Royalty

4

When Dinah returned to her home, she was surprised to see the prisoner still there. "What? You seem surprised I'm here," Normani stated as she sat on the bed that was made for her.

"I was praying you didn't leave so my warriors wouldn't have to catch you and bind you again. You may be strong, but you are a beautiful woman who should not be tied down like livestock. But truth be told, I did expect you to take the opportunity to escape," Dinah answered truthfully.

"Well I am shocked you think so ill of me your majesty," she joked in response to the Queen, "But you should know I won't be leaving you that easy."

Dinah was intrigued as she walked over to the end of the prisoner's bed, "And why is that?"

Normani smirked as she too stood up and inched closer to Tonga's crowned Queen. "I have a mission. And I will not return home until it is complete," she whispered being only mere inches away from the Polynesian.

Dinah glared at the prisoner before she slapped her, "I told you whatever rumors your island is spreading is false! My father died in an accident, nothing more. And you will go back to your island and tell them that!"

"I'm going nowhere. Gordon was like family to me! Like a brother to my father! A great ally to my country! His murder will be avenged!" She warned.

"And you accuse someone close to the king. Someone with a high title. Someone like his daughter who is now Queen. Tell me, do you think I killed my father?!" She screamed.

Normani stepped forward, glaring at Dinah as she did, forcing her against one of the poles that held up her royal home, "That certainly would've been advantageous for you Queen Dinah. Killing your father so that you could rule in his place. I must admit our island was surprised to hear of your ascent to the throne, considering Prince Ammon was next in line; as Gordon's oldest male heir. Tell me, your majesty, did you kill your brother off as well?"

Dinah shook her head in denial as more tears formed in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks, "I would never," she cried out, "I loved my family! Their deaths crushed me. I was forced to take on the crown for my people. I barely had anytime to mourn," she said reminiscing on the events of last year.

Normani stood back in astonishment at the news she had heard. She knew Gordon had died but she assumed the rest of the family fled. Like she said, New Caledonia didn't receive the specifics on Gordon's death.

"Your majesty I'm sorry for any troubling memories I've brought up, but you have to believe me. Gordon was murdered," Normani started.

Dinah turned to the older woman, "If what you say is true then show me the letter. Only then will I believe you."

The prisoner nodded in understanding as she reached in her undergarments for a piece of paper. Dinah raised an eyebrow at her questioningly.

"What? It's the only place I could hide it without fear of one of your warriors finding it, lest they be the traitor," she responded.

"Fine, let me see it," she said in a weary tone as she hesitantly took the paper.

Dear King Hamilton,

My dearest friend, you are my trusted ally. I'm fleeing my country to protect ~~ f~~~l~ from traitors. I trusted the leader with ~~ life and my family's. ~~~ I've heard ~~~~~ ~~~~~ of plans to harm us in a coup. I don't think they know I know, Th~~ ~~~~~~~ surely grow suspicious when ~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ I have left. I was unable to ~~~~ ~~ eldest, Dinah. ~no~~~n~ ~e~ she probably was off ~~~~ing with the dogs and pigs and such. If ~~ ~~ just her she ~~~~~ ha~ a chance. ~he~ have no reason to harm ~~~. ~~~~~~ watch ~v~~ my b~b~ girl. Those who sought my ~~~~~~~~ murder are ~~~a~~~~~~~~~~~o's, with a careful plan please stop them so ~~ may return. I will forever be in your debt. Help me.

With Gratitude,
King Gordon  ~~~ T~~ ~a~~~~~

~= blurred writing bc of the sea

After reading the letter more tears spilled from Dinah's eyes, "This is his penmanship. This came from my father..."

"I know. My whole island knows. You must forgive me for thinking it may have been you who was the traitor," she said earning a murderous look from Dinah, "We couldn't get much from the letter. Your name is mentioned and was therefore our first lead. But I know you did not do it, and when I tell my people they'll believe me. But we need your help if we are to find who the traitors are."

"And you are now so sure I didn't kill my family," Dinah said sarcastically still unable to take in this information she learned.

Normani sighed as she ran a hand through her hair and sat down on the floor and let her eyes and hands roam the floor. "When you first imprisoned me and my people you had me tied to the floor with that itchy ass rope," she said with a slight laugh as she pointed to the rope now in a heap on the floor, "But I saw a lot from down here. Every night I watched you sleep, because 1- You are extremely beautiful and 2-I thought you still might be the traitor. But as I watched I-" she said as she looked up at Dinah, "I watched you toss and turn endlessly. You swatted at the air and talked in your sleep, well more like cried."

Dinah looked at Normani in shock at this revelation.

Normani cocked her head, "Did you not know you have night terrors?"

The Queen shook her head as she stared down at the girl on the floor.

"Well you do and its upsetting. Although you were starving me it hurt me to watch. You only ever cried out names. There were several, but I only recognized a few. Seth and Gina. Gordon's youngest. Your baby brother and little sister." She said sympathetically.

At the reminder of her beloved youngest siblings she began to think of all her family and their memories together. She missed them dearly. "They didn't deserve the death they had," she choked out.

Normani scooted closer to the Queen and made her look her in the eye, "That's why I need your help. We can find and punish whoever betrayed your family."

Dinah took a deep breath as she wiped her tears away, "I trust everybody who aids the royal family. How are we supposed to find them. Pull everyone in for questioning? They'll be suspicious, and if all of this is true and they find out I know. I'll be dead next."

Normani sat by her side and took Dinah's hand in hers, "I won't let that happen," she assured as she gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

The Queen took another deep breath as she laid her head on Normani's shoulder, taking her new ally by surprise.

"Thank you..."

"You're welcome," she replied still shocked at the Queen's new fondness of her.

After a couple of moments in silence Normani spoke up, "Your majesty, do you think you could tell me how Gord- his your family died?"

With that question, Dinah lifted her head and denied the request, "I don't think that's a good idea."

Normani nodded in understanding as she stood up, "That was out of place, I'm sorry. But I do have another question for you," she said offering The Queen help up.

Dinah accepted the gesture and let Normani pull her up as she raised an eyebrow, "What would you like?"

"Can I see my family?"

She gave a small smile, "Of course."