THE KINGS CHOICE

It had been three weeks since Melissa his second wife was delivered of her baby girl as usual the king wasn't happy,it was his fourth girl child pain filled his eyes as he thought about his predicament,twenty years he thought... twenty years since he claimed the throne and non of his women had gave him a son. It was the early hours of the night as he wandered about in his chambers searching desperately for answers in his head but there was none,he got tired and sat on his huge bed as he pondered on what to do. He had two brothers who had no interest in the kingdom and he knew very well that they both weren't a threat to him but his greatest fear was losing his kingdom to an outsider. He was brought back to reality by Josephine his first wife who layed with him that night, "is there something bothering you my lord" she asked sitting up to get close to him with concern. "I am fine Josephine,I am just finding it difficult to sleep" He said closing his eyes and using his palm to cover his face . "it's been twenty years since I became king and I have been blessed with beautiful daughters,but how come I don't have a son. "Look at my brother Lancelot he has sons, sometimes I feel this whole thing happening is as a result of my past mistakes" she hurriedly went to him and held him in an embrace,they haven't abandoned you they never will. "one day you will have a son I can assure you that" she reassured him,she didn't even know when a tear dropped from her eyes. She stroked his hair and whispered words of encouragement to him so as to keep him calm, Derek loves her so much because of her ability to encourage him. She knew just the right word to say for any situation,he didn't know how much time passed as he drifted off to sleep. The next morning as he awoke,he felt a terrible headache that made him remain on his bed. A knock at his chambers woke him up,before he ushered his guard in he made sure his wife was properly covered and that her body wasn't exposed. "come in Collin" he said to his guard as he tried to clear his eyes. "Your majesty the councils are gathered in the meeting hall requesting for your presence" the guard said with his head bent to the ground. He knew that the queen was there and he knew the implications if he was caught staring at the queen. Derek knew why they were requesting to see and so he dismissed his guard telling him to notify them that he would be meeting them shortly, looking beside him and watching Josephine sound asleep he rose from his bed and tidied himself. It wasn't long before he got to the meeting hall were he saw all his councils seated according to their position and title,seeing him they all stood in respect with a bow and when he sat they followed. "Greetings my lord,we are sorry for calling you so early but Because of how urgent this issue on ground is and the fact that time is no longer on our side,that is why we have called for this meeting" his prime minister said. He gave them the I'm listening kind of look,Cyrus had known him to be a man of little words,he only spoke when he felt the need to..Cyrus came into power when the king turned eighteen,then he was the king's right hand man and he assisted the king in concealing all that the young prince had done. Regardless of everything that he had seen the prince committed,he was surprised that the oracle made him the crown prince and not Lancelot his older brother. He knew he was taking too long so he cleared his throat and began. "Well,my lord you and I know of the dangers surrounding a kingdom that has no heir and your reign as king is been threatened,that is why we have suggested" with a pause he turned to his fellow nobles.."that you take a second wife" he said looking at his fellow nobles who nodded in support. Derek closed his eyes and so many thoughts flooded his mind, letting out a sigh he stated. "I cannot take a fourth wife Cyrus,I have married three different women which you all know has yielded no good result.But still these women haven't given me an heir,so what is the guarantee the fourth one would bear me a son". "Cyrus I have thought about it for long now and I have come to a conclusion that I will groom my eldest daughter Amaya to take my place"he said which made the council protesting to his recent decision. It came as a shock to them all including Cyrus he knew Derek to be a tenacious person,he doesn't give up so easily,so what made him utter such statement. "Never in the history of mombana has it been recorded that a woman is king,it is a taboo your majesty" one of the council member said and the others replied in support. Derek saw the anger in the faces of his council as they murmured amongst themselves. "I will think about your proposal if that is what you all want" he reassured them. "that is a brilliant idea your majesty atleast you can keep trying until it becomes a success and we will be patient enough to wait" mosimus the earl of ivandale stated. Hearing this the council satisfied with his decision dismissed themselves, leaving the king to himself to think about their proposal. He concluded that he needed to pay gauis a visit, getting up from his seat he headed for the temple. Getting to the temple with his guard Collins,a young priest who works at the temple approached them and payed his respect to the king. "Welcome your majesty the high priest has been waiting for you,please follow me" the young priest cladded in a white robe and his hair packed into a bun stated leading the way to where the alter is situated. As they got to the hall Collins saw a huge tree that took almost half the room at the center,it was his first time inside the temple. "Welcome your majesty" gauis stood to welcome the king with a smile on his face as he advanced inside the temple,Collins was asked to remain outside which he obliged. "please have your sit" the old priest gestured for the king to sit as the king sat, gauis walked to huge tree picking up a shell from the foot of the tree and began chanting. His expression changed the moment he was done chanting " what is the problem" the king inquired with worry. "The spirits will bless you with a son" gauis stated still looking confused "what else do I need to know" the king replied him with a stern face,he knew there was more and he needs the old man to spill everything. Gaius looked at him, heaving a sigh he continued "Are you willing to do what it takes to bare a son" the priest inquired. King Derek knew that it could be a difficult thing to do,but he was willing to take the risk "if I would be able to have a son,then I am willing to do anything to achieve that" the king said with determination in his voice as he spoke. "Very well then,if you are willing to do anything that means you are willing to marry a servant girl" gauis concluded dropping the shell back to its location. He noticed the king who earlier spoke with confidence was short of words " what do you mean gauis" his voice was calm as always. "It means a maid will put a smile on your face and that of the entire kingdoms" the old priest stated with a smile. "But you know that is impossible gauis not just the people or the council would be against me,but also my late father" the king started as he tried to make the old priest see reasons with him. "You remember Camila from my youth" he said with horror in his face as he swallowed his saliva,the old man understanding his words replied. "your father is dead and cannot resurrect from the dead to do anything" coming close to the king he held his shoulder with a little squeeze and continued. "You do realize that the spirits choose you after all that you committed in your youth,now to make amends they are saying that you marry a maid to right your wrongs". "Except you no longer have the will to bare a son and watch as your throne slip away from your grip" he concluded releasing the kings shoulder. If gauis wasn't as powerful as he is Derek would have punished him because his statement seemed like a threat. "Who is this maid" the king inquired seeing he had no choice. "I wasn't told ,but I can make more findings and if there is a positive result,I will not hesitate to inform you. "gauis assured him with a smile that he knew so well that it wasn't genuine. Heaving a sigh the king arose from his seat "I'll be on my way now,thank you gauis". Turning to leave he was stopped by the priests voice. "Regardless of whether you bare a son or not,your reign as king would be cut short if you are not careful" The old man turned to face the king and continued. "Make amends while you still have the chance to,before it becomes too late" with that he bowed to the king and waited for him to leave. * * * * The ride to the eviona hills was a long and tiring one but the earl did not give up,especially when he sat comfortably in his carriage and his men led the way. Noticing that the horse came to a halt he guessed they must have gotten to their destination. "Earl mosimus,we have arrived" his guard announced,getting down from the carriage he headed inside the huge mansion with his men following closely behind. "Greetings your lordship" a guard whose dressing looked different from the others ushered the earl in. Inside the huge mansion the decorations were made to the taste of the owner "wait here I'll get him" the guard made a bow and headed to notify his master that he had a guest. His waiting soon came to an end as the owner of the mansion strode down the stairs elegantly with his hands behind his back. His expression was blank as he approached the earl who stood up to greet him. "It has been a while now earl mosimus,I presume you have good news for me" the man said smiling "ofcourse at the meeting today,Cyrus the prime minister made it clear to him" the earl explained. "Anyways do notify me of any changes,I'll keep playing my parts and when the time is right I will strike" the man stated with a smile but it was evident that his eyes held rage. * * * The king returned to his home thinking about what gauis had said,he was happy that at some point he was going to have a son,"I think gauis is hiding something from me" he thought looking up to the sky,opening his mouth to say something but words failed him as he closed his mouth. Getting into his castle,he almost bumped into his youngest wife Matilda "oh I am deeply sorry my lord" she said as she apologized with her head bent low,"it's fine"he said raising her head to meet his. she smiled at his warmness towards her thinking about the past he had saved her during the war. They had invaded her village and her entire family where killed in the war,he wasn't ready to sell her off so he decided to make her his wife. After their marriage she took in and also had a daughter,she followed him to his chambers but was shocked when he told Collins that he didn't want to be disturbed. Matilda knew he was bothered and wanted to be with him,but she was so disappointed that he asked her to leave. As she returned back to her bedroom she overhead some servant discussing about the king taking a fourth wife. She was shocked to hear this she couldn't believe her ears,she turned back to go back to the kings room but remembered his instructions. King Derek was in his study trying to go through the affairs of the kingdom,he needed to sort out governmental issues that had piled up on his desk. The past few days had been frustrating as he had been thinking about a lot of things,he didn't know he had so much work waiting for him at his table. He got busy with work but everything gauis told him came replaying in his head,he paused and relaxed on his chair. "There are so many maids in this palace,how do I know" he thought as he rubbed his forehead. These days he had developed a kind of headache that never seem to go away even after using herbs. "But how would the council take this" he thought,he couldn't take it anymore just then Collins came in to inform him that queen Josephine was around, oh! he had so needed her with a nod he gestured for Collins to let her in. Josephine looked so elegant in her dress as she walked in "your majesty" she said bowing "come" he extending his hands to her as she came closer,she was barren he knew and because he didn't want her to feel it he made sure he showered her with love . "How are you?my lord" she asked sitting on his legs,"I was told you visited gauis today,what was the outcome" she said fondling with his long gray hair,he stared at her for a while before he adjusted holding her to make sure she doesn't fall off. "There was positive result my dear but it's a little bit hard for me to do" he signed looking outside the window "you know,he told me that I was going to have sons". "oh! bless the spirits"Josephine said smiling,he looked at her as she smiled "do you know my first son would have to come from a maid" he said not taking his eyes off her as he noticed the smile disappear from her face. She opened her mouth to speak but words failed her,the king saw this and smiled "If I really wanted a son then I guess I have no choice,considering the fact that my reign might come to an end if I don't do something".he finished as he gestured for her to stand, getting up he walked majestically to his window. "You know I wonder how the council would take this" he thought as he felt Josephine's hands around him. "I don't think there is anything wrong in marrying a maid,as long as you achieve your goal and besides you are not the first king to ever have s****l relationship with their maid. king's in the past have done it including my father. listening to her voice he closed his eyes letting the evening breeze sweep through his face "and I know you are a wise king I am sure you would make the right choice". "Thank you Josephine" he turned unwrapped her hands from his waist and brought her into a hug which she returned the gesture. "Do you know who the girl is" she inquired releasing herself from his grip "not yet Gauis would notify me if he finds answers".