THE CROWN - EPISODE 13

I woke up from the cold ground, the wrapper I spread on the floor to sleep wasn’t thick enough to withstand the cold. I looked at the bed and he was gone, I slowly stood up and folded the wrapper properly.

I looked around the room to remind myself of my new found life. Four maids walked in

“Good morning my princess” they bowed in unison

I looked at them

“You can call me by my name” I said. I wasn’t comfortable with the way they behaved around me

“I’m sorry your highness but we can’t do that”
One of them said. She was light in complexion

I bothered not to stress it

One of them stepped forward, she was fair skinned too and beautiful with a round plump face

“I am Ngozi and the head of your personal maids…”

She bowed further

“We’ve been assigned to serve you with anything you want, my princess”

She said

She went further to introduce the others

“I’m Adenike”

I simply replied.

“What do you wish to do first this morning my princess?”

“Take me to the kitchen, I will assist with some chores”

I said and started walking

“I’m sorry my princess but you can’t be found in the kitchen or doing any chores in the palace” Ngozi stopped me.

I turned to look at them and immediately they bow their heads.

“My Princess, you can either decide to bath here or at the stream” she added

I kept quiet for a while just staring at them.

“I will bath here”

I broke the silence

“Everything has been provided in there that you’ll need”

I nodded and simply walked to go have my bath. The bathroom was beautiful and not that of a commoner.

My mind quickly went to my wrappers and other stuff. There are still at my parent’s, now what will I change into?

I tied one piece around my chest and walked back to the room.

I felt okay with it cause they were girls too… We usually bath have naked in the stream with other maidens and it has never been a big deal as long it was not the opposite gender.

Ngozi took something from one of the other maids and walked to me.

“The Queen request you wear this and be patient to welcome the arrival of your ordered wrappers from the best seamstress in the land”

She smiled and I was pleased she did

The maids walked to us and surrounded me, they assisted in dressing me up.

Loosened my hair and restyled it

“I don’t want to wear that” I told her when she was about to wear me the heavy royal neck beads

“My princess it’s obligatory you wear them”

“I will wear the hand beads” I insisted and she nodded.

She brought forward a glass and I looked into it. Mirrors are rear and only the rich and royals can afford to get one.

We were done with dressing up, the waist beads, ankle beads and wrist beads looked really beautiful…

“My princess, the Royal family dine together.. everyone is waiting for you at the dinning court”

She bowed.. are they trained for this. It’s getting hilarious, just like how my life suddenly seemed like a joke.

I stood up and I noticed how they assembled… Two stood forward and the other two stood backward so I was in the middle.

They led me to the dinning court

The three others waited behind while Ngozi walked in with me.

I stood by to take a view

The whole family sat waiting for me, the food was already served.

“The Crowned Princess arrives” Ngozi announced like it was necessary.. gosh

They all turned to look at me, I blinked and tried to calm my nerves.

“You’re here, have your sit” the King said

I moved to the seat beside Emenike without realizing the mistake I was making.

Ngozi dusted and I was about to sit down

“Princess, sit beside your husband” the Queen said

I looked at Emenike, he wasn’t staring at me.

I looked at Prince Ikenna and he wasn’t either.

I moved around to him and sat beside him.

I looked at the king and Queen and they both smiled, I forced a smile back.

I looked at the table and variety of food served

“A feast to officially welcome you to the family”

The king said

“Yes, so please eat a lot”

The Queen added

I bowed to them

Ngozi grabbed a plate and started serving me, I looked up and figured every member of the Royal family has a personal maid.

I looked at Emenike but he was focused on his food. I’m pretty sure he is still sour so I’ll just let him be.

“I’ve heard you’re a good singer too, the gods are wiser indeed”

The king commented

“My son is lucky too, I’ve had my research and honestly I was pleased”

The Queen said too

Does shealways talk after her husband?

I don’t want to be that kind of Queen, I glanced at the man beside me.

He suddenly stood up to leave

“Ikenna, give the princess a proper tour of the palace.. a wide one”

Igwe spoke and he stopped on his tracks

“Father, I have important business to attend to.. her personal maid can do that”

He replied

“I want you to, you two should get to know each other” Igwe told him and turned to me

“Are you done with your food?” He questioned

“No, your highness”

“Sit Ikenna, when she’s done you can take her on the tour”

He did obediently.

I smiled silently. I love the respect I see

I finished eating and we went on that tour, Ngozi tailed behind us from a distance

It was quiet and boring, either of us said a word. We just walked slowly with his hands behind him like a prince, yes!.

I took a breathe before taking the bold step

“I see you don’t talk much”

I broke the almost everlasting silence

“I don’t talk to strangers” he replied coldly like I expected

“Whatever you feel, I want you to know that it’s mutual. I also hate myself for talking to you right now”

I blurted

He stopped walking and I did to

“I’m standing here right now because I am my father’s son, don’t push me”

He said.

A guard ran to him and whispered something to him and immediately he left without another glance.

Chioma? Did I hear that name?

What ever it is, I absolutely don’t care.

gods of our land, if this is indeed my fate then please make it more easy to live here..