The night air was thick with music and laughter as the villagers celebrated Moremi's coronation. The event had dragged on till night and now, torches were lit all over the palace.
Drums pounded rhythmically, sending vibrations through the ground, while dancers spun in mesmerizing circles, their colorful garments glowing in the firelight.
The aroma of roasted meats, spicy stews, and freshly baked flatbread wafted through the air, making mouths water and adding to the festive mood.
Moremi sat beside her father on an elevated dais, her posture regal yet tense. She wore a faint smile, acknowledging the waves of admiration and joy flowing toward her from the crowd.
Nyala and Ayanna stood nearby, their eyes also sparkling with excitement as they whispered to each other about the feast and the grandeur of the ceremony. But beneath Moremi's composed exterior, unease simmered.
Suddenly, King Malawi stood to his feet, his booming voice cutting through the joyous sounds. "King Jelani, my brother, it is a great honor to be part of this momentous day, and an even greater honor to one day welcome your daughter into my family." He gestured toward Prince Yovana, who sat at his side, smirking as he raised his goblet in acknowledgment.
Moremi's stomach churned again at the sight of him.
What was this feeling?
She turned her gaze to the flickering fire instead, pretending not to notice his lingering stare.
"To mark this occasion," Malawi continued, "I wish to offer the demonstration of the treasures our partnership with the white men has brought to Azura."
He reached for the same gleaming object his guard had earlier placed carefully in a box.
As he raised the pistol, the villagers gasped in awe. Many had never seen such an object before, its metallic surface catching the firelight like a strange, otherworldly artifact.
Now that it was night, it gave a different feeling and view.
"This," Malawi declared, his voice thick with pride, "is a weapon unlike any other. It can strike down an enemy or prey from a great distance, with just a single motion." he explained.
Jelani and his elders were already aware of that, though some in the crowd had never even heard of such.
They murmured, a mix of fascination and unease spreading among them.
Moremi's breath caught in her throat on seeing the pistol and her eyes widened, her mind racing back to that haunting memory in the forest—the sharp crack of the white man's gun, the helpless flutter of the bird as it fell lifeless to the ground and the pool of blood. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her gown as the echo of that sound seemed to reverberate in her chest.
This had been what the white devil had kill her bird with in a second so how was this king casually holding such an element?
"Of course," King Malawi continued, his tone casual, "we would never waste such power frivolously. But for this demonstration, perhaps a suitable target…" He glanced at Jelani with a raised brow.
King Jelani hesitated looking at his wives and the elders, his face a mask of contemplation. He was a man who valued life, and the thought of killing for mere spectacle did not sit well with him. But he also understood the delicate balance of diplomacy.
After a moment, he gestured for one of his attendants to bring forward a small, frail bird in a wicker cage.
"This bird is already nearing the end of its life," Jelani said, his voice measured. "If this display must happen, let it be with something whose time has nearly come."
As the cage was set on a low table, the crowd grew silent, their curiosity mingling with discomfort. King Malawi loaded the pistol with a practiced hand, his movements deliberate and precise.
Meanwhile, Moremi could feel her body tense further, her heart pounding in anticipation of the sound she dreaded.
"Stand back," Malawi warned, his tone commanding.
'No!' Moremi screamed in her head, looking at the bird whimpering in its cage.
Malawi raised the pistol, took aim, and pulled the trigger.
The deafening crack shattered the air, startling birds from nearby trees and causing the villagers to jump. The frail bird collapsed instantly, lifeless in the cage. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, and a sense of unease lingered despite the king's triumphant smile.
King Jelani, who had almost jumped out of his throne on hearing the sound froze for a moment as he looked at the dead bird that was now covered in blood, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Malawi said, turning to Jelani. "With weapons like these, Azura is stronger than ever. Imagine the power this alliance can bring to Mandinga."
Jelani nodded stiffly, though his expression remained neutral.
Moremi, however, could not hide the storm in her eyes. Her disgust and anger flared, though she remained silent out of respect for her father.
As the celebration wound down and the villagers dispersed, the air grew quieter. Only King Malawi, Prince Yovana, and a few attendants remained as guests in the palace. King Jelani, ever the gracious host, invited them into the inner chambers where the palace dining hall awaited.
The dining hall was grand, with tall pillars carved from rich mahogany and adorned with intricate patterns of gold and ivory. Long tables were set with an array of dishes, from spiced lamb to bowls of steaming yam porridge. The flickering light of oil lamps cast a warm glow over the room.
Moremi, still reeling from the earlier demonstration, kept her distance as much as protocol allowed. Her father exchanged pleasantries with King Malawi, but her sharp eyes caught the tension in his shoulders, the slight clench of his jaw.
She knew he was slowly questioning his integrity and she was glad his conscience was haunting him for making this horrible decision.
Wasn't it going to get worse from here? Moremi was never going to let her father bring slavery or any of the white devil's atrocities to Mandinga's people.
She was only composed for the sake of Akan as he was suffering because of her.
Prince Yovana, meanwhile, sauntered into the hall as though he owned it, his arrogant air filling the space.
"Princess," he said, addressing Moremi as he approached her. His voice dripped with faux charm, but the undertone of entitlement made her stomach churn. "You must admit, your father has chosen well for you. Our kingdoms united will be unstoppable." he began speaking as they walked to the dining hall.
Moremi was shocked at his audacity. Having the opportunity to talk to her for the first time and this was what he had to say?
She met his gaze with a calm defiance, her voice steady as she replied, "Power means little if it comes at the cost of integrity, Your Highness."
Yovana's smirk faltered for a moment, not expecting that to have been the first thing she would reply him with but he quickly recovered. "A spirited one, I see. I look forward to the challenge."
Vekar, his handy man who was behind him as they walked almost choked on hearing that as he turned his face away with a grimace, feeling a tinge of embarrassment since he didn't think the prince would make such a statement out of nowhere.
Hadn't he been the one to dismiss his statement about the princess?
"Challenge?" She suddenly halted as she narrowed her eyes in confusion. "What challenge?" She asked.