CHAPTER 14 - Watching Without Being Seen
354 Words
Attention, in the palace, was currency.
And Amina was becoming… expensive.
She didn’t ask for it.
Didn’t encourage it.
But it followed her anyway.
Adjoa noticed everything.
From the upper balcony, she leaned lightly against the railing, her gaze fixed below. Workers moved about their duties, blending into the background like they were meant to.
All except one.
Amina.
“She’s improving,” the girl beside her murmured.
Adjoa didn’t respond immediately.
Because improvement wasn’t what concerned her.
It was presence.
The way the prince’s path seemed to cross with Amina’s more often than coincidence allowed.
The way his attention lingered, subtle but undeniable.
It wasn’t loud.
But it was there.
And Adjoa did not tolerate competition.
“She’s nothing,” the girl added. “Just a cleaner.”
Adjoa’s lips curved slightly.
“That’s what makes her dangerous.”
The girl frowned. “How?”
Adjoa turned her head slightly, her eyes sharp.
“Because no one is watching her closely enough.”
Silence followed.
Then—
“What are you going to do?”
Adjoa straightened, smoothing invisible creases from her dress.
“Nothing… yet.”
But her mind was already moving.
Carefully.
Strategically.
Because removing someone like Amina didn’t require force.
It required precision.
And patience.
Below, Amina continued her work, unaware of the quiet storm forming above her.
But she felt something.
A shift.
A tension she couldn’t explain.
Later that evening, as she walked through the corridor, she caught fragments of conversation.
“…the prince…”
“…that girl…”
“…careful…”
The words faded as she passed, but the meaning remained.
Amina slowed slightly.
Then continued walking.
Because acknowledging it would make it real.
And she wasn’t ready for that.
Not yet.
Meanwhile, in a different part of the palace, the prince stood in quiet conversation.
“You’ve been distracted.”
Kwesi’s voice carried a hint of amusement.
“I have responsibilities,” the prince replied.
Kwesi chuckled. “You always have responsibilities. That’s not new.”
The prince didn’t respond.
Because for once—
Kwesi was right.
Something had shifted.
And he couldn’t quite explain why.
- Writer
