BORN TO RULE

CHAPTER THREE

Writing

Chapter Three: The First Betrayal

The morning after Prince Damilare returned from the farming village, the palace was unusually quiet. The prince had spent most of the previous evening thinking about his father's advice. He was beginning to understand that leadership was not about giving orders but about accepting responsibility for the lives of others.

However, before he could continue his studies, a palace guard rushed into the royal chamber.

“Your Majesty!” the guard exclaimed. “There has been a serious problem.”

King Adewale immediately stood.

“What happened?”

“The royal treasury has been broken into.”

The king's face became serious. He hurried to the treasury with Damilare and several guards.

When they arrived, the treasurer was standing beside an open chest. Several bags of gold were missing.

“How much?” the king asked.

“A great amount, Your Majesty,” the treasurer replied nervously. “Enough to support several villages for months.”

Damilare looked around the room. There were no broken doors or damaged locks.

“Father,” he said, “who had access to the treasury?”

The treasurer hesitated.

“Only a few senior officials, the royal guards, and the king.”

Before Damilare could ask another question, Lord Kadir entered the room.

“I may know who did it,” Kadir announced.

Everyone looked at him.

Kadir pointed toward Bello, Damilare's personal servant.

“He was seen near the treasury yesterday evening.”

Damilare immediately stepped forward.

“Bello would never steal from the palace.”

Kadir remained calm.

“Your Highness, I understand your loyalty. But evidence must be investigated.”

Bello was brought before the king. He looked frightened.

“My king, I am innocent. I only passed through the corridor because I was delivering clothes to the prince.”

King Adewale ordered an investigation.

Bello was taken away for questioning, while Damilare remained in the treasury with his father.

“Father,” he said, “something does not feel right.”

“Why?”

“The door was not damaged. Whoever took the gold had access to the keys.”

The king looked at him carefully.

“Then find the truth.”

Damilare immediately began investigating. His closest friend, Tunde, agreed to help him.

They examined the treasury records and discovered something unusual. The missing gold had disappeared during a period when only senior palace officials had entered the treasury.

Damilare asked the treasurer, “Who had the keys that afternoon?”

The man lowered his voice.

“The chief administrator had one key.”

“And who had the second?”

The treasurer hesitated.

“Lord Kadir.”

Damilare became suspicious.

That night, he and Tunde followed a group of men leaving the palace. They kept their distance until the men reached an abandoned warehouse outside the city.

Through a small opening, Damilare saw several bags bearing the royal seal.

“The stolen gold,” Tunde whispered.

Before they could enter, a guard spotted them.

“Who is there?”

The men rushed toward them.

“Run!” Tunde shouted.

Damilare and Tunde escaped through a narrow passage behind the warehouse. They returned to the palace before sunrise, but when they went back with soldiers, the warehouse was already burning.

The evidence had been destroyed.

Kadir appeared in the palace courtyard.

“Young prince,” he said coldly, “why were you investigating without permission?”

“I was searching for the truth.”

“Or perhaps,” Kadir replied, “you were trying to hide your own involvement.”

Damilare stared at him in disbelief.

“You know I had nothing to do with the theft.”

Kadir smiled.

“Do I?”

The accusation spread quickly throughout the kingdom. Some nobles began whispering that the prince might be involved in the disappearance of the gold.

That evening, King Adewale called his son into the throne room.

“I know you are innocent,” the king said.

“But what about the people?” Damilare asked.

“Trust takes years to build and only moments to destroy.”

Damilare lowered his head.

“Perhaps I am not ready to become king.”

His father immediately shook his head.

“Never let the actions of dishonest people determine who you become.”

Damilare looked up.

“What should I do?”

“Remain truthful. Continue seeking justice. And remember that a good ruler must be able to stand alone when necessary.”

Damilare nodded.

He did not know it yet, but the missing gold was only the beginning. Lord Kadir had started a dangerous game, and the greatest challenge of Damilare's life was about to begin.