I understand it now, the truth i have been striving for. All vague truths began to align when I used a single eye to see, my dream now visible to the eye of my mind. Almost like a fog is lifted giving way to the new light, familiar thoughts become strange and new. When school is over i will start a farm and live peacefully in the isolated villages down south, but I'm pretty sure mom will try to murder me. "Over the past three years our land has not received any rain, tensions with food stores are near boiling point, the law has long prohibited import vegetables since the kingdom was established and now the draught has left all reserves dry. Last week a strike broke out at the University of Bechuanaland, all this in an effort to persuade the king to change the bill on vegetable import. His majesty Ian Khama has remained silent in all this, but today he has decided to address the kingdom at the Royal court." Joseph concluded his thoughts. On his way back from school he held his breath as the air grew heavy with anticipation, the bus driver increased the radio volume as the bus grew silent. All ears were waiting for that man's voice, "Honorable land, honorable kingdom and an honorable people I humble my self before you all. I will address with immediate effect that as of today 28th of November 2024, that the bill on vegetable import shall be suspended until further notice as a curb to our growing concerns over low crop produce and the three year draught. A new bill shall be enacted in its place, Regulations on vegetable and crop imports bill…."He continued to explain the nature of the bill as I stopped the bus to get off, my mother's house was relatively close to the bus stop so it took ten minutes to get home. I smelled like burnt skin, it was a very sunny day with temperatures ranging at 44 degrees Celsius. The creek of a wooden door opening illumes to the emptiness of our house, my mother and I have lived alone for as long as I can remember. She works hard as a detective of the police force, normally at this time of day I'm alone. Picking up my phone I go straight to the news live stream, his majesty just finished going over the new bill. I want to be a farmer after finishing high school so this new bill could either make or break that dream. "Next up on my agenda is the announcement on my heir, the nation has showed concerns over my marital life and the lack of an heir. As most know naturally if I couldn't produce an heir my brother would naturally be king when I step down, a few weeks ago the doctors confirmed I would never be able to make children due to the injury I sustained in the war. Nevertheless I will confirm that I do have a son and he will be presented to the kingdom within the following week. That Is all for today." An announcement that surprised me, even the royal family seem to have their fair share of problems. The time was nearly 6pm, an aroma of sizzling vegetables filled the air and the heat of the fire made stirring a danger to the skin, tasting the spinach Joseph Mars Kylie squints with dissatisfaction taking three pinches salt and hits the salt bae pose while throwing the powder in. The spinach sizzles loudly as he stirs it, the pot of boiling water catches his gaze as he prepares to mix in the porridge. While busy with the four burner stove he is completely deaf to the sound of Rose Kylie walking, the thudding sound of her shaking the dirt from her boots goes completely unheard. "Well someone finally got the heat right, you've improved there's actually nothing burnt today." Her blue eyes and rose golden locks shined brightly as she came in smiling, using her hips she pushes him over and starts stirring the porridge "Well hurry up and pour it, and please go study I will finish cooking here." Joseph tries to reason "Ohh come on! Let me finish what I started mom, I still get good grades without studying."
In that moment Rose became an ominous being changing into pure rage she held him by the collar but a deep breath calmed the air. "Listen to me! You can't relax today because of yesterday's success, the world today is more unforgiving than it was yesterday. You will never be who you are if you always think you are who you were. Now go and bath, then study when food is ready I'll call you." Her eyes sparkling with salt water she smiled faintly and turned her attention to the stove. Never have I seen her look at me like that, she always been a laid back person. Her eyes were ice cold in that moment and that's all I could think off as I went into the bathroom, my mind raged like a storm as I settled in the hot water bath. "Why should I persevere so much? After all in the end ill only be a farmer living my days in the isolated fields down south, perseverance breeds envy and envy breeds greed. I've seen what greed can do to a man." After bathing he walks into his room, a typical seventeen year old boy's bedroom. Full of books and shoes but everything neatly packed, His mothers call breaks the spell. The dinner table is quiet with only the sound of silver and clay clattering in a random rhythm, then suddenly a call breaks the silence. She slightly tilted her phone and her face frowned, she just let it ring for a while then it stopped. Peaking slightly I could see she had eighteen missed calls from the same number within the past hour, why wasn't she answering? But then a violent knock continued to haunt the door as if someone was in a state of urgency. She stood up to open the door and it was a police officer, Special Constable Mogomotsi adorned a face of pure dread. "Detective Kylie! You need to report to office, the lawyer handling the company merger case has been found dead under the Bus rank highway. There was a message written on the walls…..commissioner Charles called you in for this. Furthermore, a new layer will be taking the case, the Chief of Justice Romeo Kago Serame." She quickly grabbed her coat and left with the constable. After ten minutes another violent knock on the door started, "it must be another officer" was what I thought while opening the door but outside there was a troop of men in black suits. "Forgive our intrusions, were here on his majesty the king's orders. Your Royal Highness Prince of Bechuanaland, his majesty the king wants to see you tomorrow. I will personally come to pick you up, have a good night your majesty." He immediately left the yard along with his troop, leaving me absolutely bamboozled and confused. On the other hand, flash lights light up a wall to reveal blood markings. "Have you ever seen anything like this, Detective?" Rose stood there bewildered by what was written, "Here lies a lire whose song is sweet to the ears but rotting to the heart, your crimes are known by your guilty crown." Fear crept into the mind as she pondered what the message could mean, the sight of a corpse tied up in strings did not make it an easy sight to witness. "Okay let's wrap it up, have all the evidence sent to me when forensics finish the sweep." Special constable Mogomotsi saluted as she left the area in a hurry. Getting into her red polo vivo she frantically struggled to insert the key and the sudden vroom of her car illumined to her success. Rose skidded out of the area driving to her home in Phase 2, a red light stopped her dead as she waited for the green it almost felt like an hour. Her hands pressed against the leather steering wheel as she anxiously waited, fate had different plans for her as the driver's window came crashing into her face. The sudden break caused her to slightly lose consciousness as the brick used to break her window also hit her on the head, four pairs of footsteps sparked her intuition as she realized what was happening. Reaching to the side of her door she armed herself with a pistol, aware of this the men crouched towards the car. Rose knew that in her state she couldn't shoot accurately so she instead planned to stall for time until back up arrived. Shooting off one bullet to alert any nearby people she instilled panic and fear on the four men, they each reached into their waists to arm themselves with firearms then one of the men broke silence
"I'm sorry ma'am but this is nothing personal, you are simply listed for extermination!" with that declaration Rose understood that she was being assassinated but the reason remained a mystery for her. "Well good luck with that, if I don't accidentally kill you I'm taking you in for assault and attempted murder." Rose announces as she prepares to take another shot. The four men nodded in unison signaling their attack formation, one crawled under the vehicle as two went around and one slowly pounced towards the driver's door expecting to catch her off guard but just as he charged up at the broken window she wasn't there. Opening the left backseat door she hit the startled two who went around the car and shot them down where they stood, the one crawling under the car panicked and started shooting randomly which punctured the tires. The other guy tried shooting through the window but Rose had already taken cover waiting for them to make a crucial mistake, but she had a stroke of luck as Special constable Mogomotsi and six other officers arrived in a Toyota land cruiser, Noticing the positions of the two assailants they shot the guy near the driver's door and charged to arrest the guy under the car. The imposing figures of seven police officers left the man no choice as he screamed "Don't shoot, I surrender…..please don't shoot!" Constable Lesedi grabbed his foot and pulled him from under the car, being held up by that seven foot man the assailant widened his eyes in fear. Bright neon lights made a U-turn at the four way intersection, it was a black jeep wrangler with six tires. Only one person was known to own such a car in the city, the car parked up near them and the engine turned off. The tall man walking out of the car made a slow approach and the officers showed their respect upon seeing his face. "I apologize for my discourteous actions and for breaking the law, please write the appropriate ticket. Now what caused the commotion here?" The smirk on his face always brought out a different kind of beast in Rose, in her eyes he was just a spoiled noble who bought his way to a position of influence through family connections. Nevertheless, she had to respect the honor placed upon his name "Your honor, I was attacked by these men and sadly we could only capture one. We hope to interrogate him to catch whoever is responsible." The handsome chief of justice smiled with disappointment as he exclaimed "I thought you were smarter than that, its not who! It's a what! We are up against an organized group of people. We just don't know what their purpose is but I hope you can at least figure that out without my help. I wish you a pleasant night officers." His words cut like a sharp knife into jelly causing a mountain of anger to swell up in Rose's face, the special constable could see it clearly and prayed silently that she can hold it in. "Ohh wait!" The man exclaimed catching everyone off guard then he offered, "Detective! let me give you a ride to your place while the officers take care of this situation. This would be a good chance to talk about our present predicament." Rose didn't answer him as she pondered on what he could possibly want to discuss with her but then realized it wouldn't do her any harm. "Of cause your honor, I'd be delighted." Her respectful speech never seizes to amaze Special constable Mogomotsi as he proceeds to smile. He walks with her in silence then opens the passenger door for her "Please watch your foot!" he spoke from a lower voice as he held her hand but Rose shrugged him off and climbed up the high car on her own, this left a smile on Romeo's face as this was not a princess but a woman of strength. He lit up the V8 engine that crackled with noises of heavy sparks, and the two drove away from the scene. "To be precise, I'm going to need you to drop the case commissioner Charles told you to take, You are a very valuable asset to the police department it would really sting to lose you now..." Rose could only stare in shock as she listened to him speak. "You got to listen to me Rose it's a very dangerous group were dealing with, it may endanger your family. Let the higher up's close it on their own terms and when the time is right you will have all the answers and we can cut the roots of the problem." Rose took a deep breath and responded, "How do I know you are not working with the higher ups? Your family is pretty notorious for doing indisputably evil things." The man sighed from his lower abdomen then exclaimed, "I know how it looks to you, tomorrow I will be ruling the judgment of another notorious case. Come to see it and then decide if you will agree with me or not, in the meantime this folder contains everything you need to do when you decide to work with me. Make sure you read it, multiple times." With all things said the car stopped outside Rose's house and she exclaimed in shock "How do you even know where I live?" with an inconsiderate smirk the man answered "I needed to know for sure were your allegiances lie so I had someone investigate you for four months, I truly am sorry but it was necessary." She scoffed in anger and left the car without saying goodbye but he knew it was a normal reaction so he drove away after watching her safely enter the house. Remembering that she was targeted Rose rushes into her house, looking around she sees no signs of Joseph and worry thickens heavy inside her heart as she looks throughout the house until finally realizing her son always sleeps early on school days. The bedroom door creaked slowly as she took a peak, he was in there sleeping soundly in the dark room. Rose felt great relief and sighed, "Sleep well my little prince". Joseph who was pretending to be asleep heard her and now the mystery that plagued his heart only grew greater, he fell asleep after hours of overthinking. The alarm rang, waking him at 4am. Two hours of sleep on an exam day would prove a dreadful choice, after all his exam was set for 2pm. His mind enjoyed the absence of thoughts as his consciousness still booted up, realization came crushing down as he brushed his teeth. The sense of fear and dread left his knees weak but then he collected himself "Hmm, I think Mark Twain implies all people are fools when they fear breaking the walls of their pride. Quite an interesting take if I say so myself."
He dressed up like normal and sat in the living room waiting for his mom to wake up and drop him off, something was off "Mom usually wakes up earlier than me, I need to check on her." Going to her door he knocked but there was no reply, this greatly alarmed the boy and he decided to open. His mother was only sleeping, coming close to wake her up he noticed a faint but audible word she gasped in her sleep "Yominic....dhomiyc" He knew this name very well. Dominic Kylie, the name of his alleged dead father, "wake up mom, its time!" She woke up slowly but then realized she has no car for the day "Ohh shucks! The car…it's been towed away." And the boy exclaimed in response "What do you mean the car got towed! You are not making any sense right now…..uhgg, you should have told me when you got home." Rose widened her eyes with surprise, "just take a cab I will call one now, just go wait I know your exam is at 2pm so just wait patiently" but Joseph retorted "Mom I need to return some books today I don't want to go back there after exams." And his mom sighed a deep yawn "Fine, I will call one to pick you up now". A light summer rain grazed the taxi, in its familiar rhythm I got lost in thought. Those men from yesterday claim the king wants to see me, mom said I am a prince last night. Something I don't know about, secrets of a loving mother can be truly terrifying. The gate to Gaborone National Senior School was now visible as the cab took a turn off the roundabout, not many grade 12 students arrive at 6:30am so the school was only populated by grade 11 students. The rain had stopped leaving a fragrance of mud and grass, his shiny black shoes lightly crossed the puddles as he tried his best not to splash anything onto his uniform. The duplicate navy blue and mustard uniform blurred all the faces, in truth Joseph never looked at peoples faces. Time passed like a breeze, the exam hall buzzed with the sound of flipping paper. In 45 minutes, Joseph finished writing the formal letter signaling the end of his life as a grade 12 student. The supervisor passing by was not shocked as he picked up the answer sheet from his table, then he was quietly escorted out of the exam hall. "I'm finally done with school, ohh my, seems I'm not the first to finish." Waiting outside the hall was a girl putting back her utensils into her school bag. "Seems this time I finished before you Mr. Kylie!" her smile seemed to arouse a strange feeling "As if I'm resting under the shade of a Benjamin in the hot summer day, she truly is…" Beautiful! Blue Naledi Toteng was her name. "You and I both know I'm still going to get the best marks regardless of who finished first." Joseph challenged with a smirk but Blue responded with a smile as she zipped her backpack. "Come on lets leave, the police might think were up to something devious" The look in her eyes, and the touch of her hands pulling me along were truly dangerous, although I never made any friends except Basil King but Blue was the most interesting person I had ever met. She always ignored my pale albino skin and played with my silver hair, but it was my deep red iris that made people uneasy and naturally everyone distanced themselves from me. Blue never shied away from starring into my eyes, it always intrigued me. After leaving the school premises the two teenagers walked on the side walk, "Hey Joseph! Lets get some lunch and ice cream, I'm really famished right now." With a gentle smile she insisted, Joseph didn't try to resist because he knew she would never stop once she decided. The two walked to 'Main Mall' conversing about the exams they had just completed, "By the way, what are you going to do now that you have all the time to yourself? And please don't tell me about all that farming nonsense, it would be a waste for someone with your talents..." Joseph scratched his head and seemingly speechless, Blue instinctually realized he would not change his mind no matter what she said and a warm smile enveloped her face. The two soon arrived at Nando's were they made orders to eat in, while eating at the table Joseph noticed the man from yesterday approaching them. He bowed slightly with his hands clasped together, "kgmm! Ill wait for you outside, please come with your friend." The man left for the moment and Blue marveled with astonishment "What the heck is going on? Who is that man?" she questioned him. "He is a man that works for my father, I'm going to meet him today." He explained but Blue screamed in shock "Your Father!!Kgmm! I thought you said your dad passed away long ago?" and Joseph nodded in agreement and retorted "honestly I don't know what is going on, but i am curious on why you have asked to have lunch with me?" she blushed internally as she took a sip of her drink, she gave him no answer but continued to stare intrinsically into his crimson eyes "You have no idea do you?" Joseph could only stare in confusion but then he stares deep into her eyes saying not a single word then he suddenly flicks up one eyebrow to her. Blue breaks out in laughter upon seeing this, "If you don't know then it will be my secret, ohh! look who it is" in that moment Basil walked into the restaurant. His imposing figure all though an eighteen year old, left many women of older ages turning their heads. "You two seem cuddly and cute, but i know what you both really are. Anyone who looks into both your eyes would know, one is monarch who shall rule, one is a tamer who shall bind a dragon and mount the skies and I'm the writer who witnessed it all." The two stared at each other exchanging glances of confusion then Blue exclaimed "Anyone who knows Joseph knows he is anything but a monarch, is he going to be lord of the farms?" They all broke out in laughter and Joseph thought as he spoke "The irony of your words is quite ridiculous given the timing." He didn't explain further but just stood up and expressed "Both of you are the world i hope never to leave behind" he whispered.
In this life he chose the world he didn't know, he went out to meet the man who stood up, "follow me to our car, your highness." The manner in which he spoke shocked Blue and Basil who quickly glanced at Joseph but he just scratched his head looking back at them, just before they left Blue took up his hand then she expressed "Take me with you, please take me with you." Joseph had no idea how he should respond and then the man gave an answer, "Off cause your majesty, she can come as your guest to the royal palace." At this point the list of shocks Blue had received was getting quite long. They left and arrived at the parking lot and got into a black BMW seven series. He drove out of the parking lot and headed straight to the Royal Palace, he was as silent as a rock which drowned them in anxiety. A strange Deja vu hit Joseph as he wondered why they seemed to be headed in the direction of Game City mall instead of the house of parliament area but he shrugged it off as a stray thought. Upon reaching the great stone wall the two teens exchanged glances, anticipation built up on their faces as their eyebrows raised. The majesty of Golden Meadows Palace radiantly stood on the great hill "Kgale Hill", the home of the Bechuanaland royal family. A guard stood at the huge four meter long gate as the car stopped next to me. "Scan your card of identification please." The driver rolled down his window and the guard froze in shock upon seeing his face, "Mr. Marco Bafenyi! I apologize sir head right in…Sir" He drove into the long drive way that seemed to go around the hill until he stopped in a parking area where multiple cars were parked. He led them to an elevator that seemed embedded into the hill, it was built with great elegance and seemed to be maintained regularly. The upward movement came to a halt and the doors opened to reveal an incredulous space filled with flowers and grass and in the center of it all was a great mansion. Then a scent of dread filled my heart, I clearly remember the royal palace being near main mall, so why is it here? How is it here? Or am I losing my mind. A troop of servants waited at the main entrance, inside the Mansion was radiant sounds of classical music playing. "You should follow the servants and get properly dressed. Young lady why don't you tell me your parents address and contact information so we can inform them you are here" Blue looked at the man and informed him "Don't worry i don't live with any parents or guardian, my parents have been renting out an apartment for me in the city but we live in small village down south.", Marco seemed worried about her upbringing. Mr. Bafenyi informed them to follow the servants into palace. The music grew louder as they walked into the classy building, polished rock was laid on the floor as square boxes seamlessly connected. The servants took Joseph up stairs and Blue was taken to a room in the ground floor, "Welcome to your room, your majesty. You can take your time preparing the party will start later at 7pm, excuse us your majesty we will be outside if you need anything. Blue was given a ball gown and quickly taken through the required etiquette while the alleged prince was left to figure out everything on his own. The palace felt weirdly spooky that night, and another Deja vu hit him, had he been to the palace before? He wouldn't normally know how the palace should feel on a daily basis unless he had lived here but he felt like it was different from what he knew. Two doors open revealing the grand hall were people were gathered, photographers snapped their shutters to get their first picture of the Prince. Joseph felt overwhelmed by the crowd, but years of getting first place in graduation ceremonies suddenly kicked in and his demeanor changed. The crowd naturally made way as the boy walked into the hall, and His royal Highness the King was standing at the opposite end of the room, silence took charge as the prince walked up to the king. The boy trotted slowly towards his father and his fair posture captivated judging eyes, his white hair glistened under the chandeliers and everyone had one thought "this boy is truly majestic".
He stopped near his father and bowed accordingly but the man stopped him with a warm embrace and flashes rang from multiple directions, "This is my son Joseph Mars Kylie, the prince of Bechuanaland. My one true heir!" then the king whispered into his ear "smile boy..." he lifted his hand up as the hall filled with cheers. From that moment I was introduced to all the special guests whose names I don't really remember but one person stood out, Blue and her family were introduced to me as valuable vessels to the crown but I understood what they really were, "did blue always know who I was?" My disappointment in Blue slowly etched into my heart. One of the servants gave me a cup with wine, the king proposed a toast. "From this day the prosperity of the kingdom will begin, the crowning ceremony to officially place my son as the crown prince of the kingdom will take place during the parliamentary gathering Wednesday next week. To the crown Prince!" Glasses were raised and I took a sip of the wine and the musicians played the moonlight sonata, the crowd began to murmur in awe as if a princess of immaculate beauty had entered the ball. It was Blue, her shy face commanding the sense of innocence and purity but as soon as she noticed Joseph she rushed to be at his side ignoring all who extended greetings. Her red dress fluttered gracefully above the floors as she walked towards the apple of her eyes, her black hair neatly tied in a low bun and styled with emeralds made her a sight to behold. All stood in silence as they saw her bold approach towards the Prince unbeknownst to them the two are acquainted, strangers began to murmur "Who is that girl, she has a bold stature and brave too. I wonder how the prince will respond to such a bold approach...." and they held their breath trying to listen into their conversation. Blue bowed then respectfully asked "Would your majesty like to give me your first ever dance?" all waited with anticipation and the boy said nothing, taking her hand he guided her to the middle of the hall and the musicians noticed this. They started playing an instrumental version of Salvatore and the prince put one hand on her waste and she put one hand on her shoulder while their other hand held together in unison and then they danced. Their waltz held a royal kind of grace, every step, every breath, and every glance the two were one. They looked into each others eyes and never once anywhere else, it was as if the crowd was thrust into the 13th century witnessing the first waltz. Every passionate breath was hidden under the mask of their calm, it was as if they had practiced ballroom dance for a hundred lifetimes yet it was their first dance. Once their dance concluded many flooded to dance and the two took a seat to respite their breath the Joseph noticed the press being guided out which was quite strange and now a great fear took root in his heart. "I understand what you meant earlier everything makes sense now, this strange feeling ive been feeling every time i look into your eyes or how id feel the instinctual urge to smile whenever i saw you smile. Blue i am deeply infatuated with you, i have loved you from the moment i first saw you" Blue's eyes exposed her blushful shock as they widened, then she smiled at him like the blue sky harboring the fluffy scattered clouds.. Her warmth made brought him comfort as their hands held secretly, the dreadful curse would not allow him this happiness. A sharp head pain arrested his senses and as he tried standing up he fell to his knees, he looked back at Blue but her eyes reflected a deep and terrible fear and her face instigated another Deja vu as if he had seen someone look at him in the same exact way then he lost consciousness. The smell of blood and candle incense woke him up as he opened his eyes the darkness in that room brought fear but it was the king and everyone else in dark robes who truly awakened a primordial fear within him. "You are finally awake my boy, now the elder Gods will anoint you into the family and prove you are of royal blood." His words had low resonance of evil as he lit up a black candle. He placed it into a circle drawn from blood and then a great wind entered the underground room causing all the candles to blow off and silence envelopes the room. "I awake once more yet never sleeping, I see you all now yet I'm always watching, you have brought fourth a descendent to be judged.... he is a prince, he is a king, and he is a ….NO! what a terrible one you have brought...no this boy shall die here." A voice in the darkness announced, Joseph was truly afraid at that moment.