Sultana, the kingdom of MUCE is in turmoil, and our women are facing dangerous situations. Why are you living in Ana? You’re not helping me. Sultana, with tears in her eyes, asked, “Who are you? Why is the kingdom in turmoil? Shouldn’t the kingdom be protected by a hero? Aren’t you the royal blood? As the sultana, you have the power to do something.”
She looked at me and said, “I am just like you. Look at your hand, you’ll see a royal painting. Let’s take a closer look.”
Curiously, the sultana examined her hand and discovered a red painting in her palm. She placed the painting in my hand, and suddenly, the image of the GOMBE KINGDOM disappeared.
The sultana woke up from her sleep, her body covered in sweat, and her hair partially hiding her face. She glanced at her hand and saw the picture of me, but I was nowhere to be found. “It was just a dream,” she murmured. “I don’t care about any kingdom. I just want to find myself again. I’m not a princess, and I don’t want to be engulfed in troubles. It was all just a dream.” Disturbed by her thoughts, she left, making noise as she moved about.
She glanced at her uncle, who was cleaning the cow’s milk, and asked, “Is it true, uncle? Do you think I’m making a fuss?” She washed her jug and said, “I’m going to fetch water. Uncle, would you like to accompany me?” Her uncle responded, “Does that mean you’re leaving? Yes, Hana will join me. I’ve lost everything.”
As she headed out with a jug in her hand, her hijab flowing gracefully, some men behind her started gossiping, claiming that she was married or about to be married. Others laughed, and one man even commented on her unmarried status, suggesting it bothered her.
She reached the river, fetched water, and returned home with a smile on her face. “Uncle, I apologize for speaking to you in anger. Look at her. It seems like you despise me and want to silence me like your son, right? I’m sorry, uncle. I don’t know where to direct my anger. When you return to Maye, I’ll accompany you. I don’t fit in with the boys of this town, and I don’t care. I know that when your husband arrived, happiness filled your smile. You understood where I was coming from, why I was so proud. You kissed my cheek and told me that you understood my foolishness.”
Layi noticed a gun near Amman and handed it to her. Young men approached the crowd, seeking Amman’s attention, but she paid them no mind.
Some women laughed and mocked her, saying, “Girls, I’m sorry, but she doesn’t have a boyfriend. Where is he? Why isn’t she married? Are you going to approach her, or are you afraid? Their eyes met, and they exchanged fierce gazes. Another woman intervened, stepping between them and raising her eyebrows, but they retreated and entered the bathroom, leaving Amman alone. She entered her room, feeling puzzled about the change in atmosphere and why people were acting so strangely around her.
She glanced at some women and laughed. “I’m sorry, but I’m not looking for a husband. I’m content with myself. Come closer, or are you scared? The women eyed her warily and stepped back, saying they had to go to the bathroom. Another person entered, and Amman left. She didn’t care that people were giving her strange looks;
she had already entrusted herself to the sultana and continued on her way, thanking Nafi as she hurriedly collected her belongings.
They traveled to Nafisa, beside the former sultan, where even the sultana herself feared Nafi. Nafi’s aunt was waiting for them, and they departed together. Nafi looked at the sultana and remarked, “You’re too cold, and that’s why people look down on you. You need to learn from suffering.” Amman replied, “I’m troubled.” She paused, turning to face Amman, as if she had never seen her laugh before. The sultana smiled and said, “You’re better when you laugh. Why don’t you smile more?” Nafi looked at her, and she promised to teach her. Amman, embracing her coldness, told her, “It might be challenging, but I will teach you to smile.” The sultana hugged her, and they greeted each other warmly.
Amman returned home happily, serving food for everyone, including her uncle. He looked at her intently, and she looked back. “Uncle, I prefer the sniper’s daughter. She’s quiet, reserved, and wants to start practicing for the kingdom. My uncle interrupted, asking if she planned to go to her own kingdom. Amman looked at him with sadness in her eyes, and he smiled, assuring her, “Don’t worry, I know all about your dreams. I didn’t say anything because I wanted you to tell me yourself. But you remained silent, my sultana. I know you’re a princess, and I kept it a secret so that you could understand and discover it on your own.”
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