In the Ashanti Kingdom, Jamal was brought out of his castle. His Highness cannot step his feet in such a place, the stench smell of rottenness was capable of making him throw up. His wife Diamond was by his side and his daughter Miranda was on the other side.
Prince Clifford also was invited from his castle. He is a tall, muscular built man. He is the identical image of his father, his highness, King Bashmal Kamal. His wife princess Charlotte was by his side and behind them was their daughter, princess Isabella.
The two brothers don't get along so well. Jamal is the crown prince but failed to realise that his brother Clifford is also a prince. The difference between them was that he was born first and automatically became the crown prince.
But as long as he is still not on the throne, they are equal, both of them are princes of the Ashanti Kingdom. Jamal was brutal and mean while Clifford was the quiet easy going one, loved by the citizens and people of the kingdom and countries around them.
But their wives have no issue with each other. Miranda and Isabella are best cousins out there even if they are not so close once they step into the royal palace. Prince Clifford took a seat and his family next to him.
The palace was so big that everyone could stay away from each other for months without crossing paths with each other. Jamal and Clifford castle were far apart and the Royal castle was in the middle of them. That way, the brothers don't get to see each other often.
Everyone was offered a face mask to help reduce the effect of the odour coming from the crown prince. If the man hadn't been from such a family, he probably would have died, long time ago.
“Thank you for coming over within such a short notice, prince Clifford” Queen Farah appreciated. How much this son of hers has only given her peace and happiness since he was a child. And the seer said the heir of the throne was going to come out of him.
“It's nothing, royal mother,” Clifford replied. Since he wasn't in the company, running business and he is not outside the country, why wouldn't he make it, at his mother's order.
“Your Highness, I went to see the seer and he gave me a message to Jamal. I had gone to him to deliver the message and this is the action required from him. I request your Highness be patient and listen to the crown prince” Queen Farah pleaded.
Maybe after spilling the beans, Jamal will be alright again. He will regain his health and be ready to return to his state affairs as the crown prince. Clifford had refused to take up Jamal's responsibility since he became ill and many things have gone unmanaged.
King Bashmal nodded and said “you can go ahead, Prince Jamal” he ordered.
“I want to sincerely apologise to you, Prince Clifford and you, princess Charlotte. And I want to apologise to you father and mother and to everyone in the royal family. I have caused you to roam in ignorance and I have also hurt an innocent child of the royal family…" Prince Jamal pleaded and his tears ran down his bony cheeks.
He was being supported to sit upright. He was so thin that despite the royal robe placed on him, it was still visibly seen that he was a living skeleton.
Prince Clifford just stared at him. He'd never felt pity for his older brother since he became ill and bedridden. He was so evil and terrible. He does whatever he likes and raped the women serving in the palace. He embezzled the Kingdom finances and thinks no one knows about it.
He's sure being in this health condition has taught him a hard lesson. Once he recovers, he will learn to be a loving crown prince and a future great king. Father isn't getting younger, if his evilness is not washed away, the Ashanti Kingdom will fall apart in his hands.
“That's alright. Go ahead” King Bashmal instructed. He is not known to be someone who sits in a place for too long. His age isn't supporting that at all. And as the King whose jurisdictions covers several countries, such was not strange to him.
“Many years ago, when princess Charlotte gave birth to her first child…” Prince Jamal paused. That is the hardest part of it all. This is the pinnacle of his confession and he cannot ascertain what might befall him after that.
The fury of his brother, prince Clifford and the wroth of his father king Bashmal. He cannot predict what awaits him and still be ready to speak. He was ready to make a confession and free his imprisoned soul that resides in this decaying body of his.
He is willing to die and free everyone from this odour. He doesn't perceive the smell but he sees how people around him do, covering their nose and having their mouths filled with saliva. It's enough, he was ready to spill the beans that have been kept in his belly for so many years.
Princess Charlotte suddenly became more attentive. He said many years ago when she gave birth to her baby. What about it, what happened? She was more than attentive when she heard her name.
And not only her, prince Clifford also squinted, waiting for him to continue. What about that, when his wife had their baby, what happened?
“I…was envious of my brother. I have a daughter but his wife had a son as her first baby. I was afraid that being the eldest grandson, he would take over the throne someday. I was unhappy, I wish the baby should have been mine.
And I waited for the news of the baby's delivery. I went to the nursery where the innocent little prince laid and swapped him with the baby of a poor couple who was already dead…” Jamal confessed.
There was shock and surprise on everyone's face. What did he do? What was he saying, that he swapped Charlotte's baby for someone else's child? Didn't the little prince die back then?
“What did you say Jamal? What did you say you did to my baby?” Princess Charlotte was the first to speak. How can it be, how can he say, that the dead baby they buried in a royal way was not actually her baby?
“Your real baby was swapped by me for a dead one. The little prince was not the dead baby we buried…” Jamal confessed. He cannot hide anything again. What's the use,he was going to die anyway.
“What evil have you done, prince Jamal?” Queen Farah exclaimed. He could harm his own brother and nephew this way? What about Charlotte, he has no respect for the pain for motherhood, and took away her first bundle of joy?
Prince Clifford fixed his gaze on him, glaring at him with a killing intent. He swapped his son and made him and everyone believed that the little prince died? He was behind it and hid the truth for twenty eight years?
“Clifford, are you listening at all? My son….my son…oh my days…my poor little son…I want to die…just tell your brother he should have killed me instead and leave my innocent…lit..tle..son…” Princess Charlotte was sobbing aloud.