BENEATH THE CROWN
(AMANDA’S TALE)
CHAPTER 19
The words of the doctor left everyone dumbfounded, wondering what could cause the late king’s sudden deáth. Tears could be seen on the queen’s face as the doctor walked towards the king with the report in his hands.
The doctor sighed as he handed the report to the king. “An autôpsy was conducted so many times on the late king, but it always came back with the same result. I am sorry, my king.”
King Ikenna flipped through the pages of the report, not understanding the medical terms used. He closed the file and handed it back to the doctor. “Can you please just tell me what caused my father’s deâth? I don’t understand all these medical terms.”
“My king, please take…”
“Can you just get to the point and tell me what caused his deâth?” King Ikenna snapped, looking furiously at the doctor.
“My king, the late king dîed of food poisôning and was slowly given for a long period of time, though that isn’t all because the poison wasn’t that lethal and wasn’t fully responsible for the king’s death. Something else gave the final blow, and that is what I can’t figure out, your majesty,” the doctor said, trembling in fear.
His words caused an uproar in the courtyard. The queen couldn’t stand the pressure and fainted, carried inside by her maids.
King Ikenna groaned in frustration and snapped. “Is this all you could find? Nothing more?”
The doctor shifted back as he trembled in fear. “Yes, my king; that’s all I could find.”
King sighed and turned his gaze to the palace guards. ”Get all the maids to assemble before me now.”
The palace guards swiftly went into action, summoning all the maids. The maids gathered before King Ikenna, trembling in fear.
King Ikenna looked at them and grinned. “I am going to ask this only once, who is responsible for preparing my late father’s food.”
Ogechi stepped out and knelt before the king with tears in her eyes. ”My king, I have no hand in the king’s deáth. I am truly responsible for preparing the king’s meal, but I am not the one who serves the meal to the king, and I wouldn’t dare to poîson it.”
“Who is responsible for serving the king’s food?” King Ikenna asked.
Ogechi glanced at someone in the crowd before turning her back to the king, rubbing her hands nervously.
“It’s…”
“Speak at once, young lady,” Elder Ejike yelled, slamming his staff on the ground.
“My king, it is Elder Chibuzo that is responsible for serving and feeding the king,” Ogechi muttered softly, shocking everyone, including Amanda.
“Are you sure of what you are saying, young maiden?” King Ikenna asked.
“Yes, my king, I am very sure,” Ogechi responded.
King Ikenna turned his gaze to Nonso. “Go to Elder Chibuzo’s house and tell him to report to the palace immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
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AMANDA’S POV
I am sure there is some kind of misunderstanding because I know my father isn’t responsible for the late king’s deáth. I have trust in him because he is a good and dear friend to the king. I really want the truth of this matter to come out. I want my father to come here and prove his innocence before the king.
It’s been 20 minutes since the youths left to fetch my father, and I was beginning to get worried for his safety. I was still wondering what the reason for their delay was when I heard commotion outside the palace gate. I looked up to see what was going on, but what I saw left me shocked to my core.
My father, a titled man, was being dragged around by the youths like a goat. The sight left me paralyzed at a spot; I wanted to rush forward and ask what he did, but I couldn’t move.
My father was made to kneel before the king, bowing his head like he was caught steâling, with tears in his eyes.
King Ikenna was confused about what was going on and inquired about what was going on. “I asked you to bring him to the palace and not drag him like he committed a crime. What is going on?”
Nonso, filled with rage, turned to King Ikenna and said, “He is the one responsible for the deáth of the king.”
“No! No! My father is a murderer; that can’t be true. Why is all this happening? Why are you accusing him of something he didn’t do?”
“Are you sure of what you are saying; this is a very serious accusation and must be handled with care,” Elder Ejike asked.
King Ikenna, who was rendered speechless by the turn of things, finally spoke up. ”Are you sure of what you are saying? Where is your proof?”
“My king, I am very sure of what I am saying,” Nonso said, beckoning to another youth to bring forth the item in his hands.
The items were brought forward and spilled on the ground, rendering everyone speechless.
A poîson bottle and chârms tied together.
TBC