10 days

Wedding

10 days

Hera went frozen like an ice block unable to say a word. They had barely been engaged! How could the queen propose marriage this early?

However, more so than shocked, the duke was confused. What on earth had possessed his grandmother for her to want him to get married in 10 days? This was so unlike her. Queen Donia wasn't as stoic as she appeared to be. Her duties led her to be righteous but Daman knew that she was a kind woman, therefore at this moment she had an another reason. He would know, after all the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. 10 days was too soon and everyone knew that. The queen never did anything that fast.

Despite the shock wafting through the room, the princess was smiling. Hera had no clue why Amaani was acting as if she was so happy for her and Daman, it was pretty fucking obvious that the princess wanted Daman. Hera could not stand her even in this moment of shock.

"Isn't 10 days too soon?" Amaani asked as sweetly as she could with her hands latching onto Daman's arms. "I mean, Miss Uzayr is a just a common girl. What would she know about being a duchess. Shouldn't her induction take place before the wedding?"

Internally, Amaani was panicking. Daman and her were meant to be. Daman was a duke, she was a princess. A proper match made in heaven. But she couldn't scare away Hera in 10 days.

"Jedati, I don't think it's possible to plan a wedding in 10 days. Besides, Hera and myself are engrossed in work. It is unlikely that we will be able to fly to the islands and accommodate a whole wedding. We won't even manage to fly in the guests in time." Daman himself couldn't decipher why he was protesting but he was. He was eager enough to marry Hera but perhaps their fight moments ago got to him.

The queen was waiting for Hera to object or add in her opinion but she was pleased when Hera said nothing. It wasn't as if Hera was overly joyed about this or wanted it, she was simply so intimidated by the people in the room that her inferiority complex overpowered her.

"I'm not asking you to do partake in a lavish reception party. A civil ceremony would be fine alongside the nikah done right here in London," said queen Donia with a smile. "You can host your grand reception whenever you see fit. For now, the formalities would have to do. Unless... you don't intend on marrying Hera?" she trailed of jarringly.

They'd just had their first fight. They were angry at each other but throwing everything away that they'd already worked so hard for? He'd moved his life over to London, he bought an apartment, he proposed in front of his cousins, Hera was bearing the façade for this long as well. He'd planned adequately for most of it, so now they'd simply have to pull through.

Daman was getting severely annoyed at everything happening, even more so as the Princess of Ajmal latched onto him like a leech. She was lovely when she wanted to be and a great friend but he felt as if he didn't move at that given second she'd jump his bones.

The duke stood up and towered over the 3 ladies present. "Please excuse me. I'll be back in the evening. I have a meeting now. Settle in so long." Daman didn't care to look at Hera. He'd talk with her in the evening in private.

Hera was alarmed when he stepped out of the apartment leaving her alone with the queen and princess and she was annoyed with Daman just as much as he was annoyed with her.

* * *

The door slammed as Amaani walked into her room. She was fuming. Absolutely livid. How could Daman do this to her? That too with someone like Hera out of all people. Hera was below her in every sense. Was Daman trying to purposely insult and mock her?

"Bitch," Amaani cruelly gritted out and immediately dialed for her assistant. "Lailli, I need to know more about this Hera girl. She's atrocious. How can I ever allow her to be the Duchess of Doulah? It's meant for me! Find dirt on her," Amaani commanded rudely and ended the call still wallowing in her misery.

Meanwhile, Hera was in the kitchen frantically trying to prepare a meal worthy for the queen. It was a Sunday and all available help was off. After helping the princess and queen to settle in, Hera immediately got down and dirty in the kitchen. She had to put on a good impression. She knew that the queen was so dear to Daman. Despite being on rough terms right now, decency was a standard that she always stood by.

Hera scrambled in the kitchen like a headless chicken seemingly the pressure of cooking for royals was slightly intense. She didn't even know what they ate, Daman had so graciously left her alone and the princess was a snob who'd definitely be a picky, fussy eater.

Rummaging through the pantry, Hera was at a loss. Hastily she picked up her phone and dialed for Tina who thankfully picked up on the 3rd ring.

"What the hell do I cook?"

Needless to say Tina was frowning as she held her phone up to her ear. "Come again?"

Hera then proceeded to tell the entire days occurrences to Tina who sat on her couch and listened to her friend with all her attention. Man, it felt so good gossiping about stuck up princesses - something that Tina never thought she'd experience in this lifetime.

Tina bellowed out in laughter as Hera was stressing about what to cook. She could see the Indian genes shining as Hera stressed about feeding them. "You know, if that was me I'd show them my Shona culture," Tina laughed some more. "Bless them with a pot of sadza and throw some beans and matumbu on it. Geez, they'd literally die!"

"Are you crazy?" Hera asked quizzically which only intensified Tina's laughter. However, Hera also cracked up a little as a smile reached her face thinking about how the princess would react if she presented her with a plate of maizemeal topped with beans and tripe. It was actually one of Tina's favourite meals back from her country of Zimbabwe.

After blowing of some steam on the phone, Hera finally screwed her head back on and prepared a simple Sunday roast taught to her by her loving Mr. Patel. However, in the back of her mind she was really contemplating serving a big pot of tripe to the Princess of Ajmal.

Concurrently, Daman was brooding in Adam's office at Stretson and Rothman. Adam was one dedicated lawyer despite it being 5pm on a Sunday. An upcoming case on 1st degree murder was pending and he was defending the guilty. It came with the job to defend even those who were in the wrong. It was his least favourite part about being a lawyer.

Adam raised his eyebrows up ad he placed a paperclip on the pile of phone records from his client. "You fucking bastard. You didn't even tell me that it was such a formal arrangement. Marrying her for that? You're such a snake!" Adam laughed out loud.

Daman had succumbed to telling the entire truth to Adam. He needed to talk to someone. The duke slouched in his chair and ran his hand over his face in frustration. "What do I do?"

Internally, Adam was enjoying this information. So Miss Hera Uzayr was a damn good actress. He liked her even more now. Besides, if it was all completely fake then Daman didn't need to have a strong hold on her. Maybe Adam did have a shot after all. 

"Marry her then," Adam began logically. Despite his lust for Hera, Daman was his best mate and he was sitting here all in his head making the situation more complicated than it needed to be. They'd made it this far already and should therefore continue doing whatever they'd plan. Truthfully, it didn't phase Adam if he married her. He would have to curb his lust for the duration. Simple enough. There were plenty of fish in the sea. "Marry her and then divorce her when the time is right. Get what you need in between. Simple. Want me to draw up a prenup?"

"I don't understand why Jedati is rushing this. I mean I want the marriage as soon as possible but jedati is being unlike herself..." Daman trailed of deep in thought not bothering to acknowledge Adam's question and suggestion.

"You know how they are. All want grandchildren and shit. Dad's only asked me about a wife probably about... 18 times in the past month." Adam shivered at the thought of making babies. He'd be an amazing uncle or godfather, but the term father wasn't one that sat well with him.

Daman scoffed out loud and took long strides to the window with the view of the skyline. He didn't mean to delve too deep into the grandchildren part but if Hera and him got married and children had to be a part of the equation... would she want that? Would her condition of PCOS affect that? It wasn't rational to be thinking about all of that now he'd quickly concluded. Besides, during Hera's high state she'd blatantly admitted children being her worst fear since she'd be tied to a man.

"By the way," Adam began clearing his desk and shutting down his computer, "Stretson and Rothman won firm of the decade awarded by the Sunday Times. Partners have decided for a little celebration tomorrow. Here you go," Adam picked up a little black invitation and handed it to the duke.

Daman smiled at his friends success and hugged him in congratulations. "A party on a Monday though? That too at Raffles?" he asked quizzically with his eyebrows raised as he looked at the invite. Raffles was a pristine restaurant by day turned viscous nightclub when the sunset.

Adam raised his hands in surrender. "These people are stuck up lawyers and law clerks. They're boring. I'm bringing them joy on a Monday night."

Daman pocketed the invite and slipped his jacket on getting ready to leave. At least something to look forward to on a Monday.

"Why don't you bring that princess you have with you? I'd like to meet her," Adam smirked at Daman knowing that it would irk him. Hera being an employee was obviously invited already.

The duke didn't bother to look at his friend as he walked out but he did flip him off with a curse under his breath.

Sadza, in the Shona language, is a cooked maize meal that is a staple food in Zimbabwe.

Tripe.