They All Laughed At Him Not Knowing He's D Crown Prince Back 2 Choose One Of D Maidens As His Bride

The narrative begins with a mother's profound grief over the death of her son, Afuma, lamenting his untimely demise and questioning why fate has taken another of her children after his elder brother. The community's tradition dictates that a young man who dies unmarried and while his mother is still alive must be buried in the "evil forest," an abomination to the family. Afuma's brother, Chima, vehemently opposes this, asserting that Afuma was a full-fledged man who deserved a respectful burial in their father's compound, tradition notwithstanding. Chima defies the king's instruction and buries Afuma on his own farmland, accepting the potential consequences. Following Afuma's burial, the family struggles with their grief. The mother refuses to eat or sleep, convinced that Afuma's death was not natural and that he was murdered. She expresses fear for her remaining children, Chima and Amaka. Chima dismisses his mother's suspicions, attributing Afuma's death to illness. However, he later falls ill himself shortly after returning from Nigeria, a sickness that defies medical explanation. Amaka, concerned, takes Chima to a pastor for spiritual intervention. Meanwhile, a separate conflict unfolds involving Chief Goji and Eloa, the son of the late Okoka. Eloa accuses Chief Goji of killing his father to seize their farmland. He presents his case to the king, alleging that Chief Goji charmed his father with a hug, leading to his death, and later threatened Eloa when he tried to reclaim the land. Amadi, a supposed witness, is brought before the king but, under pressure, retracts his statement, claiming Eloa's father had already sold the land to Chief Goji. Eloa is left without proof and is reprimanded for false accusation. Chief Goji, in a private conversation, reveals his scheme to Eloa's cousin, including plans to "handle" Eloa's widowed mother. Back with Chima, the pastor reveals that Chima's illness is a result of an "arrow of infirmity" sent by those who took him to a shrine. He instructs Chima and Amaka to fast and pray for 21 days, keeping Chima's presence in the village a secret from their family. However, news of Chima's illness and his presence in the church spreads, reaching the king. The king, suspecting a conspiracy, demands to know why Chima returned and was kept hidden. He accuses Chima's mother and Amaka of witchcraft and of plotting to kill his brothers. Tragedy strikes again when Chima dies in the church. The pastor attributes his death to the "snatching of his life" by those who took him to the shrine. The king, upon learning of Chima's death, continues to accuse the mother and Amaka. He demands that Amaka bring Chima's corpse to the community mortuary and that Neka, Chima's fiancée, swear an oath to prove her innocence in the deaths. The mother, distraught by the loss of three sons and the accusations, challenges the king's authority and leaves the palace, declaring it a "cursed palace." The king, angered by her defiance, prohibits Chima's burial until the mother returns and settles matters. Amaka, refusing to let her mother return to a dangerous environment, decides to proceed with Chima's burial independently, defying the king's orders. As Amaka and her men prepare for Chima's burial, they are ambushed by armed men, resulting in a violent confrontation. News of the gunfight reaches the king, who sends his own men to investigate. Later, the family gathers, and the mother confesses her past. She reveals that she had an affair with Okadik, her elder sister's husband, which resulted in pregnancy. Okadik, who loved her, married her, infuriating her sister. Despite apologies, the sister's hatred persisted, leading to the current cycle of deaths. The mother believes her sister is behind the misfortunes. Neka, Chima's fiancée, overwhelmed by grief and guilt, apologizes to the mother, expressing remorse for her past actions and stating that her love for Chima was genuine. She transfers all of Chima's money and possessions to Amaka and the mother, deciding to leave the village. The king, still intent on resolving the family's troubles, summons a native doctor to identify the cause of the untimely deaths. The native doctor claims that the deaths are a consequence of their late father Okadik's past atrocities and sacrifices to the gods. He performs a ritual to break the "bondage" of untimely deaths. During this time, the king learns that Chima is alive and well, having faked his death to expose the true culprits. Chima, with the help of the native doctor, confronts the king, revealing his complicity in the family's misfortunes. The king, exposed, dies, and the native doctor declares that the cycle of death in the family is broken. The story concludes with the return of Chima, the "crowned prince," to a joyous welcome, signaling an end to the family's suffering and the restoration of peace.