ABOUT THIS BOOK
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Instead of being surprised, he stretched his face into a strange expression and suddenly burst into laughter. She stared at him, confused and wondering what exactly was funny.
Just as she was about to speak, he said:
“I have long known about this. In fact, from the day this matter began between us, I was fully aware of everything. I swear by the great deity of the hunter, this pregnancy will never come to term. I will eliminate it, and only then will you return under my control. From the day I first saw the arrow of your love pierce my chest, all the harsh words I said to you were all part of love. You are a ruler, and therefore you do not deserve just anyone—you deserve someone powerful, not a weak and lowly man. I advise you calmly: accept the request I have brought to you. Otherwise, you may prefer not to remain on this earth.”
The Queen, hearing this, gave a bitter smile. King Alhasan, still seated, gestured with his hand and pulled the chair closer to her.
Just as he approached, the Queen suddenly kicked the chair away, forcing him to shift back to where he had been sitting.
Before he could speak, she interrupted him:
“Indeed, you are about to make a grave mistake. I am certain your downfall is what is trying to call your soul closer to me.”
She placed her hand on her stomach and continued:
“This child inside me will travel across the earth, reach its destined land, and return to its homeland to live. If you step into my territory, I swear by my power and authority, I will destroy your life and silence your breath.”
She stood up slowly, pacing while holding her stomach, and said:
“You are seeing and hearing this clearly—I will continue my bond with your brother in peace.”
King Alhasan burst into a strange, mocking laugh and said:
“Since you have said this, I will give you space to enjoy your love. But be sure that I will remain seated until you come crawling with your own feet to beg for my help.”
After saying this, he left the palace with a wicked smile.
The moment he left, some guards entered carrying Usaini in their arms. They laid him down in front of the Queen. Seeing him in that condition made her panic, and she quickly asked what had happened.
The guards exchanged looks, each afraid to give a full explanation. Seeing Usaini slipping further into a critical state, the Queen shouted fiercely:
“Are you deaf to my question?”
One of them finally spoke:
“The Maharba king—that is Usaini’s brother—we saw him go to him. We do not know exactly what they discussed. But from a distance, we saw King Alhasan pour something into his palm… after that…”
The Queen screamed so loudly that it cut off his explanation mid-sentence.
Still kneeling, they heard her ask:
“Why didn’t you tell me before he left?”
Silence followed. No one dared speak.
She came down from her seat, visibly shaken. Her heart was not focused on the pregnancy she carried—her panic made her forget entirely.
She pointed toward the door, signaling them to leave her alone. Then she went to Usaini, placing her foot beside him. She gently placed her hand on his face, hoping to heal him—but nothing happened.
She moved her hand to his forehead and felt intense heat, like fire burning her palm. She quickly pulled her hand back in shock.
At that moment, Usaini slowly lifted his head and looked at her. She sighed in relief, thinking he might be getting better, and said:
“Greetings, brave warrior. What is troubling you now?”
Before she finished speaking, tears began rolling from his eyes. Her heart sank again.
She supported his head and said softly:
“Tears are not part of the character of brave warriors. Do not cry in front of your enemies, for every tear you shed strengthens their hatred and gives them victory over you.”
But Usaini continued crying silently.
When he finally spoke, he said:
“Whether I cry or not, Alhasan has already defeated me. He has taken my spirit and left my body behind to suffer. He took my soul so he could destroy my body. I know who Alhasan is, and now I realize my mistake. I thought leaving his life meant peace for me, but instead he had already built a trap for me—a trap that leads only to suffering and destruction…”
The Queen’s tears interrupted him as she cried and said:
“This punishment is not meant for you. Alhasan will never defeat us because we have pure hearts.”
He tried to shake his head but could not move properly. His body burned with pain as though fire was inside him.
After a long pause, he said:
“I am telling you the truth. Alhasan has taken my soul. What you see now is only my body. I will not be able to benefit you anymore. I beg you, by the greatness of the hunter’s deity, take me to the forest so I can die there. If wild animals eat me, so be it…”
Before he could finish, she covered his mouth and cried heavily:
“Why are you breaking my heart when you are the one who used to strengthen me? Have you forgotten our battles in the forest?”
Usaini interrupted her weakly:
“I am only avoiding frightening you further…”
Seeing that he could not continue, she stood up quickly and left the palace.
At the entrance, she found guards standing at attention. Seeing her, they immediately bowed and greeted her while touching the ground in respect.
She did not respond to their greetings. Instead, she said:
“I need three royal servants to immediately call Boka Rabo. He must appear in the palace right now.”
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