lyare was dumbfounded by the girl's change of attitude. No matter how smart she was, she did not anticipate this move.
"What are you doing?" Osaro walked over and pulled lyare off.
Edosa and Osaze also approached with some men lyare did not recognize. The girl started to cover her body.
"| am ruined," she cried as she pretended to hide her face.
"What is going on here?" General
Edosa questioned.
"Grandfather, I just came to relieve myself when this maiden ran over. She said she was being chased by kidnappers..." lyare was still speaking when her uncle cut her off.
"So, you decided to humiliate her
because of this?" Osaro questioned.
"What are you talking about? How did I humiliate her? When we heard people approaching, we hid, thinking you were the kidnappers,' lyare answered. No matter how slow she was, she could already tell she had fallen into someone's trap. What she didn't know was whether her good uncle was involved or simply taking advantage of the situation to push her brother aside.
"You must think us all fools. We clearly heard her crying for help," Osaze argued.
"I already told you, she was running away from kidnappers. We fell while trying to hide, mistaking you for the kidnappers. Isn't it normal for her to
shout for help when she's scared?"
lyare asked, watching her uncle's reaction closely.
In Towanda kingdom, it was an abomination for a man to force himself on a woman who was not his wife, unless she was a slave. Efosa had just completed his coming-of-age rites. As a man, he would face severe consequences for such an action. Of course, everything could be resolved if the girl agreed to marry him.
"That wasn't what it looked like just now. How can you lie through your teeth?" Osaro said. Back then when he was in a similar situation, he tried to argue his way out, but it was useless.
"Uncle, I'm not sure what you think
you saw, but I'm telling the truth. The girl is still here. Why not ask her what happened? Or are you trying to accuse me of rape without evidence?" lyare asked, looking innocent.
The other people at the scene
hadn't seen clearly, as Osaro had been blocking their view. They werent sure who was telling the truth.
"Maiden, what is your name? Which family are you from?" Osaro asked.
The girl continued crying, hugging herself like a frightened rabbit.
"Speak up, child. General Edosa is
here. Don't worry, no harm will
come to you," Osaro said.
"Yes, we are people of good reputation in Towanda. Nobody will harm you. Why are you here?" another man added.
lyare glanced at the other two men present. They were great warriors her grandfather had invited for the heir selection.
"My name is Omoyena. | am from the Idaho family of the central region,' the girl finally introduced herself between sobs.
"Why are you here? Tell us what happened," Edosa finally spoke.
"I was playing a game with my friends earlier. I mistakenly took the wrong path and almost got kidnapped. | was unsure of my direction and just ran. Then I ran into the young man. At first, I was scared he might be another kidnapper, but then I recognized him. After all, he is the champion of today's wrestling match." The girl paused to take a deep breath. She cleaned the tears in her eyes with the back of her hand and swallowed loudly.
"He asked me what was wrong. Feeling safe, I explained everything
to him. I had been running for a while and lost my sense of direction. He told me he would lead me back to the town square, but he
brought me here and... and..." The
girl burst into tears again.
"Efosa, how could you?" Osaro was
the first to criticize.
"Uncle, why not let her finish
speaking? I didn't do anything
wrong,' lyare rebutted.
"You still dare to lie? I saw it with my own eyes! It's okay to make mistakes when young, but lying about it goes against our family's
teachings." Osaro rebuked.
"When did I lie? So far, this maiden hasn't said I did anything to her. Why wouldn't you let her finish speaking and instead turn to blame me?" lyare questioned.
"You.." Osaro pointed his finger angrily at Iyare but Realizing his give himself away, he turned to the girl.
"Maiden, you must stop crying and tell us properly what happened,' he said.
"|... lL... He... He forced himself on...
me. My virtue is gone,'' the maiden
said, crying louder.
lyare was shocked. "How can you lie like this? You were the one
holding onto me. I didn't touch you!"
Slap!
Osaro raised his hand and struck lyare hard. "How dare you deny your actions even now?" he said.
"Why did you hit my son?" Osaze questioned his brother.
"Brother, this is your fault. Although Efosa is your only son, you can't spoil him like this," Osaro rebuked.
"Osaze, your son is really wrong this time. You should discipline him," one of the men said.
"That's true. Even with such evidence, he openly lies. His character is questionable. No matter how talented he is, he's a
disgrace,' the second man added.
"General, say something. Although
Efosa is your precious grandson, he
has committed a great crime today,'
one of the warriors urged.
Edosa and Osaze exchanged glances. They knew lyare was innocent but also understood this was a setup. However, proving it was difficult. They couldn't reveal lyare's true gender, as it would expose their secret.
"Maiden, if you are willing, my family will propose marriage to you tomorrow,' Edosa finally said. Things had already gotten to this, Edosa could only pray that the girl accepted this proposal otherwise the consequence would be serious.
Hearing this, Osaro was pleased.This was the same decision his father had made when he had been accused of a similar crime in his youth.
"Grandfather, I told you I didn't touch her. I'm still fully clothed. How could l force her like this?" lyare argued.
The five men turned to lyare,
shocked to find she was indeed still
dressed.