"Your Majesty ! I crave your indulgence. You see..." Selim started.
"Brother cut it off, please!" Bitaqir cut him off with a bit of a attitude.
" Somebody's in a mood" Selim spoke under his breath.
"I heard that " Bitaqir snapped. Then suddenly she regretted her action.
"It's okay everyone's been busy with the coronation and have been aggrieved by father's death, so it's normal for people to forget" Bitaqir thought
" Anyways suit yourself Queen" Selim spoke sarcastically and Bitaqir rolled her eyes.
Selim walked towards the door and as if he remembered something turned back and stared at his sister with a playful smirk on his face.
"What ?!" Bitaqir asked as soon as she recognised the look on her brother's face. She hoped he wasn't up to something.
He walked towards Bitaqir and embraced her
"Are you trying to kill me? I can bearly breathe" She exclaimed
" Happy Birthday Baby Sis" Selim said and pecked her.
" You remembered?" She asked with eyes glistening with tears.
" Of course I did and don't you dare shed another tear" Selim spoke as he wiped off the single tear that had rolled down her cheeks.
"Today is truly a wonderful day for you" He spoke as his face shone with happiness.
" Why do you say so?" Bitaqir asked curiously
" Gosh have you been always so so dumb?" Selim asked jokingly.
"Becareful what you say Prince I am now your Queen Regent and such words can bring you catastrophic results" Bitaqir spoke in the same manner while fanning herself with an invisible fan.
"Apologies Majesty, please spare me" Selim said before they both burst into laughter.
"Anyways why did you say so?" Bitaqir asked after she caught her breath".
" Goodness!! Well today is both your coronation and your 17th birthday " Selim spoke in a matter of factly tone.
"You know I've always wondered why father refused to get me married at age 15 or 16, or why he always took me with him to campaigns, made you train me both hand to hand combat and weapon fighting, or why he always made me secretly listen to his meetings with his viziers. I always thought it was because I was favourite so he wanted me everywhere or maybe he was planning to make me active in politics, but it turns out he was training me, preparing me even, to rule!" Bitaqir said in a serious manner and Selim sighed the playful part of him completely disappearing and his serious face took charge.
"Brother I wish to ask you something" Bitaqir looked at her brother with an expectant gaze.
" Okay, go on. I'm all ears " he replied his playful side resurfacing once again.
"When Ibrahim Pasha named me the hier, you were not surprised but rather it seemed like you were awaiting it. I noticed you sworn Knights standing close to me eversince I entered the courtroom instead of being around you, their master. Brother were you aware that I was the hier father named?" Bitaqir finally asked as it has been bothering her.
"I was aware. Father invited Aroald a