Roaming the streets of the central kingdom, William admitted to himself that it was a beautiful city— calm, orderly, alive in a way that Irele kingdom never was. Yet, as his gaze wandered over the colorful stalls and polished stone roads, a smile tugged at his lips.
"Kò sí bí tó dá bí ilé- There's no place like home." he murmured.
Where was he heading? He had no idea. Perhaps to Ikoro Kingdom- he had even thought of visiting there after spending a few more days here. Perhaps somewhere else entirely. The thought of drifting without duty would have once unsettled him, but now he found it strangely liberating. These past few days had been the most peaceful of his life.
In the palace, peace wasn't exactly luxury. He hardly had free times and the little ones he had- he spends with his beauties. As First Prince, his mornings had always begun with petitions, his afternoons with councils, and his nights with endless hunting. Duty upon duty, chain upon chain. Now, for the first time, he breathed as a common man did— free. He was glad he was on this mission and not in the palace having to worry about its affairs. Who would have thought someday he'll be out of the palace roaming around the streets of the county.
'Being a prince can be tough' he thought with a private smirk. ' These days are rare to come. Better enjoy this while it lasts.
Reaching into his bag, he drew out a coin to give a beggar slumped by the roadside asking for alms. Lost in his thoughts, William misstepped and collided with a man in the crowd. The coin slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground.
"I'm sorry." William said quickly, steadying himself. "I wasn't watching my steps."
The stranger bent to pick up the coin. "It's oka—" His words cut off abruptly as his eyes lifted and fixed on William's face.
The pause was strange. Too strange. William frowned slightly. He was surprised by the man's reaction and wondered if anything was wrong. "Are you well?" he asked, genuine concern lacing his tone.
"Ah… yes, yes. " the man stammered " Here is your coin." He said thrusting the coin back into William's palm. "
"Thank you, kind sir." William replied with a smile, but the man did not return it. His eyes lingered too long, sharp with something unreadable, before he turned and continued on his walk, without another word.
Unease rippled through William. He gave the coin to the beggar but while listening to the man's grateful blessings, William turned his head towards the direction of the man who had just left. His gaze followed the stranger's retreating back until it vanished into the crowd.
The look on that man's face— shock, recognition, something darker. It was not the look of a passerby. It was malignant, almost threatening.
His ears twitched, his instincts prickling. The palace might be far behind him, but old habits died hard. Have I already been recognized?
William shook his head, forcing the thought away. Perhaps he was imagining things, seeing shadows in daylight. Perhaps overthinking- he had left the palace and is far from home, it was only normal to let his guard up and be cautious of people around. Turning his head in an opposite direction, he walked away.
His stride grew tighter, his senses sharpening with every step.
.
.
Dada watched silently as the young man turned from where he stood beside the beggar and melted into the busy street. His sharp eyes narrowed. That face… it stirred a memory.
A memory from only a few nights past.
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Few days ago, the emperor had summoned him- the emperor's most trusted assassin. To the council, he was nothing more than a guard, a loyal shadow stationed beside the throne. But in truth, Dada was the emperor's most trusted blade, an assassin who had painted his hands with blood more times than he dared count.
That night, slipping through the watch like smoke, he reached the imperial chambers of the Emperor. The window had been left ajar, a signal he knew well. Dada slipped inside, his steps noiseless.
The emperor sat within, dressed only in his inner robe. The loose collar gaped open- his body exposed from the collar down to the firm line of his chest. Dada's gaze flicked away immediately, jaw tightening.
Unaware of his arrival, the Emperor took another shot of the wine in front of him. He lifted a cup of wine to his lips. Only when Dada deliberately cleared his throat did the Emperor turn. He looked towards the corner of his room and saw Dada who had his face turned to the direction opposite where he was.
"Ahh.." the ruler's lips curved faintly, betraying a smile he tried to restrain.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty. " Dada said at once, lowering his head. "I did not realize the emperor was— "
" Alright. Enough." The emperor's voice cut through, smooth and commanding. " Wòlé- Come in."
Obediently, Dada stepped further inside the room, halting a few paces away from the emperor. The emperor seeing this, rose and crossed the chamber toward him, speaking as he moved.
"Dada, Dada… how cruel you are. You don't come to visit me. The only time you come to me is when I call. Even then, you make me wait—sometimes hours. Do you not think this is bad habit? To keep the Emperor of the Empire waiting? Tell me, isn't that its own kind of torture? No one else dares to do this. "
The emperor stopped close— so close in front of dada...his body few inches away from him that Dada could catch the faint, intoxicating fragrance clinging to his skin. When the emperor lifted a hand and brushed his cheek with deliberate gentleness, Dada stiffened.
"You keep doing this because you know my heart is soft," the emperor murmured, caressing his face. "Because you know I will forgive you. Is that it?"
Dada's head tilted slightly toward the chamber doors, voice low, cautious. "My Lord…" He called. His tone carried unease. He called him as the way they were standing was so close and inappropriate. Dada was afraid someone might come in and misunderstand. To be alone in the Emperor's chamber at this hour was suspicion enough. But this position.. this closeness, this touch, was more than dangerous.
The emperor followed his gaze, eyes flicking to the sealed doors. Understanding Dada's worries, a wry smile tugged at his mouth. " No one dares enter without my permission. " he said softly.
His eyes turned their attention back to Dada. Seeing his distress, he withdrew his hand, disappointment flickering in his eyes. He exhaled, shaking his head. " Gbagbe e— forget it." A sigh left his lips, carrying more weight than he wished to show.
"You are no fun."
To be continued...