She was just 15 then and did not know what was happening. She was told by the councils that her father engaged in a war with the colonists who wanted to conquer their land. They advised the princess to escape for her own safety. Therefore, she went to a far away country called Salamid ruled by King Herod.
She is the only one foreigner in that land. She disguised herself as a peasant and applied for a job in a palace as a kitchen helper. She let everyone in the palace called her Lyka. In their language, it means deep water. But, her real name is Sheeba that means waves.
The only thing she brought to Salamid is a fine crystal jewel that is given by her mother on her 12th birthday. It signifies that she is the next ruler of her kingdom named Saladin.
When she went to the farm to milk the cow, she met the 18 years old lad reading a book during his pastime. His name is Roman. He is the son of the vegetable vendor in the market. Their hut is near by the stable.
Roman is a fine young man. He is an intellectual and his skills fit to be the next successor of the king. He would join the princes in an obstacle race to find the fire jewel that is lost by the king in the forest of doom.
He said, “I am the real first born son of King Herod. But, my mother who is the former queen was falsely accused for adultery. The king thought I am not his son. And, we are banished from his palace.”
She replied as she showed her crystal jewel, “The right successor can only obtain a jewel like this. The one who can hold this without his hand getting burnt is the right person who will succeed to the throne of the king.”
He said, “I can prove it to you.” And, he tried to hold the jewel from her palm as he felt the freezing cold coming from the jewel. The jewel keeps shining like it is nothing happened to his body.
She said, “You are truly a prince, the son who will succeed to King Herod’s throne.”
He replied, “So, that means you are the successor to your father’s kingdom since you have this jewel.”
She said, “Can you keep this a secret? I don’t want let anybody know. My life will be at risks. I don’t want the enemies will know.”
Chapter Two: The Test of Fire
Two weeks after she went back to her kingdom. Their kingdom won in the battle. There is peace once again in Saladin. It is two weeks after she noticed that she is bearing a child by Roman.
But, she could not go back to Salamid because she s doing with the affairs of her father in governing their kingdom. As a successor, she should be fully trained in leadership skills. And, her father forbids her not to go back to Salamid again because her life will be in danger.
She wrote Roman a letter about her condition, but she did not receive any reply from him. On the other hand, Roman is preparing for the race. As he traveled to the forest of doom, he did not receive any letter from Sheeba because it is forbidden by King Herod’s order. King Herod has fallen for the beauty of Queen Sheeba and wants her to become one of his concubines. He is a tyrant ruler of Salamid and very jealous of his son Roman.
Fortunately, Roman won the obstacle race. He held the jewel that is found in the middle of forest of doom. However, the king had just shook his head and said, “The jewel you are holding is only a decoy. You have got to learn many things before to attain the throne of success. The real jewel is in my palm. Only a foolish king can lose his crystal jewel.”
He put the jewel at the burning coals. He faced Roman and said, “If you are my real son, could you get that jewel without burning your hands?”
Roman wants to prove to the king that he is the right successor to his throne so he tried to get the jewel from the burning coals. His hand was hurt but he is able to get the jewel. And, he used the power of the jewel to heal his wounded hand.
