MY KINGDOM

CHAPTER THREE (THE ENCOUNTER)

A persistent thud suddenly interrupted the Prince’s morning snooze. “I'm coming.” He said, sounding very dazed. He reluctantly got up, reached for the nearest robe and headed for the door.

He unlocked the door and a tall, beautiful woman stood with an electrifying smile. her dress and jewelry suggested that she was royalty.

“Mother!.” He exclaimed with much surprise.

“Good morning my sweet boy; I’m sorry to wake you up like this but i needed to talk to you urgently.” She said, her electrifying smile slowly melted into a worrisome mien.

“Its fine mother, please come in.” He said, pointing out the way with his right arm. They both found their way to the balcony and sat on his favourite twin-stool.

“You still love to watch the sunrise from up here.” He said with a cheerful smile.

She chuckled lightly. “You still remember?”

“Yes mother, how can I forget?” He asked, still smiling. “So tell me mother, what brings you by so early in the day?”

She paused for a few seconds and released a deep sigh.

“Your father told me about your little chit-chat with him. He mentioned that you didn’t take it too well, so I decided to come see you before breakfast.”

His face became gloomy almost immediately. “I’m fine mother, it's just that…” He paused to find the right words but she chipped in before he could.

“You can talk to me, son. I know that something is up with you and I’ve noticed that you've been very distant lately.”

He was hesitant at first, but she continued with her plea. “Please talk to me Son.”

After thinking it through, he sighed deeply and began to speak. “Mother, I’m currently under a level of pressure that I have never experienced before. It suddenly feels like I’m carrying the weight of the entire Imperium on my shoulders, and it’s because of father’s decision to make me his successor in Aaron’s stead. As though that wasn’t enough, he has arranged for me to get married to Princess Ayesha without my own consent. Tell me, mother; Am I some sort of merchandise that father can toss around as he pleases.”

“Calm down son. I know that you’re hurt, but I strongly believe that your father wants the best for you. You should listen to him. Moreover you should be excited that you’re getting married to your bosom friend?” Queen Merab replied.

Instead of flowing with the queen, his eyes widened in surprise. “Mother, what are you even saying to me? I should have known that you would take father’s side.”

She placed her hand gently on his shoulder and began to smile passionately. “Son, your father has an obligation to both you and the Imperium. He cannot please one at the expense of the other. He swore to protect all six Kingdoms, even if it would cost him his life, and I swore to stand by him until my last breath.”

Her words triggered him so much that he got up and tried to walk out, and the in process he knocked down a nearby ceramic vase. “Don’t worry about that, I’ll clean it up.” He said, still wearing an obvious frown. As he tried to gather the pieces of broken ceramic, he slit his thumb.

The Queen immediately jumped on her feet. “My goodness!! Son you're hurt.”

“Don't worry about it, it's just a little scratch, I'll clean it up and apply some ointment.” He said with little to no concern and continued to pick up the pieces of broken ceramics.

“No son!! You're hurt. I'll ask my hand-maiden to bring some ointment.” The Queen said with much concern.

His countenance became sterner. “Mother, I already told you that I'm fine. There will be no need for that.”

“No, I insist, your wound will get infected and I will not have that.” She said with an unbending resolve.

“Fine, have it your way.” He said and went back in.

“James!!” He echoed and in about thirty seconds a young man rushed in.

“Good morning my Prince, Oh my you're bleeding!!” The young man exclaimed.

“Good morning James. It’s nothing. Please get someone to clean the mess out the balcony.” He said and just right then the Queen came in.

"Your majesty, you're here.” He said with much surprise and bowed.

“James, thank goodness you're here. The prince is hurt. I need you to go get one of my handmaidens. Tell her to come along with the cleaning kit and some ointment, and please get someone to clean up the mess in the balcony. Please hurry.” She said worriedly.

“Yes my queen.” James said and dashed out.

Then the Prince came closer to her. “Mother, I told you that I'm fine, why are you bothering yourself??”

“Son, you're bleeding. How can you say that you're fine?”

Just right then, a thud echoed from the door. “You may enter.” He answered.

The door tilted open and a tall, blonde, beautiful woman walked in, her eyes sparkled like tiny blue diamonds on the ocean, over the nighttime sky and her long, lush hair rushed down her back like a golden waterfall. Suddenly, Levi froze up and began to stare at this woman, he stared so much that he forgot to close his mouth. He could have sworn that his heart had missed a couple of beats in the last few seconds.

“Good morning, my Queen. Good morning, my Prince.” Her Angelic voice echoed, as she curtsied.

“Good morning to you too Shoshana, aren’t you supposed to be home? Your shift for the week ended yesterday.” The Queen asked.

“Yes my Queen, but I couldn’t make it home due to the storm last night. I was about to take my leave when James rushed in with your message.” Shoshana replied. Meanwhile the prince was still frozen and frozen with an absurd smile.

“That’s okay. Were you able to get the ointments and cleaning kit?” The Queen asked.

“Yes my Queen, it’s in this box.” She replied, gesturing towards the wooden box in her left hand.

“Perfect! The prince has injured himself; I need you to tend to his wounds.” she said and turned to the prince, only to find him frozen in Shoshanna’s direction.

“Levi dear, please have a seat, so she can get your wounds all cleaned up.” she said, but the prince seemed to be totally absent-minded.

She tapped him gently. “Levi!!”

Looking like some that had just seen a ghost. “Ye..ye..yes mother.” He stammered.

“Are you okay son? You seem to be lost in the maze of your mind.” Queen Merab asked.

“I'm alright mother.” The prince replied. He could hardly take his eyes off Shoshana, and the Queen noticed.

“Alright then have a sit, Shoshana will have your wound cleaned.” The queen said. On hearing this he found the nearest couch without thinking twice. As Shoshana approached him, he began to sweat profusely, and his heart raced so fast that he could hear it beating on his ear drums.

“Greetings, my Prince.” She said with an electrifying smile.

“He..he..he..hello.” He stammered.

“I'll be gentle, it won't hurt much. I promise.” She said, still wearing her charming smile.

“Su..su…sure.” He stammered again.

As her gentle touch found his skin, he began to feel a sensation of both hot and cold simultaneously and it intensified as she cleaned his wounds. It was a very cold morning but his face was covered with little droplets of sweat.

“Shoshana, I told James to get someone to clean up the pieces of the broken ceramic vase, in the balcony, do you know if he has??” The Queen Asked.

“I believe so, your highness. I’ll do well to check up him when I’m done.” Shoshana replied.

“But why is he taking so long. I’ll go check up on him myself.” The Queen said and headed out.

The room fell silent for a few seconds until the prince broke the silence with a rather absurd question. “Who are you?? I mean how you are?” He asked, sounding very nervous.

“It’s alright, my prince. I’ll answer both questions. My name is Shoshana; I'm the daughter of Tamar, one of the Queen’s handmaidens. She hasn't been feeling too well for some weeks now, so I’ve been working her shifts. And I’m very fine, my prince.” She said with a smile.

“Tamar is your mother?? That's interesting. I've known her since I was a young lad running around the palace in my diapers.” They both chuckled.“She is such a sweet soul. I hope she gets better soon.”

“She will, my Prince. This might sting a bit.” She said and began to apply the ointment.

He groaned silently as soon the ointment found the face of his wound.

“I'm sorry my prince, you’ll feel much better in no time.” She said, looking like she could literally feel his pain. Somehow, those words found a way to ease the pain. It felt like a confluence of peace and pain.

Just right then, The Queen walked in with two young, female, servants. “It’s over there in the balcony; try not to get hurt in the process.” She said, pointing in the direction of the balcony.

“Yes, your majesty.” They Chorused and headed for the balcony.

“I'm done, your majesty.” Shoshana said.

“Thank you Shoshana. It feels all better, already.” The prince said with a graceful smile.

“You’re welcome my prince.” She said returning the smile. “May I take my leave, your majesty?”

“Please do. Go take care of your mother and do well to send my best regards to her.” The Queen replied.

“Thank you, your majesty; I'll take my leave now.” She said and headed out.

The queen turned to her son with a very serious face. “Not too long ago; you were in a terrible mood, now here you are, acting like a twelve year old on the morning of the festival of light.”

“Well what can I say?? I guess I'm perfecting the art of letting go.” He said with a sheepish smile.

“Alright, have it your way then. My advice is; get rid of whatever you have going on in your heart. Trust me, it’s a bad idea. And don’t try to act smart with me; I know that sparkle in your eyes when I see it, it may be rare but I know it like I know the morning sun.” She said, still wearing a stern face.

“What are talking about mother?” He asked with a dumbfounded face.

Suddenly she began to laugh aloud, sarcastically. “So you really want to take the long road, huh?”

“Mother, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He said and his dumfounded face began to dissolve into a sweaty, nervous mien.

She scoffed sarcastically. “I’ve lived on earth for fifty-five long years and you believe that I wouldn’t notice if a young man were attracted to a young maiden, not to even talk of my own son."

At this point he kept mute and his edgy eye balls strayed from her hawk-like gaze to little bird on the southern window. The room fell silent for a while and nothing could be heard except the sound of the chandeliers dancing in the morning breeze.

“So have you began to prepare for your wedding?” She said, breaking the silence, her eyes still stayed on him keenly.

He wasn’t looking at her, but he could feel the heat of her vicious gaze.

He became even more confused.

“And why would I do that, I haven’t accepted father’s offer yet.”

Puzzled and confused. “But you said that your father has told you about the wedding already”

“Yes he has, and like I said, I haven’t accepted it yet.” He said with a confident face but his tone reeked of anxiety.

“Mother, is there something I need to know??” She said with a sheepish smile.

The prince had gotten very anxious already. "Is there something I need to know about, mother?”

“How do I get out of this?” She whispered to herself.

“What was that?” The prince asked.

“Nothing. Just forget that I said anything about this.” She said.

His countenance had gotten very stern at this point. “What’s going on mother?” He erupted. “You’re not telling the truth and you are most certainly hiding something, I can see it from your eyes. Tell me what it is, mother.”

The Queen immediately turned away, to avoid looking him in the eye. “Mother, I've always known you to be an advocate of the truth. Please, don't keep any more secrets from me. Tell me everything.” The prince insisted with calmer tone.

“Fine! I've always been a terrible liar anyway. But son, you have to promise not to tell your father that I have revealed this to you. He was supposed to tell you about this himself.” The Queen said.

“I promise. Now please tell me, what's going on?” The prince asked, this time he seemed sacred.

Queen Merab paused for a bit to gather her thoughts and catch her breath.

“Mother, you're making me anxious.” The prince said adamantly.

Just as she was about to speak the maids came in from the balcony. “We're done your majesties.” They chorused.

“Alright then, you may leave. Do well to shut the door on your way out.” The Queen said, with an obviously forced smile.

As soon as she was sure that they had left, she sighed heavily and began to speak. “Your father is making arrangements for the royal family of Thrace to visit in seven days. You will officially be engaged to Princess Ayesha on that day. The truth is; your will doesn’t matter to your father in this equation, he just gave you time to think so he can buy himself more time to plan the wedding.”

On hearing this, prince didn't utter a single word. He just walked out of the room, with a bland face.