CHAPTER 8

"You refusing the Prince is harm to you and this family, Gem"

"Mother, Prince Zay is not the one for me. Why trouble me even when Father approves my disapproval?" Gem questioned in frustration.

"Your Father knows nothing more than the extra eyes the gods of his Fathers have given him. Gem, you are my only daughter, and getting married to the Prince would do you more good than harm" Mrs. Ortom warned sternly.

"Mother, my decision stands for now. I rather follow my Father's footsteps and decision than take yours."

"You and your Father will end the same way then."

**********

Back in memory lane, Gem was lost in her thoughts until she was pulled out of her trance.

"Gem!!!"

Her name sounded in her ears from afar but sooner than later, the voice became clearer.

"Gem!" Mrs. Ortom called this time, tapping her shoulders roughly thereby making her fall from the stool to the ground on her butt.

"Mother!" She exclaimed with a squeezed face.

"How dare a maiden like you sits here while the Prince of Zamunda seeks to get married very soon? I warned you and your Father but you both were big-headed and you refused my opinion"

"Mother, why trouble me this time of the day and because of no one but Prince Zay?"

"You must be insane by the gods to ask our Mother such an abomination of a question" Ramsey cut in, interrupting the duo the moment he caught sight of the scenario.

"Mother, warn your third son" Gem warned, gaining a heavy slap from her brother the instant the words flew from her mouth.

"We would have been royalties by now but thanks to the nonsense taunts put up by Father and you" He hollered on.

Gem held onto her cheeks, watching her Mother and brother spill hateful words on her.

"What is going on here?" Ortom questioned, approaching the scene before his very eyes.

Gem ran into the arms of her Father amidst the presence of the duo. Ortom embraced his daughter before facing the duo squarely after sensing the source of the problem.

"I made it clear here that royalty lies in a member of this clan but the gods are yet to reveal who. I permit no one to trouble Gem. She has a lot to achieve for the gods." He warned.

"Gem is our daughter, my lord. Stop personalizing her. Your love has only done more harm than good to her. She regards me no more. Gem loathes me now because you made it look like I'm the wicked and bad one" Mrs. Ortom wailed.

"I permit no one to trouble her and Lucas. I won't be merciful to any who does"

After sounding the warning, he took his daughter to his chamber leaving the duo behind.

********

"Father, you seem weak these days and I can't help but fear" Gem indicated.

"Your Father is about to journey down the lane his Fathers took"

"Father, you have started with the parables again" She replied, dressing his bed.

"Gem, I want you to take your Mother for who she is to you. She is the wife of your Father and Mother of your brothers."

"Father, Mother's attitude contradicts yours and my brothers are following suit. She hates it when I chose to follow your way. Imagine how she was ridiculing me all because I refused to marry the Prince which resulted in him getting engaged to the maiden Diadem."

"Diadem suites him. Your Mother only wants the best for you seeing it through the eyes of mere mortals. We know what is there if you get married to the Prince of Zamunda. Your choice and only suitable one died out of illness but not to worry, another has been chosen"

"Father, I don't see his death to be ordinary. I think Kaye was inflicted."

"Mention it not, Gem. Kaye was meant to die by that means. I know how deep it went through you to see your only beloved lay beneath the surface of the soil"

"Father, you bring back memories that I have fought so hard to forget. Kaye's voice still echoes in my ears. His presence always felt around me. I think he would be back" She released, tearing up.

"He is gone for good, Gem. Another Kaye would come but you must beware of fake Kayes." He spewed, wiping her tears away.

"I meet you well, Father. Gem." Lucas greeted, interrupting the chemistry between Father and daughter.

"Here cometh the future royalty of Zamunda whose destiny holds immense wealth, his hands blessed with the gift of fruitfulness from the soil, his feet drop fatness as he walks. His enemies see him and gnash their teeth in anger due to the envy that has invaded their hearts. You are welcome, my son" He revealed with a smile.

"Your utterances bear strong meanings, Father. I am not suitable for all these who've just mentioned" Lucas replied.

*********

"You mean a human can bear such a destiny??" Ramsey inquired.

"He will rule Zamunda" Edeh revealed the more.

"He is nowhere near royalty. He can't and cannot be our King." Kim flamed.

"The ways of the spirits are not the ways of mortals. His is endowed with the gift of fruitfulness from the soil and that explains the immense wealth the family, your own family have been enjoying since the very day his presence registered that of the farmland of your Father and that of the King. He is one of a kind because his destiny holds riches beneath mortals' eyes" He revealed again, not failing to notice the fierce anger the trio held on their faces.

*********

"Father, I still don't understand you tonight. You've been acting weird these days" Lucas cited, placing his hands on Ortom's thigh.

"I noticed the same thing, brother. I also told him but since then, parables have been the communication we've been having until you appeared." Gem released.

"Gem, you must be vigilant around your brother. A lot awaits him. You must be the eyes he has." Ortom mentioned.

"Father, you are scaring me suddenly," Gem answered back as Lucas stared at the duo confused.

"The gods of your Fathers will guide you, my lily. Lucas, you must listen to your sister's voice. She can't deceive you" He mentioned again.

"Your words are recorded, Father. I promise to do as you've said." Lucas replied.

"It is time for me to rest. You both can retire to your hut. Gem, call me your Mother" He revealed, dismissing them.