CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
DANIEL'S POV
I did not sleep.
Not even for a moment.
The palace felt suffocating, its walls closing in on me with every breath I took. Everything I once knew, everything I once believed in, now felt like it was slipping through my fingers.
For the first time in my life… I cried.
Not as a king.
But as a son.
I walked slowly into my father's chambers. The room was silent, heavy with the presence of something that felt like death waiting patiently. He lay there, unmoving, his breathing weak and barely noticeable.
"Father…" my voice broke as I stepped closer.
There was no response.
I sat beside him, my hands resting on my knees as I lowered my head.
"I failed you," I whispered. "I failed everyone."
The silence that followed was unbearable, yet I continued speaking as if he could hear every word.
"I don't know what to do anymore."
My voice trembled as I spoke.
"I thought I was strong enough… but I was wrong."
After a while, I stood up slowly, my decision already made.
"I'm going back," I said quietly. "To the witch doctor."
The words felt heavy, but I saw no other way.
"I will do whatever it takes to save this kingdom."
Even if it meant losing myself completely.
I left the chamber and made my way to the graveyard.
To her.
My mother.
I knelt beside her grave, my heart aching in ways I could not explain.
"Mother… I wish you were here," I whispered.
The wind moved gently, as if carrying my pain into the unknown.
"Everything is falling apart," I continued. "I don't know what to do anymore."
Then her name escaped my lips before I could stop it.
"Tanya…"
Pain shot through my chest instantly.
"I loved her," I admitted quietly. "But she destroyed everything."
My hands clenched tightly as anger replaced the pain.
"So I will destroy her."
The words felt like a promise.
That night, I lay beside my mother's grave, exhaustion finally taking over.
When I woke up, something felt… different.
The air was lighter.
The heaviness that once filled it was gone.
I stood up slowly, confusion clouding my thoughts.
Then I saw them.
People.
Walking.
Alive.
My eyes widened in disbelief.
"This… this is not possible…"
I ran.
I ran back to the palace as fast as I could, my heart pounding loudly in my chest.
When I entered my father's chambers, I froze.
The elders were there, speaking among themselves.
And my father…
He was sitting up.
Alive.
Stronger.
Healthier.
Younger.
I could not speak.
"Daniel?" one of them called, but their voices sounded distant.
Because I felt it.
Her presence.
Tanya.
She was there.
Somewhere.
Watching.
I turned slowly, scanning the entire room, searching for her… but she was nowhere to be seen.
Then something caught my attention.
On the ground.
A small baobab root.
Tiny.
Almost unnoticeable.
But I knew.
"It was her…" I whispered.
She saved them.
After everything… she saved them.
Confusion filled my mind.
Why?
If she wanted to destroy us… why save us?
Why bring my father back?
Why heal the kingdom?
For the first time, doubt crept into my heart.
Maybe… everything I believed was wrong.
Maybe…
I never truly understood her.
And that thought…
Terrified me more than anything.
END OF CHAPTER THIRTY THREE