"Your highness, King Kebarah of Bydreen has arrived." Eric reported.
Aveedah said nothing, Eric would have thought she hadn't heard him if not for her clenched fist.
"Your highness, he is asking to see you." Eric added, hesitation in his voice.
"Tell him I will come see him myself, I may be a queen but he is still my father's brother." The message carried respect and love but only if one doesn't happen to be in the daunting presence of the sender.
"As you wish, your highness." He replied, bowing slightly.
"What about him?" She asked, her eyes still on the scroll she was reading.
"There is no sign of him your highness. It's safe to assume he rejected your invitation your highness." Eric replied and though his words would be considered disrespectful, he stood his ground, conveying the information without stammering.
Aveedah said nothing and she didn't seem bothered.
He wouldn't reject the invitation.
Only cowards do that and from his first move, he may be anything but a coward.
"Assume your position and just as planned, I'll see them in the evening." She replied, dismissing him.
"Greetings your highness." The servants greeted as Aveedah walked past them. She still wasn't decked up for the occasion but she looked regal.
Her silk white robe casually draped around a lilac coloured bodice and a matching trouser.
Her hair fell in it's natural curls down her back, her steps graceful as she headed for the room she had the maids prepare for her traitorous uncle, his previous room inside the main Palace.
Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.
"Uncle or I suppose King Kebarah is more befitting. " She called, sitting down on a cushion facing him.
"I will always be your uncle my precious princess." He replied, sitting very close to her.
He patted her hair gently like he always did a wide smile on his face.
"How have you been?"
"I am very sorry I have been absent all this while. It turns out being a ruler isn't child's play." He said sympathetically.
Aveedah smiled wider and rested on her back.
"Yes, it isn't. Most especially when your reign begins with elimination and forcing allegiance."
The meaning behind her words known very well between the both of them yet, he chose to keep the facade up.
"I know how that feels my dear. But to succeed elimination must be done and to secure your place sometimes you have to forget even your blood relations."
"Father must have been a messiah then, I remember he even took care of you."
He laughed deeply before he replied.
"What do you know my dear, you are still a child." He replied, a mocking smile on his face.
She laughed a humorless laugh before she stood up from where she sat and said, looking straight at him.
"I was a child uncle, before my father was murdered."
"Your highness, I apologize for interrupting but Lord Keevah wants to see you. He said to inform you that it is urgent." One of the guards she had come with reported.
Before she could say anything, Kebarah said.
"I suppose the congregation has begun."
"I hope you still are this graceful till the end. I want my brother to be proud of you wherever he may be now."
"Speaking of my brother, any news on the culprit?" He asked, the concern he was displaying making Aveedah want to throw up.
"The traitor is within us, we know him but we'll catch him when we think it's best." She paused to gauge the reaction in his eyes and just like she expected, he wasn't surprised. To a certain degree, she would describe his expression as amused. As if she was still in his palm.
"Do catch him when you have the opportunity my princess, we don't want him striking before you do." He cautioned, almost singing the warning.
Aveedah laughed mockingly, this time she actually found him funny.
So he has the audacity to threaten her in her own kingdom?
"The beauty of being a predator isn't pouncing on the prey, its watching the prey try to wiggle out of it's claws. I will love to sit and chat more but I have duties to fulfill, see you during the banquet. King Kebarah." She deadpanned walking out on the gritting man.
She had barely walked out when he stood up and began pacing the room, his dark eyes showcasing the anger he had barely concealed.
This is not how it should be.
This is not how I should feel.
"Vee, why would you go to him alone?" Keevah asked immediately she entered her chambers.
He rushed to her and allowed his eyes to scan her face for any signs of discomfort.
"I am not a child Keevah. What is the urgent matter?" She asked, taking her place on her favourite cushion.
"I just wanted you out of there. Though, I believe he has been sighted." He said, his tone now changing swiftly from worry to excitement.
"I knew he would come, it's nothing surprising." She replied, effortless hiding her own anxiety.
She needed him now more than ever, Kebarah was up to no good and it will be better if she has a card he doesn't expect.
"Not that he would come Queen Aveedah. He is here." He announced,a sly smile breaking out on his face as he watched her emotion bare themselves it in the open.
"And" She asked carefully trying not to sound as anxious as she felt.
"Victoria was assigned to him and he was treated the same way as the other kings, just like you had instructed." He reported proudly.
"Good Keevah. Kebarah has something up his sleeves and I think I know what it is."
"I also think I have a solution to that problem. Bring me the king of Ridah without anybody knowing, not even Victoria." She Instructed.
"As you wish your highness but I implore you to be careful with him, do not dance to his tune, your highness. Make sure you have nothing to lose in whatever agreement you come to.You should not believe anything from anybody in these times. Well, except for me. I will always be by your side." He proclaimed, his eyes boring into hers.
"I know that Keevah and I will always rely on you even though I mostly do not wish to." She replied smiling slightly at him.
He only winked at her in return and walked out to do as he was instructed.
The walk to the guest palace was a short one mostly because he teleported from outside her chambers to the guest palace.
As he approached his chamber, he thought of what waited for him behind that door. He also had not seen him it was Eric that had relayed the information of his arrival and Eric never says more than required.
Two guards were outside the door, one he came with and the other, the one allocated to him.
The one familiar with his face bowed immediately he saw him compelling the other to bow too.
"My Lord." He called.
"Inform his highness, I have a message from the Queen." He Instructed and hurriedly and stupidly, both of them rushed to knock on the door.
"Come in." A voice instructed and stupidly again, they both dashed into the room leaving a very amused Keevah outside.
As hurriedly as they dashed in, they dashed out.
"My Lord, we are apologize for taking your time, his majesty is expecting your presence."