30 March 2022
Bingol Royal Palace, Bingol, Packilvania
The Choice
A week had passed since Prince Lohadek spoke to Prince Abuyin in the Majhid of the Preservation in the Free Pax States.
Abuyin was once again in the ancient and hallowed halls of the residence of the ruler of Packilvania and the seat of its entire government. Surrounded by gilt walls and furniture, crystal chandeliers, and intricately embroidered silk carpets, it was easy to forget that this was a palace for others and a prison for some. Abuyin sat patiently outside the chambers of Prince Thumim, his oldest brother and regent of Packilvania. A butler exited the chamber and asked him to enter, holding the door open. Abuyin slowly and methodically walked inside, seeking to be both confident and humble.
Abuyin bowed to his brother and gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
âBrother, ashamiliyaâ, Prince Thumb said, âI have given Prince Lohadek a wrapping around the knuckles for the handling of your security and the dangerous situation in which you were led. And I believe Prince Lohadek has a few words for youâ.
Prince Lohadek immediately kowtowed to Prince Abuyin and touched his feet saying, âI am deeply and sincerely sorry for the incompetence and negligence which I have displayed in failing to adequately ensure your security. I will tender my resignation to the office of which our Sultan has appointed me for it is apparent that I am wholly unworthy. I ask that you forgive me for my lapse in judgement, musheikhâ.
Abuyin was amazed by the apology from Prince Lohadek. He barely managed to hold back the surprise and delight on his face. This is my chance to rid myself of this nosy interloper, Prince Abuyin thought to himself. Regardless of his desire to destroy Prince Lohadek there and then, the fact of the matter is that Prince Lohadek was not only a capable politician, but he put his political career on the line to shield Prince Abuyin from not only disownment from the Imperial Family but execution. Despite his desire to rid himself of Lohadek, Abuyin recognised that he knew his deepest and most humiliating secrets, weapons he could deploy at a momentâs notice to avenge himself.
âI forgive you, Prince Lohadekâ, Abuyin said, âSurely there is no need for Prince Lohadek to resign his post, my brother. These things happen and the fact that his team managed to identify and deal with the security threat, demonstrates that he continues to lead an effective and capable team and I donât think there is anyone better suited to the roleâ.
Prince Thumim said to Prince Lohadek, âYou may riseâ.
He helped to lift him up and shook his hand. After giving a bow to Prince Abuyin and an even deeper bow to Prince Thumim, Prince Lohadek left the room.
This is what I have gained for losing the only thing that mattered to me, Prince Abuyin thought.
24 March 2022
The Deportation
While Abuyin was receiving the absolution he so desperately needed, Jasper was in the custody of Free Paxian officials. They had handcuffs around their wrists. Disheveled hair, scruffy and dirty clothes sitting with their back against the wall on the hard concrete ground of an airport detention cell, Jasper was building the mental fortitude to go to the Oan Isles. Jasper pulled a letter out of their pocket. It was written in Abuyinâs handwriting.
It stated, âDearest Jasper, my habibi. I love you so much but you hurt me so deeply. I want to help you but my family will never let me. I am so sorry but we will never see each other again - Aâ.
The letter had been snuck into Jasperâs palm by a man dressed in airport security uniform when they were filling in forms for their deportation to the Oan Isles to face trial for corruption. The professional humiliation and potential loss of their freedom paled in comparison to the sense of anguish at being parted from Abuyin. On the night that Abuyin had come to Kythâs apartment, begging him to let him see them, Jasper chose Kyth. And what a poor choice that had been. The Free Paxian police arrived at the apartment not long thereafter with a warrant of arrest for Jasper. Jasper watched as Kyth said to the police officers, âThere they are, arrest themâ.
As their Miranda rights were being spoken by the officer, Jasper struggled against the handcuffs, and Kyth hurled the most awful things at them.
âI never loved you! You disgust me! You really thought that we were going to let you bring our Prince into your evil and lurid trap. Youâre truly disgusting. I hope you rot in jail for the rest of your life!â Kyth had said to them as they were hawled away and thrust into a police car.
When they were at the police station, Jasper was given a free phone call. They called Abu. To their surprise and delight, Abu actually picked up. Jasper proceeded to apologise for believing Kyth and choosing him instead of Abuyin, âI really do love you and I am so sorryâ.
Abu replied, âWhat you did really hurt me! You chose a man you barely knew over me and look where that landed you! You are stuck in jail entirely because of your own actions. I could have protected you, I could have been so good for you, but you chose himâ. He hung up the phone, ending the call and leaving Jasper in a puddle of tears on the floor as brutish police officers pulled and pushed them around.
As Jasper sat in the airport detention cells, alone and cold, they began to formulate a theory of where things had gone wrong and what actions led to the complete desolation that they found themselves in. There would be plenty of time to reflect and conjecture in prison.