Break off the engagement

“Your bodyguards informed me that you were out and about with one peasant lowlife, today of all day, when you were supposed to be with your fiancée” Queen Malti said with a demeaning tone and a look of utter disgust.

Brock could not understand his mother’s obsession with wealth and people whom she perceived to be of wealth. She herself was from a humble background and his grandparents did not use her background against her because, they understood that love and character of a person irrespective of background, is all that matters when choosing a partner. More so, when it comes to taking on the role and duties of a queen.

Brock’s maternal grandmother Gladys, was a stay at home wife and a wonderful mother with a cocking sense of humor. They were not too rich but she had preferred it so. While her husband Theophilus was a hunter and brick layer. He was a man of few words who along with his wife preferred a very simple life.

Brock could still remember when he was still a young lad, he and his siblings would go visit their maternal grandparents for the holidays. He would go horse riding with his brother and Zulus, a friend whom they met at the village. Laughter could be held in the stables as the boys raced with their horses to a nearby stream where the villagers got their water supplies from.

It was great fun, as they were allowed to be like other normal children their age. For that entire weekend, he did not have to think about duties or protocol that weighed heavily on him even as an eight year old boy. At the end of the weekend, it was time to go and begin his training as a king in waiting. He and Daniel would fantasies about coming back the following year.

Brock signed audibly as the war had torn his families apart. His grandparents were in the kingdom of Rumpus. The relationship between the two kingdoms has become a frosty one ever since the war. King Rulifus believed that siding with the three warrior state during the war would save his people from being slaughtered as they were a small kingdom with few military warriors.

However Brock knew that was not the truth. He knew that it was just a flimsy excuse he gave to his subjects in order to justify siding with the enemy. King Rulifus like the rest of the kings that surrounded Zaza was just as interested in the treasure that was hidden in Zaza and the ability it bestowed on whoever possessed it.

Brock looked carefully at his mother who was sitting in a double arm breasted chair sipping a glass of juice. His father clearly upset with the distance between mother and son was sitting by her side looking distrust.
Brock observed his mother carefully and wondered what had changed in their relationship. They were quite close as a child and enjoyed a close relationship as mother and son but things took an ugly turn just as he turned ten. He could notice the distant look in her eyes. Whenever he came to hug her or share some interesting stories about his adventures, she would turn away in the pretense of having other things to attend to.

“What a pleasant surprise to see you both in my house” Brock chuckled as he glanced at Rose who had made herself comfortable in the living room.

“But you don’t seem too happy to see us” his mom smiled as she put her glass cup down and took slow steps toward her son.

“Son, we have given you more than enough time, don’t you think it’s time we quit playing these games?” she asked while caressing Brock’s cheeks.

Brock gave out a throaty life which surprised his mother. Even Rose who was pretending to read a magazine turned around and looked at him for a moment. She could not believe how much he had changed in just a span of a year. She loved him that was for sure.

He was tall, good looking, had the most mesmerizing eye and smelled really good. She dreamt of him every night, but she also dreamt of becoming queen of all kingdoms and she loved that title more than she loved Brock.

“I know you must be tired from your trip, please have a rest. We shall discuss about this in the morning” Brock said as he called Lucas, his longtime butler to have his parents escorted to one of the bedrooms on the first floor of the building.

It was far from the rest of rooms and the view from the window was quite beautiful as it overlooks the small garden and the city.

“Rose you can stay in Brock’s room tonight, I know you guys have a lot to discuss” his mom turned to Rose and gave her a knowing wink. All these did not go unnoticed by Brock.

“Actually, I will have my driver drop you at the Royal Villa. As you are well aware, protocol demands that all visiting royals from another kingdom should be welcomed and entertained in the Royal Villa because of its high security level” Brock said with a grin on his face as his driver with two body guards walked into the living room.

“Are you indirectly asking me, a royal guest of your mother to leave your house?” Rose asked, as her eyes turned red with anger and her fist clenched till it turned red.

“Brock, what has come over you?” His mom shouted at him. Did he really want Bethmot to become an enemy of Zaza? If Rose should decide to marry into the royal family of Richard, Crown Prince of Sharyza and they join forces together, Zaza would be at a great disadvantage. She thought worriedly.

“Nothing mom, but the royal house would lose face in public if the press gets wind of how the royal house disregarded the safety of Rose Bethmot, putting her in Harm’s way without regard for her tittle, and the position she occupies in Bethmot” Brock calmly explained to his parents.

“He is right, protocol must be observed, Rose is an important guest and her security cannot be compromised” King Mopasa said with finality in his voice, which made Queen Malti to reserve her comment.

He turned to Rose and gently patted her on her shoulder and gently said

“My child, even though both of you are betrothed, you are still not yet married, and such cannot put your life at risk by disregarding the royal visit protocol act. This house was meant as a solitude place for the prince to live out his life as an ordinary citizen. It is not meant for such high security visit, I hope you understand”

Rose was seething on the inside, Brock had put her in a tight corner by invoking the royal visit protocol act, and there was nothing she could do but put on a fake smile and nod her head in understanding. Her plans of seducing him and blacking mailing him with defying her before the wedding had been so effortlessly thrown into the waste bin, but she couldn’t show this side of her yet. So, she controlled her anger and put up an angelic smile that you could hardly suspect that she had ill intentions a few minutes ago.

“Crown Prince Brock, will make a great ruler your Majesty, seeing how he cares about my wellbeing and security. I must say that you are truly blessed to have a son who is devoted to his king and kingdom. Rose smiled as she curtsied to the king and queen and followed the bodyguards into the convey waiting for her outside.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, good night mom and dad” Brock greeted as he went to his room.

Brock quickly sent a text to Jess, checking up on her. He received her message thanking him for his kind gestures. He smiled as he read her message.

He signed as he picked up the phone and messaged Daniel

“We don’t have time, hurry up with your investigation”