Behind Her Smile - Season 1 - Episode 12

5 years ago

Behind Her Smile - Season 1 - Episode 12

Chioma walked into the servants’ quarters, studying the maids as they cleaned the room.
“Ella, how did you find out that the Prince was coming back, and also that he was sick and a sacrifice would be used to cure him?” Chioma asked.

“I overheard the Queen’s discussion with the Chief Priest,” Ella replied nervously.

Chioma turned to Amara. “And you, how did you find out about a baby used for the foundation of this palace?”

“I…I…I,” Amara stammered. “I heard it from the villagers, and besides, it’s not allowed to be discussed in the palace. But why are you asking us these questions?”

“I just want to confirm something, that’s all,” Chioma said. “Where’s Miriam, by the way?”

“I think she is in the backyard,” Esther replied.

“Okay, girls. See you later.” She walked away, leaving the girls staring after her in confusion.

“She will still say that we are the only ones that gossip too much, while actually she is interested too,” Ella whined.

Esther chuckled. “But have you noticed that Miriam has been behaving strange lately? I mean, she seems more happier these days, and sometimes she’s all grumpy.”

Ella nodded. “Yes. I have noticed that too. But since she won’t tell us what is wrong with her, I think we should not bother ourselves. Maybe she is fine just like she said. And besides, she always smiles, so we don’t even know when she is sad.”

“Amara what do you think?” Esther asked Amara who seemed lost in thoughts.

“Amara!” Esther called, trying to win her attention.

“Sorry, girls,” Amara said. “What were you saying?”

“What are you thinking?” Ella asked suspiciously.

“Why do you think Chioma was asking us those things?” Amara asked.

Ella shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe she was only curious.”

“Do you think she is planning on reporting us to the Queen?” Amara asked.

“No, I don’t think so,” Esther said. “You know that Chioma cannot do something like that to us.”

“Just the same way she is not interested in gossip,” Amara said. “But how come she is curious now?”

“I don’t know,” Ella said. “But I don’t think she is planning on reporting us.”

“Stop thinking useless things,” Esther cautioned. “I’m sure she won’t do something like that.”

“Okay, if you girls say so.” Shrugging, Amara waved off the issue. She joined the others as they returned to their chore.
But she swore in her heart to find out Chioma’s intention before it was too late. She hadn’t forgotten the woman she’d seen in Chioma’s room the day Miriam had fainted.

She’d been trying to figure out how Chioma suddenly appeared by the door when she’d tried to run.

She knew time was slowly ebbing away. She had to act fast and unravel the mystery surrounding Chioma and the entire palace.

***

Watching the sky, Ezinne shook her head. “The heaven is not looking bright, and I know that soon calamity will befall this land of ours.

I must pass on my gift to someone before I die. I know that Chioma is good, but she is just not the right person to inherit my powers. Her powers are far different from mine. So who will keep my powers alive?

I just know that there is someone out there who will take my place. But who could it be? I pray that Chioma soon finds out who this child is in the palace before she brings disaster upon us all.”

Suddenly, she felt a presence in her house. “And who are you?”

Hearing nothing but a deafening silence, she rose to her feet. “I said who is that? Show yourself if you’re not a coward.”