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

33

Location: Royal Throne Room and Royal Ball Room, The Royal Palace of Sekhe, West African State, African Lands

After the ceremony was over, the main event was moved back to the palace grounds. Everyone was now having a dance in the open space of the royal throne room.

They first did a parade back to the palace with Rehema waving from an open carriage being pulled by horses with her sister and Emperor Chike beside her. She wore her crown proudly and the African people from all different parts came together to bless her.

There were dancers and music players in the parade that rode back to the palace, and the harem followed suit as well, waving to the crowds. Flower petals and charms were thrown in the direction of the pathway to the castle back. Ladies in the audience couldn't help but flirt with the ongoing harem as they pass by.

Rehema was now watching over her throne at the people dancing on the marble floor. She smiled seeing people around her were joyful. All evening lords, ladies, families of government and council officials, townspeople, rich business folks and traders, and powerful families from warriors and armies had been coming up to her giving them her best wishes.

The ball invite was for some of the more elite of the African lands and Chike did a great job capturing that list, but Rehema reminded Chike to slip in a few people that were part of the ordinary, and not just the highest of class. They built their foundations of the African Lands and they mattered too.

Chike held Rehema's hand as he sat next to her on the Emperor's throne chair which was one staircase lower than the Throne of the Empress.

All evening she still hasn't seen Ekon. They didn't see him at the ceremony, parade, and now here. Chike could care less; in fact, it pleased him that Ekon had been humbled. But when they were riding in the parade Chike could sense Rehema was bothered.

"Do not worry," he told her. "Look at all who have come to see you today. Today was a success because of your commitment."

Rehema smiled at him, thankful for his support but she knew deep down Ekon was somewhere feeling embarrassed and betrayed.

Rehema turned her glance back to the people on the floor dancing and having a good time, while Chike was softly rubbing the top of her hand. Rehema looked around to see Esi sitting at the dining table smoking out of her pipe.

Rehema shook her head but continued to look around. She noticed Sang-Chul sitting with his fellow brother Ivan and Apophis and made her way toward them, leaving Chike to be. Ivan first noticed Rehema coming their way and elbowed Sang-chul to get him to notice.

Sang-chul jumped to his attention to find Rehema coming their way, and his eyes widened when he noticed Rehema approaching.

When she stood in front of his table the three men immediately went down on one knee to greet her. In unison, they said, "Greetings to her Majesty, and may the goddesses bless her."

Rehema thanked them telling them to rise and sit back down at their tables. "I hope you all enjoyed the coronation, was the parade fun for you gentlemen?"

Sang-chul nodded giving her a gentle smile.

"Yeah, and man the crowd was definitely not shy at all either," Ivan brought up. He rose his glass of wine to toast a drink to Rehema, and Sang-chul and Apophis followed suit.

"To her excellence, and may she long reign," Ivan said and Rehema chuckled noticing that he was a tad bit drunk and slurring his words. "Why doesn't her Majesty take one of us to dance?" Rehema looked between Apophis and Sang-chul, and Sang-chul stood up and offered himself. "I would love a dance, your majesty."