Deities of Deceit

Chapter Thirty-seven

Hareti Jaja | Thirty-seven
REVELATIONS
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"The Chief Ambassador is here, Your Majesty," Amara, my secretary, announced.

Heaving a sigh, I lifted my gaze from the battalion of work papers in front of me, new policies I had been trying to push through rigid lawmakers. "Let her in."

Amara bowed and left my office. Only seconds later, she returned with a dark-skinned chubby woman, dressed in purple and silver form-fitting aso-oke, carrying along a long rolled-up paper. The detail in the beading of her pristinely threaded hair first caught my eye. Paired with bold round, colorful earrings and red henna art gracing her hand and feet, her presence filled the room with glamour.

"Your Majesty, Chief Ambassador Akwaugo Udozi. Her office heads the Ambassadorial affairs of your kingdom," Amara introduced.

The smiling plump woman bowed. "It is a great honor to stand before you, My Queen."

"Thank you, Amara." I passed my secretary a smile and began to rise as she turned to the door. "Chief Ambassador, I have allocated no time to break kola with the ambassadorial arm of my monarchy. For this reason, I offer apologies," I said, moving around my table to stand in front of it.

"Your time is of the utmost importance, Your Majesty. We, your subjects, value it greatly."

"Yarima has always spoken fondly about you over the years. He holds you dear."

"As do I."

"I am told you are married."

"Yes, Your Majesty. My wife is due with our first child this forthcoming harvest season."

"Children are a blessing. You must burn offerings to Oshun in thanks."

"Indeed they are. We've sacrificed sizable offerings to the goddess we serve, Ala."

With a smile, I studied her for a time. Ala worshippers now sprung up from here and there. In the days before the war, there were barely any Arjanians who burned offerings to the goddess of the earth.

"Yarima tells me your counsel might be of some import to the crown."

"My foremothers and the foremothers before them have offered counsel to the crown. I only hope to serve in such a manner if given the privilege."

"He also tells me I have a public relations problem."

Softly, she laughed, her earrings dangling around her cheeks. "Well..." She hesitated.

"Speak freely," I encouraged, sensing her resistance. "No harm will come to you."

"You do, Your Majesty."

"I take it you have opinions about my choices since my return."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Share them with me in true honesty."

A short stretch of silence lingered as we held gazes. There was a defiance in her eyes, the markings of a woman not easily bent by the will of the world. One had to be in order to harbor the confidence to hold my gaze.

"They have been careless," she said in a careful tone and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I beg your pardon?"

"You asked for honesty, Your Majesty."

Honesty from people around me was not so brazen, her tone was direct and sharp, though careful. It pinched me in places I did not like to be pinched. "Go on."

"You have made decisions as if Arjana is the military. You spit out commands and demand things and those who oppose you smite. There is no diplomacy in your politics, no room for dialogue. Iron fists do not make a garden, Your Majesty."