Unsuccessful plans

Bakoena Kingdom

The next day prince Tokelo woke up early to prepare for his journey to the palace since he did not make the journey the previous day. He did his morning routine and put his travelling bag in the boot and drove to the palace. After an hour and half, he arrived at the palace and the guards opened for him. His personal guard came to help him with his bag. “Sunrise greetings Tiisetso” the prince greeted his guard; they have always been close as they grew up together and are around the same age.

Tiisetso’s family has always been personal guards to the royal family, from his great grandfather to him. “Greetings man how are you doing?” he asked, “Am doing well man no complaints, where is the king?”  Tiisetso laughed already guessed the reason for his foul mood “His with the queen in the eating chamber” the prince let out a sigh “I will go and join them. Please put my bag in my chamber.” With that the prince went and join the king and queen for the morning feast.

“Greetings my king and queen” he greeted while pulling a chair and seating by his father’s side. “Greetings my prince” they answered, “How are the royals of Bakoena this sunrise?” the queen smiled “We are doing well my prince and our thanks for being here this day. We longed to see you and your brother but you two never visit.” Complained the queen.

The prince wanted to roll his eyes because he knew that the queen would complain like she always does. “Eat so that we can go and have a talk in the throne room” said the king, the maidens came in and served the prince. They shared a meal over light conversation, when they finished the maidens came and cleared the table while the king and prince went to the throne room.

In the throne room the king sat on his chair while the prince sat on his right. “How is the business doing my prince.” Asked the king not knowing how to start the real conversation. “Business is doing well father, we just signed new clients and we are busy in court almost every day. Which is why we have not been coming to the palace.” The prince explained

“I understand completely my prince and I am proud of the men you both have become and how well you are doing. All that’s left is for you to get married and give us grandchildren.” The prince’s heart skipped a bit “Please do not tell me that you have already arranged marriage for me.” His heart was beating fast and, in his mind, he kept telling himself ‘I am not ready’

“No, my prince, I am just merely stating but marriage has been arranged for the princess and she is getting married soon after her maturity ceremony.” The prince clenched his fists on his sides “Who is the idiot you decided to marry my little sister to, does she even know? Because she didn’t say anything when I spoke to her.” The king sigh, he knew that the prince would react this way.

“She is marrying prince Thabiso of BaTloung kingdom, your sister will be well taken care of and king Letsi is my old friend so she will be in good hands. He also wants her to continue with her studies so that is also a good thing.” The king tried to reason with the prince “Thabiso? Thabiso father...hee.. am sorry dear father but that is not going to happen, we will take care of Mapula ourselves and send her to school she doesn’t need Thabiso for that.” The king got annoyed by is attitude.

“I wasn’t asking for your permission just merely informing you of something that is a done deal and will happen when the time comes.” He stood up and went to the door but before he got out, he turned to the prince. “If you know that is good for you then you will find a princess to marry before I arranged marriage for you as well.” With that he left.

The prince was fuming as he went out of the throne room to the king and queen’s chamber, he got in and the queen was busy with her book. “Mother I came to bid you farewell; I can’t be here any longer, but I shall return when the princess comes home.” He kissed her forehead “I will call you my queen.” The queen sighs “Try and calm yourself my prince. Call me when you are okay so that we can talk. I love you my prince.” He smiled at her lovingly “And I you my queen, please do say goodbye to father for me.” The queen nodded; she already knew that they fought. “I will do so my prince and please do not forget that we love you all.” The prince nodded

“I know mother, I am just angry at the moment and I need time to process this.” The queen nodded in understanding. “Alright then, keep well.” The prince left and on the way, he connected his phone to the car and called the princess. It rang a few times before she answered “If it isn’t my big brother and prince of Bakoena” she answered smiling. “That warms my heart princess, how is my favourite princess doing this day.?” He asked with a smile “I am your only princess dear brother, but I am well and still doing well at school. How is my brother doing?” she asked excitedly

“I am well my princess” the latter replied “I sense a heavy heart from you brother, what is bothering you?” asked the princess “Nothing to worry about princess just fatigue, I wanted to ask how you feel about arranged marriages?” he held his breath “Mother groomed me from early age brother, she taught me of our traditions and customs so arranged marriages is something that I am expecting as a princess. So, to answer your question brother arranged marriages do not bother me and when the time comes, I will be more than ready to make our parents and our people proud.” The prince sighs “Who are you and what have you don’t to my little sister?”

The princess laughed “I have grown brother and I think being away from home and mother’s heart-warming hugs helped me grow both intellectually and emotionally.” The prince had a proud smile on his face. “You are right princess mother gives the best hugs, I am proud of the young woman you have become, and princess please behave and don’t disappoint me.” Said the prince “I wont dear brother, am a princess and I have to lead by example.” The prince was once again amazed by the princess’s words. “Good, I have to go now am driving, I love you princess.” Said the prince. “And I you brother.” The latter smiled on the other end of the line “Call when you need something or even if you just want to talk. “I will remember that my thanks brother.”

They bid each other goodbye and the prince continued with his drive. He was now feeling much better after talking to the princess but still wanted to do his own investigations on Thabiso and his kingdom. In the unknown location the man was angry at his associates. “What is wrong with you people” enquired the man. “What is it you speak of” asked elder Lance “Am talking about the nonsense that is happening at the palace, why do I have to dear that the damn princess is getting married after maturity and why am I hearing the news from others and not you?” the elders looked at each other “What are you talking about? We all know that the princess is getting married this month that’s what was agreed upon.” Said elder Simon “What do you know? Nothing!”  the man shouted.

“Stop it you two, fighting amongst ourselves is not going to help with anything. Now please tell us what you heard.” Elder Lance tried to reason with the men. “My source from inside the palace tells me that my dear brother and his friend agreed that the wedding will only take place after the princess is finished with high school and you know what that means.” Both men now had solemn looks on their faces. “By then she would have reached maturity” said elder Lance “Which will ruin our plan.” Said elder Simon “Now you are catching on, now if the wedding is going to take place in two years then we have to change our plans.” Said the man already looking like his thinking.

“What do you have in mind?” asked elder Lance looking defeated already. “Whatever it is must be good because am not willing to lose everything and you all can see how prosperous the kingdom is now and I want in on that.” Said the greedy old man “Leave it to me, I will show my brother who I am and when am done with him the people will see that am a better king than he will ever be.” Said the man sure of himself. “I like the sound of that” said elder Simon “Lets hit them where it will hurt the most and make it fast.” Said elder Lance. “Now you are talking” said the man as they drank expensive alcohol discussing more details of their plan.