THE OPEN SECRET

Chapter Four - The King's Permission

Morning arrived with the sweet melody of birds singing outside the manor.

Golden rays of sunlight poured through the nursery window, warming the room with a peaceful glow.

For the first time in years...

The nursery wasn't empty.

Chansa stood quietly beside the crib, unable to take her eyes off the little girl sleeping peacefully beneath the soft blanket.

Her tiny fingers were wrapped around the corner of a stuffed rabbit.

Every now and then, she let out a sleepy sigh before curling into a little ball.

A smile tugged at Chansa's lips.

"She's beautiful."

A pair of familiar arms wrapped gently around her waist.

"I've been standing here for five minutes," Choolwe whispered.

"You haven't even noticed."

She leaned against his chest.

"I can't stop looking at her."

Neither could he.

The room they had prepared years ago was finally being used.

Not by the child they had imagined...

But by a little girl who had appeared in their lives like a gift from destiny.

"Did she sleep well?" Choolwe asked.

Chansa nodded.

"She cried once during the night."

"What did you do?"

"I sang to her."

"And?"

"She fell asleep holding my finger."

Choolwe smiled.

"I think she's already stolen your heart."

Chansa laughed softly.

"I think she stole yours first."

Before he could answer, a tiny yawn came from the crib.

Both of them looked down at the same time.

The little girl blinked slowly as she rubbed her sleepy eyes.

For a moment, she looked around the unfamiliar room.

Then her eyes landed on Chansa.

A smile spread across her little face.

She stretched both arms into the air.

"Up."

Chansa didn't hesitate.

She scooped the little girl into her arms, holding her close.

The child rested her head on Chansa's shoulder before letting out another sleepy sigh.

"My goodness," Chansa whispered.

"You're going to make it impossible for me to put you down."

A tiny giggle answered her.

Choolwe reached over and gently tickled the little girl's foot.

She laughed louder.

The sound echoed throughout the nursery.

It was the kind of laughter that filled empty spaces.

The kind that healed broken hearts.

For a few precious moments...

Everything felt perfect.

Until a knock sounded at the bedroom door.

"My Lord?"

"My Lady?"

Tamara's gentle voice came from the other side.

"May I come in?"

"You may," Chansa answered.

The door slowly opened.

Tamara entered the room in her full-sized fairy form, standing at the same height as Chansa.

She wore a simple cream-coloured dress with her golden hair neatly tied behind her back.

Anyone who didn't know her would have mistaken her for an ordinary housekeeper.

Only those closest to the family knew she was far more than that.

She smiled warmly at the little girl.

"I've prepared breakfast."

"Thank you, Tamara," Chansa replied.

Tamara stepped closer.

The little girl stared curiously at her before reaching out with one tiny hand.

Tamara gently held her finger out.

The little girl wrapped her tiny hand around it.

For a brief second...

A warm golden light flickered between them.

So quickly that neither Choolwe nor Chansa noticed.

Tamara's smile faded.

Only for a heartbeat.

Then it returned.

"She's stronger than she looks," Tamara thought silently.

Very carefully, she slipped her finger free.

"My Lord," she said, turning towards Choolwe.

"A messenger from the palace has arrived."

The smile disappeared from his face.

"So soon?"

Tamara nodded.

"He says the King is expecting you immediately."

Silence filled the room.

The Council meeting.

It had arrived.

Chansa looked at her husband.

Neither of them spoke.

They already knew what today's meeting was about.

An heir.

Or the loss of everything they had spent years building.

Choolwe stepped forward and gently kissed his wife on the forehead.

"I'll be back before sunset."

Chansa forced a smile.

"I'll be waiting."

He then looked at the little girl.

She was busy playing with the ribbon on Chansa's dress, completely unaware of the storm gathering around her.

Something stirred inside him.

He gently brushed a curl away from her face.

"I don't know who you are..."

"...or why fate brought you to us."

"But I promise..."

"No harm will come to you while I'm alive."

As he turned to leave the nursery, neither he nor Chansa noticed Tamara watching him.

The fairy lowered her eyes.

"You may not realize it yet, my Lord..."

"But that promise will cost you more than you can imagine."

Choolwe made his way across the estate, greeting the workers as he passed.

"My Lord."

"Morning, my Lord."

He returned every greeting with a warm smile.

These people weren't just workers.

They were family.

Many had worked for the Phiri family long before he was born.

As he approached the front gates, a royal carriage waited with four white horses standing proudly at attention.

The royal crest shimmered on the carriage door.

A messenger dressed in the King's colours stepped forward and bowed.

"My Lord Phiri."

"His Majesty requests your presence at the Royal Palace."

"I assumed as much."

The messenger opened the carriage door.

The journey to the palace was unusually quiet.

Normally, Choolwe admired the scenery that surrounded the capital.

Today...

His thoughts were elsewhere.

His mind wandered back to the little girl sleeping safely in the manor.

Who was she?

Who had left her alone in the forest?

And why couldn't he shake the feeling that finding her wasn't an accident?

His wolf stirred inside him.

You're thinking about her again.

"I know."

She feels... familiar.

"I've noticed."

Yet I've never met her.

Neither had Choolwe.

Still...

Something about the little girl tugged at both of them.

It was a feeling they couldn't explain.

The carriage rolled through the palace gates.

Towering white walls surrounded the Royal Palace, while dozens of guards stood watch at every entrance.

The palace itself was breathtaking.

Its crystal windows reflected the morning sun, making the entire building appear as though it had been carved from light.

The messenger led Choolwe through long marble hallways lined with portraits of former kings and queens.

At the end of the corridor stood two enormous golden doors.

The guards pulled them open.

"The Council Chamber," the messenger announced.

Inside, twelve council members were already seated around a large circular table.

Quiet conversations stopped the moment Choolwe entered.

Every eye turned towards him.

Some smiled warmly.

Others...

Didn't bother hiding their satisfaction.

Lord Mumba, Choolwe's younger brother, leaned back comfortably in his chair.

A smug smile rested on his face.

Beside him sat his four grown sons.

All dressed in council colours.

All watching Choolwe with undisguised confidence.

"My brother," Mumba greeted.

"You're late."

"I arrived when I was summoned."

Choolwe replied calmly.

Mumba chuckled.

"Still as serious as ever."

Before another word could be exchanged...

A royal guard struck the floor with the end of his spear.

"All rise!"

The room instantly fell silent.

King Nando entered first.

Dressed in deep navy robes embroidered with silver thread, he carried himself with quiet authority.

Beside him walked Queen Natasha.

Elegant.

Graceful.

Every step she took demanded respect without asking for it.

The entire council bowed.

"Your Majesty."

The King acknowledged them with a nod before taking his seat.

"Please."

"Sit."

No one spoke.

King Nando looked around the table.

His eyes finally settled on Choolwe.

"You know why I've called this meeting."

It wasn't a question.

Choolwe slowly nodded.

"I do, Your Majesty."

The King folded his hands together.

"For five years, House Phiri has remained without an heir."

A heavy silence settled over the chamber.

"The laws of Earth Z are clear."

Another council member nodded.

"They are."

"If a council house cannot produce an heir..."

"The seat must pass to the next eligible bloodline."

Lord Mumba tried to hide his smile.

He failed.

King Nando noticed.

So did Choolwe.

But neither acknowledged it.

The King's gaze remained fixed on Choolwe.

"Before the Council reaches its decision..."

"I will hear your request."

The room turned towards him once more.

Choolwe rose slowly to his feet.

He took a deep breath.

"My King..."

"My Queen..."

"My fellow Council members..."

"My wife and I respectfully request permission to travel to Earth."

Whispers immediately spread throughout the chamber.

"Earth?"

"For what purpose?"

Choolwe answered honestly...

Or at least, as honestly as he could.

"We wish to seek medical treatment."

"My wife and I have exhausted every healer, every potion master and every fertility witch in Earth Z."

"If there remains even the smallest chance that the human world may help us have a child..."

"We wish to take it."

Silence followed.

Even Lord Mumba looked surprised.

King Nando studied Choolwe for several long moments.

His expression revealed nothing.

Finally...

He spoke.

"You would leave your home..."

"...for the chance to become a father?"

Without hesitation, Choolwe answered.

"I would cross every world that exists for the chance to become a father."

"And for the woman I love."

The Queen smiled softly.

King Nando remained silent.

Then...

Very slowly...

He nodded.

"Your request..."

"...is granted."

A wave of relief washed over Choolwe.

"You and your wife shall receive Royal Passage."

"You may retain your powers while living on Earth."

"But..."

The King's voice became firmer.

"The moment your journey threatens the balance between our worlds..."

"You will answer to the Crown."

Choolwe bowed deeply.

"You have my word, Your Majesty."

As the meeting came to an end, Lord Mumba watched his brother leave the chamber.

The smile slowly returned to his face.

"It won't matter."

He whispered to his eldest son.

"One way or another..."

"That council seat will be ours."