"Father," Moremi dropped on one knee when she came before the king as the noise from the drummers and dancers mellowed down into utter silence.
King Jelani stretched his right hand towards his daughter's head that was lowered before him, blessing her and acknowledging her greeting with his staff.
"You may rise, my child," he said in a deep, condescending voice and Moremi stood up slowly, her rich royal blue gown glinting in the sunlight.
Yovana who had earlier been seated but had to be on his feet when the so called princess graced with her presence was not only in awe at her but was at a loss of words.
Moremi's beauty was truly breathtaking!
As she emerged, the people couldn't help but gasp in unison.
Her skin glowed with ethereal black beauty. Her emerald eyes shined like the stars on a clear night. Her hair, dark and curly, were weaved into African intricate braids that seemed to dance across her scalp. Her full lips curved into a gentle smile, revealing a hint of mischief and kindness.
Indeed, she was the daughter of the Moon Goddess, Yovana thought in his head as he glued his lustful eyes all over Moremi, a sinister urge to take her right there and then creeped into his head and he didn't even bother to hide it.
On the other hand, Moremi didn't realize when her expression changed from the sweet smile she plastered on her lips to one of disgust.
She curtsied to her father's guest as she gauged all of them, sighting the possible Prince Yovana amongst them and just as she had imagined, he was not what she wanted.
No.
Her heart sank immediately, fading away with the smile.
She didn't need to have a chat or discussion with him to know he would be everything she hated in a man.
His eyes gave away all he was thinking. A typical narcissist as she imagined.
She could see him scan her slender body with a raw glint in his gaze, already knowing what he was thinking.
When he locked eyes with her, he sent a mischievous grin her way, making her stomach churn in disgust. She immediately averted her gaze and looked to the villagers instead.
Yovana kept looking at her as she turned around, a hint of annoyance plagued his face when she ignored him and attempted to walk away but King Jelani was quick to deal with the situation.
"Oh, Remi," he called her as she took a step ahead, making her halt.
Moremi turned around at once, her eyes narrowed at the king. "Father?" She called in a questioningly tone.
"Forgive my daughter's nonchalance," Jelani faced King Malawi and Yovana as he stepped forward from his throne, taking Moremi's hand in his. Moremi felt her mood sour even further when he pulled her to the two guests, knowing what he was about to do.
"This is King Malawi of Azura along with his son, Prince Yovana." He said to his daughter who forced a smile to her face as she took the time to courtesy and greet them.
"It is a great pleasure to meet you, Your Highnesses." She stated with a sweet smile, remembering she had promised to be of good character so she could convince her father to let Akan out of that dungeon.
Turning to Malawi, Jelani spoke again, "This is my daughter, Malawi. Princess Moremi of Mandinga, the one and only heiress to the kingdom."
Malawi strode towards Moremi before taking her hand in his, bringing it to his forehead as a way of showing respect.
"A pleasure to meet you too, My princess." He said so sweetly that Moremi almost fell for it.
But she knew better.
Looking at Yovana, the prince came forward to do the same thing, a hint of awe and longing filling his eyes as he gazed at her but it was not a stare of innocent admiration.
"You are as beautiful as they say, my princess." He shot her a smirk, glancing over her body like he would swallow her any moment from then.
"Thank you, my prince." She almost puked as she mentioned those words, her eyes throwing a brief glare at him.
'If it wasn't for Akan...' She whispered in her head.
They all went back to their respective seats as Moremi went to kneel before the priestess, Mother Agatha.
She looked at the old woman who gave her a knowing smile as if telling her to put on her composure.
She returned the smile mildly, letting their locked gaze pass the meaning of Agatha's expression before looking away.
Agatha continued the mysterious incantations she was murmuring as she danced around the fire.
Moremi always wondered how the woman managed to have so much power at her old age. Was it perhaps the Goddess strengthening her?
The high priestess sprinkled water all over Moremi and she flinched when it burned her skin, almost ruining the beautiful dress she wore.
She carried a bird that had been tied alive for the occasion. Picking her knife, she slit the creature's throat in a heartbeat as blood splattered around the fire, making it burn brighter.
She moved gracefully once more with the bird still in her hand as she made murmuring noises.
As much as King Malawi and Yovana refused to admit it, they could see that Mandinga had very rich culture. They watched as the people displayed different traditional rites and rituals.
Azura held no candle to such origins.
Moremi's crown was already prepared, placed on a high stone as Agatha picked it up, laying different ritualistic elements on it before signaling for Moremi to come forward.
The princess stood up, sauntering to the fireplace as she knelt on one knee before lowering her head.
The entire palace went silent as they waited, watching even when the crown was placed on their future Queen's head.
"Behold!" Jelani stood suddenly, embracing this proud moment as he stretched his staff towards his daughter, "Princess Moremi Jelani Ajasoro..." He called her name with a smile when she quickly came to knee before him. "...Crowned Princess of Mandinga!" He yelled.
Cheers filled the ground as the villagers stretched their palm leaves forward when Moremi stood up, her chin raised up in confidence.
She picked the staff given to her as the people made way for her
Sitting on her iron throne again, her eyes briefly scanned the surrounding, surveying everyone and briefly, her gaze met with Yovana's again.