Chapter 42: "Intrigue and Confrontation

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In the quiet of the chambers, a tense silence hung between the Fifth Prince and Sewa. While Sewa meticulously cleaned the house, seemingly unaffected, the Fifth Prince's gaze was fixed on her, a disquiet brewing within him. Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing Dayinsi and her daughter. The little girl rushed to her mother.

"Oh, daughter... what took so long?" Dayinsi inquired, embracing her daughter.

"Ifafunto gave me some snacks," the cute girl replied.

Dayinsi then turned to Sewa, "I'm trying to make some cake. Will you help?"

"I'll help, beans, right?" Sewa asked.

"Yeah," he replied.

"Wait..." She said, helping him adjust his dress. He smiled, but the Fifth Prince was visibly annoyed. Ignoring the tension, they left, prompting the Fifth Prince to decide to spy on them, consumed by jealousy.

"Papa, come play with me," the baby girl called out to the Fifth Prince, diverting his attention. He joined her, though his mind was preoccupied.

"Does Uncle Dayinsi always come here?" he asked his daughter.

"Yeah... he always cuddles me every night," she innocently replied.

"He doesn't need to do that anymore," he thought, struggling with his emotions. He knew he had to maintain his status as both a friend and a prince of the kingdom.

"Papa... come help with these beads," his daughter requested again.

"You don't need those beads anymore. I'll buy ones that suit your status now," he said, looking at the door and wondering what Sewa was doing in a man's room.

"Go and spy on your mom," he told his daughter, and she left. After a few minutes, unable to contain his curiosity, he decided to investigate.

The scene shifted to the king entering the second queen's chamber.

"Wow, it's a pleasure; the king visits me today," the queen greeted.

"Am I not welcome?" the king inquired.

"You are... you can see what they did to your son," the queen said, assisting the king with his robe.

"I heard he went against the imperial palace law," the king commented as she took off his royal coral beads.

"He is a brave son like you; he faced the beast and saved his brother... he deserves a reward," she said, attempting to seduce the king.

"You think so?" the king asked.

"Yeah... since the first prince denied his birthright..." The king interrupted her, "Is this what you are teaching your children? Hatred, rebellion against each other? You are so confident to speak in front of me," the king said, anger evident. She grew frightened.

"I can clearly see; I'll have you dethroned and sent to the dark, cold castle. You deserve that as a mother. Your son raped a maid, you think you kept as a secret. it's no more secret, yet your son sends assassins to kill his own baby son...is that how ruthless I am?" the king asked, leaving the chamber. After a few meters, Prince Rogba tried to catch up with his father, concerned, "Father... what is wrong? You look upset."

"Double your security around the maid and his son... make sure nothing happens," he ordered. "Okay, father!" Prince Rogba replied.

"How did you know this kind of secret and keep it to yourself? What if the maid or his son were killed, especially his son with royal blood, and you know the consequences?" the king said, visibly angry.

"I'm sorry, father," Prince Rogba said, as the king and his guards left him.