His Queen

Chapter 38 - What's Gotten Into You??

  The Queens POV;

Ajala had just come to inform me that Ajinke had not confessed to being a witch during the first session of her torture, and I dismissed him in irritation with the order that Ajinke is made to confess to her crimes no matter what.

After Ajala left, I and Ronke are left alone in the room.

I begin to think about Ajinke and a small voice at the back of my mind begins to beg me to see that Ajinke is innocent. I begin to remember the child's innocent face and aura. How sweet her smile is and how warm her presence is.

“What if Ajinke is innocent? “I question out loud, and a hand holds my shoulder.

“Your highness, don't fall into the trap. This is obviously the work of her coven members. They are trying to get to you.

You heard what the villagers had to say about her. How can you still say she's innocent? Have you forgotten the state the prince is in because of her? “Ronke says, and as I look into her eyes, a chilling feeling of hurt and anger begins to grow in my chest.

Her words begin to make sense to me. I battle to reason otherwise, but my mind becomes jumbled and only her words make sense.

She tightens her grip on my shoulder, and as our eye contact intensifies, I give up on my will to think, and rely totally on her words.

Only her words make sense.

“Yes, you're right. That girl is a witch. And she must be punished! “I reply, and Ronke smiles as she takes her hand off my shoulder.

“My queen, if you don't mind… I think I know how to save the prince from Ajinke. ” She says, and I look up at her.

“Go on… ” I order, as her words captured my interest.

“My queen, it's a well-known fact that a wife is the shield of her husband. A woman is a neck to support her husband, who is the head.

She's his guide against all harm. That is why the men leave their wives at home to pray when they go out to war.

My queen, I think Ajinke is trying to utilise the fact that the prince is not yet married. She's trying to get close enough to him to kill him, and we must stop her before she succeeds.  ” Ronke continues, and my brows crease.

“How do we do that? ” I question confused.

“We need to get the prince married.
Before he regains consciousness. ”
She adds, and my eyes widen in shock.

“What!? Do you know what you're saying? There are so many rituals to be done before picking a bride for the prince. And picking a bride is not up to me, it's up to the goddess. The village will be shaken greatly if I do this. Besides, who would I pick for my son to marry? “I speak in alarm, and Ronke takes hold of my shoulder again.

“My queen… ” She makes to speak, and I cut her off.

“This is a horrible idea! It will never work! The king won't even hear of this! ” I exclaim, and Ronke exhales calmly.

“Look into my eyes. ” She says calmly, and I look up at her.

As I make eye contact with her, the same freezing feeling takes over my chest again, and anger begins to boil inside me.

“Don't you love your son? Don't you want to see him live? Do you want that witch to take over this village?

Get him married.
To me.

I'm the best woman you'd ever find for your son. I'm the one to protect him. There's no one like me.
You will make the king and every other person agree to this. You will get the prince and I married no matter what. Even if he regains consciousness right this moment.