The following morning, I woke up with swollen eyes and a heavy heart.
I barely slept throughout the night. Every time I closed my eyes, I imagined myself standing beside an old man, calling him my husband while my dreams of becoming a queen disappeared.
I hated the thought of it.
I was only twenty-one years old. I had dreams, ambitions and a future I wanted to build. I wanted to travel, meet new people, experience love and marry a man who would see me as his partner rather than another woman to add to his household.
Was that too much to ask?
I dragged myself out of bed and walked towards the balcony. From there, I could see the beautiful kingdom of Odumodu. Children were running around, women were returning from the market, and men were preparing for their daily activities.
Everything looked peaceful.
How could I explain to those people that their future was being threatened because a powerful king wanted to marry me?
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in."
It was my personal maiden, Nneka.
"Good morning, my princess."
"Good morning, Nneka."
She approached me with a worried expression.
"Your Highness, the queen requests your presence in her chamber."
" I nodded"
Tell her I will be there shortly."
Nneka hesitated before speaking again.
"My princess, please don't allow this situation to destroy you. The queen has not stopped crying since yesterday."
I turned towards her.
"Do you think I am happy, Nneka? I don't want to marry that man."
"I understand, my princess."
I sighed.
"Sometimes I wish I wasn't born into royalty. Perhaps my life would have been easier."
Nneka lowered her head.
"Being a princess is a blessing, Your Highness."
"Perhaps. But sometimes it feels like a punishment."
I dismissed her gently and prepared to see my mother.
When I entered her chamber, I found her sitting beside the window with a cup of tea in her hands.
"Mummy."
She turned towards me.
"My baby, come here."
I sat beside her, resting my head on her shoulder.
"Have you spoken to Daddy?"
"Not yet."
She took my hand.
"Your father is meeting with the council of elders this morning. He wants to find another solution." Do you think they will find one?"
My mother remained silent for a moment.
"I pray they do."
I looked at her.
"Mummy, if Daddy agrees to the marriage, will you allow it?"
Her eyes widened.
"Never! I would rather lose my position as queen than watch my only child suffer in that man's palace."
I hugged her tightly
"I love you, Mummy."
"And I love you more than anything in this world."
For a moment, I felt safe but that feeling didn't last long.
At the council chamber, King Arinze sat on his throne while the elders discussed the situation.
"Our king, we must act quickly," Chief Obinna said. "The King of Amabuzo has already begun gathering his warriors."
Another elder stood up.
"We should accept his condition. It is better to lose one princess than to lose thousands of lives."
King Arinze slammed his staff against the floor.
"Enough! You speak as though my daughter is an object that can be exchanged for peace."
The elders became silent.
Chief Obinna cleared his throat.
"Your Majesty, nobody wishes to disrespect you. But the survival of Odumodu must come first.
"King Arinze looked around the room.
"Is there truly no other solution?"
Nobody answered.
At the far end of the chamber sat a man who had remained unusually quiet throughout the meeting.
His name was Prince Dike, the king's younger cousin.
He was respected by many people because of his generosity and his close relationship with the royal household.
"My king," he finally spoke, "perhaps we should consider accepting the proposal temporarily while we negotiate better terms."
The king looked at him.
"What do you mean?
"Dike smiled.
"Allow me to travel to Amabuzo as your representative. I can discuss the marriage arrangements with their king and discover whether he is willing to reconsider some of his demands."
The elders exchanged glances.
King Arinze considered the suggestion.
"Very well. You have my permission. But remember, my daughter's safety comes first."
Dike bowed.
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
However, beneath his respectful expression was a secret nobody in that chamber could imagine.
He had no intention of negotiating peace.
He had his own plans and princess Arya was a piece of a bigger game.
That afternoon, I decided to visit the royal garden.
I needed fresh air, and I wanted to clear my thoughts.
As I walked past the flower beds, I noticed a young man standing near the entrance.
He was not one of the palace guards I usually saw.
He wore a simple brown outfit, and his face was partly covered by a piece of cloth.
"Who are you?" I asked.
He immediately bowed.
"Forgive me, Your Highness. My name is Kamsi. I am one of the newly appointed palace guards."
I studied him.
"I have never seen you before."
"I was transferred here recently."
"Where were you posted before?"
"At the northern gate, Your Highness."
I nodded.
"Very well. You may continue with your duties."
As I walked away, I noticed that he was watching me.
There was something strange about him, but I could not explain what it was.
I returned to my chamber later that evening and found a small folded piece of paper on my dressing table.
I frowned.
"Who brought this?"
Nneka entered.
"Your Highness?"
"Did anyone enter my chamber?"
"No, my princess. I have been outside since you left."
I unfolded the paper.
There were only a few words written on it.
Your Highness, do not agree to the marriage. The man you should fear is not the King of Amabuzo. Your enemy is already inside your palace.
My hands began to tremble.
I read the message again.
Who could have written such a thing?
And what did they mean by saying my enemy was already inside the palace?My hands began to tremble.
I read the message again.
Who could have written such a thing?
And what did they mean by saying my enemy was already inside the palace?
I quickly turned towards Nneka.
"Who has access to this chamber?"
"Only the royal household, my princess."
I looked down at the paper again.
Something terrible was happening, and I had a feeling that my father's trusted people were hiding more than they were willing to reveal.
I folded the paper and hid it inside my drawer.
That night, I made a decision.
I would not marry the King of Amabuzo.
I would find out who was threatening my family, and I would protect my kingdom, even if it meant going against everyone.
I was Princess Arya of Odumodu.
And I was not going to surrender without a fight.
But little did I know that the greatest betrayal would come from someone whose face I had known since childhood.