Whispers of Power, Whispers of Love
Within the towering walls of the capital palace, soldiers marched with precision, their spears glinting beneath the noon sun. Courtiers bustled across the polished stone floors, their low conversations filling the great hall like restless bees.
Suddenly, the heavy doors of the courtroom swung open. A guard hurried inside, breathless. "The Emperor is on his way," he announced.
Instantly, the restless murmurs ceased. Robes rustled as everyone bowed their heads deeply. "Kabiyesi o! Ki ade ko pe lori, ki bata ko pe lese!" they greeted in unison, their voices echoing through the high pillars.
Kabiyesi- Your Majesty
Ki bata ko pe lori, ki bata ko pe lese- an idiom in Yoruba tribe to wish the king long life.
The Emperor entered with a slow, measured grace, his robe trailing behind him, golden embroidery gleaming with every step. His eyes— sharp and unreadable— swept the hall before he lowered himself onto the throne. He gestured with one hand. "Be at ease."
The courtiers straightened, though their eyes remained lowered. Finally, one of them stepped forward, voice tentative. "Your Majesty… as you know, in a few months a new Emperor is to be chosen. What are your orders?"
Another replied. "Orders? What orders? We follow the doctrine that has stood for generations. That is, if the Emperor, produce no heir, then the throne will pass to one of the three princes."
His voice rang across the chamber like steel.
"YOU!" a furious voice interrupted. Another noble jabbed a finger at the man. "How dare you utter such nonsense before the Emperor himself!"
The man did not back down. He straightened his back and spoke firmly. "It is not nonsense. We must follow doctrine."
The other turned to the Emperor, his voice trembling slightly but determined. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, why should we cling to old laws when you have proven yourself the greatest ruler this kingdom has ever known? Who else deserves the throne, if not you? This empire is your creation. It rose under your reign. Why should it pass to anyone else?"
The hall erupted in noise— some voices agreeing, others shouting in protest.
"Blasphemy! Tradition must be kept!"
"His Majesty should reign forever!"
"Do not twist the laws of our fathers!"
The Emperor lifted his hand, and silence fell like a curtain. His lips curved in the faintest of smiles. "This doctrine has never been broken. I will not be the one to defy it. One of the three princes shall ascend after me."
The nobles exchanged uneasy glances, murmuring among themselves.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed, his tone lowering as if he spoke only to himself. "I have already given them their test. The one who survives shall be Emperor."
The hall stirred again, uneasy whispers spreading like wildfire.
Inside, the Emperor's thoughts twisted darkly. ' Alive… yes.'If any of them return alive.'
His fingers curled around the armrest of his throne. 'But they will not. Dada will see to that. And when the world learns that the princes are no more, the throne will have no choice but to remain mine. Finally, ultimate power will rest in my hands.'
His lips stretched into a thin smile no one else noticed.
---
By noon, far from the cold grandeur of the palace, the inn was alive with quieter rhythms— the smell of roasted meat, faint laughter drifting from below, the warm hum of ordinary life.
Adrian stepped out of his room after a short nap, his hair a little tousled, his steps slow but steady. The first thing that greeted him was the sight of a table set with steaming dishes…and William, already seated, smiling brightly as though he had been waiting all morning just for him.
Adrian stopped short, his brow twitching. "You prepared this? Again?" He sat down across from him, his tone dry, but the corners of his lips threatened to tug upward.
William leaned back, resting his chin on his hand as he studied him. "Of course. I care about you, Temì- mine. I don't want you fainting again. I worry about you."
Adrian reached for the cup before him, filling it with wine. "Where is Idowu? And the boy?"
"Idowu took him to the market," William replied. "The boy would not stop crying until he was allowed to go along." He shook his head dramatically, clicking his tongue. "Even my dog abandoned me and followed them. Can you imagine? Betrayed by my own loyal companion."
Adrian huffed softly, almost amused, then sipped his wine. But his gaze shifted back to William, and his voice dropped. "You don't need to go to such lengths. I can take care of myself."
William leaned forward slightly, eyes soft but unwavering. "For you, I will go to any length. I want to protect you."
Adrian's grip on the cup tightened. His chest felt warmer than he wanted to admit, but he masked it with sharpness. "I never asked you to protect me. When will you stop being such a busybody?" He set the cup down with a faint thud.
For a moment, silence. Then William's hand slid across the table and gently wrapped around Adrian's, still resting near the cup. His touch was warm, steady, not playful this time.
"I won't stop " he murmured, his voice low and sincere, eyes locking onto Adrian's. "Not until you become the love of my life." A small smile tugged at his lips, but the weight in his tone made Adrian's heart lurch.
Adrian felt a shiver run down his arm where their hands touched. Goosebumps rose along his skin. His breath caught, just for a moment. The man's face was still playful…but his voice. His voice was different, and it unsettled him.
Swiftly, he pulled his hand back, breaking the contact as though the touch had burned him. His eyes darted away, fixed stubbornly on the table.
William only smiled wider, leaning back in his chair. "One day, Temì. You will stop pulling away."
Adrian clenched his jaw, ignoring the warmth creeping up his neck. This man… is insufferable.