His Queen

Chapter Eighteen - Lies!

  Third Person's Narrative;

Asake had cried her eyes red in worry. She had no one to run to for help. The king treats her specially due to a favor she did him a long time ago, but he is not around now to save her friend.

The queen who handles the affairs of the maids is also not around to pass any judgment or help for this situation.

The prince, well… Whatever happens to the maids is not his business. So, she knows better than to go bother him.

No maid can stand up to a chief, she has no idea where that man took her friend, and she has no idea what level of danger her friend is in.

She's in her room crying bitterly. She knows she can do nothing, but she can't help the level of pain that's eating her up.

She looks up in fear when a figure appears in the doorway; however, her fear turns to relief, when she sees who has come in.

“Ajinke! “She calls in relief as she rushes off the mat and runs to her friend.

The prince made sure that Ajinke's wounds were treated, and he only let her go when he was sure she was strong enough to.

” What happened? Are you fine? “Asake questions in worry as she leads the limping Ajinke over to the mat.

Ajinke takes some time to get herself, and after a little while, she tells Asake all that happened with fresh tears.

Asake thanks the goddess that the prince was there to save Ajinke. However, she hides the fact that she finds it odd that the prince was so concerned. And the fact that he gave such a heavy punishment to a chief for trying to assault a maid.

Before now, maids were just ornaments used to decorate the palace. No one cared what they did to or with the maids.

They only cared if whatever it was caused a near-death experience for either the maids or their assaulter. 

Asides that… It meant nothing to anybody.
Asake had her questions and observations but now wasn't the time to act on them.

Adebiyi's POV;

It's been four days since I saved Ajinke from chief Abiodun. My parents got back yesterday, and I let them rest well before presenting the matter to them.

Now, my parents and the chiefs are in the royal courtroom, it's time to pass judgment, and I keep my blaring gaze on the criminal.

I will make sure this pot of spoiled palm wine named Abiodun, will pay for ever daring to lay a finger on Ajinke!

“I'm sure we all know what we're gathered here for. Chief Abiodun has been accused of assault.

That too, of a girl who's younger than his eldest child.

Abiodun, what do you have to say about this? “ My father says to the shameless man who's standing in the middle of the room, and he looks up at me.

“With all due respect, your highness. Whoever laid these charges against me, lied and is trying to ruin my good name. “He replies, and I grab the handles of my throne in anger.

Did he just insinuate that I'm lying?

“Abiodun, I would like to believe you know full well who has laid these charges against you.

Are you calling my son a liar? “My father questions to him, and he bows his head.

“Your highness, I'm not calling our prince a liar. I'm just saying what he said about me is not true.

He's gravely mistaken. “He says, and my eyes widen as anger erupts in my guts, I make to stand but catch my mother's eyes.

She smiles at me and nods lightly. Telling me to calm down, and I take deep breaths.

It indeed would be unwise and barbaric of me to interrupt my father in the courtroom. It goes against morals and all I've been taught.

“Is that so? In that case, tell us your story. Tell us what really happened. “My father says to him, and I keep my gaze glued to the horrid man before me. It's no doubt he's going to lie.

What else would someone as rotten as he do?

“Sir, I caught her misbehaving with my little girl. She was trying to introduce impure things that could ruin my daughter's mind and life to her, so I thought to teach her a lesson.

I was never going to assault her. I just wanted to discipline her so never in her life would she ever go near my child. “He narrates, and my lips part in awe at the man's lies.

“And the right place to discipline her was alone in the forest. “My father states sarcastically and the man remains silent.

“That's alright. Call the girl in. “My father says, and instantly, the court doors are open and Ajinke timidly walks into the room.

Nervously rubbing her fingers against each other.

Ajinke's POV;

I walk into the royal courtroom with all eyes on me.

I find the disgusting man who was going to ruin my life just days ago, standing in the center of the room, and I walk up to him and stand beside him.

“Tell me, what happened four days ago? Before and after the prince supposedly saved you. “The king questions me, and I stare at my feet as I reply. Making sure not to leave out any detail.

“Your highness, she's lying! “Chief Abiodun yells after I'm done, and I glare at him in shock.

” That's enough, sir! “Prince Adebiyi yells, and the room shakes to silence while I stare at him in awe.

Why does this anger him so much? I'm the one who was almost raped, and he's acting like it was his sister who was assaulted.

“That's enough of your lies. “The prince adds, and the room falls silent.