The sun shone brightly on the fields and the wind blew gentle. Alex could feel the cool breeze on his face as he rode his favorite horse, Bella. She was the fastest horse he has ever rode and was very sturdy yet gentle. Bella galloped with ease on the fields and showed great skill in her movements. He loved to show her off when he could and that he did a lot.
He signalled for her to stop when he saw Tarius accompanied by a guard walking towards him. He could not help but notice how nervously Tarius walked.
He sighed, saying "I wonder what the news could be."
Tarius increased his pace as he drew closer to him and when he started speaking was very short of breath.
" Prince Alex, I need to speak to you with great urgency."
" Is there a problem at there at the infirmary."
" No, that is not it". He turned to the guard beside him and asked for him to excuse himself. When they were alone, he drew closer to him and whispered
" immediately we parted, I asked around for who visited your dad the most, and one name kept popping up."
"Who was it?"
" Chief Nnamdi" Tarius said in a hushed tone.
" What, that scheming fool."
" I then checked the drugs that were returned to the infimary that were used to treat the king, thankfully they have not been disposed yet. When I checked, they were not the drugs i prescribed."
" What do you mean they were not the drugs you prescribed".
" Hush down a little. Like I said, the drugs were swapped. I am yet to examine what these drugs are but I know it can't be good."
" This means that definitely, my father was murdered. He said with distraught.
" There is something you need to understand prince Alex, if the king was murdered it means you are not safe and it would be hard for you to continue to investigate in this palace as there are too many eyes watching."
" That is true, I have an idea."
"What are you thinking?" Tarius saw that look on Alex face and it never ended well with that look.
" I will tell you later on." Alex beckoned on the the guard to come closer."
"What are you up to prince Alex" Tarius said puzzled.
" Don't worry, I have everything covered." He turned to the guard" Send guards to the chiefs and tell them I have their reply and they should come now for a meeting."
"Okay, my prince".
" Tarius, I have to leave now, we will talk later". He started to speed-walk away.
" He can never change". Tarius nodded and chuckled.
As he left, a stable boy came and took Bella back.
"Good day chiefs, I called for this meeting to reply to the suggestion that you made, I have decided that the person that would take my place for a period of four months is the Queen"
Loud murmuring ensued, some of the chiefs had objections concerning his decision and chief Nnamdi stared at him with disdain.
" I have made my decision. I ask that you assist her well". After saying this, he left. The murmurings then turned to loud arguments.
As he left the meeting, he met his mother standing out looking very tense. As she saw him, she walked to him signalling for her guards to stay behind.
" What did you do. I thought we would discuss before you met with them."
" Sorry mum, I was in a rush, I would explain later. There is something you must know. In there, I made you the interim ruler in my stead for four months.
" You what!! ,Why would you...."
" Mum it's for the best and would you mind if we went somewhere private."
" Fine."
They walked to the garden and sat on a chair under a tree. He turned to check if anyone was around, the coast seemed clear.
" Mum, you are the only one I can trust with this and also I plan on leaving the palace."
" You must be joking, why and where would you say you went?"
"Tell them that I went for a peace treaty".
" Okay, why are you then leaving."
" I need to investigate father's death and here at the palace, it would prove difficult. Things are getting complicated and I need to handle them well. This i can't achieve if I remain in the Palace.
The queen felt nervous at this but she saw the resolution in her son's eyes, a hunger she has never seen in him before. She knew she could not stop him.
" You seem like you know what you are doing but you must never reveal your identity. My most loyal guard will be sent with you to protect and help you"
Alex knew he could not say no and lose the chance of getting her approval.
" Sure, I don't mind."
" I have one last condition, you have to leave with Salma". She said with a coy smile.