His Queen

Chapter 35 - What Is This?

Third Persons Narrative;

A few maids and some guards are escorting the queen as she chose to take a stroll around the village today.

She does this every once in a while to see for herself how her people are faring and to ensure that all is fine.

Ronke is the queen's personal maid, so she's walking beside the queen and is prepared to give the queen anything the queen may need.

It's been minutes of walking in silence, and Ronke decides that it's time to swing her plan into motion.

Guards and maids are around them but at a fair distance. Fair enough for the queen and Ronke to share a conversation without being heard by the others if they speak in low voices.

“My queen, the people of this village are very lucky you know? ”Ronke speaks. Drawing the queen's attention, and the queen smiles.

“Is that so? ”The queen questions, and Ronke smiles.

“We have been blessed by the goddess with such a beautiful family to rule us. The Iya Oba, the king and you, and our dear prince. ”She speaks, and the queen's smile widens.

“I just keep praying to the goddess that the evil I see lurking around the prince will not be able to lay hold of him. ”Ronke adds, and the queen glares up at her in worry and confusion.

“What do you mean? What evil? ”The queen questions in worry about what evil could want to lay hold of her only child.

“My queen. It's fine. I know the goddess Will never let the evil plan over our prince and this kingdom come to pass. She'd protect the prince and our people. ”Ronke says, and the queen's heart drops.

“Talk! What do you know that you're not telling me? ”The queen questions and Ronke falls silent.

"My queen, I'm scared for my life, and... Besides, if I talk, no one would believe me. This has been eating me up for a very long time but... I can't speak because... Because, I value my life, and... And you won't believe me. "Ronke says, and the queen stops walking, causing everyone around to do the same.

“Privacy! ”She orders and everyone disperses. The guards move further away but stay close enough to be able to get to the queen in time in case of any threat or danger.

“Speak to me, Ronke. You're safe. Tell me what you know. ”The queen pleads with Ronke while affectionately placing one hand on Ronkes white shoulder.

Ronke looks around a bit a haves a sigh of surrender.

“Your highness, it's about Ajinke.”

“What about her?  ”The queen questions. Taking off her hand from Ronkes shoulder and Ronke pauses again.

“My queen, do you know anything about her? ”

*Silence*

“My queen, I have reasons to believe that she has ulterior motives. Like she's after the downfall of this kingdom. ”

*More silence from the queen*

“I'm not... I'm not trying to paint her bad, I'm just worried and concerned for the prince and our village... There are... There are rumors in the village about her. Things the walls have heard and are whispering...  Disturbing and discomforting things.
I think... I think she's after the prince's life... ”Ronke adds.

"Come to think of it my queen, till date, we have not been able to find out who killed late chief Abiodun. Everybody knows what he did to Ajinke. How convenient is it that he died and even though we have his wife in custody, we still can't prove her guilty?  I think we should deeply investigate this Ajinke girl.