CHAPTER THREE
It was a particularly beautiful afternoon when the cotton white sky was free of the hot sun which invariably made the weather cool so the community was expectant that rain might fall at any moment. Prince Liam had been having sleepless nights since he set eyes on Cynthia that fateful day on her way to the river to fetch water. He had never seen such beauty and innocence in the community. Prince Liam was at the stream to fish, but he could not concentrate because her image kept plaguing his subconsciousness. As he sat on a big rock at the riverbank; the roaring of the river as it moved by, the chirping of birds as they flew over the river, and the noise of children as they swam nearby was lost to him. It was when the hook in his hands became heavy and was almost slipping into the water did he became alerted to what was before him. He struggled and managed to draw out the hook and discovered he had caught a big fish. He smiled joyfully as he remembered the discussion they had after she gave him audience some days ago.
“My Prince, thank you for your kindness towards me but I’m greatly troubled...” she trailed off,
“What is giving you trouble? Please confide in me?” he prompted coolly,
“It is about my father, he abandoned us...” she blurted out, at the same time staring at him.
“Don’t worry about that, I will sort it out; your father will return home very soon.” He assured,
“Are you sure? How will you do it!” her eyes sparkled with excitement.
“That is my little secret, but I want you to know that your happiness is my greatest priority.” He said with admiration.
“My prince, you are scaring me with your words; you know there can never be anything between us because you are a prince and I’m just a common villager.”
“Cynthia, your beauty surpasses that of all the princesses in the kingdom and environs; you are not a commoner.” He enthused in a voice barely louder than a whisper, “You are a natural princess.”
“Please, don’t flatter me; we can’t have anything going between us...” she sighed worriedly at the trend the conversation was going.
“Don’t say anything yet, let us solve this issue of your father first of all,” he replied tritely, “For the meantime, I want you to know that there is nothing like a prince or commoner in the sight of the creator. We are all the same; I find you attractive and I want to be with you that is all that matters.”
He brought his mind to the present with a mischievous smile and concluded that Cynthia would bring him more fortune if they eventually became friends because it was her thought that brought him such luck considering that he had just arrived at the river.
As he retrieved the fish and set the hook for another onslaught, he decided that he would go and see his uncle, Major Dathan to talk to Cynthia’s father. He didn’t want anything that would make the girl sorrowful again because he knew that if there was no distraction in her home, he would have her undivided attention, so he wanted to act behind the scenes and bring sunshine to her darkness. Pleased with this conclusion, he willed himself to concentrate on his expedition.
●●●
Two days later, Prince Liam travelled to Kubuma military barracks to see his uncle, Major Dathan who happened to be his father’s younger brother. Prince Liam had lived with his uncle for most parts of his childhood. He was recently invited home to prepare him for the throne. “Liam, how are your father and everybody at home?” Major Dathan responded to his greetings.
“They are fine, Uncle,”
“I can see you fidgeting, what is the problem?” Major Dathan asked, “Have you offended your father again?”
“No, Uncle, I need your assistance, there is this friend of mine who is having a family problem and is affecting her adversely.”
“You want me to come and settle a family dispute? But that is the duty of your father who happens to be the king?”
“I want you to help me talk to my father, if I discuss with him directly, he might want to know the relationship between me and the girl.” He explained tentatively.
“You think I won’t want to know?” Major Dathan asked curtly, “Your father had discussed your attitude with me the last time I visited. He said you sneaked out of the palace at will; you don’t go out with your guards, and you hardly sit with the king at royal functions as demanded of an heir apparent. What is your problem?”
Prince Liam was downcasted, he was remorseful as he turned to his uncle with narrowed eyes, “Uncle, I know I can confide in you, that was why I came from the village, I’m in love with Mr. Azar’s daughter.”
“But you know it is not allowed, don’t you?” he asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow.
He was hesitant, “I can’t help it, I see her in my dreams, and I think of her all the time. It is affecting me adversely.”
Major Dathan smiled with understanding, “You are infatuated my boy...” he patted his shoulder, “I will suggest you discipline your heart if you want to ascend the throne of your father.”
“Uncle, I need your assist....”
“Liam, you cannot marry any other person apart from a princess and because of that, I won’t encourage any entanglement with any commoner!” he snapped,
“Okay, I accepted but I want this girl to be happy; her father’s misdemeanour is tearing the family apart and causing her untold grief. Please, help me talk to my father to intervene in the family dispute.”
Major Dathan was silent for some seconds as he pondered over Liam’s proposal. “I’m aware of Azar’s story...”
“Uncle, I promised not to do anything that will jeopardize my ascending the throne.” He interrupted his uncle as he promised solemnly.
“I will oblige you this request because I have known you since when you were a kid, and you were always cool-headed.”
“Thank you so much, Uncle...” he hugged his uncle affectionately,
“I will advise you to erase any thought about having an affair with this girl from your mind for your good and the good of the girl.”
“I have heard you, uncle,” he promised,
Prince Liam stayed till evening before he returned to the village after his uncle promised to come and see the king that weekend. Major Dathan visited as promised and discussed with King Zedekiah to summoned Azar and called him to order. “Your majesty, this family is going through hell, if we don’t do the needful now, we will be encouraging other families to be irresponsible. What was even the offence of his wife? Her inability to have a male child, is it her fault?”
“I have received series of the report about Azar and the way he maltreated his wife and daughter.” King Zedekiah said, “I will summon him now.”
When Azar was summoned by the king and questioned, he could not proffer any plausible response. “Your majesty, my wife is troublesome, she never allows me to have a rest of mind in my own home. That was why I left the house for her and her daughter.”
“Azar, your behaviour is alien to Kuburin culture; I want you to return to your wife and daughter, apologize to them and make amends immediately. I give you till this evening, by tomorrow, I will summon your wife and if she informs me, she is yet to see you, I will have you lock up in the dudgeon for six months and fine you heavily.” King Zedekiah ordered.
“I am sorry, your majesty, I will make amends with my family,” he promised remorsefully,
Later that evening, it was a joyful Cythera and Cynthia who received Azar; he apologized profusely and presented gifts to them. The next morning, Cynthia who was still basking in the euphoria of excitement went to see Prince Liam at the royal farm. Prince Liam was so happy to see this glowing side of her and he was grateful that he had been able to wipe her tears away. She was so free with him and did not even realize that the day was far spent as they chatted and ate together.
That marked the beginning of their relationship as the visit became frequent and they began spending quality time together. Cynthia found herself thinking more of him and always wishing to be in his presence. Tongues started to wag, and words got to the king who summoned the prince and warned him sternly to desist from the shameful conduct. He was even forbidden from going to the royal farm again, but he always managed to sneak out. Seven months into the relationship, the inevitable happened.