Love Untangled - Chapter 139

Benjamin

“Not you too.” I said pulling my hair out.

My grandfather patted my back. “I am just trying to make sure that you are fully aware of the political consequences of this action.” He said calmly.

“I know I know… I had promised change and some twenty first century bullshit…” I said. “But that was before my wife had been assaulted, twice!” I grumbled. “The world must know not to play with me.” I said in a hash tone.

“Good for you.” My grandfather said stroking his long beard. “I will proudly stand next to you.” He smiled.

“How is Jasmine?” He asked as we entered her room. I looked at the nurse who was beside her bed, waiting for an answer. She was quiet and blankly stared at us. “Well…” I pressed.

“Oh..” She mumbled. She bowed down to us. “Your highnesses.” She said. “Your grace is still pretty much the same as this morning. Her lungs are damaged and fragile still. Although we can definitely see that it is no longer just the machine that is breathing. She is as well.” She cackled on.

“Will she make it?” My grandfather directly asked her. “We are doing everything we can.” She said. “You can speak bluntly. Just tell us the prognosis.” I insisted. “Since the princess is slowly breathing on her own, we think that it is very well possible that she makes a good recovery. We are still trying to figure out how her lungs seemed to work so perfectly on the plane, before she started…” She said and I closed my eyes.

The way she cried was so heart shattering. “She is a very strong woman.” The nurse said. The woman looked like a kid though. She wore a white abaya and was frailly build. I felt so relieved that the nurse thought Jazz would make it.

I touched Jasmine’s hand and kissed her forehead. She seemed peaceful like this. I knew that when she would wake up, she would not remain this peaceful. I needed to brace myself for the blow she and I will receive when we would start to mourn our loss together.

“Let’s get that bastard killed.” I said as I turned towards my grandfather.

Raina

“So… Tell me…” Lynn offered.  I opened my mouth and closed it again. We were still sitting on Ben’s couch, filling ourselves up with liquor. We could not be seen like this, so I guess we had to spend the night here. “Do you think Ben could sneak us back to my own wing?” I asked her.

“What do you mean?” Lynn asked. “Grandfather would very much kill us, well I mean me… If he would see me in this state.” I said nodding my head.

“And how would you suggest Benjamin would sneak you anywhere?” Lynn frowned. “And would it matter… isn’t Benjamin the sultan now… What kind of punishment could your grandfather give you?” She asked.

“Oh…. That man has it ways!” I said, and placed my left leg on my right leg, to try and sit like a lady. I felt wobbly.

“But tell me.” Lynn tried again. “Tell you what?” I asked. Lynn started to wiggle her eyebrows and I really did not know where she was getting at.

“Oh come on… ” Lynn pressed. “I am trying to have guy talk with you.” Lynn shrugged. I felt a bit dumb now. “Ah…” I said.

“My grandfather hasn’t married me off yet, so not much to tell in that department.” I told her. “You are to have an arranged marriage?” Lynn asked. “Of course.” I said. Did she not know the ways of the palace?

“So you can not choose your husband alone?” Lynn said incredulous. “No, but they will ask me if I agree with the match though. Although that I more of a technicality than a real question.” I said picking at some red grapes on the table. I took three and slowly started eating it, while Lynn made sense of what I just said.

I saw that Lynn visibly swallowed. “Well that is not any fun.” She argued. “Benjamin must change that!” she exclaimed.

I sharply blew out and picked up three more grapes. I contemplated how to bring this to her. “You know Lynn… most sultan’s promise change and tell the world they will connect to the Western world you… but that will never happen.” I said an pouted my lips.

“That a bunch of crap.” Lynn stated in frustration. “How so?” I shrugged. “My brother has promised to better the woman’s rights and the education system. I think that is a lot of change.” Lynn said trying to persuade me in to believing her.

“Mhh.. Yes… those are very nice and plausible promises. I have to give you that.” I smiled.

“And you think he would not follow through on that?” Lynn said raising her voice. “Don’t get me wrong…” I said. “But Benjamin is just about to split a man in four… from the point of view of the Sharia… well.. a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye.” I shrugged. “But you brother.” I said as I stood up and walked towards the liquor table.

“Your brother is about to violate human rights by committing an inhumane death as a punishment. This is exactly what the Western world will frown upon.” I said as I turned my head back at her to see her reaction. “And he is even going to broadcast it!”

It seemed like Lynn’s jaw fell open. “Shit!” She said. “Shit alright…” I said as I pour us both another drink. I walked back to the couches and handed her the drink.

“bottoms up!” I faintly smiled at her.

We clicked out glasses and both drank the content of the glass in one go, as of we were take a shot. My throat burned.

“Whaaa.” I said, clutching to my throat. “Why doesn’t he own a normal drink, like wine or something.” Lynn complained.

“But tell me…” Lynn said trying to change the subject.. Is there no one you have an eye on?” She giggled.