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.

her eyes, a quiet strength

perished in battle, loyal soldiers of this very kingdom who gave their

glances,

the

continued, his voice

then that I made my decision, not as a king, but as a

as an

but more importantly, I wanted my own daughter to

Achebe became a

the nobles, who had once fawned over Nnenna,

with thinly

siblings, Ebere clenched her fists, keeping her expression carefully neutral, though a storm

father’s words, his

king’s voice grew firmer, his

our family and raised

less than a

that is what she

of the circumstances of her birth, she has proven

in this gathering were not given, they

family, in this kingdom, she is loved and cherished.”

moment,

few nobles, those who had remained neutral,

stiff,

Prince

murmured

parents, however, exchanged wary glances, already recalculating their political

Bora, his second sister,

really is a nobody,” she muttered,

silently through it all,

once denied my

neither will I apologize for them.” The crowd shifted uneasily, her words carrying a

of approval crossing his face before he turned back to the

and it

from my daughter because of this revelation do so at their own discretion, but know this, Princess Nnenna

will not change.” With that, the speech

silence before slow applause began,

of obligation, others

shift was clear, alliances were being

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