sheikh for feeling reluctant and wary, but she was surprised when Altair spoke to the princess on loudspeaker, and she heard how Safiya agreed to speak to her without hesitation.
Say sorry, mean it, and then get the hell out.
That had been 53's plan.
But then the younger woman had come rushing in to wrap her arms around 53—-
"I'm just so glad you're alive."
And Altair, seeing the two women hug and cry in each other's arms, knew then—-
That, right there...
That was what made a good life.
A YEAR CAME TO PASS. Rayyan and Hyacinth had finally announced their engagement a month ago, and the world was further shocked to know that the two had been in a relationship for years. Kyria was pregnant again, and so was the queen. Anisah and Tarif, on the other hand, were proud parents to a newborn son.
As for Altair and Hyacinth...
Today was their wedding day, and everyone in the church had tears in their eyes as they watched the kingdom's beloved hero lift a visibly shaking hand to slowly slide his ring on Safiya's finger.
Vanna, Altair's mother, had long given up keeping her tears in check, and as she watched her oldest son gently pull his bride into his arms for their first kiss as husband and wife, she just couldn't help but wish...
I wish you were here, Hadwin.
She closed her eyes, and it was at that moment she felt the gentlest breeze touch her skin—-
And she could almost swear that it was her own husband kissing her cheek—-
Could almost swear she heard his beloved voice whisper in her ear—-
I am, my love. Always.
A GRAND CELEBRATION followed shortly after the wedding, and it was nearly midnight by the time Safiya, accompanied by her bridesmaids, left to prepare for her wedding night. As tradition dictated, Altair forced himself to cool his heels for about an hour, and his visible impatience had his brothers ribbing him relentlessly about possibly ruining his bride's wedding night.
When it was finally time for Altair to leave, more than a couple well-meaning guests actually waylaid him, all of them being so moved by the princess' delicate beauty that they had forced themselves to muster the courage to speak to the sheikh. 'Please be gentle, alshaykh' was their only wish, and to this Altair managed to respond in a similarly grave manner.