Chapter 200: Confirming the Rumours Chapter 200: Confirming the Rumours His words would determine their next actions, whether they would continue to seek alliances through the second princess or quietly withdraw and change their target.
Behind him, his family followed in a solemn procession.
Queen Chioma walked at his side, her expression unreadable.
On his other side sat the Queen Mother, her regal posture unwavering, though the tension in her features was unmistakable.
And behind them, the royal children stood in formation.
At the very front, standing tall, eyes forward, was Nnenna.
Her presence alone sent a ripple through the crowd.
Just days ago, they had looked at her with admiration, whispering about her talents, praising her victories.
Now, their gazes held something different, curiosity, uncertainty, and for some, thinly veiled disdain.
But she did not falter.
She had walked into this storm with her head held high, and she would not lower it now.
The courtyard fell into a hushed silence as King Ikechukwu stepped forward, his regal presence commanding attention.
The golden torches lining the area flickered, casting long shadows as the anticipation in the air grew thick.
He looked over the crowd, his gaze firm yet composed.
The nobles, ministers, and foreign dignitaries sat stiffly, their expressions ranging from curiosity to quiet unease.
His own family stood behind him, their postures straight, their expressions unreadable, except for Nnenna, whose gaze remained unwavering.
The king exhaled slowly, then spoke, his deep voice resonating through the courtyard.
“People of Lionara, esteemed guests from allied and neighboring kingdoms, I stand before you this early morning to address the matter that has spread throughout these halls and social medias.” The murmurs in the crowd quieted instantly, every ear tuned in to his next words.
“Yes, it is true.
Princess Nnenna Achebe is not my daughter by birth, but by choice.
Ten years ago, while overseeing the care of orphans in the capital city, I came across a child, a girl whose presence struck me with an unexplainable familiarity.
Though she was young, there was a fire in her eyes, a quiet strength that could not be ignored.
I later learned that her parents had perished in battle, loyal soldiers of this very kingdom who gave their lives to protect our land.” A wave of whispers surged through the crowd.
Some nobles exchanged glances, processing the revelation.
Others nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of his words.
He continued, his voice steady.
“It was then that I made my decision, not as a king, but as a man, as a father.
I took her into my home, not as an act of duty, but of love.
I wanted another daughter, yes, but more importantly, I wanted my own daughter to have someone beside her, a sister.
And so, from that day forward, Nnenna Achebe became a princess of Lionara.” A stir passed through the gathered guests.
Some of the nobles, who had once fawned over Nnenna, now averted their eyes, shifting uncomfortably.
Others looked on with thinly veiled skepticism.
Among the royal siblings, Ebere clenched her fists, keeping her expression carefully neutral, though a storm brewed behind her eyes.
Somto, however, watched with quiet interest at his father’s words, his gaze flicking between Nnenna and the king.
The king’s voice grew firmer, his gaze sweeping over the assembly.
“She was welcomed into our family and raised as one of us.
She was not treated as anything less than a daughter of this house, a princess of this kingdom.
And that is what she remains.
Regardless of the circumstances of her birth, she has proven herself worthy of the title she bears.
Her victories in this gathering were not given, they were earned.
And let it be known, in this family, in this kingdom, she is loved and cherished.” The words rang through the air, heavy with finality.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then, a few nobles, those who had remained neutral, began nodding approvingly.
A handful even clapped politely, though others remained stiff, their earlier excitement about potential alliances clearly dampened.
From the foreign delegations, Prince Minjun smirked slightly, impressed.
“Interesting,” he murmured under his breath.
His parents, however, exchanged wary glances, already recalculating their political strategies.
Meanwhile, Bora, his second sister, scoffed audibly.
“So she really is a nobody,” she muttered, unimpressed.
Nnenna, who had stood silently through it all, finally spoke, her voice calm yet firm.
“I have never once denied my origins.
But neither will I apologize for them.” The crowd shifted uneasily, her words carrying a quiet defiance that few had expected.
King Ikechukwu looked at her, a flicker of approval crossing his face before he turned back to the audience.
“This is the truth, and it will not change.
Any who choose to withdraw their goodwill from my daughter because of this revelation do so at their own discretion, but know this, Princess Nnenna remains a royal of Lionara.
That will not change.” With that, the speech ended.
There was a long, charged silence before slow applause began, hesitant at first, but gradually growing.
Some clapped out of obligation, others with genuine approval.
But the shift was clear, alliances were being reconsidered, opinions being reshaped.
And through it all, Nnenna stood tall, unshaken.
As soon as King Ikechukwu ended his speech, the entire gathering erupted into a frenzy.
Whispers turned into murmurs, and murmurs escalated into outright discussions filled with shock, disbelief, and, most of all, frustration.
The truth was undeniable now, the rumors were real.
Nnenna was not of royal blood by birth.
The realization sank in like a heavy stone in the hearts of those who had been treating her as a potential ally, a future queen, or a noblewoman of equal standing.
Many of the monarchs in attendance exchanged glances, their expressions ranging from skepticism to outright displeasure.
They had been prioritizing the wrong princess.
Their gifts, costly, extravagant symbols of goodwill, had been given to someone who, in their eyes, had no true claim to royalty.
Their faces darkened with regret, and their gazes toward Nnenna grew sharper, filled with silent accusations.
—————————- We’ve hit Chapter 200!
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