(Radio Host) “Good morning, Boryans. It is your girl, Fatou Nathan, the passionate voice of the west. And this is your favourite radio station, Joy FM 98.5. Yes! It is officially spring season. I am super enthusiastic about this day. In this season, dry trees come alive, new branches stem from trees, and beautiful flowers bloom as the angle of the earth tilts towards the sun. My favourite bloom is the Cherry Blossom. We find these beautiful symbolic flowers of Spring throughout the world. Most varieties of the Cherry tree produce light pink to white blossoms, but there are also trees with dark pink, green, and yellow flowers. As they bloom across the world, we appreciate the warmer weather and the transient beauty of these flowers. The popularity of these delicate petals lies in their powerful symbolism. It is a time of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. Our birth is powerful, beautiful, and magical, but our existence is tragically short. This beautiful flower represents the future crown of Borya, the handsome prince Wang Ju-long who turns sixteen today. Much like Spring, his birthday brings about the promise of new life. I want to use this opportunity to say a happy birthday to our second in line to the throne. May Hai nu shen bless you, bless the future of Borya, and may you live long to ascend her throne and guide our people like your ancestors. This beautiful day is pregnant, and we do not know what it will birth because Nafy Hassan will attend the birthday party at the palace. Despite the dark cloud looming over our kingdom, we are hopeful for a better day. Here is Spring by Thomas Austin featuring Jon Henry. Enjoy and good morning.”

“Amira, where are you? We are running late.” Said Mr Akimitsu. He looked at his wristwatch and hissed whilst pacing by the door. “What is keeping her in there?”

“She may be nervous. Give her a little time.”

“Nervous about what? She has been performing all her life, but she is nervous about singing at an intimate birthday celebration? Oh, please.”

“Performing for the Imperial family is not just an intimate celebration.”

“Whatever.” He glared at the restroom door. “She could have eased herself earlier, but she chose now that we are supposed to be on our way. The Imperial household must be furious right now. She better not dirty that expensive dress and makeup.”

“Understand that we are putting a lot of pressure on her. Yes, she has been in the limelight all her life, but this is the first time she is singing for his Majesty. In the end, she is just a child and should not have to carry such weight.”

“She is not a child. She is sixteen. Her mates are married with three kids in Africa.”

“Will you stop? No, her mates are not married with kids in Africa. They are in school being kids.”

“Says who?”

“The one who is of African descent in this family.”

“You may be African, but you have never been to Africa.”

“And neither have you, so where do you get that narrative? Look, I do not have to argue this with you. Just quit trying to make her what she is not.”

“Whatever. The success of this way depends on how well she performs, so she must be perfect.”

“She will crack under pressure if you keep demanding this perfection from her. Ease up on her a bit, and she will pull through.”

“You can afford to expect less from her because you are used to being in lesser positions all your life, but I will not accept such mentality.”

“I am used to being in lesser situations? Says the man who is the Forth Lord’s errand boy. At least I stay in my principles, and I lead my people. What do you do other than wash his feet?”

“Great. So you are still mad at me for becoming the crown Prince’s assistant.”

“Can you hear yourself? His assistant. You are nothing but his servant. We worked so hard for you to elevate to the level where you can work directly with the Emperor as his chief of security to impact the change we want, but the Forth lord called on you, and you ran to be in the position of his footstool. That position you accepted is not just an insult to yourself, but the entire family and my role in this kingdom. He purposely offered you that position to humiliate me, and you bowed in acceptance like a slave.”

“You consider working for the sole heir of the kingdom an insult?”

“I do not want to hear your pathetic, self-demeaning speech. Save it for the Forth Lord whom you worship.”

“Continue with this, and one of these days, I will be gone from this hopeless marriage.”

“You do not see me holding you back.”

“keep pushing me, and you will get your wish. Do you think anyone else will want you? I was the only one who considered you worthy, and without me, there will be no one.” He glared at the restroom door and pushed it open. “Are you done?” His gaze caused Amira to squeeze into herself in fright. 

“No...”

“Yes, you are done. That is what you wanted to say, right?” He held her anxious gaze until she nodded. “Good. Get up, take care of yourself, and meet me in the car before the next minute lapses. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

He pushed the door closed, and Nafy shook her head as their eyes squared up.

“That was highly inappropriate and unnecessary. Stop taking your anger out on Amira.”

“She is just like you. Stubborn and repelling.” He looked back at the restroom door. “Move it, Amira. Do not let me come back in there for you.”

She flinched and shut her eyes as he slammed the door after himself. Her seven-year-old son ran out of his room, and she nudged her head at him. “Come on, Ammon. Grandma Regina is here to pick you up. Hurry, Amira. You will not find it funny if he comes back in and finds you there still.”

***

The Akimitsu family was flagged down as they approached the palace. The amount of security in place was staggering. There were metal detectors, full-body scanners, canine dogs, guards well suited with ammunitions.

“Good morning, sir. We are going to ask all occupants of the car to step out of the vehicle.”

“Do you realize I am one of you?”

“We are conducting a general and thorough search of anyone entering or exiting the palace. Especially high-risk visitors.”

“Glad to see how welcoming the palace is to me. I love the grand gesture of a search and frisk, with canine dogs sniffing me and whatnot.” Nafy muttered and looked at her husband. “This disrespect would not happen if you were the Emperor’s chief of staff instead of waiting on his cruel son.”

“Nafy, I am pleading with you to shelf this attitude until we leave this palace. Their hostility toward you is because of your opposition of the Forth Lord and not my services to him. The Emperor was kind enough to invite you here as a step towards peace. Show some gratitude and respect yourself.”

“I would not be this way right now if you have a shred of respect for yourself.”

“Bla Bla Bla. Just comply, and we can move on.”

Nafy rolled her eyes and stepped out of the car. They searched her from head to toe and did the same to Amira. Once they got past security, many expensive cars and glamorous guests littered the estate. Their bickering continued as they stepped out of the vehicle, and all eyes settled on Amira’s grand layered chromatic transition cherry blossoms print ball gown.

“Amira, smile and wave at them.” He shoved her forward towards the elite guests.

(TV Host) “Today is our beautiful Prince’s birthday, and felicitations are trooping in ahead of the elaborate celebration at the palace. It is also a day that may set a tone for the restoration of peace in Borya. The sixteen-year-old musician Amira Hassan, who is the only child of our warrior Nafy, has been invited to serenade the birthday celebration. Their acceptance of this invitation has opened doors to a dialogue and a resolution. We cannot wait to see what this day blooms.”