BENEATH THE CROWN
(AMANDA’S TALE)
**CHAPTER 29**
Silence engulfed the courtyard with only the sound of people groáning in paîn. King Ikenna looked at his people’s condition and couldn’t help but feel his heárt bréak. He sighed and turned his gaze back to the priest.
“What will happen to my people before then? Should I watch them dîe?” King Ikenna asked in frustration.
“Nothing will happen, my king. The gods will protect them…”
“And you expect us to believe that? You just said three days. What will happen to the people before that time, priest? People are already on the verge of deâth, and now we have to wait for three days before the person responsible confésses, when we already know who it is,” Elder Ejike said.
“Do not point at anyone, Elder Ejike. The person will be revealed in three days until then, I will come up with a potion that will minîmize the effect of this strange illness,” the priest said.
King Ikenna remained silent and walked into his throne room with the elders following closely behind. Thoughts going through his mind, who could be the cúlprit, which one of his wives is cheáting on him, he shook his head in confusion and sighed.
Elder Ejike watched the king in silence before clearing his throat and snapping King Ikenna out of his thoughts. “My king! I suggest we look for a solution fast because we all know that a thîef doesn’t conféss that easily.”
“So what do you suggest we do, Elder Ejike?” King Ikenna asked softly.
“My king! I suggest we bring your wives first for questioning, then we proceed from there,” Elder Ejike said, with the other elders nodding in response.
Amanda and Adaku were called into the king’s presence by the guards.
“My king! You sent for us,” both chorused in unison.
King Ikenna sighed and turned his gaze towards them. “A cálámity has befallen our dear land, and we have inquired from the gods. Guess what is the cause of the cálámity? One of you has the guts to cheát on me and has now resulted in this great calamity.”
“My king! I swear to the gods I have never cheáted on you. I lóve you dearly to do so,” Adaku said with a fake smile on her face but was obviously shaking inside.
“I know everyone will begin to sûspect me, but I am not the one. I have known no other man other than my husband, the king,” Amanda said with all confidence.
King Ikenna stared intently at them, trying to read their expressions before turning his gaze away from them.
“You were given just three days to conféss, but I give you the next 24 hours to conféss and come clean before me. I will reduce your punîshment, but if you refuse to; you will not like the conséquénces.”
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**ADAKU’S POV**
I sneáked out of the palace to Ifeanyi’s house. I met him pacing around his room, obviously worried. I guess he has gotten wind of the news. He turned his gaze towards me, looking at me with so much ángér.
“Adaku, see what you have caused, look at the próblem you have gotten us into. If only you controlled yourself that night, we won’t be in this próblem,” Ifeanyi snapped.
“Calm down! I am trying to think and come up with a solution,” I said, pulling my hair in frustration.
“You better come up with a proper solution for this méss you created,” Ifeanyi snapped.
I ignored him and focused on my thoughts, thinking of different ways to solve the problem. I thought for a while before a nice idea struck me, making me smirk.
“Hope you have come up with something since you are smiling,” Ifeanyi asked, sitting beside me.
“I have a wonderful idea that will not only get us out of this mess but will kill two birds with one stone. You know what I mean?” I replied with a lopsided smirk.
“What exactly is the plan?” Ifeanyi asked.
“Very simple, frame Amanda,” I whispered sweetly into his ears.
He thought about it for a while before breaking into a smile. He turned his gaze towards me and smiled.
“Now that is a genius plan; we could easily tráp her in this mess we got ourselves in and let her take the fall for us. But I am confused about how to make her take the fall for the other plan?” he asked.
I smiled and whispered into his ears the plan, causing a beautiful smile to break out on his lips.
“No problem, we have to be quick about it, let’s get it done once and for all,” he smirked.
“Let the game begin,” I replied with a sinister glint in my eyes.
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**AMANDA’S POV**
I walked out of the palace to receive fresh air and look for some herbs that would help relieve this strange sickness. I saw the herbs in my dream and I am grateful to the gods for their mercy upon this village. I can’t watch my people dîe for what they know nothing about. I know they háte me, but I must do this to help.
I walked a little distance towards the forest when I started feeling really uncomfortable; I felt like I am being watched and followed. I pushed it to the back of my mind with confidence that nothing will happen. Even if I am háted by the villagers, no one would harm me because I am still under the king. If only I had known.
I walked forward to continue my journey when I suddenly felt a hand grab me from behind and place a handkerchief on my nose. I struggled with the person trying to see the face but failed. I was overpowered and became wéak, causing me to inhale the scent from the handkerchief and fall into a world of dárknèss.
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**UNKNOWN POV**
I smirked as I received a message on my phone.
“It is done.”
I looked into the mirror beside me, revealing a sharp glint in my eyes.
“Egonna! It is time to take back what belongs to me.”
I watched as my lovely wife walked towards me, embracing me in a warm hug.
“It is time, my dear; our long-awaited victory has finally arrived, and you, my dear, will achieve your long-awaited dream,” I said as I kîssed her hair.
“Yes, my dear, it is our time now.