12/27/2025
Episode 2: Love Lost in the Shadows of Deceit
The ride back to Umuako palace felt endless. The royal carriage rattled over the dirt roads, and I sat silently, my hands pressed together as if holding my heart from breaking completely. I could hear the guards talking quietly behind me, but I couldnât focus on anything except Chukaâs shocked face.
I thought about the days we spent together in Obeleâthe quiet mornings sweeping the floors, the laughter over small meals, the moments when he shared his dreams with me. Was it all a lie now? Had my desperate desire for genuine love destroyed the one chance I had to be happy?
When I arrived at the palace, my father, King Obieze, was waiting. He looked tired, his skin pale, and his eyes held a mix of anger and relief.
âAmara,â he said, his voice stern. âDo you understand what you have done?â
âYes, father,â I whispered, keeping my head low. âBut I only wanted to see the world. I wanted to find someone who loved me for me.â
He sighed deeply. âYou are a princess, Amara. You cannot simply pretend to be someone else. You have responsibilities, not just to yourself, but to this kingdom. You cannot abandon your crown for a feeling.â
I tried to explain Chuka, the young carpenter from Obele who never cared for my title, who only saw me as a human being. But my father interrupted sharply.
âThere is no place in this palace for a maidâs love story. You will marry a prince from a neighboring kingdom. That is final.â
I felt my chest tighten. I was trapped againâtrapped by the golden cage of royalty. The love I had tasted was already slipping through my fingers.
Days turned into weeks, and I tried to forget Chuka. I attended court meetings, sat through royal dinners, and smiled politely at the suitors who came to ask for my hand. My heart was elsewhere, in Obele, with the man whose simple touch had made me feel more alive than any jewel in the palace.
One day, while walking through the palace garden, I received a letter. The handwriting was unfamiliar, messy, but unmistakably Chukaâs.
Amara,
I donât know why you lied to me. I donât know why you pretended to be a maid. But I cannot stop thinking of you. I want to see you again. Meet me at the old mango tree in Obele tomorrow night. I will wait.
Chuka
My heart raced. Could I risk it? Could I defy my father, the palace, and all that I had been raised to obey? I could not stop thinking about the moments we shared, the laughter, the dreams, the sincerity in his eyes. My longing overpowered my fear.
That night, I disguised myself once again. I slipped out of the palace with the help of Nwakaego, who looked at me with sadness.
âMy daughter,â she whispered, âdo not destroy your future. Remember, love is not everything.â
âI have to,â I said, holding back tears. âI cannot live without him.â
The journey to Obele was dangerous. Soldiers patrolled the roads, and the night was dark, with only the stars to guide me. When I reached the mango tree, Chuka was there, waiting, his eyes lighting up when he saw me.
âAmara,â he said, rushing forward. âYou came!â
âI had to,â I replied, holding back my emotions. âI cannot live without you, Chuka. I never wanted the palace. I only wanted you.â
He embraced me, and for a moment, everything felt perfect. But love born from lies cannot remain untouched by shadows.
We spent the night under the tree, talking about our dreams and the life we could build together. I told him everything about my real identity, my crown, and the palace that awaited me. He listened silently, and when I finished, he took a deep breath.
âI love you, Amara,â he said, âbut I cannot live with lies. You left me before, and I do not know if I can trust you again.â
My heart sank. I had risked everything, yet even my honesty could not repair the damage. We argued, cried, and stayed awake until the moon disappeared behind the clouds.
The next morning, I returned to the palace, my heart heavier than ever. I knew my father would scold me, but I did not care. I had tasted love and had to face the truth: some choices cannot be undone.
Weeks later, I heard that Chuka had left Obele, leaving his tools behind, traveling to a distant village to start anew. He had disappeared from my life completely.
I walked through the palace halls, pretending to be fine, attending royal functions, and smiling at the men who wanted my hand. But inside, I was empty. I had found love, but the love I desired most had slipped through my fingers.
At night, I would sit by the window, staring at the moon and remembering Chuka. His laughter, his eyes, his voiceâeverything haunted me. I realized that sometimes, the search for true love can lead to heartbreak. Sometimes, even the purest intentions can cause the deepest pain.
Could I ever find someone who would love me for me without lies?
Would I ever see Chuka again, or had I lost him forever?
Was my desire for freedom worth the cost of losing the one person who made my heart feel alive?
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NOTE TO READERS:
This is just episode 2 out of the full 3 Episodes. All episodes are available for free on StoryTera.
Note: This is 100% Fictional, and not having resemblance to any true events or characters.