Chapter 20 - The Coupe

Hakeemi has been left with so much to think of after the princess's confrontation. He is now being vigilant and at the same time scared of what's next is to come of the king and the kingdom gets to know of their situation. Hakeemi is a nice-looking man that loves the princess because he truly loves her as he claims, but his primary motive of being with the princess is to be able to ascend the throne so he can have the lineage of kingship come his side.

It is another market day and all the villagers, both far and near, travel miles to come exhibit and sell all they have cultivated on their farms. Carthage have always been the center when its market days because it is the town that resides the palace of the King.

Akinidad is finally back from his visit to Azurethra, the place of his birth, and hasn't seem his cousin, the princess, Nala, and they bumped into each other oh his way for studies.

Princess Nala: Cousin… since when did you get back from Azurethra?

Akinidad: This isn't how to greet your one and cousin that you missed when away, right?

Princess Nala: Sorry, my prince. (Trying to be a bit sarcastic) Of course I do miss you. It felt like forever.

Akinidad: I do miss you too. A hug? (He says with a broad smile of the face)

Princess Nala: Come over here. (She hugs him tightly)

Akinidad: Oh, okay. Can I be released now? (He says to be funny)

Princess Nala: Sorry. Just that I missed you a lot. Back to my question. You answering it or not, cousin?

Akinidad: I came back last weeks market day but couldn't get to see you. I was told you had to go see an uncle at Jasikan.

Princess Nala: Yes, that was true. He isn't really my uncle though. He is a friend to the throne and been calling him uncle ever since I was born. I had to go visit him because he has been asking of me from the king and the king insisted, that I pay him a visit. He isn't that far from here.

Akinidad: I see. That's okay. But still, I feel there's something bothering y ou that you are not saying it. You know you can talk to me, right?

Princess Nala: I know cousin. I will surely tell you if there is anything bothering me. So, what did you get for me back from Azurethra?

Akinidad: Here we go again. How about asking about your aunt first, my lovely princess.

Princess Nala: Why do you always succeed in making me feel bad?

Akinidad: (Smiles) I was just asking.

Princess Nala: Sorry, my bad. How is my beautiful aunty doing? I hope she's in good health.

Akinidad: She is doing fine and even extend her regards.

Princess Nala: Knowing that my aunty is doing fine, then back to my present you got me from Azurethra.

Akinidad: Of course, I got you some nice present from Azurethra and my mother, your aunt, personally gave me a present for you.

Princess Nala: (Feeling really excited) When can I come for it then. She asks.

Akinidad: After my studies today. Maybe after dinner?

Princess Nala: Sure the. I'll see you later in the evening. Am heading to my friend's house.

Akinidad: Alright cousin. I will see you later.

They both went their separates through separate directions.

The market as began to get filled up with people all over the kingdom gathering in Carthage. You find anything you want right from vegetables down to bush meats. Bushmeats have always been a special meat served in home when important visitors come around and also served to the men of the house. Husbands I mean, because they go out into the woods and hunt down the animals.

At the palace of the great king, a man quickly runs in as he also fell to the ground. The whole palace become alert hoping it isn't something that might hurt the ruler of the land. The kings guards try to stop him from getting anywhere closer to the king, as it their duty to ensure the safety of the king.

Emissary Boateng got furious and decided to confront the man on the reason of him intruding the palace.

Emissary Boateng: (Asks angrily) Young man, what gave you the audacity to run into the palace like a deer chased by a lion?

Temi: Am sorry my king. My name is Temi Afenyo and I am a dweller in your kingdom.

Emissary Boateng: (Angrily) I asked of why you intruded the palace and not your name. there are rules to everything.

Temi: (Panting heavily) I am sorry my Emissary. I am here to tell the king of something that I heard, and I am afraid it might a calamity about falling on the Kingdom.

Emissary Boateng: Young man, as I said, there are rules to everything as well as procedures for this like this. You just cannot intrude on us like that. Have you no shame for your King?

Temi: I mean no disrespect to the king, for he is the most noble in the Kingdom.

King: Emissary Boateng, that is okay. Allow me to hear what he has to say.

Emissary Boateng: (To the king) Yes, my King. Young man, you may speak now.

Temi: (Still panting) Long live your reign my king. I am here to tell you of something that I heard. As I was heading back to the market square to sell my goods, I came across somethings the tongue finds it difficult to say.

Emissary Boateng: (Sharply) Do you think the king has all the time in the world just for you. Speak up young man and do not try to keep the king waiting.

Temi: Sorry, my King. As I was coming back from the forest, I overheard some men discussing of a coup against the throne. And they seemed serious about it, my King.

King: Temi, right? (The King asked) Do you hear what you mouth says to the throne? And are you aware of the calamity that befalls a person that lies to the throne and causes any unnecessary panic to the Kingdom?

Emissary Boateng: Answer young man. Has your tongue left you to your fate?

Temi: Yes, I do, my King. But this is not an intention of causing any unrest to the kingdom. The Kingdom of Ptolemaic has know nothing but peace, progress and transformation since you ascended to the throne, and it will be foolish of a mere dweller of my king to cause any unrest to the Kingdom. I am sure of what I heard and sure of what I saw, my Lord.

King: And these men you speak of, do they seem to be dwellers in my kingdom as well?

Temi: No, my King. They do not seem familiar. They might be from the Kingdom from us.

King: (Pauses to contemplate on what the young man says to him) How possible?

Emissary Boateng: My King, may your reign be prolonged. I know this isn't any light issue, but we all know custom, and tradition urges us to be sure about a situation before any action being taken.

King: Emissary Boateng, I know and I do applaud your allegiance and loyalty to the throne, but I differ that we take immediate measures to present any situation that might or can jeopardize with the sanctity, peace and transformation of the Kingdom.

Emissary Boateng: Yes, my King. Why don't we take our time and make more enquires about the situation.

Temi: Sorry to interrupt, my Emissary, but I do not think we have all the time for any enquires. I beg to differ we have to make quick actions.

King: That is enough. I will call for you when I am done contemplating over it. You may take your leave now. Do not forget to leave your address to the guards.

Temi: Yes, my King. I beg to take my leave.