Chapter 5 Drama in the Chamber

"Let's go, coast is clear," Shanmala says pulling Amsah up. They both crawl out. Wind brushes past their ears as the dinning hall was now silent.

"Come on, let's go, "Shanmala added walking quickly towards the first door and Amsah followed behind. Shanmala was about to open the door when someone else pulled it open. It was Madam Lavoti. She looked at the two of them scornfully moving her eyeballs up and down repeatedly. Blood ran quickly through Amsah's veins. What was she going to say all dressed up as the princess? Shanmala was only gazing back at Madam Lavoti putting on an unusually calm demeanor.

"Amsah! Princess Shanmala! Where have you both been? Why didn't you come out for dinner?" She asked pausing to catch her breath. "I actually asked Jedsy to take your meal to your chamber as Amsah did not come out to tell us why you wouldn't be dinning with the others. Have you seen your Tanti? The Prince of Fananala? He was here too and was quite disappointed. Where have you both been?" She concluded with a rather vague question.

"Ah, actually Madam Lavoti, her Highness slept off so I didn't want to wake her up and I wasn't sure what to say either, " Shanmala replied trying to fake Amsah's voice.

"Her majesty can speak for herself Amsah, " Madam Lavoti replied looking at Shanmala with suspicious eyes.

"I-I will see the Prince in my chamber and yes I got the meal. I appreciate your thoughtfulness, it really isn't Amsah's fault. It's mine. I just dozed off a few hours to dinner and I guess she didn't want to disturb me," Amsah replied releasing her breath. She had been holding her nose so she could sound like Shanmala as her voice was extremely faint.

"I see," Madam Lavoti replied still steering at Amsah. She returned her gaze back to the Princess hoping to understand why they both sounded weird. She finally shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Shanmala sighed.

"That was close, " she said.

"How can we be so sure that she didn't figure out? Did you see how she was looking right at us? I hope I don't lose my job all because of you," Amsah protested, expressing her worries.

"Relax. I approve everything that relates to me before it is initiated. Calm down would you?" Shanmala replied.

She opened the door and they walked out. They kept their heads down walking cautiously as they passed the lounge. Making eye contact with anyone will only birth more trouble.

They moved past the royalties chamber walking in a way that seemed like running. Then, they got to Shanmala's chamber and Amsah pushed the door as she inputted the lock code. The door finally opened and she rushed inside pulling off the scarf that covered her face. Shanmala followed behind and locked the door.

"Phew!" Shanmala sighed breathing out heavily. "What a Kingdom?" she added then looked at Amsah who was struggling hard to take off the scarf. "See what I have to go through everyday," Shanmala added. Amsah turned around raising the veil to expose her face up to her eyes. She looked at her scornfully trying to pass her message with her eyes then she turned back.

"What? Why did you stare at me like that?" Shanmala asked folding her foreheads.

"I really fail to understand why you cannot just be the Princess. What is so hard in living your own life? We cannot like everything in our lives you know, so we have to live the good side and stand against the part we don't like. Nothing is perfect under the sun," Amsah replied.

"You wouldn't understand. It's not the way it seems I tell you. If you were me, you would have gone on those crazy time outs you do when you are pissed," Shanmala said.

"Look, no one is always happy. If you don't like a thing, change it. If you want a break, demand for it. I thought you said everything that relates to you isn't initiated till you approve of it. Those are your own words yet you aren't acting them. Before you go lead a kingdom as Queen, put your life together first. Like goodness, girl up!"

"What do you think I can do? Yes I approve of every maid or personal worker before they are hired but it doesn't mean I can do anything. I cannot go tell my Father who is battling a chronic lijhe that I need a break, he will be disappointed. I cannot tell the Priest I need more time, he made himself really clear that they was no time. I'm not ready to get hooked but no, I'm a princess so I must follow the traditions. I must master my powers, meet my Tanti and love a stranger. You tell me, what part of this do I actually have the power to influence. I would not be complaining if I'm pleased now would I?" Shanmala protested in her defense.

"You are missing my point. There is nothing hard in any of these unless you don't like being a Royalty. You can become a palace worker or join any home in Santala and they'll gladly adopt you. Then, you will be free, get involved in house chores, plantations and a lot of other things. Does that sound better?" Amsah asked.

"You are not getting me," Shanmala added turning away.

"Whatever, I'm going back to the quarters. I'm hungry and exhausted, " Amsah said yawning, using the back of her palm to cover her mouth.

"No, Amsah, you can spend the night here. I don't mind. Please. By the way, it's a quarter past 22:00 and you will have to give the guards satisfactory answers before you can leave the chambers," Shanmala pleaded.

Amsah stared back at her contemplating her suggestion. She walked to the bed then sat down.

"You know you really need to speak with Royalty Genjoh. I don't understand what's so difficult in all of this," Amsah said shaking her head.

"Yeah, maybe I will. But promise you will stay here for tonight and maybe morning too," she said smiling weirdly. "At least till the Prince of Fananala leaves Santala. Please?"

"Huh," Amsah sighed. "Okay. Do I have to role play if he happens to come to your chamber?"

"I would appreciate that a lot," Shanmala replied smiling weirdly.

"Uhhh," Amsah sighed again picking up the silver plate and placing it in front of Shanmala. She carried the ceramic plate and uncovered it, boiled cereals and noodle shaped plantains. Shanmala was eating too and they were both silent.

Just then a loud knock came from the door. They both looked at each other then they continued eating hoping the person will go away.

Knock-knock the sound came again and continued repeatedly.

"Go check who is at the door," Shanmala said.

"Me? I'm not even supposed to be here, you go check," she replied in a hush tone.

"Common, you're the one dressed as the Princess not me," Shanmala said. Amsah looked at her angrily then she dropped her food. She stood up adjusting her gown walking towards the door. Then she paused and drew the veil over her face before opening the door.

"Hello beautiful!" the masculine voice greeted.

Amsah raised her head to check who the strange guy was . Behold, it was the Prince of Fananala. She became completely paralyzed unsure of what to do or say. She stood there mute only gazing at his shoes coated with silver lines.

"Wouldn't you welcome me?" He said shocked at her response. "I'm Norwaya from Fananala" he added.

Amsah suddenly gained a bit of control over herself again. She raised her face veil exposing the fancy design of her gown in the bust area.

"Um come in?" Amsah said in a tone that sounded like she was throwing a question and not urging him to come inside. However Norwaya read it as an invitation into her chamber.

"Sure," he replied stepping in.