Chapter One
Morning had arrived, and with its brightness, everyone went about their normal duties.
At the Royal Palace, Obinna Duke stood at the window admiring the flowers and trees at the garden. Then, suddenly, Obinna saw his four children happily playing in the garden. Since it was Saturday, he didn’t bother chasing them back inside to dress up for school. Instead, he happily watched them playing and laughing. Seeing his family happy gave Obinna satisfaction than anything else. Family was indeed everything.
Just as he was about to pick his phone which was ringing, a male servant, dressed smartly in his black and white uniform, rushed in to inform him that his father had just died.
‘What did you just say?’ Obinna was shocked. He lifted his head to the servant, wanting to make sure of what he heard. In fact, Obinna heard clearly what the servant said, but wanted it to be that he misheard the news.
‘My Lord, your father the king, just died now. Your mother wants you in the royal chamber,’ the servant informed Obinna again.
At this moment, Obinna’s eyes were filled with tears. He rushed out immediately from his chamber, heading towards the royal chamber which was where the king was lying cold and pale.
As Obinna ran to the chamber, he wished that the news of his father being dead was nothing but rumour. But, how could it be rumour when the servant had looked him in the eye and told him that the king was dead? It was impossible for the servant to lie about the death of the king, for he knew there was a huge consequence about lying against the king or wishing for his death. So truly, the king was no more. Obinna let tears stream down his face.
Reaching the royal chamber, Obinna saw that his mother and wife were both in the royal chamber, weeping for the death of the late king. As soon as Treasure saw her husband, she immediately rose to her feet and went to him, hugging him tightly as she wept on his shoulder.
‘The king is dead,’ Treasure whispered. She was a beautiful woman, tall and kind.
‘I wish my father lived a little more,’ Obinna said, shedding his own tears.
‘Son,’ the queen turned tearily at her son, ‘it’s time we let the people know that their king is no more.’
‘I wish it is that easy, mum.’ Obinna paused, then said after a moment of silence, ‘We will still have to inform the people that the king is dead.’
Leaving the royal chamber, Obinna called all the title holders. Including the Ezes and chiefs from the neighbouring Local Government and told them about the death of his father. During the meeting, a date was fixed for the king’s burial.
Soon the day of the burial arrived. So many people attended the burial, and each of them telling their own story on how the late king made sure that peace reigned in the kingdom. Some told stories on how the late king supported them financially, and some told stories on how he was able to settle land disputes or even quarrel, for them. There were so much that the late king did. He was of course, a king who ruled like Solomon in the bible.
The late king was loved by everyone in the kingdom, and so his death was like a shock to them all as it brought tears in everyone’s eyes.
After the burial, everyone returned back home. Obinna was still feeling sad of losing his adoring father. Instead, of going to his room to rest, he decided to go to the garden for fresh air while sipping a glass of red wine. He was sitting on the stone bench, facing the water fountain. ‘I believe that as young as you are, that you will always be a good king just like your father.’
Obinna turned around to see his tall, slender mother standing behind him. She was dressed in her silk pink night robe with her hair styled in loose waves. She was looking beautiful and graceful.
‘Mum, please…you can give the Ezeship to another person. There are people who are more qualified and better suited to sit on the throne.’
‘Son, I know how sad you’re feeling about losing your father who was too close to you. But then, life has to still go on. Your father would never like to see his kingdom suffer. So, I urge you to take over and rule the people just like your father would.’
‘But, mum…’
‘No, buts. I trust you to rule the kingdom well.’ The queen was proud of her son. ‘You’re the heir to the throne. It’s your right to be there.’
Obinna nodded. ‘I will try my best.’
As his mother returned back inside, Obinna stood up from the bench. Picking up his wine glass, he began strolling in the garden. Perhaps, he was trying to ease the pain he was feeling inside.
The mantle of leadership now rested on his shoulders. He silently prayed for wisdom to rule the great kingdom just like his father.
As he strolled on, he remembered staying in the meeting chamber with his father listening to cases. He remembered noblemen, princes and kings of other kingdom coming over to Obowo to seek advice from his father. He wondered if he would advise people well just like his father did. He wanted nothing more but peace in his kingdom.
‘Dad,’ a little boy’s voice called out. ‘It’s late already. Mum wants you to come inside and get a good rest.’
Obinna smiled, then turned to look at his son who was ten years old. He was looking handsome in his blue pyjamas.
‘I just need the fresh air,’ Obinna said, walking towards his son.
‘Father, but mum is very worried. You might catch a cold if you stay out too long.’
‘Desmond, I am strong enough to defeat the cold wind,’ Obinna said, as he patted Desmond’s head. ‘If you want, you could stay here with me.’
‘I don’t have my sweater. I am not as strong as you. I don’t want to get sick.’
Obinna laughed. ‘How could you say that? You’re a prince. The future king…’
‘Dad, I’m not interested in ruling the kingdom. I think that when I grow up and find my purpose, I’ll make you proud…’
Obinna laughed and pinched Desmond’s nose playfully.
‘Dad, can I ask you a question?’
‘Go ahead, son.’
‘Is Desmond a good name?’
Obinna laughed. ‘Of course it is. My father chose that name for you as was revealed to him in a dream. Majority of the people answering your name are great men. The meaning of the name Desmond is different in several languages, countries and cultures.’
‘Does it mean that my name has different meaning?’ Desmond looked up at Obinna and asked.
‘Yes,’ Obinna replied. ‘But then, you should know that great men answer your name.’
‘Like?’
‘Bishop Desmond Tutu…’
‘Come on, dad. I don’t want to spin in circles. Can we talk about this some other time?’
Obinna pinched Desmond’s cheek lovingly, then he finished the wine in his glass and walked out of the garden with him.
The following morning, Obinna went to the big dining room to have breakfast with his wife and children. There were so many foods on the table, and they all looked delicious.
‘My favourite,’ Precious said, reaching for the plate of spaghetti before her.
‘Mum, I want to eat yam and fish sauce but the maids didn’t cook it for breakfast,’ Sophia complained, not wanting to touch any food on the table.
‘You can have it for lunch,’ Kevin said.
‘Mum, didn’t say that,’ Desmond interrupted, not wanting to raise Sophia’s hope. ‘There are so many foods on the table. She could eat as many as she wants.’ Desmond happily ate his fried plantain.
‘Sophia, you ate yam and fish sauce yesterday. You won’t have it today. I will tell the maids to cook it for you tomorrow,’ Treasure said gently to her daughter. ‘Tomorrow, okay?’
Sophia nodded. ‘Okay, mum.’
Treasure smiled. Then, she glanced at her husband who was eating his buttered bread.
‘I don’t agree to this kind of pampering,’ Obinna said. ‘Our children should understand that they are poor. In fact, they are broke. You and I are the only rich people here. They should know that they only become rich when they start making their own money. Then, they could eat whatever they want. It’s wrong to request more than you can afford.’
‘But dad we are still kids,’ Sophia complained.
‘Kids can be rich as well,’ Obinna said. ‘Well, for now we can just allow you eat our food for free, hoping that someday we can rip you off as well…’
Sophia rolled her eyes and reached for the plate of fried rice that a maid spooned for her.
As the dining was spacious, there was more than enough space to easily accommodate about thirty people in the dining. Treasure remembered that the late king often invited the dignitaries and noblemen over to this dining to have breakfast with them. At this moment, she could feel how much she had really missed her father-in-law.
Treasure and her husband Obinna were blessed with four children; Desmond, Kevin, Sophia and Precious. They were two boys and two girls. Desmond was the eldest child, who was ten years.
Kevin was the second child. Sophia was the eldest daughter while Precious happens to be the last child of the family.
Kevin was a very handsome boy. He inherited his father’s handsomeness, and from a young age he was already full of wisdom. He was wearing a green shirt and black shorts.
Sophia was beautiful but not as beautiful as Precious whose beauty was beyond words. Precious loves the smell of flowers, and she always likes wearing flowery dresses.
The four of them were all attending Imperial School. After their breakfast, the driver drove the four children to school.
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