Chapter 39 Continued: Whispers in the Shadows

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Prince Rogba entered the dimly lit cell, a mixture of determination and curiosity etched on his face. He confronted the enigmatic magic user who had wreaked havoc in the kingdom.

"How dare you," the magic user retorted, his voice laced with defiance. "Who are you?"

"I am Rogba," the prince replied, his tone firm.

The magic user hesitated before revealing, "I am Ìjì."

Prince Rogba frowned. "Ìjì? The wind that steals from towns and villages? That can't be your true name. Where are you really from?"

"I am from nowhere," the magic user responded curtly.

Prince Rogba wasn't convinced. He noticed tribal marks on the man's face, marks that hinted at an origin in the Ijebu kingdom. "Your tribal marks reveal your true identity. Denying it only means you were banished from Ijebu for a serious offense. You joined bandits in Ibadan, invaders who pose a threat to our kingdom. Tell me, why are you here, and how did you enter our kingdom unnoticed?"

"I am Ojo," the man confessed, a sense of resignation in his voice. "I left the kingdom with my bandit group, known for smuggling and other illicit activities. We were en route to Ìbàdàn when a dispute among us led to a split. On our journey, we were captured by slave merchants. Despite our elaborate plans, I managed to escape. I stumbled upon this nearby kingdom, entered through the Resting Forest, and that's how I ended up here."

" you didn't encounter any strange being?" prince Rogba ask " no but a feel a bad force coming in " the man answer

Prince Rogba continued his interrogation. "How long have you been in this kingdom?"

"Only one moon," Ojo replied.

---

Meanwhile, in another part of the kingdom, Sewa worked diligently, packing the fifth prince's belongings. Her annoyance was palpable as she labored.

"Won't you help?" Sewa questioned, her tone curt, as the fifth prince lent a hand.

"We need to talk," Sewa said abruptly, her expression unreadable.

"Olaitan, go meet Ifafunto," she instructed her daughter, who hurried off to find Ifafunto.

"What's the meaning of this?" Sewa inquired, her frustration evident. "I thought you were here to live with your daughter, not to take her away from me."

The fifth prince attempted to reassure her. "Fear not; I have no intention of taking her away."

"I don't care about your intentions, but I cannot simply hand my daughter over to you. You know our traditions, and we cannot allow you to live here without us being married," Sewa stated firmly.

"Are you proposing marriage?" the fifth prince inquired.

"Marriage?" Sewa scoffed, her tone sharp as she continued to arrange his belongings. "Marriage is out of the question. We have only one room here, and perhaps I'll have to arrange the hen's cage for you."

The fifth prince's eyes widened in surprise, left to grapple with Sewa's unexpected reaction and the implications of her words.

---

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