EMPIRE – THE RULER (Episode 10)

EMPIRE – THE RULER EPISODE 10
© OLADIPO DANIEL 

AYO was leaving the palace, coming out of the king lobby. He met princess RONKE outside.

RONKE
Young man, I cannot express my joy of this moment. I have heard much about your generosity.

AYO
(Flattered)
I never worth of generosity my lady.

RONKE
You gave your life to save a friend. You must have been the chosen one. And, I never heard my Dad spoken like that before. He is delighted in you.

AYO
My lady, there is no love between a goat and its owner. It is just a matter of time. Moreover, how can I be at your service?

RONKE
I will…

ASIPA and OLORI came into the scene. Ronke quickly left AYO while they went in to meet the king.

ASIPA
I suspect that boy, he looked at the princess passionately. He might have feeling for her.

OLORI
You don’t have to think so…

KING
Asipa, I called him here myself. He is at my service. You have been in the village, walking round, haven’t you noticed or seen anyone who is conspiring against my kingdom.

ASIPA
Your Highness, I never came across any than your praises. They talk of your generosity, kindness and..

OLORI
Pls Asipa, maybe you need to speak with Ronke at least to create strong relationsh¡p.

ASIPA
That’s very true. You will excuse me my lord. (He left the couples in the lobby)

OLORI
Your Highness, don’t you see this man is up to something. Even in his speech, you can see he only wants to rule.

KING
shiiiiiiiiii, you don’t have to speak out everything you see. Come on, I have heard of him even why he came to our kingdom. I want to assure you, once my daughter becomes his wife, I will take over his territory.

OLORI
you are my husband, the gods are dancing to your tunes. Now, I wonder who dare to take you off from this seat. Keep ruling my husband…

KING
(joyously)
May the gods bless your labour. But, you need to prepare the young lady, Banke for impromptu marriage. Probably in three days time.

OLORI
(Tenderly)
will you not quit this lady and focus on your daughter?

KING
(Furiously)
You must be out of your mind, I told you to leave the palace if you could not support my quest.

OLORI
(Sweetly)
 I was only joking, where would you have me go.

KING
Then do what I told you, in three days time. Let the marriage begin.

****

AYO and his brother, DAYO were now the two sides of the coin. their first battle began on this day he (Ayo) left the palace. He met his brother who has one way or the other heard the king had a private conversion with him. He came to attack him on his way back home.

AYO
You need to stop this madness. I beg you to let the past be bygone. I think this is the high time we went back to rebuild our village.

DAYO
(Anxiously)
What do you mean?

AYO
 I can mobilise troop with the permission of the king to rebuild our lost village.

DAYO
(brusquely)
So, what they said about you is true. You better not be a bastard. As from this day, I command you to stay off the palace else…

AYO
(Harshly)
Else what?

DAYO
Forget it, just do exactly I command.

AYO
I think we are both playing with fire. Now, let me tell you, I want you to stop all your rubbish mission else…

DAYO
Else!

AYO
(Confidently)
Yes, else, I’ll expose you to the world.

DAYO
You don’t mean it. Oh! Indeed I can now see we both are playing with fire. You want to turn against your own family supporting those imbeciles. You’re a disgrace to our family.

AYO
Well, let’s wait and see the bastard in the family.

He took a step to walk away from his brother. DAYO gripped him by his cloth from behind.

DAYO
(Scowling)
How dare you walk away on me, you must be very stupid.

Ayo turned, struggling to free himself, there BANKE came into the scene. The two guys quickly left each other and pretended like they were playing. Dayo dusted the back of his brother.

Dayo
 Your cloth is dirty, make sure you bathe when you get home, prison isn’t a good place.

BANKE
(Smiled)
Ehm! Pls can I take a moment with your friend (she said to Dayo)

DAYO
Yea, I’m about leaving. See you soon Ayo. (He left)

To be continued

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