THE CROWN - EPISODE 21

I don’t know why it hurts so much. Why my heart felt like it was tearing into piece.

The woman I married is carrying my brother’s child, she’s pregnant with his child.

How did we get to this? We didn’t have to.

The tears in her eyes made me hate myself for not protecting her.

I took vows to protect her but I’ve failed,

I should have cared and maybe things couldn’t have turned out this bad.

“My prince? My prince?!”

I heard constantly and it swept me out of my thoughts.

I looked and it was the herbalist.

I looked around and it was just the three of us in the room.. myself, the herbalist and Adenike.

“Yes?”

I cleared my throat to subdue the looks on his face.

For sure he must’ve have been calling my attention and there I was having wide imaginations

“The princess will be fine, she has been stressed out alot and has a little fever. The dizziness is as a result of anxiety so I’ll suggest she is bothered no more and allowed to rest”

He explained.

I nodded and glanced at her from his shoulder.

“I will drop the herbs with the maid’s, I will take my leave now. Your highness” he bowed and left.

I stood there staring at her, she was fast asleep now.

I bent down to her, watching her sleep

She looks troubled even in her sleep. Her lips shaking and her eyelids too.

Why did I even think of such horrible event?

If indeed it was true then I won’t be able to forgive myself.

I’m sorry for thinking so low of you

“Mother”

she called in her sleep as tears streamed down.

She must miss her mother so much. I looked outside… It’s late

I touched her face and she moved

“Mother” she called again and slept back. I covered her properly and sat to watch her sleep.

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Adenike (POV)

The sun ray on my eyes woke me up, I covered my eyes with my hand slowly.

I looked around and I was alone. It’s morning already, I must’ve been really tired yesterday.

Someone walked in and I was shocked, Ngozi was behind her with a tray of food, I guess.

I sat up slowly, she rushed to me and made me lie back on the bed.

“Rest my dear”

she smiled and touched my head

“Mother, what are you doing here?”

I asked and took my time again to look around to be sure where I was.

“Your husband came home and brought me here, said we’re sick and so I came. I’m happy you look better” she said.

I smiled and rested my face on her palm.

“My dear, are you with child?”

She asked in a tone of excitement

I raised my head to her and she had a wide smile

“No mother, c’mon”

She chuckled

“It’s fine dear, we brought you food, I was told you had nothing last night. So I will feed you myself now then the herbs” she said and I nodded

“Baami?” I asked. I miss them so much

“He’s fine and send his regards and also hopes you visit the house soon”

“I will when I get better”

“Okay that’s fine, you’ll eat now”

She took the tray from Ngozi, I sat up slightly and she fed me.

I had my bath and she helped me get dressed. I was so happy, her presence lighten all the burdens in my heart.

“I know you miss my cooking, do visit soon so that I will cook your favourite”

“Ewedu and Amala” I smiled and she did too.

“Mother” I called resting my head on her chest

“Yes dear?”

“What can a woman do to save her home?”

She sighed softly

“Strength and sacrifices with lots of love. A strong woman can do anything for her family but my dear…”

She held me out of her chest

“She must always remember that while fighting for her family, she has to maintain her self respect and dignity because in there lies her strength and weakness”

She completed and brushed my hair. I smiled and nodded.

After a long day together, it was time for her to go back home. So sad that I will feel the loneliness again. We walked outside together

I hugged her again

“I have to go now” she laughed.

“Can’t you spend the night?” I pouted like a baby

“And your Father?”

I figured and we both laughed. Ikenna walked in on us.

She wanted to bow but be stopped her and bowed instead, I smiled lightly

“Thank you my son for the food stuffs you sent to us” mother said.

He sent items to them? I’m not aware

“Thanks for coming” he said and went inside the hut.

Mother turned to me and smiled, I smiled and hugged her. She Left and I went inside

My eyes met his, we stared at each other for a while and I looked away.

“Thank you” I told him looking at my fingers.

I glanced and he was still staring at me.

“I’ve assigned two of my personal guards to you. You can’t go anywhere without them, not even around the palace”

he said pulling off his hand beads.

“What for? I can take care of myself and besides I have my own guards” I told him

He said nothing

His silence was annoying and insulting to me

“I’m talking to you” I said almost in an angry tone

“Your personal guards can join them too”

He replied coldly

“You have no right to my movements and life entirely”

I retorted

“I am your husband, I have equal rights as you to your life. Don’t push this”

My husband? Why does that still sound weird to hear?

“Should I also assign my personal maids to you?”

I asked.

I don’t know where I suddenly got the boldness to speak to him.

All the weirdness and disgust disappearing.

“Crowned Princess” he called formally like my name was a burden

“It’s Adenike, I don’t want that title”

He stared at me surprised. I left the room and went to my personal Chamber.

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Ikenna (POV)

I stood there stunned as she left the hut. What is up with her?

Is she perhaps on her course? Only a woman on her flow changes moods like a chameleon.

Whatever it is, I did like how she battered words with me.

Totally fun to watch her angry,. She looked even more beautiful

What am I thinking?

I knocked myself off.

If we talked this much everyday whether for a bad cause or a good one.. I don’t mind. We’ll get closer.

I don’t know why I suddenly want this marriage to work.

Emenike fighting for her everyday makes me want to get to know her everyday.

Maybe there’s something for his persistent
need for her, I want to see it too.

I had my bath, changed and went for dinner. Father, mother and Emenike present.

“Is the princess joining us today?” Father asked me.

I didn’t know what to tell him so I kept mute.

“It’s been a while we had a meal with her” Emenike said. I glanced at him

“You can eat, I will check on her” I told them and left.

I checked our bedchamber

“She isn’t here”

I went to her personal chamber.

“My princess, should I serve your dinner here?”

I heard her maid ask. I walked in

“No, she’ll eat with the rest of the family” I said.

She bowed quickly. Adenike stood up

I walked to her and pulled her by her wrist. I stopped

“Henceforth, the princess shouldn’t be served in her chamber. She must have meals with the family except in certain situations”

I told the maid and she nodded and bowed again.

I pulled her. I was happy she didn’t restrict or utter a word, it made things easier.

I pulled out a chair for her and she sat, I sat next to her.

“Eat” I said and waited for her to start eating then I joined her.

Everyone looked at us weirdly.

“Princess Adenike, I see you’ve recovered” father said

“Yes your majesty, thanks to your care and the gods” she replied.

Emenike stood up and left.

It’s time I marked territory in this palace, I will not be lenient with things anymore.

I certainly don’t intend to rule this kingdom like that.