Deities of Deceit

Chapter Eighteen

Yarima Abubakar | Eighteen
ONLY A FOOL ANSWERS WHEN DESTINY CALLS
__

The carriage turned into my compound and came to a halt. My coachman informed me that several other carriages were blocking the path. As I alighted, I took in the number of royal guards in uniform before taking notice of the ten carriages lined up all the way to the entrance, all bearing the royal banner. I sighed, placing my hands at on my waist.

Hareti was in my home.

"Turn the carriage around," I instructed.

"Yes, General!" He moved to hop back on his horse when a royal guard approached and seized the reins.

"Her Majesty instructs that we not allow you leave the premises once you arrive."

"This is ridiculous. I want every single one of you off my premises, that is an order!"

"General, I advise you enter the residence, else we are instructed to carry you in."

I squinted at him, both of us daring each other with intense stares. "I'd like to see you try." It was a threat.

"Yarima!" Mama's voice called from the entrance and I snapped my gaze to her. "In here now!" She demanded.

Grunting, I brushed past the royal guard staring me down, and with heavy strides made my way into the castle. My entire family, still clothed in white gathered in the sitting area where another five royal guards stood. My presence silenced their whispering.

"What have you done?" Mama asked in a strong warning voice.

"Mama, it is not what it seems."

"It is not?" Papa joined in.

"She is a friend." I blinked.

Fadimah snorted the laugh from across the room and I quickly eyed her.

"A friend? She brought palm wine!" Mama quietly scolded. "And you tell me she's a friend?"

"He must think old age makes one stupid," Papa said.

"He thinks we are idiots," Mama included, speaking directly to her husband as if I was not there.

"I'll fix this." I moved to walk past them when Papa and Mama drew me back.

"Will you come back here!" Papa scolded.

"Fix what? What did you think you're going to fix?" Mama asked.

"My engagement with Udume is secure, if that's what you're worried about." Mama smacked my chest and I groaned. "Mama!"

"You're telling me I could be king mother?"

"King father," papa included.

"We could be princesses!" Fatimah, one of my younger sisters chimed in.

"But instead you want to make me a... common mother-in-law?"

"The Adachi family holds a significant amount of power in this city, Mama!" I reminded.

"Will you shut up! Are you insane! She is the queen!" The white chalk on Mama's forehead crumbled as she scolded.

"I'm very aware," I said nonchalantly.

"And she wants to marry you," Papa said as if it was something I was hearing for the first time.

"I'm also very aware."

"This will etch our family name in history forever."

"You do realize if I marry the queen, I cannot keep my last name." I tried feeding into their vanity.