The Last Chapter

The Last Chapter 

It was Asha's wedding day, hers! She could hardly believe her eyes! Not long ago, she was just a little girl whom no one took seriously, and now she was about to become the wife of the next in line.

"You look beautiful, Asha. As beautiful as your brave and kind heart," her father said as he walked in with Asha's sisters. Asha smiled as she looked up from the leg painting Nemere had been doing for her to smile at her family.

It had been weeks since the king's death, and Maribah was bustling like never before. There were sounds of laughter in every corner, especially in the home of Asha and her sisters who were happy to be reunited.

"Father! I can't deny that I am shocked that this is how my story is going. I thought that somehow the king would win!" Asha said, a bit worried about what would have happened if the king had won.

""There's no need to dwell on that because tonight we shall all dance to victory and to your marriage to Elim, the man after your heart and the man after the heart of the people of Maribah!" Zeep declared, smoothing her sister's hair and assisting her with tying her headgear.

"Perhaps we shall one day find a man as kind and brave as Elim!" Nena chimed in, playfully touching Asha's jaw. The love and happiness overwhelmed Asha. She could hardly believe that just weeks ago, she had been running for her life and plotting to end the king's reign so she could find her way home.

"We must let her be now. Let her get ready for her marriage. Soon, it would be Nena's or Zeep's or even Nemere's, but it doesn't matter when. The most important thing is finding the right man," her father said before leaving the room.

As Asha watched them leave, she suddenly felt the desire to roam around Maribah and scream her freedom.

"I know I am no longer the same Asha and that life's difficulties have changed me, but I must hold onto my youthfulness and carefree spirit now that I can. Because I may not have the chance to do so when I become queen!" she said, setting her headgear aside and throwing on a little scarf to cover her face.

""With Elim, that shall never be the case!" Nemere's voice echoed as she dashed out the door.

Her sisters noticed her running and called out to her, but she didn't respond, and they laughed, recognizing her typical behavior.

"The floor! You have to clean it all over again!" Zeep instructed Soma, whose shoulders slumped in misery.

"But… I have just done that!" Soma protested.

"It doesn't matter! Do it again!" Zeep yelled, feeling a twinge of guilt as she recognized a shadow of her past self in her present attitude. But she wasn't yelling at Soma because she was the spoiled and arrogant person she used to be; she wanted Soma to learn from her own suffering.

"One day, Prince Mayo will take his place on the throne, and I will be queen once again, and all those who offended me will be punished," Soma muttered to encourage herself.

"What did you say?" Zeep asked, her lips trembling in anger.

"Nothing!" Soma quickly replied, biting her lip.

""You haven't washed the heaps of plates and sheets from yesterday. You're being a very lazy servant!" The Dramidi's household maid scolded Soma. Grumpily, she hurriedly cleaned the floor to move on to the next task, with Nena and Zeep's laughter trailing behind her.

"Come, we must get ready for Asha's wedding. And Zeep, have I told you that a young man I met yesterday was asking after you?" their father said.

Zeep smiled sheepishly in response.

The so-called Prince Mayo was helping to set up the chairs and other things for Asha's wedding with those who volunteered. She knew he hadn't volunteered but was doing this just to please his mother. He was sweating profusely as he cleared the grasses in the village square, ignoring those around. Asha's heart began to beat loudly when she saw Denna watching her. But he didn't look as arrogant as he used to. He had a pitiable look on his face, aging from the hard work and torture their mother put them through to make them into better men. He didn't look at her for long like he was afraid someone would slap him if he did. 

"Is my bride planning to run away on our wedding day?".

She heard Elim's teasing voice from behind her, and electric currents shot up her spine as she turned to see him clad in a different robe than usual. Her groom! A shy smile spread across her face as she beheld him.

"The smile! You've cast a spell on me, my lady, and now I must whisk you away!" Elim declared, scooping her off her feet and carrying her to the garden, where her nightmare had begun, where she had witnessed Soma and Prince Mayo in an intimate embrace.

"The very first place we met! Do you remember? It was fate!" Elim whispered in her ear, showering her with kisses. Their passion ignited, neither able to restrain themselves. She yearned to be his completely. And he too, wanted to possess every inch of her. 

"You must be patient! Today, I will be yours alone!" She playfully nibbled his hand and slipped out of his embrace. He pursued her eagerly as they dashed into the palace, where the queen greeted them with a knowing smile. Nena sat nearby, grinning mischievously.

"I see you both couldn't wait until the wedding even began," the queen remarked, winking at Asha.

"Come, we must finish dressing and painting you before it's time!" Nena said, leading Asha away.

Elim watched her depart, his longing for her evident in his eyes.

"You both remind me of your father and me!" the queen remarked, as Elim drew closer.

Outside, Asha observed that Maribah was brimming with high spirits. People were genuinely happy, working not only because they enjoyed it but also because they were fairly compensated. There was a sense of equality among them, and the queen was respected for her kindness rather than feared for her tyranny.

"Elsa! Nze! How did you find your way here?" Asha exclaimed with delight upon spotting Nze's handsome figure and Elsa's radiant smile.

"Someone from our past told me where to find you, and I'm surprised to discover it's your wedding day," Nze replied, and Asha knew it was Ada who had informed them after Asha had allowed her to return home.

Elsa didn't respond verbally; instead, she rushed forward to embrace Asha.

"Your Maribah is just as enchanting as Aku!" Elsa exclaimed with excitement.

"Who are your new friends?" Nena inquired, prompting Asha to explain how Elsa and Nze had aided her. But she conveniently left out the part where they had locked her up.

Just then, Elim emerged from the door, and Asha feared his reaction to Nze's presence. Surprisingly, he remained composed, approaching Nze and exchanging greetings with him in a respectful manner. 

"We must leave now!" Nena interjected, pulling her sister away. They both laughed as they ran through the streets of Maribah, the cool, joyous breeze of the late afternoon swirling around them.