SHADOWS OF THE ROYAL HUT

The Queen’s jealousy

Amanda and her men saw Khanyisa’s child, and the sight alone stirred something dark inside her. Jealousy rose like fire in her chest. Khanyisa had been the first to give the king an heir, something Amanda had long believed would secure her own place. Instead, she stood hidden in the shadows, watching another woman live the life she felt was hers.

From a distance, concealed by the thick trees of the forest, Amanda’s thoughts drifted back to the witch’s words. The memory lingered, tempting her, pushing her further toward a decision she knew she could not undo.

“I want the child to disappear,” she whispered under her breath, her eyes fixed on Khanyisa. Her voice was low, almost swallowed by the wind. “If you deal with that child and make sure she never sees him again, I’ll pay you more than I already did.”

The men beside her exchanged glances, their excitement barely contained. “Yes, my queen,” they replied, their voices filled with greed and anticipation.

Not far away, Khanyisa stood with her maid, holding her newborn close. She was exhausted, her body still weak from childbirth, but there was a quiet strength in the way she held her son. The maid noticed the approaching figures first.

“My queen,” she said softly, her voice trembling, “there are men coming.”

Khanyisa turned, her heart tightening as she saw them drawing closer. The maid stepped forward, gathering what courage she could.

“Please,” she pleaded, raising her hands slightly, “help the queen return to the palace.”

The men stopped, then burst into laughter.

“Help who?” one of them said mockingly. “Do we look like men who came to help?”

Another stepped forward, his expression cruel. “We’re here for the child,” he said. “And maybe to enjoy ourselves a little while we’re at it.”

The maid’s face drained of color. She turned quickly to Khanyisa, panic rising in her chest. “My queen, run!” she shouted.

Khanyisa didn’t hesitate. Despite the pain in her body, despite her injured leg, she turned and ran. She held her son tightly, shielding his small face against her chest. Every step sent pain shooting through her, but she pushed forward. This was no longer about fear. It was about survival.

“After her!” one of the men shouted, and they took off in pursuit.

Branches snapped under their feet as they ran. The forest, once quiet, now echoed with the sounds of the chase. Khanyisa’s breathing grew heavier, but she refused to slow down. She could feel her strength fading, yet something deeper kept her moving.

Behind them, Amanda stepped out from her hiding place, watching the chaos unfold. She hadn’t realized the maid was still nearby.

The maid quickly ducked behind a tree, her heart pounding so loudly she feared it might give her away. She pressed herself against the rough bark, barely daring to breathe.

“I am finally going to get rid of you and your child,” Amanda said, her voice filled with satisfaction. She let out a low laugh, shaking her head. “You thought you could take my place by giving the king an heir. You thought that would make you important.”

She paused, her expression hardening. “No one gives him an heir except me. No one.”

The maid’s eyes widened as she listened. The truth settled heavily on her—this had all been planned.

“I’m so pleased everything is working out,” Amanda continued. “One of your own maids made this easy for me. Giving me your location… it saved me so much trouble.”

She laughed again, the sound cold and sharp.

The maid felt anger rise within her, but fear held her still. She knew she had to survive. She had to tell the king.

When Amanda finally moved to follow the men, the maid seized her chance. She slipped away quietly at first, then broke into a run once she was sure she wouldn’t be seen.

Her feet pounded against the ground as she ran toward the palace. Her lungs burned, and her legs ached, but she didn’t stop. The image of Khanyisa and the child being chased pushed her forward.

By the time she reached the palace, she was breathless. She rushed past the guards, her movements frantic.

“I demand to see the king!” she cried, struggling to catch her breath.

The guards looked at her but said nothing.

“Did you hear me?” she shouted, her voice cracking. “I need to see the king!”

One of the guards stepped forward, frowning. “And who are you to come here making demands?”

“This is not the time for questions,” she said quickly. “This is a matter of life and death.”

Still, they did not move.

Desperation took over. She dropped to her knees. “Please,” she said, her voice softer now, filled with urgency. “You have to let me see him.”

At that moment, the king stepped out of his hut, his expression stern.

“What is happening here?” he asked.

The maid lowered her head. “Your Majesty,” she said quietly, “I am one of the attendants assigned to Queen Khanyisa.”

The king’s eyes narrowed. “If you were assigned to her, why are you here?”

“My king,” she said, her voice trembling, “the queen is in danger. Men were sent to kill the child… your heir. She has already given birth.”

The king froze for a moment, then his expression changed completely.

“What?” he shouted.

Anger quickly followed. He stepped forward and struck the maid across the face. “I trusted you to protect her!”

Tears filled her eyes, but she remained kneeling. “Your Grace, there were too many of them. I had no way to fight them. I came to get help.”

The king turned away, running a hand over his face as he tried to steady himself.

“There is no time,” he said firmly. “We must go now.”

He turned to the guards. “Gather the soldiers. We ride to the forest immediately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” one of them said before rushing off.

Within minutes, the palace was alive with movement. Soldiers prepared quickly, and soon they were on their way to the forest.

Meanwhile, Khanyisa continued running. Her strength was fading, and her steps were becoming unsteady. She reached a point where the path split into two.

She stopped for a brief moment, her chest rising and falling rapidly. One path was known to be safe, often used by travelers. The other was feared, avoided by many who believed it was cursed.

She looked down at her son, who stirred slightly in her arms.

“For you,” she whispered.

Without another thought, she chose the dangerous path.

The forest seemed different there—quieter, heavier, as if it held secrets of its own. The air felt colder, and the trees stood closer together.

Behind her, the men reached the fork in the path.

“She couldn’t have gone that way,” one of them said, pointing toward the dangerous route. “No one goes there.”

“She would want to protect the child,” another added. “She’ll take the safe path.”

They all agreed and continued down the safer route, unaware they had made the wrong choice.

They searched for hours, calling out, pushing through bushes and trees, but found nothing.

Eventually, they slowed down, frustration taking over.

“Maybe she didn’t make it,” one of them muttered.

“Maybe,” another replied. “Either way, she’s not our problem anymore.”

They turned back, convinced the forest had claimed her.

Not long after, the king and his soldiers arrived. They spread out, searching every corner of the forest.

“Khanyisa!” the king called out, his voice echoing.

There was no answer.

Instead, they came across the men who had been chasing her. The soldiers quickly captured them and brought them before the king.

“Who sent you?” he demanded.

The men exchanged glances but said nothing.

No matter how much pressure they faced, they refused to speak Amanda’s name.

The search continued, but there was still no sign of Khanyisa or the child.

As the sun began to set, the forest grew darker, and the soldiers started to lose hope.

But the king refused to accept it.

“They are alive,” he said firmly, more to himself than anyone else. “I know they are.”

He stood there for a moment, staring into the trees.

“I will find them,” he said quietly. “No matter what it takes.”

And deep down, he meant every word.