ROYAL SWITCH
Nathaniel Tracy@tracynathaniel290806
9 days ago
ROYAL SWITCH
(EPISODE 11-15)
EPISODE 11
A story written by Tracy Nathaniel
After the marriage and coronation ceremonies, Prince Kunle and Princess Kemi were hailed as the new King and Queen. The subjects rejoiced, celebrating their new rulers.
As Queen Kemi retreated to her chamber, Queen Mother Ajoke approached her. Queen Kemi bowed and greeted her with respect.
Queen Mother Ajoke's piercing gaze lingered before she broke the silence. "I don't know what schemes you and Prince Balogun have concocted, but listen well: if any harm befalls my son, King Kunle, you'll face my wrath."
Queen Kemi stood mute, her eyes fixed on the queen mother.
"I won't tolerate anyone endangering my son's life," Queen Mother Ajoke emphasized, her voice firm and commanding. "You'd do well to remember that."
With a stern expression, Queen Mother Ajoke sighed and exited, leaving Queen Kemi unsettled.
The rift between King Kunle and Queen Kemi persisted, despite King Kunle's efforts to bridge the gap. One day, after meeting with the elders, King Kunle visited Queen Kemi in her chamber.
Queen Kemi's reception was chilly. "What brings you to my chamber?" she asked.
"I came to see my queen before retiring to my chamber," King Kunle replied.
"Now you've seen me, you may leave," Queen Kemi dismissed.
King Kunle attempted to hold her hand, but she pulled away. Noticing a scar on her elbow, he asked, "How did you get that scar?"
Queen Kemi's eyes widened in surprise. "You don't know about this scar?"
King Kunle hesitated. "I tend to forget things lately. I'll leave now. Take care."
As King Kunle departed, Queen Kemi's thoughts swirled. "How could the King forget the scar from our childhood fight?" Her suspicion grew.
Queen Kemi was in her chamber when she was summoned by Prince Balogun.
Queen Kemi stood before Prince Balogun, who demanded, "What have you learned about Kunle since your marriage?"
"I've discovered something, but I'm unsure," Queen Kemi hesitated. "That's why I haven't reported it."
Prince Balogun's curiosity piqued. "Speak up!"
"I think King Kunle isn't who we believe him to be," Queen Kemi revealed.
"Why do you think that?" Prince Balogun pressed.
"King Kunle's behavior has changed since his return. He's calm and caring, unlike before. And he can't recall how I got this scar on my elbow," Queen Kemi explained, displaying the scar.
"Didn't he inflict that scar during your childhood fight?" Prince Balogun asked.
Queen Kemi nodded. "Yes, father."
Prince Balogun narrowed his eyes. "Something's amiss. I also noticed a change in him after the incident. I feared he'd expose my role in King Abiodun's death and his own near-assassination, but he remained silent."
Queen Kemi's eyes widened. "Indeed, something fishy is going on."
Prince Balogun schemed. "I have a mission for you. I shot King Segun in the left arm. Spend a night in his chamber, and verify if there's a scar. That will confirm his identity."
He handed Queen Kemi a keg. "Use this alcohol to make him drunk, ensuring easy access."
Queen Kemi accepted the task. "I'll do it, father."
The scene ends with Queen Kemi determined to uncover the truth, while Prince Balogun's sinister intentions deepen.
At night, Queen Kemi visited King Kunle's chambers with a bottle of wine. "Have a drink with me, my husband," she said, pouring the wine into cups.
King Kunle chuckled. "I'm surprised you're being nice to me."
"I don't like drinking alone," Queen Kemi replied with a smile. "Or perhaps you don't know how to hold your liquor?"
King Kunle grinned. "I can handle my drink."
Queen Kemi dared him, handing him the cup. King Kunle drank, and Queen Kemi continued pouring more wine while sipping her own.
As King Kunle's intoxication grew, he giggled at Queen Kemi. "Why are you laughing and staring at me?" she asked.
"You're...a good person," King Kunle slurred. "You have a grumpy face, but deep down...you have a good heart."
Queen Kemi responded. "Stop talking nonsense, you're drunk."
She helped King Kunle to bed, where he immediately fell asleep. Queen Kemi gently removed his attire, searching for the scar on his arm.
To her surprise, there was no scar.
EPISODE 12
Queen Kemi, still reeling from her discovery, muttered to herself, "He doesn't have a scar... Is he truly Prince Segun?" Her mind raced with questions as she walked back to her chamber in the dead of night.
Sleep evaded her, and she spent the hours pondering.
"Who wears the crown if it's not Segun?" she wondered. "Is the Queen Mother aware of this imposter, or is she behind the deception to secure the throne?"
Her thoughts swirled with questions, fueling her growing unease.
At dawn, Prince Balogun summoned Queen Kemi. Lost in thought, she made her way to his chamber, recalling King Kunle's words: "You have a good heart." His compliment echoed in her mind.
Upon entering Prince Balogun's chamber, he asked urgently, "Did you check for the scar? Is he Segun?" Queen Kemi hesitated, unsure whether to reveal the truth or deceive him.
Prince Balogun's impatience grew. "Answer me!"
"I... I checked," Queen Kemi stammered. "The scar is on his left arm. He is Segun." She lied, her voice trembling.
Prince Balogun exhaled, disappointed. "If he were an imposter, eliminating him would be easy, and the throne would be mine. Now, I must take the harder route."
Queen Kemi's curiosity got the better of her. "Father, what's your plan?"
"Leave," Prince Balogun ordered. "I'll send for you when I'm ready to reveal my next move."
Queen Kemi left Prince Balogun's chamber, preoccupied with thoughts of his next move against King Kunle. As she approached her chamber, she found King Kunle waiting outside.
"What brings you here?" Queen Kemi asked.
"I woke up and couldn't find you, so I came to check on you," King Kunle replied.
Queen Kemi's gaze pierced through him, her mind racing with questions: "Who are you? Why do you resemble King Segun so closely? What's your true purpose in the palace?"
She thought to herself, "You're fortunate I lied to my father to save your life. You seem kind, unlike the real King Segun, whom I wouldn't have protected."
King Kunle sensed her distraction. "What's occupying your thoughts?" he asked, waving his hand.
Queen Kemi snapped back to reality. "Leave my chamber!" she commanded.
King Kunle's eyes widened. "Did you just order the king?" he asked, taken aback.
Queen Kemi ignored him, entering her chamber.
King Kunle wondered, "What's gotten into her?"
Queen Kemi, awakened from her nap, received Prince Balogun. "Father, what brings you here?" she asked.
"I have a mission for you," Prince Balogun said, handing her a small bottle.
"What's this, Father?" Queen Kemi asked, staring at the bottle.
"That's poison," Prince Balogun replied.
"Poison?!" Queen Kemi exclaimed, her voice rising.
"Keep your voice down!" Prince Balogun warned.
"Sorry, Father," Queen Kemi whispered. "What am I to use the poison for?"
"Insert it in King Segun's (King Kunle's) food," Prince Balogun ordered.
Queen Kemi refused, horrified. "Father, no! I cannot kill someone."
Prince Balogun's eyes narrowed. "We're talking about the throne. King Segun's (King Kunle's) death will secure my access, as the only remaining royal blood."
Queen Kemi pleaded, "There must be another way to claim the throne without poisoning him. I cannot undertake this task, Father. I'm sorry."
Prince Balogun's face darkened. "You refuse to help me?"
Prince Balogun's anger flared, his grip on Queen Kemi's arm tightening, his fingernails digging into her skin. "You ungrateful wretch! After everything I've done for you."
Queen Kemi winced in pain. "Father, you're hurting me."
Prince Balogun's voice rose. "You ungrateful wretch!" he spat. "After all I've done for you, taking you in after your parents' death, adopting you as my own despite your father's wishes to make you my slave. I made you a princess, then a queen, and this is how you repay me? Refusing to help me claim the throne?"
Queen Kemi pleaded, tears streaming down her face. "Father, please."
Prince Balogun's expression twisted in contempt. "You'll do as I say. That's why I arranged your marriage to King Segun. You'll serve a purpose, even if it's just to eliminate him."
He shoved Queen Kemi to the ground, his words dripping with malice. "Don't be useless in your position."
With that, Prince Balogun stormed out of the chamber, leaving Queen Kemi shattered and crying uncontrollably.
Queen Kemi's maid announced King Kunle's arrival. Quickly, Queen Kemi stood, wiping away tears.
King Kunle entered, noticing Queen Kemi's distress. "What's wrong, my Queen? Your eyes are red, and there are bruises on your arm."
"I got myself injured," Queen Kemi replied, her voice trembling.
King Kunle's eyes narrowed. "That can't be true. I'll ask your maid who visited you."
Queen Kemi panicked. "No, don't! Please, King Kunle, leave me alone."
King Kunle's voice softened. "I won't leave until you tell me who hurt you and why you're crying."
Queen Kemi sobbed uncontrollably, begging King Kunle to leave.
Instead, King Kunle drew her close, resting her head on his shoulder. "You're safe now. Let your tears fall."
As Queen Kemi cried, King Kunle held her, offering comfort without knowing the reason behind her pain.
EPISODE 13
King Kunle departed Queen Kemi's chamber, his mind racing with questions. He interrogated the guards and maids around the Queen’s chamber and finds out that Prince Balogun was the last person that visited the Queen.
King Kunle retreated to his chamber, pondering, "Why would Prince Balogun harm his own daughter, causing her such distress?"
He pored over possibilities: "Is Queen Kemi no longer loyal to Prince Balogun? Did she defy him?"
Lost in thought, King Kunle didn't notice Queen Mother Ajoke's arrival.
"What troubles you, my son?" Queen Mother Ajoke asked, breaking the silence.
King Kunle recounted Queen Kemi's encounter with Prince Balogun.
Queen Mother Ajoke waved her hand dismissively. "That shouldn’t be your concern my son. Let their infighting weaken them, It's to our advantage."
King Kunle nodded, but his concern for Queen Kemi lingered.
Queen Kemi had failed to act on the task given to her, for three consecutive days.
Prince Balogun summoned Queen Kemi to his chamber. "Why haven't I heard about King Segun's (King Kunle's) demise?" he demanded.
Queen Kemi stammered, "Uhm, father... uhm"
"Did you not undertake the task I gave you?" Prince Balogun's anger grew.
Queen Kemi shook her head, whispering "No." She trembled.
Prince Balogun's face reddened. "How dare you!" He slapped Queen Kemi, sending her to the floor. She clutched her cheek.
"You ungrateful child! You're betraying me for King Segun (King Kunle), aren't you?" Prince Balogun thundered. "Do you intend to sabotage my carefully laid plans? Do you realize how far I've come to claim that throne?"
Queen Kemi sobbed, pleading, "Father, have mercy!"
"Leave my chamber now!" Prince Balogun ordered.
Queen Kemi hastily rose and fled.
Her maid, Bisi, aided her, brushing off sand and wiping away tears. "No one must know, not even the King," Queen Kemi instructed.
Bisi nodded.
As Queen Kemi sobbed in her room, Bisi announced, "King Segun (King Kunle) is here."
"Tell him I'm asleep," Queen Kemi ordered.
Bisi nodded and left.
"Queen Kemi is fast asleep," Bisi informed King Kunle.
"Inform her of my visit when she awakens," King Kunle said.
Bisi bowed, and King Kunle departed.
Prince Balogun, undeterred, ordered Tunji to find a loyal maid to execute his plan.
Deep in his chamber, Prince Balogun's agitation grew, his words laced with bitterness as he condemned Queen Kemi's incompetence.
Tunji's timely entrance interrupted his tirade, a maid standing respectfully beside him.
"Is she trustworthy?" Prince Balogun asked.
"Yes, Prince Balogun. She's motivated by the promise of payment to settle her parents' debt," Tunji replied.
Prince Balogun narrowed his eyes. "I'll reward you handsomely if you succeed."
The maid, nodded eagerly. "I'll do whatever you ask for the money."
Prince Balogun handed her a poison vial. "Insert this into the King's food."
Bisi gasped. "Poison!"
Prince Balogun's gaze hardened. "You can’t do it?"
Bisi hesitated before nodding. "I... I can."
Prince Balogun's voice dropped to a menacing tone. "Don't get caught. If you betray me, your family will suffer."
Bisi trembled, taking the vial. "Y-yes."
"Leave," Prince Balogun ordered.
Bisi departed, concealing the poison.
As night fell, when the King's dinner was brought to his chamber, the maid followed, bearing wine. With calculated subtlety, she slipped a drop of poison into the King's food.
"The King is coming," she thought, hastily hiding the poison.
King Kunle entered, and the maid bowed before quickly exiting.
As the maid hastened away from the King's chambers, she accidentally collided with Queen Kemi.
"My apologies, Your Majesty!" the maid exclaimed, hastily kneeling and bowing her head.
Queen Kemi forgave her. "It's alright, but be more mindful of your surroundings next time."
The maid nodded fervently and swiftly took her leave.
"Why is she shivering? She seems scared," Queen Kemi asked Bisi.
Later, Queen Kemi entered King Kunle's chamber, while Bisi waited outside.
Queen Kemi screamed upon finding King Kunle on the floor. Her piercing scream echoed through the palace as she beheld King Kunle's body on the floor, foam frothing from his mouth.
"Help!" she shouted, her voice trembling with desperation.
Bisi and the guard, alerted by the Queen's cries, burst into the chamber. They were met with a horrifying sight: the King lay unconscious, his body limp and still.
EPISODE 14
Queen Kemi shrieked, ordering the guard, "Fetch the physician!" The guard sprinted out to summon help. Meanwhile, news of King Kunle's poisoning reached Queen Mother Ajoke, who rushed to the King's chamber, her mind racing.
Upon entering, she saw Queen Kemi weeping beside the King. Queen Mother Ajoke strode over, pushed Queen Kemi away, and barked, "Stay away from my son! You and Prince Balogun have succeeded in poisoning him."
Queen Kemi shook her head, protesting, "No, Queen Mother, I'm innocent! I didn't poison the King."
Just then, the physician arrived with the guard and quickly attended to King Kunle. After a brief examination, he reassured, "The King is safe; the poison hasn't spread throughout his body. Fortunately, he was found in time."
Queen Mother Ajoke exhaled, relieved. "Thank God the King is alive." She touched King Kunle's hand, smiling. "My son, I'm glad you're alive."
Turning to Queen Kemi, Queen Mother Ajoke accused, "Despite my warnings, you still attempted to take my son's life."
Queen Kemi pleaded, "No, Queen Mother, I didn't poison the King!"
Bisi intervened, "Queen Mother, Queen Kemi is innocent. We found the King unconscious on the floor when we arrived."
Queen Mother Ajoke retorted, "That's because she came to confirm his death."
Queen Kemi sobbed, "I wouldn't harm the King; he's done me no wrong."
"Akin!" Queen Mother Ajoke summoned.
Akin stepped forward, his eyes locked on the Queen Mother.
"Investigate this matter thoroughly," Queen Mother Ajoke instructed. "Do not hesitate to lock up anyone involved in the King's poisoning, regardless of their status—be it Prince Balogun or Queen Kemi."
Akin bowed respectfully. "Yes, Queen Mother."
"Everyone, leave the King's chamber immediately!" Queen Mother Ajoke commanded.
Bisi gently guided Queen Kemi out, accompanied by the guards. The physician remained, tending to the King alongside Queen Mother Ajoke.
Meanwhile, the maid who poisoned the King returned to Prince Balogun, eager to report her success.
"Well done," Prince Balogun applauded, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Did anyone see you?"
"No, except for Queen Kemi, whom I accidentally bumped into," the maid replied.
"That's not a problem," Prince Balogun said, handing her a reward. "You've earned this."
The maid thanked him and departed.
"Congratulations, Prince Balogun," Tunji said, grinning. "The throne is yours."
Prince Balogun beamed. "Secretly bring wine; let's celebrate."
Tunji fetched the wine, and they drank excessively, reveling in their perceived triumph, unaware the King still lived.
Queen Kemi spent the night awake, lost in thought. "Father went too far, ordering a palace maid to poison the King. Now Akin investigates, and if they don't find the culprit, I'll be the prime suspect. Yet I know the truth but can't speak up. If the maid is exposed, she might implicate Father, dooming him."
"What should I do?" Queen Kemi whispered, anxiety gripping her.
As Queen Kemi agonized, Prince Balogun's celebration continued, oblivious to the looming consequences.
Prince Balogun's morning after a night of drunken celebration took a shocking turn. He expected to see mourning faces, but instead, the palace was business as usual. His confusion deepened when Tunji hadn't heard any news of the King's demise. "Did the maid fail to carry out her task?" Prince Balogun wondered.
Seeking answers, Prince Balogun and Tunji approached a guard. The guard's account of the previous night's events left Prince Balogun stunned: the Queen had discovered the King unconscious, but thankfully, still alive. This revelation ignited Prince Balogun's anger, and he stormed towards the Queen's chamber.
Prince Balogun burst into Queen Kemi’s chamber, pushing Bisi aside.
"Father!" Queen Kemi exclaimed, alarmed by Prince Balogun's fury.
Prince Balogun seized Queen Kemi, his grip tightening. "How dare you undermine my plan!" he thundered. "You refused to carry out my task, so I entrusted it to someone else. Yet, you still managed to sabotage it!"
Queen Kemi winced in pain. "What did you hear, Father?" she pleaded.
Prince Balogun's anger intensified. "Don't feign innocence! I know you sought help for the King. If you'd kept quiet or ignored his condition, he'd be dead by now."
Queen Kemi's voice trembled. "I couldn't watch the King die, Father."
Prince Balogun's slap echoed through the chamber. "Is King Kunle's life more valuable than the throne I seek?" he snarled.
Queen Kemi cowered, fear and desperation etched on her face.
Just as Prince Balogun's fury reached its peak, Bisi announced Akin's arrival. Prince Balogun released Queen Kemi from his grasp, and she swiftly composed herself, hiding the distress she had just endured. Akin entered, bowing respectfully. "My Queen, you and Prince Balogun are needed in the palace hall," he said with a neutral tone.
Queen Kemi and Prince Balogun exchanged uneasy glances, their faces masking the tension between them. The sudden summons to the palace hall sparked anxiety in Prince Balogun, who wondered if his role in the King's poisoning had been discovered.
EPISODE 15
As they entered the grand palace hall, accompanied by Akin, the tense atmosphere was palpable. Unspoken questions and concerns hung heavy, like an impending storm.
Prince Balogun's gaze swept the room, his eyes locking onto the maid, his co-conspirator, now in custody. His mind racing, he struggled to maintain composure.
"Why was I summoned to the palace hall?" Prince Balogun asked, feigning innocence. "And who is this woman?"
His voice steady, but his thoughts betrayed him, panic simmering beneath the surface.
Elder Ajadi replied, "She's the maid responsible for the King's poisoning. Akin investigated and found her. We called you and the Queen to witness her tribulation."
Prince Balogun's anxiety grew, fearing the maid might reveal his involvement. "Did she mention why or who sent her to poison the King?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"No, she hasn't mentioned anyone's name," Elder Ajadi said. "Despite torture, she refuses to reveal the mastermind. We believe a maid wouldn't act alone, as the King has always treated his servants fairly."
The elders murmured in agreement. "Yes, the King has always been just."
Elder Ajadi pressed the young maiden, "Are you ready to reveal the truth? Who ordered you to poison the King?"
The maid remained silent, locking eyes with Prince Balogun, who shot her a warning glance.
Elder Ajadi cautioned, "Speak now, and your punishment will be lenient. But if you remain silent, you'll face death for attempting the King's life."
The maid's thoughts raced: "If I implicate Prince Balogun, his accomplices will slaughter my family. I'll face the consequences alone to protect them."
Akin urged, "Speak up!"
The maid lied, "No one ordered me to poison the King. I acted alone." Her voice trembled.
Elder Ajadi probed, "Why did you want the King dead?"
The maid replied, "I simply dislike the King."
Elder Ajadi decreed, "That's insufficient. Akin, take her away and execute her. She refuses to cooperate."
As the maid was dragged out, she begged, "Please, elders, have mercy! I won't repeat this!"
Elder Ajadi reflected, "The palace grows more treacherous by the day. A maid attempting the King's life is unprecedented."
Everyone departed to witness the maid's execution. Queen Mother Ajoke approached Prince Balogun, her eyes narrowed.
"You've escaped this time, Balogun," she whispered, "but don't think you'll be so lucky next time. You've shifted your guilt onto that innocent maid, but I see through your deceit."
Prince Balogun feigned ignorance. "What are you insinuating, Queen Mother?"
Queen Mother Ajoke's voice was laced with anger. "Don't pretend, Balogun. I know you orchestrated the King's poisoning to seize the throne. You may have fooled others, but not me."
Prince Balogun's smile was laced with malice as he remained silent.
Queen Mother Ajoke's gaze burned with determination. "Mark my words, Balogun, if you harm the King again, you'll meet your end. This isn't a threat; it's a promise."
She cast a disdainful glance at Prince Balogun and Queen Kemi before storming off.
Prince Balogun's eyes turned icy. "You're fortunate I wasn't exposed," he hissed at Queen Kemi. "If I had been caught, you'd have preceded me in death."
With that, Prince Balogun departed, leaving Queen Kemi shaken.
Queen Kemi, concerned about King Kunle's health, attempted to visit him in his chamber. However, Queen Mother Ajoke blocked her entry, sending her back.
Queen Kemi retreated to her chamber, her mind racing with worries. "Is the King recovering?" she wondered.
Just then, Prince Balogun burst in, his eyes desperate. “I have a task for you," he said.
Queen Kemi's curiosity piqued, "What task?"
Prince Balogun handed her a bottle. "Add this to the King's medicine. It won't kill him, but it will paralyze him, ensuring he never recovers."
Queen Kemi gasped, horrified. "Father, how can you be so cruel? The King fights for life, and you want to condemn him to a life of paralysis?"
She refused, "Take this back, I won't participate in your evil plan."
Prince Balogun's tone turned menacing. "You have no choice. You failed the first task, claiming you couldn't kill him. This time, it's simpler, no bloodshed, just paralysis."
"I can't do it," Queen Kemi protested. "Queen Mother has restricted me from entering the King's Chamber, and she oversees everything that goes in.
Prince Balogun's eyes narrowed. "That's not a problem. I'll send a servant to monitor Queen Mother's movements. When she leaves, you'll sneak in and add the substance to the King's medicine."
Queen Kemi stood firm. "Father, I won't participate in your evil plan. I refuse to harm the King."
Prince Balogun's face twisted in rage. He slapped Queen Kemi, his voice venomous. "How dare you defy me? After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me? You failed the first task; you must succeed this time. If not, you're of no use to me, and I'll ensure your life ends."
Prince Balogun stormed off, leaving Queen Kemi shaken and torn.
TO BE CONTINUE.
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