I began with Hisham’s biography, as his is the most personal to me; while writing it, I reflected on my love and frustrations with history. I exercised quite a bit of my feelings, in his descriptive blurb - I love my history, and I hope to, in whatever field I end up in, help reconstruct its narrative. Africa, a beautiful and diverse continent, has a wealth of stories to tell, triumphs and glories to be marvelled over. Hisham’s empire only begins to kiss my country, but my mother’s homeland is always on the forefront of my mind whenever I’m writing him. While he may be fictional, there are countless black kings and rulers of splendour, who lack the recognition they deserve. History isn’t the most inclusive of places, and I am grateful to Crowns, for endeavouring to make it a place welcoming to all. I’m not the best at graphics, but I have a great deal of love to give to my Emir.

ps. it will one day be dr. suki tyvm, and i use longet merely...as tribute to a singer who did it, but i just can’t prove it

pps. thank you to michelle who inspired the layout ! 

 just a tiny goodbye gift for bee - still ehhh at this graphic design thing, but wanted to do a lil something ! stole the book idea from dr. danji, of course 

  Hamama, meaning dove in Arabic, was bestowed upon Hürrem by her people, as a token of affection for her grace, beauty, and ability to bring forth peace. Her legacy was undervalued for periods of time, but was brought to light by the loving hand of Historian Bee, whose gift for language and endless love, made her an unforgettable figure. Her contributions to the Crowns saga remain as timeless as the woman she loved.

To be at his Emir’s side during this period was an honor and a privilege that Safwan was doing his best not to take for granted, though his actions would often prove otherwise. A dear friend to trouble, Safwan couldn’t help but keep it company, especially when he was lacking things to do with his hands and diplomatic gatherings bored him so. It was because of this that he took to wandering the gardens, preferring them to the streets where the looks he got were far from welcoming.  He understood,of course – he looked what the Europeans would consider barbaric and even vagrant, but to him they looked foolish as well. It was best, he figured, not to wander about least their looks make him forget himself. Still, even though he attempted to seek some form of solitude, the gardens and their exotic flowers seemed to attract many others,a few women wandering through the area. While he found European women pale like ghosts and at time prudish, their clothing hugged there bodies and bared their flesh and some of them were rather attractive. Apprising them all as the approached, Safwan let a deep chuckle rumble in his chest. “Ma aljamal wal'anaqa!” He called out with a grin. “ I had come to see exotic flowers, and I was given just that.”

  Winter frost did not dull the splendid assemblage of greenery in Florence’s gardens; as it were, the beauty of the foliage mirriored the array of courtiers gathered, each a mark for all eyes in their luxe trappings. The Emir strode among them, his fingers clasped with ease behind his back, whilst his eyes were free to moved as they pleased. His Generals moved with autonomy, each with their unique breed of character - Safwan, in his chaotic glory, had taken to espousing the beauty which enraptured the Emir’s own eye. He knew not whether to chide the theatrics, or take pleasure in Safwan’s shirking of European customs; he displayed emotions as they came to him, a concept as foreign to the French or English, as the Emir himself. “You shall frighten the delicate creatures with your zeal, General.” Bemused in lieu of scolding, Hisham’s face showed only goodness; the warm of his skin, colored by good feeling. A gaggle of ladies, each fitted in a grown of magnificent blue, had taken pause at Safwan’s declaration; they flushed, giggled, and regarded the General with a gaze that could only be marked as primal. “Shall I be forced to allot you a second state, to house the women you have collected in Florence? Hurrem will be glad to see your attentions diverted from her ladies.”