Chapter 13: Prisoner with maids

Káòṣù feels trapped in a monotonous cycle, with each day blending seamlessly into the next. Every morning, he wakes to the same routine, greeted by his three beautiful maids. They serve him food three times a day, ensure he takes his bath in the morning, and attend to his every need.

Despite the luxury and comfort, the predictability of his life has become stifling. He yearns for change, for something to break the unvarying pattern. His mornings, afternoons, and evenings have become indistinguishable, each moment mirroring the last.

The three maids, with their unwavering dedication, move through his day like clockwork, their actions precise and rehearsed.

Káòṣù dreams of spontaneity, of waking up to an unexpected adventure, of feeling a thrill that disrupts the sameness. He longs for a life where each day holds the promise of something new, where every moment is not a mere echo of the one before. Yet, for now, he remains ensnared in the cycle, with only his dreams of change to offer solace.

Káòṣù hasn't seen the princess or the Queen of Blades since that fateful incident. Each time he goes to the stream, hoping for a chance encounter, they are nowhere to be found. He longs to apologize to the princess for his foolish behaviour, but she remains as elusive as a shadow at dusk. So he makes sure he asks his maid about the princess ones they come to his room to serve his food. Behold the like they knew what was in his mind they appear knowing they will reject his offer because this is not the first time they refused this request.

 (Káòṣù paces back and forth, deep in thought. Bídèmí, Kadada, and Amarachi enter, carrying his of food and drink. )

Káòṣù: (stops pacing and looks at them) Adéọlá, Kadada, Amarachi, I know I am not meant to ask this but, I need to know. Have you seen the princess?

Bídèmí: (exchanges glances with the others) my lord, it is better for you to stay in your room oooo.

Káòṣù: (frustrated) you've said that before, Adéọlá. But I can't just stay here, doing nothing. I need to apologize to her.

Kadada: (softly) you see ehn my lord; the princess has not been to the stream since... since the incident.

Káòṣù: (desperate) How can that be? I've been there every day, hoping to see her, to explain myself. But it's like she's vanished.

Amarachi: (with a hint of sadness) my lord, she is the princess... she goes anywhere she wants to nobody dares to question her movement seeing her that day ehn was just by luck if she wants to see you she will see you so do not make things worse. It is for the best oooooo.

Káòṣù: (pleading) for the best? How can it be for the best when I am haunted by my actions? When I need to tell her I am sorry?

Bídèmí: (firmly) It is not our place to speak of the princess's wishes. We are here to care for you, my lord, and ensure your well-being.

Káòṣù: (angrily) ensuring my well-being? How can you ensure my well-being when I am trapped here, consumed by regret? I need to see her, to make things right!

Kadada: (gently) sometimes, my lord, it is best to let things be. The princess may need time, and I am not sure she wants to talk about what happened ever again.

Káòṣù: (voice breaking) Time? How much time? Each day feels like an eternity without the chance to apologize, to make amends.

Amarachi: (steps forward, placing a hand on his arm) We understand your pain, my lord. But we must follow the orders given to us. You are our priority not the princess stop thinking about her for all our sakes

Káòṣù: (sighs deeply) and what about the Queen of Blades? Have you heard anything about her?

Bídèmí: (shakes her head) please my lord; do not make the matter worse oooooo that one is impossible to find and even if we find her she will be beside princess Adéjinéré and we do not want to be in that situation trust me my lord.

Káòṣù: (defeated) so I am to remain here, surrounded by my guilt, with no way to make things right?

Amarachi: (hesitant) if I can remember it was not your fault you met them naked in fact they met you naked, no one asked for permission, everything was a co-incidence, you did not do it on purpose; so why are you feeling guilty for a crime you did not commit it is not like you touched their private part or what?

Kadada and Bídèmí: (shocked) aahhh Amarachi

Amarachi: (rolling her eyes) what nah

Kadada: (soothingly) we are here for you, my lord. You are not alone in this.

Káòṣù: (sighs deeply) Very well. I will try. But know that this burden is heavy, and I carry it every moment.

Amarachi: (comforting) we will help you bear it, my lord. Together, we will get through this.

(The maids bow and begin to serve the food. Káòṣù sits, staring into the distance, his heart heavy with longing and regret.)

This routine has become unbearable for Káòṣù. He longs for more than just being served meals and being attended to. He yearns for a life with purpose, where he can pursue his dreams and goals. He has many goals to reach he has to fulfil his destiny but he cannot do a thing because he was trapped in the walls of his room, which provides comfort and security feels confining and stifling. It's like they never want him to leave this realm till he dies. He remembers what happened in that grand hall where he was totally embarrassed by the general and the way he was knocked out by that being. How powerful is that person? How powerful are all of them in that hall? He needs to get stronger and reach their levels and to do that sitting in this place with his three maids will not do him any favours, he has to speak with the general and the way he will speak to him is through the lady who saved his life he has to speak to Lady Adéọlá. So, one night, after being served dinner, he asks a favour from his maids.

"Káòṣù: I want to speak to Lady Adéọlá.

(The maids exchange hesitant glances, clearly uncomfortable.)

Bídèmí: (nervously) why do you want to see her, my lord?

Káòṣù: (insisting) I need to thank her, and I have questions only she can answer.

Amarachi: (curious) what questions my lord?

Káòṣù: (furious) Questions like why am I trapped here?

Kadada: (softly) My lord, Lady Adéọlá has given us strict instructions. We are not to disturb her unless absolutely necessary.

Káòṣù: (frustrated) this is necessary. I can't go on like this, I cannot live here forever, I have things to do, I have dreams to fulfil and I cannot do that without talking to her.

Bídèmí: (remorseful) I am sorry my lord but we cannot help you to this.

Káòṣù: (more frustrated) why?

Bídèmí: (realistic) because she is not ready to see you, she hates you don't you get it?

Amarachi: our lady holds does not joke with three things and those three things are three people, these three people are:

Kadada: (interrupts) Princess Adéìsẹ́lé, princess Adejìnęrę and the grand general Ọkwụlụọcha. If you mess with them...….

Amarachi: (interrupts) you mess with her.

Bídèmí: You have messed with the general already; if she knows you messed with the princess also you will be dead before sunset. She will kill you. So, we are doing you a favour. Wait till the general seeks your audience.

Káòṣù: (persistent) I am sorry but I cannot wait anymore I have to see the lady.

Bídèmí: (reluctantly) we are sorry, my lord, but we cannot help you.

The maids turn to leave the room.

Káòṣù: (raising his voice, resolute) Wait! If you do not grant my request, I will refuse to eat the food you've brought me. I won't leave this room until I see her.

As Káòṣù's threat hung in the air, the maids did not reply. They exchanged worried glances but said nothing, leaving the room silently. Káòṣù knew his maids were too kind-hearted to ignore his drastic measures. He resolved to put his plan into action: if he refused to speak to them, refused their food, and refused to eat, they would eventually grant his request to meet Lady Adéọlá.

To the maids' surprise, Káòṣù carried out his plan. He sat in his room, untouched by the meals they brought, silent and resolute. Concern grew in their hearts, but they could not bring themselves to disobey Lady Adéọlá's orders.

Later that night, the maids gathered around Káòṣù, pleading with him to eat his dinner. Their voices were filled with worry and desperation, but he remained steadfast, his eyes locked on the door.

Amarachi: (begging) My lord, please, eat something. This isn't good for your health.

Kadada: (softly) We are worried about you, my lord. Please, take a few bites.

Bídèmí: (tearfully) We care about you, my lord. Don't do this to yourself.

Káòṣù stayed silent, his resolve unwavering. The maids' pleas grew more desperate, their voices trembling with concern.

Just as the situation seemed hopeless, the door opened quietly. Lady Adéọlá storms into the room like a dark cloud about to unleash a tempest, her presence suffocating and overwhelming. The air thickens with tension, electric and charged, as her cold gaze sweeps across the room, finally pinning Káòṣù in place. It feels like a predator locking onto its prey, and the searing hatred in her eyes pierces through him like a dagger.

The maids scramble back, bowing with tremors in their hands, their faces pale with dread as they retreat, eager to escape the storm brewing in the room. Káòṣù feels a knot twist tighter in his stomach, his heart pounding violently against his ribcage, each beat echoing his growing terror. It's as if the walls themselves are closing in, the oppressive atmosphere stealing the very air from his lungs.

Lady Adéọlá radiates an aura of menace that feels almost tangible, pressing down on him and making it hard to think. He knows she harbours deep-seated resentment, and that knowledge wraps around him like chains, suffocating and inescapable. The fear grips him like a vice, each second stretching into an eternity under her unyielding stare.

Lady Adéọlá: (gently, but with an underlying menace) Káòṣù, You asked to see me, I have come. You want to talk? Let us talk. How are the girls taking care of you?

Káòṣù: (trying to stay calm) they're doing a great job, just as you ordered.

Lady Adéọlá smiles, a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. She steps closer, her hand reaching out to hold his cheek. Káòṣù flinches inwardly at her touch, feeling the coldness in her fingers.

Lady Adéọlá: (mockingly) I can see you've gained weight. If they keep feeding you like this, you'll become fat.

Káòṣù feels insulted but doesn't respond, his concern for the maids keeping him silent.

Káòṣù: (forcing gratitude) Thank you for assigning them to me and saving my life. I'll be forever grateful.

(Lady Adéọlá's eyes glint with a mix of amusement and something darker. Her smile is cruel and knowing, as if she enjoys seeing his discomfort.)

Lady Adéọlá: (smiles coldly) oh my boy… do not thank me, thank the gods. I couldn't do what was truly on my mind. If I had, you would not have seen those beautiful girls. You will be in hell with those white dead sheep that came with you. Look at you (she spits on the ground) you are so pathetic. The man who claims to be the one man army is now stuck with three maids that does not have the power to do his wishes but mine.

Káòṣù is terrified and annoyed, his fear mixing with a burning resentment. He watches as she rises, her warning chilling him to the bone.

Lady Adéọlá: (warningly) Eat your food and listen to your maids, or you won't see them again.

Lady Adéọlá moves towards the door, leaving Káòṣù face in terror Desperation floods Káòṣù as he watches Lady Adéọlá turn to leave, her back a formidable wall against his hope. Panic surges within him, and in a frantic moment, he lunges forward, grasping her leg with shaking hands.

Lady Adéọlá stands near the door, poised to leave. The air is thick with tension as Káòṣù, desperation etched on his face, suddenly lunges forward.

KÁÒṢÙ: (grabbing her leg, voice trembling)

Please, forgive me if I've done anything wrong! I just want to live like a normal person! (He looks up at her, eyes wide with fear and anguish.) I'm so tired of being a fine prisoner, trapped in this gilded cage! If death is my fate, then let it come!

Lady Adéọlá hesitates, her back still turned to him.

KÁÒṢÙ: (voice cracking) just give me a chance—let me speak to General Ọkwụlụọcha!

The silence hangs heavy, pressing down like a weight. He grips her leg tighter, desperation coursing through him.

KÁÒṢÙ: (desperate) I'm drowning here! Please... don't turn your back on me!

Lady Adéọlá stands still, the tension palpable. Káòṣù's heart races each beat echoing his fear.

As Káòṣù clings to her leg, Lady Adéọlá hisses through clenched teeth, a venomous sound that cuts through the air like a knife. With a swift motion, she forces his hands from her leg, her strength both terrifying and commanding.

Lady Adéọlá: (voice cold and disdainful) You are nothing but an abomination!

With those words, she strides towards the door, her presence a shadow that looms over him. Káòṣù collapses to the ground, his face pressed against the cool floor, tears stinging his eyes as despair washes over him. The weight of her disdain hangs heavy in the air, suffocating his hopes as she disappears from view, leaving him alone in the oppressive silence of the room.

His life feels like a never-ending nightmare; the man who once believed he was someone important now feels like a shadow, a nobody; her words echo in his mind, haunting him: "The man who claims to be the one-man army is now stuck with three maids who have no power to fulfil his wishes but mine." Each syllable cuts deeper, twisting the knife of despair in his heart.

In his frustration, he tries to summon his powers, desperate to burn away his misery and reclaim his dignity. But the moment he attempts to channel his fire, the white beads on his wrists ignite with a fiery rage, turning red and searing him from within, like chains binding him tighter with each effort.

Overwhelmed by anguish, he tries again, but the pain escalates, and he cries out, a raw, piercing sound that echoes through the emptiness of his room. His maids rush in, eyes wide with fear and concern, finding their lord in a storm of tears. They gather around him, weeping alongside him, their hearts aching for his suffering as they gently wipe away his tears.

"Please, eat something," they urge, their voices trembling with compassion. Slowly, he relents, the weight of his emotional outburst draining his strength. As exhaustion washes over him like a gentle tide, he sinks into a deep sleep, wrapped in a fragile cocoon of sorrow and longing for a life beyond these walls.