It seems the king has really made his choice and I for all can't stop him.. walking down the palace entrance I saw my brother leaning on the wall
' What's he up to? '
"Brother!"
" I should have known that your little gentle demeanor was just a tactic you have been playing a long time" his eyes were of anger and why am I getting a feeling that this is going to end badly
"I know of the fact that this is going to cause a rift between us that's why I tried talking to father about it but he refused to listen"
"So am I suppose to appreciate your little goody act?" he scoffed looking at me with a dangerous expression in his eyes.
"Anthill is mine... and you know how much I hate sharing" his voice sounds thick but no weight..his threats are like feathers to my skin
"Am not competing for anthills.. am competing for the greater good of all. You may have anthill while I do all the work... brother your meat isn't running away" I tired touching him but he shudder me off
' He indeed thinks with his butt' I smirked to myself. Weather I like it or not am already involved in this situation already so why not play the game. Father has already had in mind who is going to be the next king..we are just putting up a good show for him.
*******
It seems everything is going as expected,but what I didn't expect is that Zuma would turn his sons against each other.
"We can't seem to find an antidote that can fully save Lord tarius"
"Then let's opt for plan B" " I'll help you out"
"Don't worry... I'll love to have the punishment all to myself"
"Your highness... please permit me in" that voice alone seems familiar ' Lord Raven '
"What do I owe this visit?" It has been quite a while since I last saw any member of the court
"I'll go straight to the point..The king has you know has declared the royale.. but it seems you'll have to participate in it" his voice sounds scarstic and annoying
"And am sure you are forced to train me on this,and it prove difficult for your since am a woman of low reputation and failed attempt.
I have no idea what the king is planning in putting me in this charade..but I'll put up a good show" I beamed with a convincing smile
"It seems you are not only good with words but also with brain. Whatever is on the king's mind is to cause you trouble for a reason I can't surmise"
"What is it..?"
"If you lose.. which is clearly evident and accepted.... you'll be banished"
"Humm...a slight change in circumstance. A total humiliation and then banishment. I have no thought towards the throne. All I want is peace but it seems I have to fight for it"
"Well said princess.."
"Leon... ready my swords and arrows... I'll take more lesson."
"You have been practicing?" he looked so surprised
"Yes... I don't want my demise too early. I have my life to protect. Don't worry about training me... I already know what I should about my opponent and I'll definitely use it to fight for my freedom. So get me a copy of the rules and I'll handle the rest" he looked at me with a smile and nod satisfactorily
"Do win..my bonus is at stake"
"I can't guarantee that...we are all selfish and I accept so I'll try my best but not the rest."
"okay"
Then there came a knock on the door
"Your highness... the queen demands your presence" her face looks new... I bet she's a new slave in the palace
"Alright.."
"You seem to have forgotten about your mother!"
"Not really... I am in a tougher spot than I expected"
"What's wrong?" " Your husband made me join the battle royale and if I lose I'll be banished"
"What?" she jerked up off her bed "Don't worry... I have intention of getting out of here alive so I'll take the bait your dear husband set for me"
She looks so pale than ever, I can see that Zuma is indeed a cruel man..but her beauty remains
"How is tarius?" " I thought you didn't care...but I already got him a supplement that will extend his death for a month"
"I thought Zuma already gave him the antidote because I already admit what he wants me to admit to him" she looked at me with sadness in her eyes and I couldn't help but feel bad.
"Well if there's something I have learned.. is never to trust a monkey's uncle" learning that was hard for me and it's harder for her, losing uncle is not something I need right now.. it's such a pity that he got in the middle of all our problems
*****
Hoping to get my hands on the antidote I go up in the darkest time of the night and off to Zuma's chambers. The monkey's uncle seems to be so secretive, after some hours of searching I couldn't find the antidote..
Beneath his closet i saw a red box with old carvings on it. From ancient books this shelf is used to secure strong scents like fragrance and other high scents properties.
I beamed with smile as I opened it and saw the round looking pill in the box...it has no strong smell or scents,so why put it in this box.
This feel so easy even after alot of stress of getting the guards routine... it's like he wants me to find it but why?
I took the pill and rub it on a fabric I brought with me and left the chamber unseen.