Anisa slowly woke from her slumber. It was the next morning and she was still hooked up to a machine, getting rid of the poison in her system.

She grunted from the aching of her muscles as she slowly got up but she stopped as soon as she found Tahir asleep, holding her hand.

His head was on the side of the bed as he sat on a chair.

This was the most peaceful she's ever seen him. It was rare for her to see him sleeping. He'd always get up before her so she never got the chance to wake him up.

She smiled, admiring his features. She realized how soft his skin was while she caressed it with her hands. He always took care of his beard and hair, making himself presentable at all times.

But, her favorite was his eyes. She could get lost in them for days.

Suddenly, there was a small knock on the door. It opened to reveal Dr. Maryam and she smiled as soon as she saw Anisa awake.

"Good morning princess -"

"Sssh. I don't want to wake him up just yet," Anisa cut her off politely and Dr. Maryam chuckled.

"Alright. I'll come back later to check up on you, is that alright?"

Anisa nodded, accepting her offer.

Not once did she take her eyes off him the whole time he was in his slumber.

Her hands began to play with his hair, brushing it gently with her fingers. At this point, she was preventing him from waking up with her gestures.

Then, he began to move his head and grunted in the process. He opened his eyes and got up slowly. He hissed from his sore muscles as he slept in an incorrect posture. But, he froze as soon as he met Anisa's gaze and stood just centimeters away from her.

They almost brushed noses from how close they stood and were both trapped in a trance, gazing at each other as if it was the first time they had met.

Eventually, Tahir got himself under control and cleared his throat, leaning back to create space.

"How long were you awake," he asked grabbing a glass of water for her.

"Not long," she answered, grabbing the glass he handed her.

Just then, Anisa got a message on her phone from Reem and she looked to respond to it.

Reem: Turn on the TV, it's urgent!

"Tahir, where's the remote?" Anisa rushed him and he got a grasp of the situation, predicting what they were about to watch.

He handed her the remote and turned on the T.V to be welcomed by the title: Breaking News: Prince Yasin Announces Palace Incident During a Sudden Press Conference

Yasin was displayed at the center of the podium, where he had a microphone in front of him. Anisa kept silent from her shock of his sudden actions. She didn't think he'd ever be able to do this. Especially if it pertained his mother.

"Just a week ago, princess Anisa started feeling symptoms and fainted from an overdose of sleeping pills. Turns out, they weren't normal sleeping pills...they contained arsenic in them."

As soon as the drugs name was said, every press and interviewer started speaking and the flashes increased to get every angle possible.

"The person who administered the pills, with the intentions of an attempted murder, was the queen. As of now, we can't trace her whereabouts, unfortunately. Her actions are worthy of treason," Yasin announced, "I apologise on her behalf, as her son. It should've been my duty to pay attention before things escalated. But, I beg every single one of you...the moment you see her, don't hesitate to call the authorities."

Tahir turned to look at Anisa's expression, only to find her silent and blank. Then, he looked back and continued to watch Yasin's announcement.

"The royal administration will do whatever is necessary to remove her from her status as queen. A country cannot sit still while someone like her sits on the throne. And because we empathize with our citizens, we understand every concern that's on your minds. We will heighten security and continue to investigate her whereabouts. You have my word as prince. For now, I advise you to trust yourselves and trust the process."

By the time Yasin could utter another word, the screen of the TV went blank and he saw that Anisa had turned it off.

"I need to go to the palace," she uttered through annoyance.

"No, you're body isn't ready for that yet. I will go and do whatever is necessary. In the meantime, you'll be safe here. I trust this place," he told her.

Anisa didn't respond and Tahir took that as acceptance. Before he left through the door, she stopped him and said, "Be careful."

Saif and Tahir rushed through the doors of the king's office. They were summoned by him as he said it was an urgent matter.

When they entered through his door, they found him, sitting on his chair. But they didn't expect to find him so frail and weak.

"Your highness," they both bowed slightly.

He sighed heavily before saying, "They say you'll know when your time is up. The time to leave this place and to be honest, I knew a long time ago."

Saif and Tahir looked at each with suspicion and confusion. Yet, they didn't make it obvious to the king and turned their attention back to him.

"Did you really think I was a coward? I knew my wife was trying to get rid of me," he said, "but I hadn't known it was through my medicine."

Both Tahir and Saif grew alert and we're about to take action by calling the medics, but, King Salman slowly raised his hand to stop them.

"The moment I found out, I wanted to tell someone. But, why live in a world where no one appreciates you?"

He started coughing but he still spoke.

"For years, I've tried to earn Anisa's love and trust back. All of my attempts failed. Her mother was the only one that brought forth my happiness and I can only hope to see her as I take my last breaths," he struggled to speak, "So grant a dying man's wish and make sure this file gets in Anisa's possession. You must not show it to anyone else for they will obtain it without permission."

Tahir slowly grabbed the file that stood just in front of his desk.

"I'm leaving my daughter in your hands. I was the one who found Mr. Amin to provide a figure she'd learn from. As she has grown up so well and responsible, she's never disappointed me. So, I know that my decision of bringing you here won't be a disappointment as well," King Salman told him.

"Sir, let us help you. This is suicide, it's not right!" Tahir angrily said.

"My time has come. This was what was written for me. Therefore I can't escape it. But you will live on to see my daughter's last days. It's why I chose someone as young as you. Take good care of her."

His eyes slowly drifted and Saif ran over to call for medics. Tahir rushed behind his desk to feel a pulse through the side of his neck but it was no use. His heart failed. He no longer lived.

He sighed angrily and stressfully while he looked at his watch to confirm the time of his death.

"1:15," he read out loud

"What was that?" Saif asked while hanging up the phone in urgency.

"1:15 is his time of death,"

Saif's eyes widened. He checked his pulse for himself in disbelief only to find out that it was true.

Tahir grabbed a chair and threw it with such force to the ground, breaking it in pieces as he roared in rage.

"This wasn't supposed to happen!"

He stormed out of the room with Saif behind him. Then, he spoke into his earpiece and ordered all the guards to gather in the main hall.

"I want every single one of you down here, this instant!"

Saif watched Tahir lose control. But, that wasn't the only problem. Layla had appeared from the hallway to their left and asked, "What's going on?"

Seeing her only made his anger worse for Tahir. But, he decided to save it for later. Instead, Saif dealt with her and told her, "You need to get out of here. It's not safe anymore."

He didn't realize she was in tears up until he saw her face and grew worried.

"Can someone tell me what's going on," she cried, "I wake up to my mother attempting murder and now the whole palace is on lockdown."

Tahir had a response to her statement and said, "No, she didn't attempt murder, she IS A MURDERER."

"Tahir!" Saif warned him.

"Your father just died drinking the medicine she served him all these years."

Layla gasped and covered her mouth while Saif gave Tahir an annoyed expression and held onto Layla before she lost her balance.

The rest of the guards scurried downstairs while some came from the entrances of every other door. A whole army of men in black suits stood before Tahir as he told them,

"I want every person out of this palace. We're relocating. Make sure you get every person out of here. Don't leave anyone behind."

"Yes, Sir!" They all chanted in synchronization.

"I want Team C to arrive to the palace in Riyadh before anyone else and get everyone out of there. No one is to enter without my approval after thorough inspection," Tahir ordered.

Team C, which consisted of 33 guards all nodded and quickly made their exit. The rest awaited instructions.

"Team A, gather every piece of security footage of this palace and store it in this USB. Also, bring every paper that ever entered this palace."

"Yes, sir!"

All 50 guards that made up Team A scattered around the area, disappearing into every room while Tahir continued to assign tasks for Teams B, D, E, F, and G.

As soon as he finished, he told Saif, "Make sure you stay behind. I'm calling for backup and bringing more people I trust."

Saif nodded as he still held Layla in his arms. She wasn't in her right mind and almost looked frozen.

Tahir quickly left the palace with the file concealed in his hands. He drove the car at maximum speed to get back to Anisa.

On his way, he called Mr. Latif and luckily, he answered.

"Yes, Tahir," he said.

"Sir, I need backup. Send in agents associated with mission Athena," Tahir urgently requested.

"Explain the situation,"

"The king is dead. The country no longer has a king and the Queen is in hiding."

Mr. Latif flinched at the sudden news and asked him, "Where do you need them to be?"

"JSS Medical Center."

"Alright, they're on it." Mr. Latif replied.

With that, Tahir hung up and parked in front of the hospital. He placed the file under his shirt, just to the side of his rib and put his shirt back down.

After rushing towards Anisa's room, he stopped before entering and took a deep breath. He never imagined he'd have to announce the king's death to his own daughter, but she had the right to know.

As soon as he turned the handle, he was greeted to a smiling Anisa who asked, "How'd it go?"

She noticed the beads of sweat that formed on the sides of his forehead. He looked distressed and when he sighed, she knew something was wrong.

"There's really no other way of telling you this," he started.

"Telling me what? What happened?" She grew utterly confused and worried.

She had never seen him like this and her stomach felt weird from the anxiety that took over her body.

"Your father said this belongs to you," he handed her the file after picking up the side of his shirt and taking it out.

Anisa slowly received the file by instinct while maintaining eye contact with Tahir. Eventually, he told her,

"Your father also recently passed away..."

A/N:

Writing this suspense-filled chapter gave me the chills, I didn't even realize it was so late into the night. With that said, I'm really curious to see what your thoughts are on the situation!

Don't forget to show this book some love by hitting that star button and commenting wherever you'd like.

Thank you '