"People don't buy for logical reasons. They buy for emotional reasons." - Zig Ziglar
In the brothel at the wrestling house, a captivating lady with a bewitching smile strolled towards Wale, the son of the king's right-hand chief. He lay half-naked on a bed. "Come closer to me. Enough of this seduction, I can't..." he attempted to protest, but her slender finger silenced him.
"Do you recall the oath we've taken?" she asked, her smile alluring.
"Yes, yes," Wale replied, eager to draw her nearer. She leaned in, her finger tracing patterns.
"And do you know what I require as proof that my mother is free from your father's servitude?" she inquired seductively. Wale hurriedly fetched a symbolic sign.
"Sewa, this symbolic sign signifies freedom from my father's influence. You can trust our oath, in case you doubt me," he assured, edging closer to her. As he did, she discreetly slipped the symbolic sign under her sleeve.
"My lord, as you know, I am Sewa. I am a single mother, and before my husband's disappearance, I didn't suspect that he might have cast a thunderbolt on me. He was stern and wouldn't tolerate betrayal," she said, her smile persistent.
"Thunderbolt!" Wale reacted, alarmed.
"Indeed, and do you understand its purpose?" she asked, her smile wicked.
"Yes, I do," Wale stammered, sweat forming on his forehead.
"Would you still want me on your bed?" she asked, ready to leave.
"No, no, no!" Wale hastened to reply, and she exited.
"Bravo! I did it," Sewa whispered to herself, pleased with her success. Wale followed her out, adjusting his clothes, while she tidied her dress. In the midst of their departure, a woman burst in and stormed toward Wale, her fury palpable.
"What? You cheated on me!" she exclaimed as she see her husband with sewa drawing attention from the onlookers. "As the daughter of the king's left-hand chief, I won't let you off easily. You've shamed me in public." She turned to confront Sewa, attempting to slap her. However, a young, handsome man intervened, restraining her. He pulled Sewa away from the scene.
"Sewa, you haven't changed a bit over the years. You deceived me, and now you're deceiving others, all for money? Tell me!" the man exclaimed, his anger evident. He threw a small pouch of money at her and left the scene abruptly, without looking back.
" my prince we have to return to the palace" his personal guard said he leaves immediately without looking back
"Prince!?" Sewa was taken aback by his identity as he departed.
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"Hey, my beautiful baby," a woman donning different attire appeared, accompanied by maids dressed similarly, though with subtle distinctions. "Oh, dear, my sweet sister," she greeted, embracing Sewa warmly.
"What's wrong? You seem unhappy," ifafunto inquired.
"You can go gather the herbs alone," ifafunto instructed her maid.
"What's bothering you?" her sister persisted.
"where is my daughter?," Sewa ask.
"She's with my brother," ifafunto replies.
"I need to visit Ida's residence. I'm responsible for looking after their elder daughter. I'll return later in the evening, and if you don't see me then, I'll be spending the night at the residence," Sewa explained.
"The devoted nurse," her sister teased before departing.
...At the Imperial Hospital...
"The herbs are as bitter as you," the fifth prince remarked, a look of distaste on his face.
"My prince, I might need to give you more of these herbs to make your words taste as bitter," the doctor retorted playfully.
"Doctor Dayinsi is quite chatty. I wonder if you're suited for this job," the prince remarked with disdain and doctor Dayinsi smirks.
"What do you mean?" the prince inquired.
"I don't know. Perhaps I should let your betrothed know you won't allow male nurses to attend to you, only females," Doctor Dayinsi suggested.
"What??" The prince appeared alarmed.
"Hey, handsome prince," Ifafunto entered, smiling, holding a little girl.
"What took you so long?" the prince asked.
"Handsome papa," the little girl hugged his leg.
"Whoa!" He picked her up.
"I'm not a father; I haven't married. You can call me brother, okay, baby girl?" the prince said.
"Oh no, I want to call you papa. You're handsome. I want you to be my papa," she insisted, holding onto him tightly.
"You can't call him papa, my dear. Not every man can be your papa. You have Papa Dayinsi," doctor Dayinsi corrected, attempting to take the girl from the prince. However, the prince kicked him away playfully.
"You can call me papa," the prince conceded, smiling. "Marry my mom; she's a beautiful angel," the little girl added.
"Wow, you're such a smart and cute baby. Ifafunto, where did you find this little charmer?" the prince asked, his smile genuine.
"She's my cousin. Her mom lives in Modede, a town of the North Archduke. She's staying with us for a while," Ifafunto explained. She tried to retrieve the little girl from the prince's arms.
"I love this sweet little girl," the prince admitted with affection.
...In the King's Chamber...
"The changes in law, custom, or even tradition could provoke the Ida's clan and the public against the imperial palace. People will align with them, possibly leading to a civil war," the priest warned.
"I understand... I understand. I'll summon the prophetess