Chapter 2
2004 Words
“Mum, you’re not alone”, Derrick, her third son said, comforting her. “And he died without seeing Hope”, she said, crying.
“Mum, everything happens for a reason”, Warrick, her second son said. “What reason did this happen for?” She asked.
“To bring Hope back to take her rightful place”, Derrick said and Fredrick glared at him.
“Are you crazy? How can a little girl take over the throne when I’m alive”? He asked his brother.
“Not now, Fredrick. Mum doesn’t need to hear this”, Warrick said to him. Fredrick got up and left in anger.
He went to John’s chambers and barged in. “Did you kill him?” He asked him.
“Me? We both did that”, John said.
“I said no. We could have done things another way”.
“You said no but don’t act like you didn’t see me poison his cup and you still gave it to him to drink from it”.
“I didn’t do this. You did”.
“Fredrick, you should be thanking me”.
“There are still greater problems ahead. Even my own brother believes that Hope is the rightful heir to the throne”, he said, growling.
“We’ll take care of that too”, John said.
“No John. I can’t hurt my own sister. I was there when she was born and I held her in my arms. I can’t do that to her. There has to be another way”.
“That innocent baby you held has grown into a woman now and she’ll be coming for your throne”.
“We’re not killing her. There should be another way”, he said and he left the room.
When he left, a young lady came out from under the sheets. She was hiding underneath it.
“I thought you said the rumors were not true”, she said, sitting up. “We’re handling it”, John said.
“It doesn’t seem like it. You promised to make me a queen”, she said, pouting her lips.
“Come here baby”, he said pulling her towards him.
“I’m going to make you a queen, don’t ever doubt that”, he said and he kissed her.
*
Kierra and her friends went to the sea shore to relax and feel the cool breeze.
On their way, they passed by the harbor and they saw Darnley there. He was sitting with Delilah.
“Someone’s going to be hurt”, Louisa said and Gwen rolled her eyes.
When they passed by them, Kierra looked at him and he winked. It made her heart skip a beat and she became really shy.
“Aren’t you going to say hi to him”, Louisa said to Gwen. “Can’t you just leave me alone”, Gwen said.
“Can’t you just be honest with us? It’s not like we’re going to judge you”.
“Louisa leave her alone. If she says it’s not true, let her be”, Miriam said. “Hmm, I know she’s lying”.
“And besides Darnley is a mean jerk. I heard he goes around sleeping with girls who throw themselves at him”, Miriam said.
“Wow Miriam, you didn’t have to say that, you’re hurting her”, Louisa said.
Kierra was walking with them but she was in her own world, she was thinking deeply about Darnley.
When they got to the sea shore, they laid their cloth on the sand and sat on it.
Miriam baked some cookies, so she shared it with them and they ate it.
“I hope you’re all coming for the Bible study this evening”, Miriam asked. “Bible study? Is it today?” Louisa asked.
“Yeah and we’re having it in my house”.
“Ooh, I had plans this evening”, Gwen said and Louisa cleared her throat. “It’s going to be short today, so you can leave when we close”, Miriam said. “Hmm, I’ll see what I can do”.
“What about you Kierra?” she asked and didn’t get a response. “Kierra!!!” She exclaimed.
“Yes, what?” Kierra asked.
“You’ve been really quiet and lost in your thoughts. Is there anything bothering you”, Miriam asked.
“Bothering me? No. I was just thinking”.
“About what or about whom?” Louisa asked. “Why does it always have to be a whom?” “I’m just asking”.
“No one and I’m not ready for boys now”, Kierra said.
“It’s easy for you to say that because you have all the men at your feet”, Gwen said.
“Darnley included?” Louisa asked, teasing Gwen.
“No please. He was at my house yesterday and when I said hi, he completely ignored me although this morning he said bye”, Kierra said and Louisa burst out laughing.
“He was happy to see you leave”, she said, laughing. “Wait? What was he doing in your house?” Gwen asked.
“He was with my dad. My dad is helping him with some tools”, Kierra said. “Mmm, okay”.
“Why are you so interested in that?” Louisa asked.
“And why are you so interested in what I’m interested in”, Gwen said back. “Darnley is coming”, she said and Gwen quickly turned around.
“Got you”, Louisa said, laughing.
“What’s your problem? If I do like him, what’s the big deal in that”? “Just admit that you’re seeing him”.
“I’m not seeing him. I wish I was but I’m not. Are you happy now?” “So what were you doing at the harbor the day I saw you with him?”
“I was running an errand for my mum and he was just flirting”, she said to Louisa in frustration.
“If you’re always wearing skimpy dresses like that, why wouldn’t he flirt”, Louisa said.
“Oh Lord. Do you ever stop? You’re just miserable that no man pays attention to you”, Gwen said and Louisa was surprised.
“That’s enough. Why are we always talking about men? Is that what’s important?” Kierra asked.
“I wonder. I asked about a bible study and all of a sudden, it became men study”, Miriam said.
“I’ll be there Miriam”, Kierra said and Miriam smiled. Gwen and Louisa were both quiet and just ate their cookies.
“I’ll take my leave now. I have to go back to the shop”, Kierra said. “I’ll see you girls later”, she said to them and she left.
As she walked by the harbor, she saw Darnley in one of the ships and she became nervous.
She didn’t know if she had to say hi or not. “Hi Darnley”, she said to him.
“Hey”, he said, focused on what he was doing.
She was hurt that he didn’t even bother to look at her and she walked away. “Uhmm Kierra”, he called out and she turned around.
“Can you let your dad know that I can’t make it tonight and we will meet tomorrow”, he said.
“Okay. And uhmm, will you be coming for the Bible study?”
“Nah. I’ll be busy”, he said and she nodded.
“Alright bye”, she said and she left.
*
Kierra’s dad and mum were in their little chamber when they all heard a knock on the door.
“I’ll get that”, Kierra said and she rushed to the door.
When she opened it, the young man standing there was stunned. “Uh, can I help you?” She asked.
“I’ve got a message for your parents”, he said.
“Okay, just a minute. Dad, mum, a young man is here to see you”, Kierra yelled.
When her parents came to the door, she left.
They were both shocked when they saw the messenger. The last time they saw him was some years ago, when he had a message from the palace for them.
“Is that Hope?” He asked them and they nodded.
“Wow, she’s grown into a very beautiful woman”, he said and the parents forced a smile.
They were scared that he was going to take Kierra away from them. They knew that one day, she should have to leave but they didn’t expect it so soon.
“I bring bad and good news. The king is dead and Hope would need to start her training soon”, he said to them.
“Oh”, Mary said, looking away. “How soon?” Maxwell asked.
“After the King’s burial”, he said and they were both sad.
“So do we have to tell her about the huge secret?” Mary asked. “Yes. As soon as possible. We need her to know who she is”. “Okay”, Maxwell said.
“I’ll take my leave now”, he said and he left.
*
The palace
“I’ve gotten the location of your sister”, John said to Fredrick. “How?”
“Your mother sent a messenger out of the palace and I knew it was to your little sister, so I made my messenger follow him and now we know where she stays”, he said.
“I told you to leave her alone. I’ll find another way to fix this”, he said and he walked away.
Chapter 2
The palace
“Did you see her?” The Queen asked the messenger.
“Yes my Queen. And she’s as beautiful as you”, he said, smiling and she smiled too.
“I can’t wait to have her in my arms. Sending her away was so difficult for King James and I. The king couldn’t bring himself to send his little girl away but he had to do it and now he’s not even here to welcome her back home”, she said, tearing up.
“Mom, Not again”, Derrick said, walking to his mum and he sat by her on the bed.
“At least we’ll all be here for her”, he said, wiping her tears away. “Please leave us”, he said to the messenger and he left.
“I still wish he was here”.
“I also wish the same mom. But he’s gone and his demise was a sad one but mum we have to move on. The Janricans are getting stronger and we really need Hope to come back now. I know Fredrick is helping and controlling things now. But a prophecy is a prophecy”, he said to her.
“From what I hear, Fredrick is doing a good job. It makes me sad that he would have to vacate his position for his sister”.
“He has to understand. It’s no one’s doing. God has said what he said”.
“You see why I need your father to be at my side. He’s the best person to solve this case and now he’s left me all alone to drive a wedge between my kids”, she said in tears.
“Just pray to God and seek guidance on how to go about this”.
- Writer
