THE CROWN - EPISODE 19

I closed my eyes and just laid there in my personal chamber.

I tried to relax my nerves and chill a little.. I had enough for one day.

First with Chioma and the girls, then barging on the Ikenna and then this. All for one day? Are the gods bent on punishing me?

“My princess!”

I heard Ngozi from outside.

“Come in” I said with my eyes still closed.

“My princess, dinner was served. I brought your meal since you weren’t at the dinning”

She said.

It’s night already? I opened my eyes and indeed it was. I spent much time thinking about nothing.

I sat up and ate slowly, it was quiet

“My princess, are you feeling better?” She asked

I dropped the piece of yam back into the plate

“What can break a royal marriage?”

She gave me a look before answering

“It is dangerous to want to break a royal marriage, except you want to be banished cause an ex wife of the Royal family cannot live in the land anymore”

She gave details. I sighed

There’s no way out then,

I will just have to accept Ikenna but if I have to do that then Emenike has to let go.

But what other way do I make him stop this nonsense?

“My princess are you spending the night here?”

She asked

I can’t create any more problems.. I will just go back to our bedchamber

I nodded at her. She escorted me to our bedchamber with a lamb and we said our goodnights.

I sighed before going in.

“He’s not here”

I walked closer to the bathroom, no sound. It’s late, where could he be?

I took awrapper and laid on the bed. It’s cold and I couldn’t be able to cope with the floor.

He can sleep wherever he is or on the floor if he returns.

I closed my eyes and soon I slept off.

I looked around and the sun was set, did I sleep that late?

I slowly got up

“Ouch!” I winced from the striking headache I felt.

I heard Ngozi seeking audience.. I called her in. She bowed and walked into the bathroom.. obviously to prep me a bath.

“My princess, are you okay?”

“I’m fine, my head just slightly aches”

I told her lying about the level of the ache

“I’m sorry your highness, I will quickly get you some medicine”

She bowed and ran out.

I had my bath and got dressed. I sat on the bed and she came back with a cup of medicinal fluid.

I gulped it down with a frown on my face.

“Just lie down my princess, I will go get you something to eat”

She turned to walk out… Ikenna walked in and she bowed and left.

I ignored him and quietly laid my back on the bed, closed my eyes and in a jiffy I slept off.

I woke up again to a big statue sitting beside me..

I opened my heavy eyelids and it was him.

Why is he sitting next to me and watching me sleep?

“You are awake, sit up and eat so you can have some herbs” he said authoritative.

I stared at him and glanced at the food on the stool.

I tried to sit up but I felt too weak, I was shivering but my whole body felt hot. He stood and helped me up.

“Don’t touch me”

I muttered under my breathe that I doubt he

heard.

He brought the found and started feeding me. I was shocked but I knew I needed food but my body was too weak to help myself.

I must’ve stayed in water for too long yesterday or the whole stress from the Dance till now has started to tell.

Ngozi walked in with a cup and I guess it’s more herbs. I gulped down everything

“Take care of her” Ikenna told her and Left.

“Your highness” she touched my forehead

“You’re burning hot, don’t worry you’ll feel better soon”

She said sadly.

“Queen Mother” I called lowly when the Queen walked in. Ngozi stood up and bowed quickly.

“Leave us” she said and Ngozi and her own maids left.

She walked closer to me and sat on the chair.

“Do you feel a little better?”

“Yes I do” I replied.

She dropped her horsetail on her thighs and stretched her hands further in a fold.

“Tell me, Are you with child?”

With child? Is she asking if I’m pregnant?

“Are you pregnant for my son?”

She asked again

“Uh? Pre..preg.. pregnant?”

I stuttered

“You’ve been with a man haven’t you? Which of my sons child are you with?”

What?

“What? Your sons? I’m married to only one of them.. what do you mean sons?”

“You’re married to one but you’re in love with the other so answer my question”

She furthered.

“I can’t believe you think this low of me.. I am your daughter too”

I said sadly, she looked away from my eyes.

I turned to the other side

“I will like to be left alone, please”

I said the last part

closing my eyes. I heard her walk away.. I sighed

Her sons?

I am a married woman and asking if I’m pregnant wouldn’t have been any harm but she had to extend her limits.

I’ve been insulted so much.. my parent’s upbringing of me is being questioned and that hurts more.

I closed my eyes and slept for the hundredth time in a day.

When I woke up in was dark and late night I suppose cause it was quiet and only sounds of crickets could be heard.

I looked and Ikenna was on the floor sleeping. I watched him

He’s my husband yes but we can’t even share the same space let alone get intimate to produce a child. Thinking about it gives me chills.

He opened his eyes and met mine, we stared at each other for a really long time.

His eyes read too much emotions, too much to understand.

Does he hate this marriage as much as I do?

Is he still seeing Chioma?

Does he also think I’m having an affair with Emenike or even worst carrying his child?

I turned away from him and faced the other side. Too many questions left unattended to. Am I overthinking things or it’s just the reality of things left unsaid.

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Ikenna (POV)

She turned her back to me, my gaze still fixed on her.

A lot has been going on, too much I’d say.

And it seems like she’s the most affected in all this.

I don’t know what I can do to help.. it’s nobody’s fault we are all caught up in this mess or that we’re married to each other

yet she’s the one being humiliated and insulted everyday.

Emenike didn’t also deny the fact that he tried to force himself on her.

I am unable to control myself when I hear a woman being insulted let alone my own brother forcing himself on a woman that is supposed to be my wife.

I don’t know how much she hates all of this but she must hate this marriage more, I know it.

I also don’t know how much I hate to be here or how I’m going to tell them about taking another wife.

gods of our land, your children weep.

“Father, he tried to force himself on her yet you still support his actions?”

I said angrily. Father and mother wanted to have a talk with me and Emenike.

“I am not supporting what he did, if he wasn’t my son and a prince of this land i would’ve punished him greatly” he replied calmly staring at Emenike.

“Punish my son for who? That loose woman? My King” mother said

“Mother? You’re a woman yourself but sometimes I wonder”

“Oh please, don’t you even dare talk to mother like that and mother Adenike isn’t that kind of woman” Emenike chipped in Shamelessly.

They all surprised me including Father, this isn’t the family I know.

“Y’all should stay away from her for now, give her time to think and heal from your words and actions”

I said almost pleading

“Including you cause all the pains in her life started the minute she was chosen to be with you”
Emenike added

“She is my wife, she is my responsibility and I’m asking all of you to stay away from her for the meantime but as for you?..”

I turned to Emenike

“Stay away from her for good, atleast untill you’re sane again. She doesn’t love you and she has made it clear”

I bowed to father and mother before leaving.

I left to take care of another bone hanging in my throat. I watched Chioma rant as usual, she talked and talked

“You’re not saying anything”

She stopped.

I unfolded my arms

“What do you want me to say? You ruined your chances of being my wife when you got yourself in a mess that led to a community punishment”

I told her

“I don’t care, you’re mine and only I deserve to be your wife”

I just stared at her

“Let’s frame Adenike or something so she can be banished or even better executed”

She smiled wickedly. Who is this person?

“If even a scratch is found on her skin then I will excute you myself”

I poked my finger at her

“What? My prince what sort of joke is that?”

I started walking away.

“My prince! Ikenna!!”

She yelled after me but I simply ignored her and left.

I went straight to my bedchamber. Somebody bumped into me

Adenike? Why is she crying now?

“Wh.. wha?”

She hugged me before I could finish my question.

I wrapped my arm around her tightly and caressed her head with the other.

Should I apologise for the pains? Should I be the one to apologise for being chosen to marry me? Uhm….