“As your Highness pleases. According to the codes of acts of the Ashanti Kingdom as passed down from generations, when a royal blood hurts, kills or behaves inhumanly with another royal family member, he or she is either, de-robed, death penalty or banished forever from the Kingdom and his descendants will be forbidden from stepping their feet in the Kingdom forever…” the sergeant read out.
“That's it, prince Jamal has unjustly banished the newly born prince of this Ashanti Kingdom, prince Clifford's son, away from his royal family. And this is the decree prince Jamal is hereby de-robed from being the crown prince and banished from this kingdom forever.
If he dies, he is to be buried without ceremony and no mourning hall to be erected. And his wife and daughter are to become normal citizens without title or anything else.
Secondly, the long missing prince must be found. Until he is found,King Bashmal will no longer wear my crown or dress in my royal attire and the same goes to every member of this royal family. Until my grandson is found, no more music to be heard and no more court hearing.
Everyone must put all hands on deck and search for the whereabouts of the missing prince. Until he is found, the Ashanti Kingdom will not be at rest anymore. This is my declaration and it has become a law” King Bashmal declared.
There was a long silence in the royal court and for the first time since Jamal's confession, princess Charlotte felt at ease and looked hopeful, father's words had brought her hope. Her son will be found, and her life will be filled with happiness again.
Queen Farah bowed her head before his highness, “Your Highness punishment is fair and justice has been served” she applauds him. That's right, no wonder the seer said he would rot and decay away but would not die until he confessed to his crime.
“I rise” the king declared and everyone stood up, as his royal Highness walked away in the midst of his subject, the Queen followed and now prince Clifford followed. Everyone left except the former prince, Jamal and his immediate family.
“This is what your evilness has brought upon us all. What are you waiting for more, just die already and let's live in peace once and for all, "Princess Diamond declared, eyeing the skeleton man who once ruled as the crown prince with a fisted palm.
“You are the reason why I got married and have no child for five years now. Karma visited but found me instead of you. Because of you today, my mom and I have lost out from being part of the royal family.
Because of you today, Aunt Charlotte is crying like a woman who just lost her son, twice you've made her cry over a child that is still alive. Uncle Clifford lives like someone who has no son and yet, he's got a son, the one you abducted and sent away from his people.
Because of you, grandfather has spent years hoping secretly to have an heir. He'd got only granddaughters but no son. But what did you do, you go about not being affected by what your family is going through. Since you have no conscience left in you, I will also return to my home. You can choose to die and be thrown below six feet or choose to decay away until what is left in you is a strand of your useless soul…” princess Miranda fumed.
Her mother tried to stop her but the princess, Miranda, would not listen. She can't help her mother's tears but she can't wait to hear the news of Jamal's death. Then she would come and fetch her mother to be with her.
In Prince Clifford's castle, he gave instructions “Begin the investigation from the hospital where the prince was born. Find out the identity of the couple that took him home…” he instructed.
As soon as the men went away, Charlotte joined him at the balcony. Her eyes are still puffy red. She sniffled, her hair now roughed and unbounded “How long Clifford, how long do I have to wait any longer until my son is found?” She asked.
“Very soon. Our son will be found and he will return to his home and family "Prince Clifford assured her and pulled her over, caressing her back gently. This truth came in a daze and left them all broken. But more than anything, he's happy that the truth came to light.
“What do you think, he's a grown man now. Will he blame us for his life if he is unhappy and miserable? Will he accept us as his real parents? I'm worried, Clifford, our son's acceptance bothers me a lot” Princess Charlotte squeaked.
“You shouldn't worry. Let's find him first. We'll explain things to him. He's a grown up now, probably married, who knows” Prince Clifford coaxed. Yes, his son might probably have fathered a child too.
Charlotte's eyes clouded with tears. She smiled, what if she is a grandmother already. She raised her head to glance at her husband, his eyes locked with her as he supported her chin and then gently brought his lips on hers, kissing her sweetly.
***********
As they drove home, Jack Johnson was fuming in rage but chose to be quiet. They have seen her, her rudeness and the way and manner she carried herself as if he was nothing better than a filthy person before her. He is not a man that a woman will not admire when they glance at him.
But that spoiled brat threw his hand off as if he was covered in plagues and she could easily get infected by it. How can she act so rudely before her future husband? Will this kind of woman even allow him to get intimate with her on their wedding night?
Anyways, that's not a problem for him. Once they get married, their wedding night is a must. It is non-negotiable. She either willingly submits her body to him or he takes it by force. He won't spare her. He would devour and wouldn't let her go until she passed out.
This is the promise he is making to herself. That girl's surname Wood needs to be taught a lesson.
His eyes stern and cold, he held onto the steering wheel tightly. His mother has been stealing glances at him since the moment they got into the car. She glanced at him again and this time, her eyes locked with his and a gush of guilt clouded her conscience.
“Do you see the kind of woman you have prescribed for me, to spend the rest of my life with? You've seen her yourself mom, and I hope she will be the ideal daughter-in-law that you want, right?” Jack squeaked.
Clara Johnson swallowed hard. She glanced at her husband but he seemed absent minded. She looked away, avoiding her son's gaze “You'll tame her. There isn't a living thing that cannot be tamed. Even wild animals can be tamed.
This feisty woman is a wild human and just as wild animals are tame, you'll do the same to her. Only hide your true ability from her. Once you both get married, you'll put her in her place” Clara advised.
If her son is ever going to be happy in the home he would be building, then he needs to put that girl where she belongs. She felt embarrassed, how she treated her son. And to imagine that she wants to put things in order before considering getting married.
How long will they have to wait? How about Jack, isn't it enough for him waiting for two years for that spoiled brat.
“Whatever you do, ensure that you get her pregnant and make her transfer the company into your child's name. After that, do whatever you have to do, and take her away from our paths” Kunle Johnson seethed.