Rosabeth: The Rebel Princess

CHAPTER THREE: IMPORTANT THING

Prince Yacob walked fast, eager to get the meeting over with. He didn't really like talking to his brother or anyone in the family. It was not that he didn't love them. They just never understood him. He would have passed this but Arai would not let him be. Talk to your family, she would tell him. It's not all the time you would come together. As if they liked coming together, well, some of them did. He made a right turn and few more steps before sighting a big crimson door. It was opened. He didn't bother knocking to alert whoever was inside. He entered the room known as The Royal Library.

The Royal Library was full of wooden book shelves that were arranged to resemble a large maze. The stained glass windows filtered the sunlight as they made the green marble floors sparkle. The crimson walls were decorated with tapestries of ancient kings, battles, creatures and special events. The high celling had candle light chandeliers hanging from it, brightly illuminating the room. The air carried the scents of old books and polished wood.
Yacob meandered his way to the center of the library maze where he saw a tall manly figure standing with a book in his hands. His thick black hair was neatly combed and gelled too because it glistened when light shone on it. He wore the family's signature cloak: black cloak with billowy sleeves and gold designs. His beaded cap was on a wooden table next to him. His back was turned to him and was too engrossed in what he was reading to notice anyone coming.

"You wanted to see me, Benam." Yacob grumbled. If not for the important thing, he would not be here.

The figure looked up and turned to face him, revealing a dark brown man with a handsome round face, high forehead, trimmed eyebrows, straight nose, full lips, chiseled jawline and a small moustache. He had perfectly manicured hands and smooth skin. He tilted his head a little and looked at Yacob with his sharp chocolate eyes. The right corner of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to laugh.

"Good to see you too, brother. I see Arai tries to take care of you, even in her current condition." Benam commented.

Yacob rolled his eyes. Although he hated to admit it, it was true. His skin was rough, his wide forehead has some creases, his eyebrows were bushy, his brown eyes were dull, his square face looked tired, his stub nose has a bit of dust on it and his full lips were dry. His hands were hard due to the work he had to do. He was also in need of a manicure. While his elder brother looked like the fresh prince that he was. He wore a traditional Edari attire: A long flowing robe made of silk with colours of creamy white and gold intricate embroidery. Its ornate collar had gold embroidery on it too. Three layers of beaded necklaces and a big gold pendant were around his neck. He also wore a pair of black leather sandals.

"I had a lot of work to do and I do them myself. Unlike you, sitting here all day, i don't wait for someone else to take care of them." Yacob sneered.

Benam scoffed. "Well, it looks like someone is jealous."

"In the least possible way. Why do you want to see me." He asked uninterested.

Benam dropped his book on the table. He stared at his younger brother. "You know why."

Not this again, Yacob sighed.

"As you know," Benam began. "Edar has four regions: Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western. We placed Agas and Enoras to oversee these regions. Then, there is us. Six princes, assigned to rule over these people put in place."

"By saying six princes, you forgot to add..."

"I know who I forgot to add." The Crown Prince sharply replied. "He is too young to rule anywhere as of now."

Yacob was exasperated. He hated his brother's beating-round-the-bush talks. "So, what exactly does any of this have to do with me?"

"You and Emase control the Southern region." He continued. "Keep eyes on them and their activities..."

"Which is exactly what we are doing." Yacob interrupted again.

"Exactly what Emase is doing. Don't interrupt me again." Benam warned. He moved a bit closer towards his brother. His head held high and his eyes staring at his.

"You are caring too much about those people. That is not good."

"Isn't that what we should be doing? Caring about people?"

"I never said you shouldn't care." He denied. "You can but those people are not the kind you should care about too much. Give them the basic amenities. Don't go solving their problems like it's yours. They are not your people."

Yacob shouldn't be surprised at what he was hearing but he was. He knew his brother always acted indifferent to those who weren't his type and only kept those who could help him but this wasn't something you would hear from a Crown Prince who was supposed to serve his people, right?
Except this wasn't the first time he had heard it from him.

"They are our people."

"No. They are your wife's people." Benam corrected. "She is the reason why you care this much for them."

"I have been co-ruling that region before I met my wife. Why is she even in this?" He asked.

"She's in this. Isn't she your Benyi prostitute?" Benam recalled.

Yacob walked menacingly towards him. His angry eyes glaring at him and his face reddened with anger. Benam liked crossing the line. He knew and he knew that he enjoyed it.

"Did you want to meet me so that you can insult my wife?" He snarled.

"No." Benam responded. He moved backwards, his hands behind his back. His mouth formed into a smirk. "I called you here so that you are reminded that like your wife, they know their place. They know that they are feeding off of the kindness of former Kings. Doing so much for them won't change the fact that they were and will always be the scums of the earth."

Yacob just glared. His brother had successfully ruined his day. How Arai tolerated his brother surprised him.

"Well, I'm done with you." Benam concluded. "You can leave now."
He picked up his book from the table and continued reading it, his back turned towards him.

Yacob kept on glaring. He could have strangled his brother right here but that would be treason. Besides, Arai would not want him to be so violent towards his brother. She could handle all his nasty remarks but he couldn't without losing his temper.
He mumbled out a "Yes, Your Highness" and left. Great. Because of him, he didn't get to inform him about the important thing that brought him here in the first place. There was a celebration anyway. The important thing would have to wait.