Empresses of Pangaea: The Clash of Queens [ BOOK 1 ]

28

Location: Royal Great Hall, The Royal Palace of Sekhe, West African State

Esi was watching the practice rehearsal alongside Bello in the late afternoon. They were both standing near the entrance of the aisle as Rehema was walking down.

"She's working it, isn't she," Esi said watching her sister practice walking down the aisle with the heavy crown on her head.

"Her majesty has been working very hard, to perfect the right coronation, and have everything go smoothly." 

Esi rolled her eyes; "well she is going to have a lot of eyes on her."

"Don't you need to practice as well?" Bello asked. "You will be part of her crowning ceremony and give her the exchange prayer of power."

"Yeah...I guess maybe I should practice, don't want to slip up when I recite the prayer," The exchange prayer of power was a good luck prayer of faith based on the Sect Goddesses of Pangaea. It was meant to be given to a new ruling empress from someone close to her. Esi was supposed to have rehearsed and memorized her verse by now. But of course, she still didn't have it all the way down memorized.

"You want to practice on me?" Bello asked. "I don't mind, I have plenty of time now since I'm back to serve you."

Esi groaned, "I guess I should avoid being irresponsible and practice it since the coronation is just around the corner. Thank you for your help, let me tell my sister first."

Bello nodded doing a quick bow and allowing her to walk past him. Esi walked in the direction of her sister who was talking to two of her advisors. Rehema noticed her sister coming and dismissed them.

"I'm going to head out with Bello, I need to practice my verse and the prayer," Esi announced to her older sister. 

"Do you have it to memorize down yet? Rehema asked

Esi clenched her teeth, "Kinda."

"Kinda?" Rehema repeated with an eyebrow raised. "Esi..."

"Yeah, yeah. I know I have to memorize it, and practice," Esi waved her hand at her. 

"A blessing from the ancient goddesses of Pangaea is important Esi," Rehema reminded her sternly.

Esi rolled her eyes, "You know I haven't always been the most religious in the past, but I'm doing this for you. Since it means a lot to you."

Rehema nodded understanding and glanced over at Bello who was across the room. He saw Rehema's eyes meet her and he did a slight bow and smiled back at her.

"Go and practice," Rehema said. She was happy to see Bello back and was definitely happy to see Esi and Bello in each other's comfort, she liked Bello miles ahead than that thug Ajani.

Esi thanked her, left, and ran back to Bello. Both of them left the courtroom to go somewhere to tend to their duties. Rehema turned around and went back to practicing her walk. She had it down packed and barely felt the weight of the crown on her head now as she walked. Her advisor smiled proudly at her seeing how well and fast she adjusted to the changes.

"What's next on the rehearsal?" Rehema asked.

One of Rehema's advisors cleared her throat, and the rest of the advisors looked nervous.

"Yes?" Rehema asked noting everyone in her council seemed edgy.

"Well, there have been some changes within some things that were recommended?" One of the eldest advisors who wore glasses spoke up. 

"By whom?" Rehema asked. How come nobody told her about changes, she already confirmed everything with Chike and liked his ideas. Everything was straighten out weeks ago.