CHAPTER 10: THE DEVIL WITHIN

Ella is holding closer to Rex when the photographer makes a sound, causing Rex to separate from Ella. Ella's placed her face on his chest, and Rex understood her shyness." My wife is not used to interruptions", said Rex. He separated Ella from him and both walks and sits down where they are to take the picture. The photographer gives them direction on how to position themselves against the light. Rex keeps holding Ella closer as if he doesn't wish to go anytime soon. 

Princess Maya thank the Mayor for assistance to her on short notice. "Thank you for not disappointing me once more, I do owe you a huge favor" said Princess Maya. "It Is an honor to be of service to the famous Princess of Wattu village, i do know it is difficult for people to say no to you, but I haven't seen any iota of greed in your personality". Been the Princess of my people is not an easy job, and keeping myself out of the spotlight hasn't been easy either. So please let this don't get out of these room", said Princess Maya. "I will make sure your acts remains within my Princess" replied the Mayor. "I will take my leave now and call me if ever you need my help," said Princess Maya. " "Ok" said the Mayor as he turns and leaves too. 

Princess Mayor walks to the upper part of the building to enjoy the splendor of Sanilar city. When she first came to this city for her education, things were not favorable, but she had to work her way to the top. Not as a princess but as a person of personality, she created her own identity and defined her part. Princess Maya felt the braised on her face and smiled at her achievements. Julia is one of the girls who had defined her according to her background and termed her weak because they though a Princess must depend on the throne to obtain authority and power. But she had proved them wrong and today Her father, the King, has unintentionally provided a way for her to carry out her revenge on Julia. "I will make sure Rex doesn't have the opportunity to divorce Ella anytime soon. This marriage is a lesson to the likes of Rex who think because of naive girls like Ella they can just use them and leave them to get marry to the demanding and uncultured once who are always out to play the games. Ella has suffered a lot, and it is time Julia pay for all those tears she had shed on my pillow and my arms. Julia will regret crossing my part and Rex, you are in for good. Let me see the lawyer in this town that will grand you a divorce while I'm still the princess of Wattu Kingdom. 

Ella emerged from the other side of the building, looking happy and contented from what just happened. "I know I will find you here" said Ella. "I have missed the beauty of this place and I don't wish to leave without reminding myself the reasons why I can't let go of this city", said Princess Maya. Ella embraces Princess Maya "thank you for reminding me why I need to do this, I know my marital status with Rex is temporary, but I wish to enjoy it while it lasts. I have never pictured myself sharing a house or rings with the one I love. All my thoughts had been a dream I know deep in me may never come to pass, but today, in a twinkle of an eye, you brought back hopes and filled my empty world with love. Even if it just for a night, I don't care. Been called his wife, and staying besides him to make memories that will last me for centuries is ok by me. Thank you, my dear princess Maya". Said Ella. Tears almost drops from the eyes of Princess Maya, seeing the joy on Ella's face, she is such a pure sold and still recite in the world of fantasy. Such places are not for people like Princess Maya, who are to marry either to safe the kingdom from one calamity or another or to strengthen the powers of the kingdom. In Wattu village, royal marriages are not for love and as a princess you are educated, culture and control to have that at the back of your mind. So, accept your fate and deal with it or let it go and face the consequences. These are the areas that, as powerful as Princess Maya can be, she can't go against. Some people see it to obtain more wealth and power, but Princess Maya sees it as barbaric and evil but helpless against. "You are such a pour soul, Ella, seeing you happy makes me happy too. I know I may never be opportune to get married for love and maybe this is the reason I wish to fulfill yours to experience it from a far. You were main to be with Rex. Men don't know what they need or want, we are the once to show them how to get what they need. Your happiness stems from within and I don't want to ever see you cry, just live in that fantasy world of yours for both of us" said Princess Maya with a little beat of sadness in her voice, knowing that if her innocent best friend finds out that she have been tied to the love if her life out of her will and the said man is engaged to another, it will break her heart. "But what can I do, Ella? I have so many things to tell you, but I require your pure soul to keep the balance of our friendship while I do all the evil deeds. Someone has to take the blame, but it can't be you, my little angel" Princess Maya smiled to herself. 

Sitting in the car and going to Wattu village. Princess Maya have refused Rex from taking his car but drove with her and Ella in a single car. She would rather not call the attention of the people if Rex strange car is seen driving towards Ella's grandmother's house. She wants everything to appear in low-key, and her father has spies everywhere in the village and can detect the least changes in activities. 

Achefor walks into the home of Ella's grandmother, shouting at the top of his voice. "What is this nonsense, I was in form that the daughter of my cousin got married and as the only surviving male of this family, i wasn't informed or called to attend. Who the hell collects her bride price if her father is of late", said Achefor shaking like someone ready to do and undo. Martha, Ella's grandmother, staring at him with a canning eyes. "Why are you woken up Achefor, why are you really here, and how did you know about the marriage of my granddaughters? Are you a monitoring spirit? Wait a minute, if you are talking about marriage with Ella does that mean you were the one who told the king about the presence of a beautiful maiden at the stream", requesting Martha and walking towards him. "Did you by any means try to sell my granddaughter to the king as his 8th concubine?" Martha shouting at him.

Achefor shifted away from her questions, "why are you asking me so many questions without giving a reply to the single question of mine" said Achefor. Martha walking back towards the house, "i know you told the king about the presence of Ella in this village, how could you do that to the only daughter of your cousin? You know the competition, evil, and battle that lingering in the atmosphere of the throne among the queen and her concubine. That innocent girl who had suffered from the loss of her parents many years ago, and only when she decides to gather the courage to visit her village. You had already concocted a plan to make her regret the origin of her parents. How could you be this wicked Achefor. What were you thinking?" Said Martha, siting down. Achefor realize he can't hide from the accusations Levitt at him. "What is wrong with getting my cousin's daughters married, why are you blaming me for my good intentions? I was only…" shut up Achefor before I curse you. Are you new to the happening of this village how beautiful young girls are hidden from the view of the kings, so they are not used as concubines and instead of their parents to receive bride price, they will be paying dowries to the throne? What do you wish to happen, because I know you understand that an open-minded young girl like Ella will never accept the demands of the king and everything will fall back on me? Were you planning on sending me out of this kingdom?

To be continued