SAMBA YACINE

CHAPTER 15

On the day before the coronation, Samba Yacine had an unexpected visit. A servant had come to his chamber and announced:

"Good morning, your majesty. Your stepbrother is here and would like to have a private audience with you."

Samba raised one eyebrow. He'd expected his father to reach out but never did he imagine that his brother would do the first move. It was still very early in the morning. He woke up before dawn to perform his morning prayers and couldn't fall asleep again. This was no usual time for a visit and he thought it was a little odd. Half of the castle was still asleep and never in his life did Samba Aida wake up so early before.

"Did he say what the purpose of his visit is?" Samba questioned.

"No, your majesty. He just required that I give you this."

The servant came closer, his head casted down. He presented an object with both hands. It was Samba's gold bracelet, the one gift he had left from his mother. It was laid upon an expensive piece of garment. Samba took it and his heart clenched. The bracelet had been cut on the side to fit his brother but except for that, it was still intact.

He understood that Samba Aida was coming to apologize.

"Fine." He told the servant. "Let him in."

Samba put the bracelet over the bed and waited. His brother was brought in a few minutes later by a guard. She asked if she could stay and Samba agreed. He wasn't sure he could trust his brother enough to be alone with him yet. The guard waited near the door, one hand resting over the sword at her hip.

Samba faced his brother for the first time since the harvest feast's night. The smug look he usually carried was gone, replaced by a sheepish one.

"Hello, brother..." He said in a soft voice. "Or should I address you as your majesty?"

He let out a little laugh but Samba remained expressionless.

"Am I your brother now?" He asked with one eyebrow raised. " You always made it clear that you don't consider me as part of your family. I guess calling me your majesty is more appropriate for you."

Samba Aida nodded solemnly.

"I deserve that. And I apologize. I'm aware that it doesn't mean much now because I already lost but still...I want to tell you that I buried the hatchet. I'm not looking for trouble anymore."

Samba hummed, assessing his brother with a sharp look. The latter did look remorseful but he couldn't find the heart to forgive him yet. Samba Aida hadn't been as terrible to him as his stepmother but he still encouraged the abuse and mocked him on the side. If it weren't for his coming coronation, Samba Aida would still treat him like an insect. His apology was just out of shame and because he knew it wasn't wise to have a king as an enemy.

"Thank you for returning my bracelet." Samba said to him anyway. "The last time I saw it, it had my blood all over it...At least you bothered to clean it up."

"Yes, about that...Mind you, I didn't know about my mother's plan. When I discovered that she asked father to cut your hand, it was already too late...She regrets it deeply now but is too shameful to face you yet. I would like to apologize on her behalf."

Samba scoffed. Anyone could guess that was a lie. His stepmother never did anything without informing her son and he knew damn well that a witch like that would never bother to apologize. Her pride was too great.

"Fine...But what do you expect to get from this, brother? Do you wish to be accepted into the royal family?"

Samba Aida shook his head.