"The war must have ended," Ife pushed back the curtain to close the window, preventing the morning light from seeping in. She turned, her mother and Malik's mother sat awkwardly, avoiding each other's gaze. Ugo had fallen asleep on a mat nearby. "I will go see if the war is truly over," Ife bowed, stepping out of the hut. It was better to leave them be to settle their fight.
After she left, her mother sighed, turning to Malik's mother. There was no need for the quarrel after all these years. "I am sorry for whatever has happened."
But Malik's mother laughed, "It is in the past. Whatever has happened has been forgotten."
"Even so, the throne was supposedly meant for your husband," she sighed. "I did not know why he gave it up."
Malik's mother shook her head, "He never liked to fight over these things. It was his way for peace to reign."
The queen nodded and then smiled, "Thank you for raising Malik into who he is."
