4 Chapter three The parade - part 2

"Father!!" Dami screamed at the top of his voice. The King, his father whose name was King Dele turned to look at him. Though he wasn't bothered to be caught in the act rather he was angry at his son for disturbing his moment.

"What is it Dami? Don't you know how to knock before entering a room?" he scratched his temple with his fingers while adjusting himself.

"Father, I can't believe this. Is this the urgent work you wanted to do? Today is my parade for God's sake and its just morning" Dami turned to look at the young girl who looked not less than fifteen on the bed. She was trying to cover herself with her attire which looked like it had been ripped off.

King Dele turned to look at the cute, fair girl who looked shy "Sweetie, you can leave. I will get back to you". The girl nodded her head and wrapped herself with the sheet very close to her and left.

King Dele stood up as the girl left to get himself dressed while his son stood looking at him. " What is it Dami? I suppose you want something"

"Father, when did you start sleeping with small girls? She looked really small or is it her stature?" Dami said ignoring the purpose of his coming.

King Dele grinned lightly unbothered as he kept dressing himself while looking at the mirror as he did "she is small. She is 14. I am tired of the old cargoes and since I am still in my 40s, I shouldn't limit myself to such women when I can have anyone I want. "

King Dele was still quite a young looking man for his age. He was still well built and very pronounced. He looked handsome just like his son who had taken most of features from him. He wasn't the youngest King in the region but was often misinterpreted as the youngest because of how well he took care of himself.

"Old cargoes? you mean twenty six years old girls?" Dami continued to press on the matter.

"Dami, I am tired of those girls. Some of them aren't even virgins. I wanted to taste the young ones who are still fresh and growing. I would like to help them grow" he grinned a little more why looking at himself. I am so handsome, he thought to himself. "Don't worry about them getting pregnant. I have that covered and they love it. They get to share the bed with an handsome king like me. I give their parents gifts so why should they feel bad? It's not like I am forcing them".

Damilola ignored what his father was saying. It was his father after all. If he behaved any other way, it would not be King Dele. He went on to ask " I heard that you have sent 80 of your concubines away. I was a bit shocked when I heard it"

"Yes, I have. I am tired of them. Some of them are plotting against me. They want to make sure I give them children by all means so they could be my wives. And also the house is too crowded. I thought of removing weeds from the house" the king replied with a confident aura that filled him as he continued adjusting his clothes. Though he was a king, he liked dressing himself most of the time. He felt no one could make him look good the way he wanted and he didnt joke with his appearance. "Don't worry, they will be well taken care of"

"And you plan on replacing them will babies?"

King Dele smiled at this "Maybe, don't worry son, I won't finish all the young girls for you. There are many in Osu and out of Osu to pick from. But I must say, you have to hurry up, your brother looks like he is on the mission to finish all of them. Such an imbecile" he laughed. "I almost even snatched one from him. Such a stupid boy" he laughed again.

Damilola being the uptight boy he is didnt like this "Don't you think he is too young?"

"He is 16, if he were younger, I would have reprimanded him but no problem. He can do whatever he wants with them. I mean, what's the need of being part of the King's favorite if he can't have any girl he wants. I have only told him to stick with girls his age and younger. I wouldn't want him to fall into a trap as he is still young"

Damilola shook his head as he sighed. King Dele after seeing that he was okay turned to look at his son with seriousness "Dami, listen to me, I want you to protect your brother and sister for me, most especially your sister. You know she is the only girl I have and she is very young. You three are the most important thing to me. I don't care so much about the rest. I don't even know if some are my kids. I can't trust those wives of mine. They were only things I used to get what I wanted. Your mother was quite stubborn but I didnt force her as I loved her until she willingly accepted me. She would have been the only woman I would have had but I had to do what I had to for the Kingdom. Don't trust any of those wives of mine and their children. Right now, I have increased the guards to keep your sister safe. I have been training your brother a lot lately so he can handle himself to some extent. You three are the ones I would love to leave this kingdom with and those " things" know it. Make sure you do anything, kill if possible to keep your siblings. My father was a hard man and he taught me to not get attached to things even if they were yours so I had that mentality but your mom came along and I couldn't help it. I promised to keep all of you three safe and I would do anything to uphold my promise. Do you hear me?" Damilola nodded knowing fully well what he meant. His father might be playful but when he was serious, he meant it to the end. His father loved him and his siblings very much and he made sure to show it to wives.

Turning back to the mirror, the king asked " So, what do you want?"

"I wanted to give you this father" he took out a sword from its sheath which he had been hiding behind him to give his father. His father turned to look at it. He looked pleased. He took it from him

"Did you make it yourself?"

"Yes father"

"Thank you. I love it. Make sure to always have one with you at any time" Damilola nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, as they were talking, Queen Sade, the first wife of the king stood there with her blue lace and neatly packed hair listening to them. She clenched her fist at the words that came out of her husband's mouth. She promised to do something about it and give her son his rightful crown. "We will see about that" she said. Before they would notice her, she quickly left there.

Back in the village, Denle was getting ready to go to Mayo's when she saw her mom getting her younger sister ready for the parade while using encouraging words "Make sure to make the prince notice you. Your sister who would have been the best bet is not interested so do anything possible to make him look at you. You know what will happen if you get picked'' the girl nodded. Denle didn't bother to say anything, she went ahead to see her friend whom she supposed had been waiting for her.

Denle hurried quickly to Mayo's house. She found her sisters who were still getting ready. She looked for Mayo until she found her at the back. Mayo demeanor changed as she sighted her friend. They hugged.

" You came?" Mayo inquired even though she expected her. Denle and her had been friends ever since Mayo saved her, Denle when they were seven from a snake and bore the brunt of it. It was an incident she would never forget. That incident gave her the only person who truly appreciated her.

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it. I know how much you love the Prince ever since you saw him eight years ago" Denle encouraged.

"But do you think I should go? I mean, I am not that ideal maiden of Osu, would he pick me?" Mayo asked nervous, little sweats starting to form on her palm.

"There is only one way to find out. Even if he doesn't pick you, don't you want to see him? You know he hardly comes out. And don't worry, I brought clothes for you to wear along with beads. You will look very beautiful. And stop looking at yourself as the only one like this, there are many girls like you and boys rush them. Don't let your sisters get to you"

Mayo felt lucky to.have such a friend. She would have been depressed if not for her.

"Now, let's get you dressed".

Denle and Mayowa got inside after her sisters along with her father had left. Denle made sure to give her the best look. She tied her hair to two sides parting the center. she then braided both sides as she tied them with some beads she had brought. It made Mayowa look really cute. She used the cocunut oil she had brought to make the hair slip so it won't look scattered. She wore her beads around her neck, leg, hand while also adding the earrings.

Mayowa couldn't help but be amazed. she looked absolutely gorgeous. The short attires at her chest and waist were green with white beads all around. She couldn't be more grateful to Denle.

" You look extremely beautiful Mayo"

"Thank you Denle, I have never looked this good in my life"

"So let's get going, the parade will be starting soon" Mayo nodded her head as she followed Denle out of the house.

The carriage which had heavy looking donkeys tied to it was already set. Damilola readied to go with his brother and ten year old sister who was looking forward to going out. She was dolled up in her native attire with expensive beads all around her. Being a girl and the only princess of the Kingdom, she wasnt allowed to go out, only on rare occasions like today. His half brothers would also go but in other carriages. His father walked up to him before he got in "As I said, open your eyes for cute and sumptuous looking girls - the chubby ones are very good for starters"

"Dad..."

"I am just saying. This is your time to look at a lot of beautiful girls who will be waiting for you to pick them. They will look more attractive"

Damilola rolled his eyes and got on the ride with his brother and sister while guards accompanied them as they rode.