THE SHIELD THAT HURTS

CHAPTER.9.1.

Time passed swiftly in the palace of Adzeba kingdom. Prince Zeofei's love for Anne continued to blossom, and their affection for each other grew stronger with each passing day.

In the king's quarter, the monarch's health had taken a turn for the worse. After a series of tests by various physicians, it was discovered that the king's illness was a result of old age. The king, aware of his mortality, knew that his time was drawing to a close.

One fateful morning, the king summoned his 36 ministers to the inner court. As they gathered around him, Prime Minister Asah began the conversation. "Your Majesty, we hope you're recovering well. Please, get well soon."

The king smiled weakly, his eyes sunken with fatigue. "Thank you, Prime Minister Asah, and my other ministers. I'm getting better, but I've called you here for an important discussion."

The ministers leaned in, their faces filled with anticipation. "In days to come," the king began, "I want to announce the crown prince of this kingdom, the one who will succeed me after my death."

The ministers gasped in shock, bowing down in unison. "Your Majesty," they chorused.

The king continued, his voice weak but resolute. "I must announce it before my death, in front of all ambassadors and ministers. I don't want any disputes among my children after I'm gone."

Minister of Affairs Boabu stepped forward, his face solemn. "I'll summon the princes and queens immediately, Your Majesty."

The king nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Please, do so."

As Minister Boabu exited the inner court, the king's words hung in the air, leaving the ministers to ponder the implications of his announcement.

Meanwhile, Queen Ghoifaes' face lit up with excitement as she thought to herself, My son Zeofei will become the crown prince soon.

As the royal family gathered in the inner court, the king's words sent shockwaves through the assembly. Prince Zemha, the eldest son, raised his hand, his face filled with concern. "Your Majesty, please get well soon."

The king smiled, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, my son."

As the meeting adjourned, Prince Zoe's face was etched with worry. He knew that his brother Zemha's health issues would make him an unlikely candidate for the crown.

That night, Prince Zoe sat in his chamber, his mind racing with thoughts of the impending competition for the crown. Naehi, sensing his distress, approached him cautiously.

"My Lord, Prince Zoe, what troubles you?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Prince Zoe turned to her, his eyes filled with anguish. "Naehi, my sweet, the king announced that he'll be selecting the crown prince soon. My brother Zemha's health issues...I fear he won't be chosen."

Naehi's face lit up with surprise. "Prince Zemha's health issues?" she repeated.

Prince Zoe nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Naehi. My brother Zemha was born with a rare and debilitating disease. He's suffered from it his entire life, and it's only gotten worse with time."

Naehi's eyes widened in shock. "What kind of disease?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

Prince Zoe hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "It's a disease that affects his immune system," he said finally. "He's constantly battling infections and illnesses, and it's taken a toll on his body."

Naehi's face was filled with compassion. "I'm so sorry, Prince Zoe," she said. "I had no idea."

Prince Zoe nodded, his eyes filled with sadness. "It's been a difficult life for him, but he's always been strong and resilient. I just fear that the king won't consider him for the crown because of his health."

Naehi's eyes sparkled with determination. "We'll find a way to help him, Prince Zoe. I promise."

Prince Zoe smiled, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Naehi. Just knowing that you're here for me and my brother gives me hope."

As they talked, Naehi's mind was racing with ideas. She knew that she had to find a way to help Prince Zemha, not just for his sake, but for the sake of the entire kingdom.

And then, it hit her - a memory from her past, a conversation with her king about a special soap that had healing properties.

...She remembered the ingredients, the way the soap was made, and the incredible healing properties it possessed.

"Prince Zoe, I think I know of a way to help your brother," Naehi said, her eyes shining with excitement.

Prince Zoe's face lit up with hope. "What is it, Naehi?" he asked, his voice filled with anticipation.

Naehi took a deep breath before speaking. "I remember my king telling me about a special soap that has healing properties. It's made from a combination of herbs and spices that are known to boost the immune system and fight off infections."

Prince Zoe's eyes widened in amazement. "That sounds incredible," he said. "Do you think it could really help my brother?"

Naehi nodded, her face filled with confidence. "I'm positive it can," she said. "But we need to make it quickly, before the king makes his announcement."

Prince Zoe nodded, his face set in determination. "Let's do it," he said. "We'll make the soap and give it to my brother. Maybe, just maybe, it will give him the chance to become the crown prince."

Together, Naehi and Prince Zoe set out to gather the ingredients for the soap. They worked tirelessly, mixing and blending the herbs and spices until the soap was finally ready.

As they worked, Naehi couldn't help but feel a sense of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could really make a difference.

Finally, the soap was ready. Naehi held it up, admiring its fragrance and texture. "We did it, Prince Zoe," she said, her voice filled with pride.

Prince Zoe smiled, his eyes shining with gratitude. "You're the one who did it, Naehi," he said. "You're the one who's going to save my brother."

As they prepared to deliver the soap to Prince Zemha, Prince Zoe turned to Naehi. "You have to deliver it to him yourself," he said. "You're the one who made it possible."

Naehi nodded, her heart filled with determination. "I'll do it, Prince Zoe."

As they approached Prince Zemha's quarter, Naehi encountered Anne, who was delivering food to the prince. "Anne, what are you doing here?" Naehi asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'm here to deliver Prince Zemha's food," Anne replied, her voice neutral.

Naehi nodded, her gaze softening. "I'm here to deliver some soap to Prince Zemha. Prince Zoe and I made it to help alleviate his pain and cure his disease."

Anne's eyes widened in surprise, but she said nothing. Naehi waited until Anne had finished delivering the food and exited Prince Zemha's quarter before entering herself.

As she walked in, Prince Zemha looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Naehi approached him, the soap held out in front of her.

"My Lord, Prince Zemha," she said, her voice soft and respectful. "I've brought some soap that Prince Zoe and I made. It's supposed to help alleviate your pain and cure your disease."

Prince Zemha's expression changed, and he looked at Naehi with newfound interest. "Thank you, Naehi," he said, his voice sincere. "I'll try it."

Naehi smiled, her eyes shining with hope. "I'll help you bathe with it, if you'd like."

Prince Zemha nodded, and Naehi helped him bathe with the soap. As they finished, Prince Zemha looked up at Naehi, his eyes filled with gratitude.

"Thank you, Naehi," he said, his voice sincere. "I already feel a little better."

Naehi smiled, her heart filled with joy. "I'm glad, Prince Zemha. I'll come back and check on you tomorrow."

As Naehi exited Prince Zemha's quarter, she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. She had helped Prince Zemha, and she knew that she had made a difference.

But as she walked back to Prince Zoe's chamber, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She had seen the way Anne looked at her, the way she seemed to be hiding something.

Naehi's instincts told her that something was brewing, something that could potentially destroy the fragile peace in the palace.

And then, it hit her - a realization that made her blood run cold. Anne was not who she seemed to be. She was hiding something, something big.

Naehi's heart was racing as she quickened her pace, her mind filled with questions. What was Anne hiding? And what did it have to do with the palace?

As she entered Prince Zoe's chamber, Naehi knew that she had to tell him about her suspicions. She had to warn him about Anne.

But as she entered Prince Zoe's chamber, she saw that he was busy, talking to one of his advisors. Naehi decided to wait until he was finished before telling him about her suspicions.

As she waited, Naehi's mind was racing with thoughts of Anne and what she might be hiding. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, and she knew that she had to get to the bottom of it.

Finally, Prince Zoe finished his meeting and turned to Naehi. "What's wrong, Naehi?" he asked, noticing the look of concern on her face.

Naehi took a deep breath before speaking. "It's Anne," she said. "I think she's hiding something."

Prince Zoe's expression changed, and he looked at Naehi with interest. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Naehi hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. "I'm not sure," she said. "But I've seen the way she looks at me, the way she seems to be watching me all the time. And today, when I delivered the soap to Prince Zemha, she was there, delivering food. She seemed... nervous."

Prince Zoe's eyes narrowed, and he leaned in closer to Naehi. "Tell me more," he said.

Naehi took another deep breath before continuing. "I think Anne might be working against us," she said. "I think she might be trying to sabotage our efforts to help Prince Zemha."

Prince Zoe's face darkened, and he stood up, his fists clenched. "I'll take care of it," he said. "Don't worry, Naehi."

But Naehi was worried. She knew that Anne was not someone to be underestimated, and she feared for Prince Zoe's safety.

As the days passed, Naehi couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She saw Anne everywhere, watching her, following her. And she knew that she had to do something to stop her.