Chapter 12 The King's Gift

Mbaku knew he dare not refuse the King's gift, but he was willing to play his last card.

"Your Majesty" he continued, "your gifts are very thoughtful as you are the wisest on this land. Thank you, for this rare gift. But today is the happiest day of my life, if Your Majesty may bear with me, I do not want to see blood on this day as it is a very special day for my bride and me. This is my wish."

The King turned to look at Mbaku and said;

"Do as you wish!".

Mbaku knew it would be unwise for him to plead on Diemo's behalf because the king was fuming in anger. Mbaku ordered the guards there to take Diemo away and lock him up in prison. Buka knew Mbaku has been covering up for Diemo's mistakes but wasn't sure how he was going to do it this time. The King dismissed the court but told Buka to wait. After all the others have left, the King said;

"Buka, I would want you to investigate this matter for me. The golden sceptre has been changed. The one I have here is fake. It seems someone has taken the original sceptre and has framed Diemo with a fake one. I want to know the one who stole it and his or her motives behind that action".

"Yes, Your Majesty" Buka replied.

"Don't let anyone know about this, because you know what losing the golden sceptre implies" the King cautioned.

"Yes, Your Majesty" Buka replied, and asked; "Your Majesty, if you knew Diemo was framed, then why did you ask Mbaku to behead him?"

"Hahaha…." the King laughed and said; "Diemo is very thoughtless. I knew Mbaku would never offend Eyeki so he would definitely come up with something to save him from being persecuted. You know there was very little I could as the elders would not let it slip away easily. Besides, Mbaku reminds me of my younger self, brave and fearless yet soft at heart".

"What do you intend to do to Diemo then?" Buka asked.

"He tried to kill Mbaku and I cannot forgive him for that. Even though he is my first son, his right to contest for the throne will be taken away from him" the King replied.

"Will the Queen's family stay calm in that situation?" Buka asked.

"With these evidences, they dare not" the King replied and continued; "about our previous conversation, did you find the one behind it?"

"The Queen and her family are behind it. They have actually drawn a very wonderful war plan. If we hadn't seen it on time, it would have been very difficult to win against them".

"Who else apart from you knows about this?" the King asked.

"Mbaku, but he does not know who is behind it. He stole the war plan for me and asked me to analyze it. He didn't want me to know who drew it, so I pretended I didn't know anything about it".

"Don't forget your previous promise to me. You may leave now, if there's nothing" the King said and dismissed Buka.

***

When Mbaku got to his manor, he saw Eyeki waiting for him at the entrance. She looked shriveled and kept moving back and forth. It could be seen that she was restless. Mbaku's heart ached when he saw her in that state.

"For how long have you been out here?" Mbaku asked as he walked towards her. Eyeki seemed relieved to have seen Mbaku.

"Not long ago. What happened to him?" Eyeki asked.

"Come in first" Mbaku said looking sadly at her.

She followed closely behind Mbaku as he entered his manor. She had her head down and looked helpless. She refused to enter Mbaku's guest hut when he asked her to.

She smiled weakly and said; "there's now a woman here. I can't act recklessly. Mbaku, what happened?"

"He has been imprisoned" Mbaku replied.

Eyeki signed heavily and asked; "I heard his head is your marriage gift from the King. How true is that?"

"Eyeki, relax. I will help him out of this"

"Mbaku, why do I already feel like I owe you a lot?" she asked tearfully.

"Because you don't have to pay anything in return" Mbaku replied jokingly.

"Do you think he can be saved?" Eyeki asked.

"Do you trust me?" Mbaku asked.

"I do"

"Then wipe the tears off your face and go to your children. They must be scared to death"

"Thank you, Mbaku. I don't know how to show my appreciation for what you've done for me so far. My husband tried to poison you, yet you are going to help him out. You're the most selfless person I have ever seen. If I get any chance in the future, I will repay you"

"No need. You don't have to do that. Go on. Hurry up before you lose your children" Mbaku said with a smile.

Eyeki nodded and started to move but suddenly stopped and said to Mbaku;

"I may not be there, at your dinner. Do pardon me. I am very sorry I can't make it"

Mbaku nodded and kept smiling at her as she turned to leave. When she left, Mbaku asked;

"Why would a woman like Eyeki be madly in love with someone like Diemo?"

"Your Highness, you would find out soon. With time" Jabari replied with a sly smile on his face.

Mbaku looked questionably at Jabari and walked toward his hut.