CHAPTER 13

The appointed day for the Prince's marriage came. The palace was extremely busy as they awaited the arrival of the Prince's bride.

"You are extremely wise, my Prince." Diadem praised, stepping her feet into the palace.

"Thanks my bride but what made you say so?"

"Gem told me somethings before her disappearance. I hold you in high esteem, my lord" She smiled.

"I am still bothered about her. Jose refused to tell me about her whereabouts. He said it would be more dangerous. How could she be missing today of all days and to think...the news arrived late?"

"The gods are wise. I know she would be found."

"But Diadem, the King's life depends on her."

"Worry not. Everything would be fine, my lord."

"I greet you, my Prince." Jose's voice ranged out, interrupting their conversation.

"Jose, what do you bring?"

"I bring good and bad tidings"

"Let's head to my Chamber." He told him.

"I will be in mine," Diadem informed before leaving.

**********

"I'm so sorry but you cannot head back to Zamunda in this state," Leah informed.

"I need to see Gem."

"But you can't go there if not you would be killed. The mother of the house is still looking everywhere for you. Her sons are as alert as ever."

"They will kill the innocent girl if I continue to stay here but if I'm killed she can still live on. I don't want her to die because of me. Understand me, Leah"

"Oh greetings, my Prince." Leah greeted out of nowhere, prompting Lucas to look up.

"Greetings, my King" Prince Zay and Jose bowed in unison before him as Lucas and Leah looked on shocked by their action.

"King?" He asked.

"You are the next King of Zamunda. Your father was the first son of the late Grand King. You were switched as a baby by your father's second wife when your mother brought you forth. When your father was about to die, he had no son to succeed him as the gods rejected him and so the kingship was passed onto the late King who ruled with so much vigor." Jose revealed.

"I was abandoned."

"Your stepmother sold you out to some merchants who took you to train you as one but you met another misfortune and the gods brought you back. You belong here, Your Highness." Jose explained further.

Lucas' kneel became so numb as he fell, groaning. The trio tried to hold him but all to no avail.

*********

"Gem should be killed today. Make sure of that Kim."

"Yes, mother." He smiled, leaving her presence.

"Mother!" Markus called out heading into her hut in haste.

"Why the haste?"

"Gem is no more where we kept her. Someone let her go."

"Who dares?" She hollered.

**********

"Thanks, Ramsey. I always knew you to be quite different from my older brothers."

She said painfully.

"Though I hated Lucas I never hated you. You are my blood and my father's daughter. I couldn't just sit back and watch them kill you. I'm sorry Gem but you have to run now. Kim is searching for you dead or alive."

Gem nodded, pulling her brother into her embrace before leaving.

"Please be safe." He uttered as he watched her go.

**********

Sensing the atmosphere, he knew something was going to happen but couldn't say what it was. Lately, he has been involving himself in the problems of Zamunda because of his friend. He wondered what would become of the people of Zamunda if their seer was to die without an heir.

Lost in his thoughts at the backyard of his hut, he heard a loud thud coming from his kitchen. As a boy who had lived alone right from a tender age, fear gripped him as he had no one to call for help. Approaching his kitchen, he found a maiden covered in blood and groaning in pain. He felt a nudge to take care of her so he took her up from the floor and tended to her wounds first before laying her down.

He watched in silence as the maiden slept soundly. He wondered who would have done this to a fellow human being.

"Greetings, my friend" the voice of Prince Zay greeted his ears.

"Greetings, my Prince" He replied, stepping out of his hut.

"You looked tired and your clothes stained with blood. Is there a problem?"

"I picked up a maiden. She is in my chambers now maybe you should come see her."

"A maiden in blood?"

"Yes, my Prince."

***********

"So the seer is still alive. I'm happy to hear that. This is great news." Diadem beamed.

"Indeed. Jose is looking after her. When she wakes up, the wicked people will be punished for all their crimes."

"I can't wait to see the shock on their faces right now knowing that she is gone. Do you know who saved her?"

"We are yet to find out. The King must arrive next two moons"

"You are indeed wise."

"I feel splendid when you say that. You are the wisest person too" He praised, drawing her closer to his embrace.

***********

"You ruined our plans. You deserve to be punished full-time without mercy."

"Punish me mother because I did the right thing. You have never for once taught us good virtues instead you ruined our lives. You killed your daughter's lover. You helped your wicked sons hasten your husband to the grave yet you pretended to lose consciousness so that no one would suspect your mischief. You loathed Lucas so much that you made us hate him as much. Now, you want me to stain my hands with the blood of my only sister." He cried out.

"You speak despicable things. Ramsey be careful of your words against Mother." Kim warned sternly.

"She ruined our lives, brothers. She made us murderers or can't you see...?" His words hung as Kim swiftly snapped his neck.

"You were too fast Kim. He is still my son and your brother" She cried.

"I would've done the same Mother," Markus said, patting his mother's shoulders.

***********

"I rushed over as your message got to me. What happened to her?" Prince Zay asked, worried as soon as Jose asked him to come over.

"She woke up with a scream and since then, her eyes have been dark. She refused to talk to me or even answer my questions."

"What could have happened?"

"I think she saw something too heartbreaking. I pity her. She is a seer with a lot of painful things to reveal."