HADEWA CALIPHATE,

NIGERIA.

AALI BIN BELLO II'S POV.

Nigeria.

Alhmadullilah.

What can I say? It feels good to be home.

It's been a while since I've stepped foot in my homeland since I had to work abroad for a couple of years. However, I'm glad to be back. As much as staying abroad feels nice, it just doesn't feel like home since my family is not there.

Especially for a person like me who grew up in a big household, living in solitary just isn't my thing-it won't ever be. I like being around my family members, and that unfortunately includes my annoying siblings. Trust me, at a point in my life I really did consider trading them for a Play Station. But that was when I was a teenager. Things have changed now.

I guess such maturity comes with growing up. Now, I'm the one to worry about both my parents and siblings; and not the other way round.

Speaking of which, one of the reasons why I had to return home now is my mother. The woman forced me to book a flight and return home. Reason why is something I'm yet to find out. I tried to get the answer out of my siblings but they weren't willing to budge.

"Your Highness, are you okay? You'd zone out" Spoke Amadu, his eyes rested on me. There's this look on his face that insinuated there's something on his mind which he had gotten due to me zoning out.

My lips tugged into a small frown, "What are you thinking of Amadu?" I resisted the urge to chuckle at the face he made.

He chuckled, then shrugged. "Nasani ko you're thinking of our soon to be Mrs. Aali?"

I shook my head, "Amadu you'll never change" That's what he says all the time, and he still say it even though he knows it's never like that.

He shifted my suitcase which he held with his left hand over to his right as we headed out of the airport. "Your Highness I have been with you ever since we're kids. If anyone knows your attitude, then it's me"

I glanced at Amadu, my personal guard who I had known ever since I was in my early teens. He's only a couple of years older than me so we get along well since he's like a brother to me. And by that I mean sometimes, he's just annoying as them. So, a brother indeed.

But as much as he thinks he knows me, he really doesn't because his clearly judgments about me are wrong.

He's just someone who is always with me. This guy follows me everywhere as soon as I step foot in Nigeria-except for certain places he isn't allowed to go to but he's always there. So, as much as I enjoy his company, sometimes I wish I can drop him off somewhere and leave.

But my mother won't have that. That woman is hell-bent on having her kids safely guarded all the time.

"By the way...Your Highness" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "If you don't mind me asking, who is that woman you were standing with earlier?"

I didn't need to think deeply to know who he's talking about. I only spoke to one woman in the airport and considering he saw us together; I know he's bound to speak sooner or later.

But that isn't something I'm willing to speak about at the moment. There will plenty of time for that in the future.

Instead of replying, I simply chuckled, glad that we reached the car just in time he asked the question. A royal guard dressed in the red and green regalia stood beside the car. The minute his gaze landed on us, he quickly rushed over and took my suitcase from Amadu. We exchanged pleasantries before he placed the suitcase in the trunk.

Afterwards, he opened the back door of the Range Rover they came to pick me up with for me to enter. I did so and he closed the door afterwards before he got into the passenger seat while Amadu got into the front seat. He would've brought a driver along but he doesn't see the need to whenever he's around.

Leaning back on the posh seat, I took off my cap and shades. I expected Amadu to ask the question he inquired about earlier again, but he didn't. And I couldn't be more glad for that.

That's a question I am not willing to answer yet. There will be the right time and place for that. One word from me regarding that can ruin a lot of things.

The drive from the airport to my home is significantly long, so I simply laid back hoping to wear off my jetlag before I reach home because I doubt I'll get enough rest then. Besides, I wouldn't be able to rest until I figure out why Mama wanted me to return home all of the sudden, not that I wasn't planning to return either way. But I planned on doing so in a couple of months when I round everything up.

By the time we reached the Royal palace, I asked Amadu to drop me off in my chambers. I can't go out in the open, not now when the house seemed to be filled up with people-mostly close family members but still. A gathering like this guarantees press being here and trust me, the press of Hadewa Caliphate is one annoying one.

The minute he parked the car in my chamber, the dogari was quick to get off and open the back door for me. I stepped out and headed into my chamber, exchanging with pleasantries with the guards there while Amadu brings over my suitcase.

Guards aren't allowed in the chambers except for certain occasions. And when it comes to my chambers, the only people allowed in are my family members, Amadu, my friends and a couple of maids-that too when I'm not around so they will clean up.

Other than that, no one is allowed into any of the Royals chambers. It's an order than have been in action for years.

Amadu left after dropping off the suitcase. I on the other hand showered again, then got dressed up in a native Hausa attire. Fixing the straps of my Rolex wrist watch over my wrist, I picked up my phone and slid it into the pocket of my shirt. I quickly sprayed my Versace Oud Noir and slipped into my shoes before I headed out.

The walk from my chamber to my mother's isn't a long one considering my chamber is close to hers compared to my sibling's. As usual, Amadu followed me. At this point, there's no point in asking him to stop honestly. I've tried that back then, nothing made him budge. Trying is pointless.

If the people that filled the house up weren't enough reminder that I'm home, the guards in front of Mama's chambers were. The familiar faces are those of the guards I had known while growing up. Obviously, they get changed but only a handful of times. Mama isn't one to trust easily and when she does, she trusts entirely. So, she only trusts a handful of guards to protect her.

Being in a royal family, a person's life is always in danger. You can never know who is after your head. The person smiling with you right now might be the same person plotting your downfall just to get the throne of Hadewa Caliphate. And it could be anyone, even the supposed closest relative.

They opened the double door the minute they saw me approaching. When I and Amadu stepped in, they closed the door. Amadu stayed by the door inside, while I went further in. Unless something is to happen or the Queen seeks for his presence, that's as far as he can go.

Walking further in, I reached the mammoth debonair front room where Mama meets her guests and have meetings with the wives of the council members every once in a month.

She wasn't there, so the only place for her to be is her room. I actually expected there to be a lot of people in the front room considering the house is filled with relatives but there were none in her chambers. That means they are all in the guest chambers. Then again, the guest chambers are only used during event times and all.

Is that why she asked me to return home? Is there some sort of event happening in the family?

Two amongst the maids that take care of her chambers stood perched by the door. Noting my presence, they smiled, "Welcome back Your Highness" They said simultaneously.

I'm familiar with the two elder women. They have been serving Mama for as long as I can remember-one of which is her Jakadiya who is more like a personal assistant of Mama.

I smiled back, "Thank you"

Jakadiya's smile widened, "The Queen has been expecting you"

I shook my head slightly. Every time she says that, it only means Mama has something planned for me, and trust me, sometimes I do not like her surprises because they won't ever end in my favor. "Should I be scared?"

Jakadiya simply chuckled instead of replying. She gestured to the other maid to open the door, indicating that she has zero plans of speaking up again after what she just said.

I decided against saying anything to her again to inquire about Mama's surprise. It's not like she'll speak no matter what I'll do. She's loyal to me but for Mama, she can even go against my father.

They're that close.

The first thing my gaze landed on is Mama's figure that remained seated on a Poltrona Frau Kennedee curved sofa with a Quran in her hand. I muttered a small smile not wanting to disrupt her recitation and made my way over to her. Taking a seat on the Ziegler Mahal carpet covering the floor, I waited for her to finish.

I've always enjoyed listening to Mama recite the Quran. It always makes me pray for a wife I can recite the Quran together with. How beautiful would that be?

Mama reached her free hand out and held one of mine as she continued to recite the surah Ar-ra'd. When she completed the surah, she closed the Quran and kept it aside before she turned around to look at me-a wide grin plastered on her face.

"Aali" She said pulling me into a hug. My mom has always been the affectionate one and growing up, we all appreciated it. She patted my back before she pulled back. I leaned down and pecked her forehead before I returned to my position.

"Mama" I grinned. That has always been our thing.

Holding both my hands in one of hers, barely, she covered them with her other hand. "Welcome back home"

"Thank you Mama"

"Have you eaten?" She rose a brow.

I shook my head, "No. I just changed then came here directly"

Slightly narrowing her eyes at me, she shook her head then tsked. "You never listen Aali" She sighed. "You should eat to stay healthy. Is this how you've been living abroad? Do you even take care of yourself?" She took her hand which she covered our hands with and lightly caressed the side of my face.

I smiled, hoping that is enough to calm her and ease her worries. "Yes Mama, I eat a lot and take care of myself"

She puckered her lips slightly, and nodded sarcastically. "Yes I can see. That must be why you've grown this fat"

My mouth hung open, "Mama this is all muscles. I'm not fat"

She nodded again, though her expression showed she anything but believes me. "Alright, naji. Let me talk to Jakadiya so that she'll bring food for us, we'll eat together. I miss eating food with my son"

"This is why you have other children"

She shook her head, "All of you have grown up now. You don't want to be hanging out with your mother anymore"

Why do I have a feeling I know where this conversation is going? It sounds awfully familiar.

She refused to meet my gaze as she went on with her rant. "If only I have grandchildren that would love to hang out with their loving grandmother"

Here comes the usual rant.

"But of course!" She released a loud, long sigh, "None of my children are willing to get married" She tsked, "Not even my eldest who's about to clock his thirties. He keeps forgetting that he is the next Calipha of Hadewa Caliphate"

There it is. I'm actually surprised she didn't bring this topic up earlier. She usually does all the time as early as she can.

I looked down, then shook my head. When I looked up, my mother is sporting her usual long face façade trying to blackmail me into giving in. "Mama na..."

She held her hand up to stop me before I can go any further. "Don't give me long excuses please. I've heard enough of them for me to grow older than my age. Thankfully, your brother is finally settling down"

This piqued my attention, "Who is getting married?"

"Who else? Muneer mana. He's getting married. Everyone in the family is thrilled! It is the first royal wedding in a while"

I blinked, trying to digest the news. "Muneer? Who will marry him?" Is she talking about the same Muneer I know? The same one that barely talks to women unless when extremely necessary?

"Yes Muneer. He's getting married to a beautiful Turk, Maya"