You are reading The Birth of Rekiya.

Tia's mouth moved very gently. Her cheeks dancing in a slow motion. They were as robust as that of a newborn baby. She lost her best friend, Hunger of almost fourteen years, to plates of breathtaking dishes sitting before her inside Rekiya's room.

Tia emptied almost all the plates of food before her. They were different kinds of food she had never eaten in her entire life. They were even the types of food they never had access to in her village.

These kinds of food were the ones she had seen higher ranking maids hid in their clothes to take to their rooms secretly. She had watched older maids enjoyed while the rest of them swallowed their saliva has many times, quenching their thirst with small portion of whatever food they gave them.

Tia's busy mouth made it impossible to say a word, but her eyes expressed gratitude upon gratitude. Her gaze fell on Rekiya many times, but Rekiya encouraged her to keep eating, serving her more food and wine. As much as Tia's body was still in pain, she managed to move her hand, eating slowly.

Hunger must be jealous, because Tia's stomach was full, but she claimed to still be hungry. Maybe because they were the kinds of food she had always craved for and couldn't leave them wasted. Instead, she continued until she emptied the last plate.

Tia who looked dirty and haggard, now had her hair styled in middle parting, combed to the back with Rekiya's beads holding the mouth. The length didn't pass her shoulders, but it was longer than some maids hair. And it was no longer rough and untidy like when Rekiya had met her.

Tia's face had come down, exposing how beautiful she really was. Though her cheeks were designed with bruises that left ugly marks on her face. Rekiya hated to remember the position she met Tia when her and Ruki, her mother went to visit Tia. The memories only hurt her heart more. Her mother had suggested they take Tia with them, and it was the best decision that brought joy to Rekiya's heart.

It was so hard to stare at the lovely Tia without remembering those ugly pictures of how she was beaten mercilessly.

How can someone be that wicked to a child?

How can anyone treat a child that way?

This couldn't be what other maids go through, Rekiya thought.

All because she didn't finish her chores on time and was reported to have served the Crown Prince Instead. Tia had told her the reason the woman had been picking on her and maltreating her since they departed.

A deep sigh left Tia's mouth as she dropped her cup of wine, meeting Rekiya's eyes. A warm smile appeared on Rekiya face, but her smile wasn't perfect enough cause it revealed the pain she felt for Tia. The tight smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Tia, should I serve you more?" Rekiya asked. Tia looked like a shy person and might find it difficult to express what she wanted.

A broad grin appeared on Tia's face. "Your Highness, you really want me to eat to the point I can't talk again."

The smile on Rekiya's face this time defeated the pain she felt for Tia, and excitement was evident in her voice. Tia had talked so well, and even smiled after many hours she had been brought to their palace. Rekiya searched her face. "Can you still walk?'

Tia's expression showed she was confused, but she replied. "of course, Your Highness, I can."

Rekiya's eyes were sparkling, her prettiest smile teasing Tia. "Then I should feed you down to your legs so no one will send you out anymore."

Tia chuckled. Rekiya couldn't help laughing too. The whole place seemed relaxing and the two ladies got along so very quickly. Tia became the most admirable in the room. Her face finally lit up and became lively. Then immediately she went on her knees, bowing her head before Rekiya. "Your Highness, thank you. Thank you for saving me. May the gods of this Kingdom remember your good heart and put you where you can save more lives like me. Your Highness, from today I call you, my Master. I, Tia will do anything to repay what you and Mother have done for me," Tia paused, her voice sounding unusual, unlike how she started.

Rekiya bent down raising Tia's chin. "Tia!"

Tia's eyes were red. Tia's eyes were wet. She was almost in tears. Instead of holding it, they cascaded down her face, but she went on. "Your Highness, you and Mother saved my life. They told me how she beat maids to death. I could have died, and father would never know anything."

Rekiya held Tia's wrist. Her other hand raised Tia's chin. She looked into Tia's teary eyes, her face pouring so much love and confidence into Tia. "Tia, do not fear. Mother will protect us. You will not die. You will never suffer again Tia. Mother loves you already. We are now your family."

A small smile crossed Tia's lips, and Rekiya smiled back. Before she knew it, Tia embraced Rekiya into a tight hug, but Tia yelped in pain. Rekiya's smile turned into a light chuckle. "You are in a hurry to thank me, Tia. Are you planning to run away?"

"Haa, Your Highness!" Tia burst into laughter as much as she tried to compose herself. "I will never leave you alone, My Lady."

...........

After couple of days, Today, Rekiya and Tia headed to the Crown Prince Palace. Rekiya was resuming again, and everywhere she went, Tia was always beside her. Tia had become her very tight friend.

Tia insisted to be Rekiya's personal maid to repay her and Ruki for saving her life, but everyone thought Tia and Rekiya were friends because Rekiya never treated her as a maid.

The hidden entrance in Prince Dermin's room swung open, revealing a bald head that was completely shaven without any traces of hair. That was the first thing Rekiya noticed. Something else caught her attention. It was the drawing of a huge black spider sitting on the left side to the back of his neck. As if that was not enough, his right arm had the image of a dragon. He was as tall as the Crown Prince. Darker in version. Slimmer in shape. His dark complexion can be compared to the back of Akugba's pots roasted every day by their heavy firewood.

His eyes were big.

As big as they were, they were hardened and doesn't look like they could ever draw people to him. Not even when Rekiya thought of running out of the room with Tia. He looked dangerous. He looked like the wicked version of the Crown Prince. He looked like the one who would show no mercy. The white beads on his neck must be choking him, Rekiya thought. They were no diamond, crystal, or very appealing to the eyes. They looked plain, ugly, and classless. Rekiya thought he couldn't be older than Prince Dermin, yet his face looked rugged and old. His eyes scary and times two harder than Prince Dermin's.

Rekiya avoided his gaze, keeping her thoughts to herself. Her and Tia's hands were inseparable.

The bald head stared at their joint hands.

For a few seconds, Rekiya thought he looked just like the Crown Prince. He really looked like him. His gaze on Rekiya was intense, and he didn't bother to hide it. Rekiya feared for her life and Tia's already, whispering from her mind to Yasmine wherever she was to join them in the room.

And then the door opened.

"Rekiya."

Rekiya swung her head towards the door of Prince Dermin's room. She bowed, curtseying before the woman who walked in majestically with her shoulders high. "May you live long Mother. I am here to assist brother again today," Rekiya said.

The smile on the Queen's face was tight and wasn't reaching her eyes. She held Rekiya's shoulder. "Rekiya, I heard Min doesn't like you calling him brother, while not call him Your Highness. Do not disobey him so he can spare you, Rekima and your mother when he becomes the King."

Rekiya fell to her feet. "Mother, I will do just as you've told me. His highness will be my King, my lord, and also the god of this Kingdom. He will be no man's brother but a ruler mother. Forgive me."

"Rekiya." The Queen chuckled, but her cheeks remained stiff.

When Rekiya had gotten up, the Queen spoke again. "Rekiya, you greeted me. You should be nice towards Aliya too. She has proven fitted to be my daughter and I can't wait for Min to see what a beauty she is."

The smile on Rekiya's face doubled. Excited about the news she heard. Though she had not noticed Aliya who stood behind the Queen. Rekiya hurried forward embracing Aliya, locking her hand with Aliya's. "Mother, Aliya is my friend. I will serve her whole heartedly Mother. You already know I love you so much Aliya."

Aliya looked at the Queen instead.

The Queen's hands came forward and removed Rekiya's hand from Aliya's. A surprise, puzzled expression jumped in Rekiya's eyes, but she remained calm, not showing how embarrassed she was in the presence of Tia, Aliya and the bald head who stood n the room still.

"You don't treat your future Lady like that Rekiya. Now greet your future Queen as you have greeted me."

Silence hung in the room, eyes waiting for Rekiya to be on her knees. She wasn't sure she heard the Queen correctly. Even Aliya's head were staring at the decorated floor, avoiding Rekiya's eyes. Rekiya looked up at the Queen instead. "Mother, Aliya has not. . .'

"How dare you!" Rekiya's face turned by the reason of the slap that hit her across the face towards the hidden door. And there stood Prince Dermin's who had joined them, making his presence unknown. His eyes, and expression remained just the way they looked. Hard. Watching Rekiya's beautiful eyes rain tears down to her cheeks. His eyes were finally provoked, balling his hand into a fist.

The sound of the slap heard next made Rekiya turn away from Prince Dermin and Yasmine's direction.

"How dare you hit her!" The Queen's voice almost collapsed the building on their heads, fuming. "How dare you hit a princess! Do you even know what you have done!"

The soldier who had slapped Rekiya went on his knees immediately. Rekiya, the King, the Queen, and the Crown Prince have the power to hurt us my daughter. You must respect them the most so we can all be safe. Respect them no matter what my daughter. The voice of her mother echoed in her memory, and instantly, Rekiya was next to the soldier on her knees. "Mother, I have made you shout. I know how much you love me, Rekima and Mother. How would I have allowed this to happen. I apologise mother." Rekiya dragged her knees towards Aliya. "My Lady, please forgive me. No matter what our relationship may be, I shouldn't have said what i said. Welcome my Lady. I should give you the respect I give to mother."

Tia's eyes were glistering with tears at the slap that landed on Rekiya's face. She stood right there in the corner angry with herself for not been able to help Rekiya.

"May the gods be with you Rekiya." The Queen smiled in victory, helping Rekiya up. 'My daughter, Ruki has raised you well. Aliya has a good friend indeed."

The Queen's face suddenly lit up. "Soto," she called acknowledging the bald head. "Rekiya, I don't think you've met soto my Nephew. He is my younger brother's son. Soto, this is Rekiya."

Prince Dermin walked into their middle. "I'm having my bath," he announced, and immediately Rekiya was behind him with Tia, walking out of the room.