His Queen

Chapter Five - New Maid

Ajinke's POV;

I walk out after Asakae, with the other maids staring me down with their eyes, and finally come face to face with the guard who led me here at the entrance. He quickly looks me over before stepping aside for me to come out.

"Good luck! "I hear Asake yell from behind, and I smile before turning to her. Good luck? Good luck with death? Maybe I do need that wish so goddess Yaremi might change my luck.

I walk behind the guard with my head hanging, with some people staring. We walk in silence for a long while. The anklets on my legs creating the only sounds I can hear asides from my breathing.

The guard suddenly stops before me, and I bump into him from behind. He turns his head to the side looking at me from the side of his eyes, and I swallow.

"S... Sorry." I apologize, and he taps on the door before us, and the massive doors are pulled open. I take a peek from behind the guard, and across the magnificent hall, is the royal family, on their thrones.

This is the throne room I presume.

The guard walks in, and I stare up at the clear sky. Dear sacred goddess of love, please help me. Save me. I don't want to die. Please.

I walk in after the guard, and we finally stop a few feet away from the royal thrones. Prince Adebiyi sitting on a throne beside his father. It's big, but not nearly as magnificent as his father's.

The guard lays on the floor and salutes the royal family to greet them as per our Yoruba culture, and I instantly get on my knees.

"You may rise. " The king's mighty voice says, and I feel a buzz run through me at the authority in his voice.

I rise to my feet and leave my head hanging.

"Thank you, sir. " The guard appreciates, and I leave my gaze on the thick, plane floor.

"Who is this? "The king questions and I know he's talking about me.

I remain silent as I don't know if to speak, or what to say.

"She's a new maid I brought in. Brought her here for mother to see. "I hear the prince say, and relief washes over me the same time confusion hits me.

A new maid. That means I'm not dying. But wait, why and how on earth did I suddenly become a royal maid??

"Hmm... Where did you find her? "The queens, soft, tender, and beautiful voice questions, and my eyes grow wide. Will the prince tell them how we met? That will mean the end of me!

" Close to the royal river. "The prince replies, and I steal a glimpse of him before looking back down. He didn't tell on me!

"Her parents? "The queen questions further.

"She has none. "The prince replies, while I rub my big toes against each other. How awkward is it that they are discussing me, in my presence, yet I dare not utter a word to interrupt?

" Okay... "The queen replies and I swallow.

" Young lady, what's your name? "Her, tender voice questions and I look up to see she is talking to me.

"A... Ajinke, ma. "I reply with a bow of the head, and she smiles.

"That's a beautiful name..." She says, and I blush lightly. The queen of our village just said my name is beautiful! My name!

"T... Thank you, your highness. "I reply, and she smiles again.

"I approve of her." The queen says, and my heart skips a beat for a second.