The Charmingly Clever Cousin Read Free Page B

their minds off Ahmed’s absence, Elena read some poetry and Tansy played her magic flute. Tansy’s fingers danced over the holes, creating a lively melody. Everyone’s thoughts drifted above them like wispy clouds. I see the Big Dipper, Elenathought. It looks the same here as it does at home.
    Selime thought, I wish Ahmed were here.
    Fatima blushed to hear herself think, I can’t wait to see Yusuf again.
    When Lysandra thought, I’m pooped. I hope we go to bed soon, Tansy set down her flute.
    Selime smiled. Stretching gracefully, she said, “It is late. Let’s all go to bed. We’ll see Ahmed and Yusuf in the morning.”
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    But by breakfast the next day, the men had still not arrived. “Maybe we should fly out and search for them,” Lysandra suggested after the princesses had eaten.
    â€œGood idea,” said Fatima. But as she was unrolling her carpet, hoof beats sounded outside the window. Yusuf galloped into view on his splendid black stallion.
    â€œWhoa!” he shouted, reining in his horse.
    Dropping the carpet, Fatima raced outside with her friends. Yusuf barely had time to climb down from his horse before the girls crowded around him.
    â€œHey, give a guy some room to breathe,” he complained. But then he smiled widely. “I guess you missed me.”
    Fatima’s cheeks warmed, and the other princesses giggled.
    Selime appeared in the doorway with Hassim. Her brow wrinkled with concern. “Where’s Ahmed? Isn’t he with you?”
    The corners of Yusuf’s mouth curved downward. “Prince Ahmed is attending to King Murad. I’m afraid he may be away for several weeks until…” He paused, dropping his eyes. “I fear I was right, Princess. The king will not recover.”
    Selime’s hand flew to her mouth. “No!” she wailed.
    Yusuf pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. Bowing, he handed it to Selime. “As you can see from this letter, my cousin has asked me to look after his affairs here at the palace while he’s gone.”
    Selime scanned the letter and sighed. “It’s just as you say. There is nothing we can do now but hope and wait. I shall be glad of your help while Ahmed is away.”
    Yusuf smiled. “Wonderful!” Ordering a groom to look after his horse, he strode into the palace ahead of everyone.
    Fatima had hoped Yusuf would entertain her and her friends with more magic tricks now that he was back. But Yusuf took his new duties quite seriously, and he had a lot of ideas for how to run the palace. None of the princesses knew he’d fired any servants until the Royal Chef cornered Selime inthe nursery. “How can I operate a kitchen with just one maid and one pastry chef!” he exclaimed indignantly.
    Covering her own surprise, Selime assured the Royal Chef she’d look into the matter. “Just what does Yusuf think he’s doing?” she fumed after the Royal Chef stormed away. “Ahmed would never have done such a thing!”
    Fatima had been just as shocked, but now she came to Yusuf’s defense. “He must have his reasons. Let’s go talk to him.” Her friends said they would go for a walk while Selime and Fatima met with Yusuf.
    They found him in Ahmed’s library, sitting behind Ahmed’s desk. “Ah,” Yusuf said, looking up from some papers. “I expect you’re wondering why I’ve let some of the servants go.”
    Selime nodded, her lips a tight line.
    Yusuf smoothed his mustache. “This palace has been very inefficiently run. The servants have grown lazy. Why, one servant could easily do the work of two, or even three . Just think of how much money you’ll save for other things!”
    Saving money sounded like a good idea, but Fatima couldn’t help remembering how tired Nar had seemed the afternoon she’d watched Hassim. How could anyone do the jobs of two or three people when just one job