BETRAYAL STRAIGHT TO THE HEART

It was a brilliant, sunny afternoon in the Umuezealaihu kingdom. Princess Chidera sat in the lush garden of her father’s luxurious, modern palace, her thoughts drifting aimlessly.

If you need meat, fish, vegetables, salt, and water to form soup, she mused silently to herself, doesn't that mean the ocean is just a gigantic soup?

"Princess, I have no idea what mindless thoughts have taken over your brain this time," a voice suddenly interrupted.

Startled, Chidera gasped, nearly tumbling backward into a thick bush of roses. She glared up at her personal bodyguard—and best friend.

"Chinwendu! What is your problem?" she snapped, smoothing down her dress. "Why must you scare me every time you have some rubbish to spill out of your good-for-nothing mouth?"

He grinned playfully, crossing his arms. "What can I say? It’s a hobby of mine I can never give up."

An annoyed look crossed her face. "What are you even doing here anyway?"

"Princess, am I not your personal bodyguard?" Chinwendu stepped closer, his teasing smile widening. "Your safety is my priority. Plus, annoying you is something that pleases me greatly."

"Should I call the maids to bring you cold water so you can pour it over yourself and calm your mad brain?" Chidera scoffed.

Instead of backing off, Chinwendu smirked and pulled her close by the waist. Bending down to whisper in her ear, his warm breath tickled her neck. "You're enough to cool me over and over again, princess. But come to think of it, your beauty also makes me go real mad from time to time, too."

Chidera’s body shivered, but she immediately recovered and shoved him away. "The day I cut that tongue of yours—"

"Your brother, Prince Kasieobi, is back from the war," Chinwendu cut her off smoothly.

A look of complete surprise, shock, and happiness crossed her face. "Big brother... Big brother Kasieobi is back?"

Then, without warning, she slapped him hard across the face. "Why didn't you tell me immediately?! He has been away for a good six years, and when he finally comes back, you just had to waste my time!"

Turning on her heel, she sprinted out of the garden toward the palace gates.

Chinwendu stared at her retreating figure in utter confusion. He raised a hand to his cheek, gently touching the spot where he had just been hard-slapped. "Ow!" he muttered.

From afar, Chidera could already see her brother's sleek limousine surrounded by a massive swarming crowd of cheering citizens.

Inside the grand palace hall, the atmosphere was electric. Scattered neatly around the giant, golden throne were fancy chairs where the cabinet members sat. King Kingsley sat proudly on his throne, with the newly returned prince sitting right beside his father. Chidera took her seat next to her brother, while Chinwendu stood alertly beside her, never letting his guard down.

Chidera glanced up. "Chinwendu, calm down, will you? Jeez, you're always so uptight."

"It's not my job to calm down, princess," he replied smoothly before turning to the prince. "Welcome back, your highness."

Kasieobi smiled warmly. "Brother, please stop with the 'highness.' Six years ago, you used to just call me Kasie."

Chinwendu’s expression softened. Looking at him with genuinely loving, brotherly eyes, he smiled. "Kasie, brother... I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." Kasieobi turned to his sister and noticed tears welling up in her eyes. Reaching out, he gently wiped them away with his thumb. "It pains me a lot to see you cry, you know that right?"

"Brother, I'm just so happy... I'm just so happy," Chidera whispered.

Suddenly, the king raised his hand, demanding silence.

"Please be quiet, everyone," King Kingsley announced, his voice echoing off the palace walls until absolute silence took over. "My son, Prince Kasieobi, has finally kasied our hearts—has calmed our hearts—by returning home safely!"

The room erupted into cheerful laughter.

"Our son Kasieobi, who led the army forces into war despite being a prince and a young one at that, came back with victory after six years of hardship," the King continued as everyone clapped and cheered. "Another great piece of news, my people! Next year, my son will take over the throne as he will be turning twenty." He gave a booming, joyful laugh. "Make merriment, my people, for it is a thing of joy!"

As the music flared up, Kasieobi leaned toward his sister. "Sister, where is mother? I haven't seen her since my return."

"Oh right, she went to a meeting with some other queens in a neighboring kingdom," Chidera explained.

Just then, the heavy palace doors swung open. A powerful, commanding presence stepped into the room.

"Kingsley!" a sharp female voice called out. Queen Maryanne marched in, shaking her head. "Kingsley! Having a drunkards' party in the palace again? Gosh, I leave for just two days and then this..."

She stopped mid-sentence as her eyes landed on the young man beside the throne. "Kasie? My son is back!"

The two rushed into each other's arms, embracing tightly. But as the Queen pulled back, anger laced her voice. "Kingsley, why didn't you inform me, eh?"

King Kingsley shrank back slightly. "My... my queen, it's not... I'm sorry... but..." Hurriedly, the king stepped behind Chinwendu, whispering frantically, "Save me, please!"

Chinwendu murmured under his breath, "And this is why I always have second thoughts about marriage." Stepping forward, he bowed gracefully. "My queen, actually, the prince just arrived at the palace, so we didn't really have time to inform you yet."

Kasieobi chuckled, calming the tension. "Calm down, mother. Everyone is here and still watching."

Queen Maryanne softened, smiling beautifully. "Welcome back, son."

Late at night, a week after the celebration, the palace was quiet. Chinwendu sat on a chair in the dimly lit palace hall, keeping watch, when a maid approached him.

"Sir Chinwendu," Silver said, holding out a premium bottle of wine.

Chinwendu looked up. "Oh, Silver. What's up?"

"I brought you a bottle of wine left over from the party."

"No, you shouldn't have..."

"What are you talking about?" Silver smiled, pouring a little. "Of course I should have. It's good wine."

Chinwendu smirked. "No, like... why just one? What happened to two or three bottles?"

A look of utter annoyance crossed Silver’s pretty face. "Sir Chinwendu, are you on drugs?"

"No, I don't think so. Except if alcohol is categorized as drugs."

"What?"

"What?"

Silver rolled her eyes. "Whatever. It seems gratitude is not a culture where you come from, right?"

"I was kidding, I think," Chinwendu laughed, taking the wine from her. "Anyways, thanks a lot, Sil."

Silver leaned against the pillar, studying his face carefully. "So, the prince is back. I'm really happy. When he left, he was so young, and now he's back unharmed and quite grown, too. Sir Chinwendu... aren't you happy?"

"I am, believe me," Chinwendu said, his voice dropping slightly as he looked down at the floor. "But... now, just maybe, Princess Chidera won't need me anymore. With Kasie around her, she will be more than safe. There's no use for me being around her anymore."

"Don't say that," Silver insisted gently. "She might not show it, but the princess likes having you around her. You know that, right?"

"Yeah, I do. I know that," Chinwendu said softly, a small smile returning to his face. "But even if she doesn't need me, I'll always protect her from the shadows."

"Well, I still have work to do. See you later."

"Of course. Good evening—I mean, night... just go." Silver laughed and walked away into the dark corridors.

A few minutes later, Chinwendu decided to stroll around the palace compound to clear his head. It didn’t take long before he spotted a familiar figure near the outer wall, dressed in dark clothes, trying to sneak out.

"Where to, Queen Mother, at this late hour?" Chinwendu called out from the darkness, making her jump. "Off to join your river friends?"

"What? Ugh... it's none of your business!" Chidera hissed, turning around.

Chinwendu took a deep breath and opened his mouth, threatening to shout at the top of his lungs. "Your majesties! Come ask your daughter how much blood she will suck tonight—!"

"Okay, okay, I'll say! Fine!" Chidera cut him off frantically. "I'm going to Rose's place."

Chinwendu’s playful demeanor instantly vanished, his brow furrowing. "At this late hour? Look, I don't trust that girl. That friend of yours... she..."

"Guy, you usually don't trust anyone," Chidera groaned. "Besides, we planned that today we would sneak out to go somewhere."

Seeing him open his mouth to shout again, she glared.

Chinwendu crossed his arms. "You two are the daughters of a king and a chief, and yet you think sneaking out at night is a thing for the children of nobles? It just makes you look like a couple of psychopaths."

Chidera opened her mouth to argue, but the words died in her throat as a maid burst through the courtyard doors. Her face was pale with pure, unadulterated panic.

"Princess! Sir! The highnesses... the King and Queen... they..."

Chidera visibly panicked, grabbing the maid’s shoulders. "What? What is it?!"

"They're dead..."

Chidera and Chinwendu ran as fast as their legs could carry them to the royal bedchambers. Bursting through the doors, Chidera froze. Her parents lay side by side on the grand bed, their bodies limp, pale, and cold as ice.

"Mom? Dad?" Chidera fell to her knees, reaching out to shake them. "What games are you playing? Get up now. Please, I'm begging you!" She cried bitterly, wishing and strongly hoping it was all a nightmare.

Chinwendu stared at the bodies, his chest heaving as he breathed in heavily. "Your majesties? What the..."

Suddenly, clapping echoed from the doorway. Kasieobi walked in, a chilling, mocking laugh echoing from his throat. Standing right beside him was a familiar face.

"Your parents, Chi Chi, are dead," Kasieobi sneered, his eyes cold. "And I am handsomely guilty."

Chidera gasped. "What?!"

"Brother, what have you done?" A look of absolute disbelief crossed Chinwendu’s face.

In the heavy silence of the dead King's room, Chidera slowly stood up, her heart broken and mind completely confused. She walked up to her brother, grabbing him tightly by the collar. "What? What are you saying? Tell me, Kasie... it is not true, right? You guys are playing around. Now please, just stop it, all of you! I have somewhere to go with..."

Her eyes drifted past his shoulder, finally noticing the woman standing behind him. "Rose? What are you doing here? For goodness' sake, somebody explain!" She felt like she was losing her mind.

Kasieobi smoothly reached back and took Rose's hand, bringing her to his side. "Meet my fiancée. Aren't you happy for us, sister?" A wicked smile refused to cease from his face.

Chidera stared at her best friend. "Rose? Are you in on this too? But why? Why?!" Bitter, hot tears danced down her cheeks.

Rose’s jaw clenched, a look of pure envy designing her face. "It's simple, really. Because I hate you. I envy you, and I want you dead, Chidera. That's why. So when I overheard the prince talking..."

A few days prior, Rose had gone upstairs to go to Chidera's room. Passing by the prince's quarters right next door, she thought she should greet him. That was when she heard his muffled voice through the door.

Kasieobi was muttering to himself, his voice echoing slightly in the empty room, completely unaware that someone was listening. "I need a way to kill the king and queen, and Chidera too, without anyone suspecting me. But what do I do? How do I—"

Realizing someone was outside, Kasieobi snapped, "Who's there? Show yourself now!" His voice was so deep and dangerous that it scared Rose right out of hiding.

Rose trembled, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead. "P... Prince Kasie, I was... I didn't..."

"You didn't hear anything? Liar. You're going to have to die too, Rose. I'm sorry."

"Wait!" Rose gasped. "I can help with your plan, your highness! Some of the maids here are actually my spies, whom I recommended to Chidera. And I also have connections from which I can get you a substance called White Poison. It's a bit expensive, but it will get the job done well. No one will figure out anything. My prince, the plan will go successfully."

Kasieobi stared intently at her, a wicked but curious smirk forming on his lips. He gave an amused scoff. "Oh, really? Fine then, I will spare you, Rose. But... why would you betray Chidera like that?"

"Because I hate her!" Rose spat, her face twisting with malice. "She's always acting like she's so perfect. She lives a more luxurious life than me, she's prettier, and she's more favored, too. I just hate her existence, and I want her gone."

Kasieobi shook his head in astonishment at her raw jealousy. "Women... such simple-minded creatures."

Rose swallowed hard. "My prince, I know that sparing my life is more than enough, but I have one more request, if you will, sir."

"Hmm? Alright then, let's hear it."

"Make me your queen."

Kasieobi was stunned for a moment, thinking it over. "Marry you?" He smiled, looking her up and down. "Is that all? After all, you are quite the beauty."

Back in the present, Chidera whispered in horror, "How could you?"

"Kasieobi, why?!" Chinwendu roared. He lunged forward to throw a heavy blow at Kasieobi's face, but several armed guards rushed in, pinning Chinwendu back.

Kasieobi’s face darkened with rage. "Because Chidera's parents killed my mother! Do you know what it means to wake up one day and find out your mother has been hanged?! It hurts a lot!"

"But I thought you had forgiven and forgotten about that!" Chidera cried out. "Besides, father already told us what happened! She deserved it!"

In a flash of anger, Kasieobi struck Chidera across the face so hard that blood spilled from her mouth.

"Chidera!" Chinwendu moved with lightning speed, breaking free just enough to catch her before her body could hit the cold floor. He glared at the prince with lethal eyes. "Kasie!! What are you doing?! How dare you? Your mother committed adultery and tried to poison the king and queen so she could make off with the palace treasures and her boyfriend!"

"As if I would ever believe such lies!" Kasieobi shouted, tears sliding down his eyes, his voice cracking with years of hidden pain. "If so, how did they know all this? It's always, 'We saw everything on the palace cameras.' Then show me those videos! I want to see the sins my dear mother committed that were so horrible she had to die by hanging!"

Chidera wiped the blood from her lip, looking at him with pity and anger. "For your own sake, father deleted those videos because he didn't want an innocent child to witness such disgusting actions. But now, I feel he should have let you watch it."

Rose chimed in, scoffing, "But he didn't. That means the king just wanted to kill the queen so he could live freely with his favorite wife."

"Shut up, you low-life hypocrite!" Chinwendu snarled.

Kasieobi straightened his jacket, his expression turning cold and ruthless. "It's your turn to die. But first, I want you to witness my coronation. Me, becoming the great king of Umuezealaihu. My reign shall be supreme, and then, you die."

"Everyone in the palace will report you," Chidera defied him. "The cameras—"

"Sure, as if I didn't just threaten everyone to keep their mouths shut or else their heads will roll," Kasieobi laughed evilly. "That maid that came running to you knew everything but had to keep quiet. I asked her to lure you here so you could see for yourself how wonderfully my plans are moving. As for the cameras? I destroyed them. Or maybe... Chinwendu did."

Kasieobi cleared his throat, mocking a public announcement. "Ahem. My people, it is with great sadness I announce to you that our beloved Chinwendu, who was supposed to guard the princess, just killed the king and queen because they disapproved of him marrying my sister. Then, he fled with her, kidnapping the princess of Umuezealaihu."

His laugh was so sinister it sent shivers down everyone's spine, including Rose's. "Guards, take them to the palace cell."

"Bastard," Chinwendu hissed as they were dragged away.

Deep in the palace cells, Chidera’s eyes were completely dry. She was out of tears. She sat silently on the cold floor, staring at nothing. Chinwendu approached her gently.

"Princess..."

Before he could say more, the two guards stationed outside their cell turned around to face them.

"Sir Chinwendu, our heads will surely fall for this, but we'll get you out of this mess," Guard 1 whispered.

Guard 2 nodded. "Silver is coming with the keys to the cell doors."

Chinwendu was utterly surprised, stepping up to the bars. "What are you saying?"

Right on cue, Silver slipped into the dungeon, a ring of keys clinking softly in her hand. "We're saying we'd rather die than let that disgusting man have his way," she whispered urgently, unlocking the door. "We're getting you two out of here. Everything is going to be fine. Now come with us, we have a vehicle ready for you guys."

Chidera stood up, looking at them. "You're coming too, right?"

"I... I don't..." Silver hesitated.

"Yes, you are," Chinwendu ordered firmly. "All three of you. I don't want you dying because of me."

"But where are we going to go?" Chidera asked.

Chinwendu’s gaze hardened. "My place. The Amaraku kingdom."

Before Chidera stepped into the escape vehicle, she turned back one last time, staring at the towering palace gates from the outside. "I swear to you, Kasieobi," she whispered into the night, "vengeance shall be mine."

The next morning, the Umuezealaihu kingdom was plunged into mourning. However, during the emergency council meeting, one elder refused to believe the official story.

"Your highness, are you sure of what you're saying?" Chief Obatobie asked, his brow furrowed. "Chinwendu would never—"

Kasieobi slammed his hand on the table, glaring intensely. "Chief, are you calling me a liar? Or perhaps I did it all, hmm? It was me who did it all, right?"

The heavy threat in his voice hung in the air. Chief Obatobie quickly bowed his head. "No, of course not, your majesty. I was wrong."

Seeing the council completely subdued, Kasieobi smiled. "Oh, and Chief? For my coronation next week, your daughter, Rose, will be by my side as my queen."

Chief Obatobie gasped. "What?"

Meanwhile, the escape vehicle crossed the border into Amaraku. When they arrived, Chidera’s jaw dropped. Before them stood a luxury palace far grander, wealthier, and more heavily fortified than her own father's.

As they walked through the palace doors, an elegant, beautifully decorated elderly woman gasped and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Chinwendu. It was the Queen of Amaraku.

"Oh, my son! You're back! I've missed you so much!" Queen Catherine cried, kissing his forehead over and over again. "Muah, muah, muah!"

A deep voice boomed from the throne. King Udoka looked down, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, well, well. The prodigal son returns."

Chinwendu rolled his eyes playfully, gently pulling away from his mother. "Don't act as if we didn't keep in touch from time to time. I call always and send voicemails."

"Three times a month!" King Udoka countered.

"Yes, and wasn't that a generous amount of times?"

"NO," the King and Queen shouted in perfect unison.

Queen Catherine then turned her sharp, warm eyes to the rest of the group. "By the way, who are your friends?"

"Oh, these are my friends Silver, Emeka, and Daniel," Chinwendu introduced, his tone softening as he looked at the last girl. "And this girl here is the one I'm forever protecting with my life—Princess Chidera of the Umuezealaihu kingdom."

King Udoka’s expression turned profoundly respectful. "Oh, so you are the one we've heard so much about. Lovely to finally meet you, my daughter. You are welcome to my palace."

"Wow, so beautiful," Queen Catherinebeamed. "Welcome, all of you. So, what brought about this sudden visit, son?"

Chinwendu sighed and explained everything. By the time he finished, the King and Queen were completely speechless.

"Oh my... such a terrible event took place?" King Udoka breathed.

"Yes, dad. It was something."

Queen Catherine walked up to Chidera, pulling the grieving princess into a tight, motherly hug. "My child, you've been through a lot."

Chidera gave a tired, emotional smile, hugging her back. "Yeah. But I have to chin up and not cry about it my whole life, right?"

"I suppose so, dear," Catherine whispered softly.

Once they were settled in the courtyard, Chidera turned to Chinwendu, her mind reeling. "Chinwendu... you are a crown prince, and yet you were acting as my bodyguard. Why?"

"Oh, that?" Chinwendu smiled like a dumb goat. "Well, you see, I ran away from home when I was seven. That was when I came to your palace."

"Hmm?"

"Being a crown prince was a lot of work. People expect you to be perfect as the next king, and you know me—I hate responsibilities. So, I thought I should go somewhere else for some time. I knew your palace layout well, so I managed to sneak out. Of course, I left my phone behind so I wouldn't be tracked, and it worked. I went from place to place, until one day I was resting under a bridge when a woman came to me. She was as radiant as ever, so beautiful. It was Queen Maryanne. She asked me about my parents, where I came from, and why I was there alone. So, I lied and said my parents were dead and my wicked stepmother threw me out of the house."

Chidera stared at him, dumbfounded.

"She brought me back to the palace," Chinwendu continued, "and asked me to keep you company and protect you, promising she would take care of me. I still remembered my parents' phone number, so I kept in touch with them through the years. Good thing they never changed it."

Chidera rubbed her temples. "Guy, what is your damage?"

Queen Catherine crossed her arms, glaring at her son. "So I'm dead, your dad is dead, and you have a stepmom? Seriously, Chinwendu?"

Silver chimed in, shaking her head. "I knew he was on drugs."

Emeka and Daniel just looked at each other. "What?"

"You say you hate responsibilities," Chidera pointed out, crossing her arms. "But protecting me is a massive responsibility, and you—"

"It's different," Chinwendu interrupted, his eyes locking onto hers. "If it's you... you're always getting into one trouble after another, so it's always exciting. At least it's better than addressing old kinsmen with red hats all the time."

Chidera sighed, a faint smile breaking through her grief. "Serious mental damage."

Three weeks later, back in Umuezealaihu, Kasieobi was officially crowned king, and he married Rose.

Immediately after the ceremony, they boarded a black SUV. Kasieobi’s eyes glinted with malice. "Rose, let's go. Amaraku kingdom will know that King Kasieobi nke na agbakasi obi—the one who shatters hearts—has landed."

Back at the Amaraku palace, Chidera sat at the grand dining table, staring blankly at her food.

Chinwendu noticed. "Not hungry?"

"It's... I just have an ugly feeling deep down," Chidera whispered, rubbing her arms. "Like something terrible is about to take place."

"Everything will be fine, Chidera... princess."

Chidera smiled faintly. "Chinwendu, you can lose the 'princess' now."

"I'll stick to calling you princess," he smiled, before his face turned serious. "Hey... do you really, really have to go back? You could just stay here. With me."

Chidera looked at him, her chest aching, but she shook her head. "No, Chinwendu, I can't. I have to go back and avenge my parents."

Chinwendu looked down, swallowing his disappointment. "But—of course. I'm sorry, it was stupid and selfish of me to try to talk you out of what you want. Let's go for a walk to clear your mind."

"Okay."

Silver stood up from the corner. "Can I come too, please?"

Chinwendu turned to the two guards. "Emeka, Daniel, you too?"

"No, thank you," Emeka said.

Daniel nodded in agreement. "We would rather stay here."

The three walked out into the vast, beautiful fields of the Amaraku kingdom, exploring the vibrant landscape.

Chidera broke the silence, looking at Chinwendu's posture. "You know, prince regalia suits you a lot."

"You think so? Thanks," Chinwendu smiled. Suddenly, he paused, looking at her ears. "Hey, your earring... one of them fell off."

Chidera reached up, gasping. "Oh no! I really like these earrings!"

"I can get you another... fine, I'll go look for it. Stay here, both of you," Chinwendu said, turning around to jog back down the path. "Oh my gosh, the things I do for people!" he muttered playfully.

As soon as he was out of sight, Silver shifted uncomfortably. "Princess, I'm really pressed. Can I go?"

Chidera laughed. "Why ask me? Of course, go."

Silver darted off into the thick bushes to ease herself.

Suddenly, the heavy roar of an engine broke the peace. A black SUV squealed to a halt right behind a massive tree. Before Chidera could even scream, masked guards surged out of the vehicle. They grabbed her, binding her hands and legs with heavy ropes and slapping a thick piece of tape over her mouth.

From her hiding spot in the bushes, Silver witnessed the entire kidnapping in horror. She kept completely silent until Chidera was thrown into the back of the SUV and driven off toward a nearby uncompleted building. As soon as the vehicle vanished, Silver sprinted like the wind in the direction Chinwendu had gone. She found him, warned him frantically, and then hurried back toward the palace to get help, her heart heavy with dread.

Inside the dusty, barren uncompleted building, Chidera sat bound and gagged on the concrete floor.

Footsteps echoed. "Hello, sister. What's up?" Kasieobi sneered, stepping into the light.

Rose walked in right beside him, a triumphant smirk on her face. "Sister-in-law, it's been way too long."

BANG!

The wooden doors were kicked open. Chinwendu rushed into the building, his eyes blazing with fury. "Kasieobi! Is your head getting too heavy for your neck to carry?!"

"No, I don't think so," Kasieobi chuckled darkly. "In fact, I feel quite light-headed from all this happiness."

Chinwendu raised his fists. "How did you find us?"

Rose laughed maliciously. "I overheard you guys that day in the cell! I followed that little maid, Silver, and heard you say you were fleeing to the Amaraku kingdom. We searched and searched until we found you."

Chinwendu glared at her with pure disgust. "You're seriously annoying me, woman. You're always overhearing stuff. One day, you're going to hear something that will get you killed, fish head."

Kasieobi stepped forward, drawing his weapon. "Enough. Fight me for your freedom, brother. The guards will back off."

The two men lunged at each other. They wrestled brutally across the concrete floor, blows echoing off the unfinished walls. But Chinwendu was faster. In a swift, desperate motion, he managed to pull a concealed gun from his waist.

BANG!

The shot rang out, hitting Kasieobi square in the chest. The prince stumbled backward, collapsing heavily onto the floor as his eyes closed, losing consciousness.

As Kasieobi lay dying, a vision flashed violently before his fading mind—a revelation from God. He saw his mother from years ago, caught in the act of stealing valuables and money from the palace. 'I'm done with everything,' her voice echoed in his memory, 'done with this kingdom, even done with you.' He saw her slipping poison into the King and Queen's food, only to be caught by a maid. He saw his father checking the security cameras, proving every disgusting sin she had committed. It was all true. She was a traitor.

"Kasieobi!" Rose shrieked, seeing him fall. Her eyes went wild. "How dare you?! Chinwendu, die!"

Chinwendu’s hands were still trembling violently from the shock of firing the gun. Because of the adrenaline, he didn't notice Rose charging at him.

With a scream, Rose plunged a hidden dagger straight into his shoulder.

Chinwendu cried out in agony, his grip failing as the gun slipped from his hand and clattered across the floor. Rose instantly dove for it, picking up the firearm and aiming it directly at Chidera’s head.

Suddenly, a blood-soaked figure rose from the floor with a final, unnatural burst of strength. Kasieobi lunged forward, grabbing the dagger Rose had left on the ground, and drove it deep into her back.

"Stay away from my sister, you witch," Kasieobi wheezed.

Rose gasped, dropping the gun as she collapsed to the floor, lifeless.

With the last of his fading strength, Kasieobi crawled over to Chidera. His trembling hands reached up and ripped the heavy tape off her mouth.

Chidera sobbed, her voice breaking. "But... why? Why did you save me?"

"I saw it all, Chi..." Kasieobi whispered, his voice cracking as blood pooled beneath him. "I saw it all. Go and tell the servants at Umuezealaihu that I'm dead... and they can confess all that I've done. Be a great queen, my sister. And please..." He looked over at the bleeding prince. "...try to stop Chinwendu from bleeding anymore before he dies from loss of too much blood. He might be an annoying he-goat, but at least he's fun to hang around with."

With a final, shallow breath, King Kasieobi’s eyes rolled back, and he died.

For some reason, despite everything he had done, Chidera cried bitterly over his body, wishing with all her heart that things had taken a completely different direction.

A month later, peace had finally returned to the Umuezealaihu kingdom.

Chidera sat on a woven chair in the royal garden, enjoying the quiet serenity of the afternoon. Soft footsteps brushed against the grass behind her.

"Princess..." A voice paused, corrected itself, and smiled. "Sorry. I keep forgetting you're the queen now. My queen."

Chidera jumped, startled out of her mind yet again. She whipped around, glaring. "Will you stop doing that?!"

Chinwendu, his shoulder heavily bandaged but healing well, just grinned. "You know that's not possible."

Chidera sighed, a fond smile gracing her lips. "I forgot to ask you... that time with Kasie, where did you even get a gun from?"

"Oh, I bought it shortly after we got to Amaraku, just in case."

"So you've been carrying a gun around with you all this time?"

Chinwendu’s playful expression softened, his eyes becoming deeply serious as he stepped closer. "I was just too scared. Too worried about you, my queen. I want to tell you something."

Chidera looked up at him. "Yes? Tell me."

"I'm the King of Amaraku kingdom now, and you're the Queen of Umuezealaihu kingdom," Chinwendu said, reaching down to gently take her hands in his. "Let's combine our kingdoms into one."

Chidera blinked. "Hmm?"

Chinwendu smiled, his heart in his eyes. "Marry me."

Epilogue

At times, the closest flower to you might actually be the weeds trying to destroy you, keeping you from blooming into the beautiful flower you are meant to be. Be careful of those you call your family and friends. Foes pose as friends all the time. 🖤