Chapter 3: A Deal for a Second Chance

    "That''s a good idea, Third Brother," Chidera, the fourth prince, said with a smirk, nodding in agreement. He turned to their parents. "Father, Mother, what do you think?"

    Queen Chioma didn''t hesitate. "We can''t possibly bury her in the royal graveyard. She''s not one of us. Throw her there."

    She looked at her husband for confirmation, but the King remained silent, his eyes fixed on Nnenna''s lifeless form. His face, normally composed, was drawn tight with grief.

    The Queen frowned at his hesitation. "Your Majesty?"

    But the King didn''t respond. Instead, he turned abruptly, walking away from the scene. Tears welled in his eyes as memories of the past consumed him.

    Amarachi.

    His heart ached as he thought of his late sworn brother''s wife.

    "I failed you again, Amarachi," he whispered under his breath. "I couldn''t even protect your daughter."

    The tears spilled over, and he quickened his pace, unwilling to let anyone see his pain.

    His wife''s face twisted in fury as she caught sight of the King''s somber expression. Her hands clenched at her sides, nails biting into her palms.

    ''He still can''t let go of that old flame of his!'' Queen Chioma''s thoughts churned with resentment. ''That wretched girl''s death is the best thing that could have happened. With her gone, I can finally win his love without distraction!''

    Her anger boiled over, and she turned sharply toward the servants. "What are you waiting for? Take her body out and dispose of it—"

    A cold, commanding voice cut through the room like a blade.

    "What exactly happens in this house when I''m not around?"

    Everyone froze. All heads turned toward the doorway, where a tall figure loomed. The first prince, Somto, strode into the room, his sharp, penetrating gaze sweeping over the scene.

    "How can you all agree to throw away the corpse of a girl who has lived with us for a decade as though she were nothing more than trash?" His words were slow, deliberate, and edged with icy fury.

    Nnenna pressed her lips together, her thoughts a whirlwind. A second chance. A chance to rewrite her fate.

    "Yes," she said, her voice steady.

    But in her heart, a single word echoed louder than her agreement: Revenge.

    She didn''t voice it aloud, but the man seemed to hear her unspoken thoughts. His sharp gaze softened with a trace of pity, and he shook his head.

    "Revenge is never the answer," he said. "The more good you do, the more their wickedness will turn back on them. You will learn this, in time."

    Before she could respond, he raised his hand. A strong wind surged from nowhere, sweeping her off her feet. The garden faded from view as she was carried away.

    ---

    "Doctor, she''s still unresponsive. It''s been four months already," an aged, weary voice said nearby, laced with pity.

    The sound jolted Nnenna back to consciousness, like a tether pulling her from the void.

    "It''s normal," a deep, steady male voice replied. "Trauma to the head often leads to extended comas. We''ve done all we can. It''s up to her now."

    Their voices sounded muffled, like they were speaking from behind a veil. But the words reached her all the same.

    "Yes, doctor," the female nurse replied, her tone laced with respect.

    The door creaked open, then closed softly behind the departing young doctor. The nurse lingered, making a note on the clipboard before placing it on the nearby counter.

    Nnenna, still trapped in her unconscious state, strained to open her eyes or even twitch a finger. The effort felt monumental, but her body remained completely still.

    Just as despair began to creep in, a high pitched, melodic voice broke through the silence of her mind.

    "Don''t bother. I''m the one keeping you unconscious."