THE CROWN - EPISODE 25

It was another day, the morning was a cloudy one and everyone appreciated the gods in advance for the forthcoming rain.

While I anticipated to welcome Ikenna from his short trip.

My personal maids walked in and aligned with my stuffs to prepare my bath.

“Ngozi” I called

“Yes my princess” she stepped forward and bowed

“It’s a cold morning, please prepare me a warm bath”

She nodded and went to get it done.

I had my bath, got dressed and sat to style my hair.

“Your highness, the prince will be returning from his trip today. Do you want to restyle your hair for his arrival?”

Ngozi questioned. I kept mute for a while

“Is that why you picked this set of wrapper?”

I asked her, touching the piece tied around my chest.

I simply kept quiet.

Why am I so eager to have him back?

These past few days without him felt so void.

Maybe it’s because I want to talk to him about the sacrifice. or because I have gotten used to staying in the room with him.

“My princess, breakfast has been served” she bowed

I stood up and walked out with her trailing behind me.

“Greetings your majesties”

I said and sat down to eat. I looked at the empty seats, Ikenna and Emenike’s.

“It took you long enough to join us for breakfast” the Queen said

“I’m sorry my Queen” I apologized and she scoffed

I don’t know why she is still angry, the issue with Emenike has died down for weeks now yet she’s still doubting my character.

I miss how lovely she was.

“Crowned Princess”

the King called

“Yes your majesty” I replied

Waiting for his response but he said nothing

“Adenike”

“Your highness” I dropped my food and focused on him

“You’re married to our son Ikenna so you’re our own now. Refer to us as your husband’s parents and not as your King and Queen”

He said

“I hope you understand”

I nodded “Yes your majesty, Father”

“Your husband will be coming home today, do well to prepare everything for his arrival”

“Yes Father” I replied

A while after breakfast I went back to our bedchamber, I sat on the bed waiting patiently for Ikenna.

They normally begin their trip back home before dawn so they ought to be here already.

Why is it taking so long?

I picked my horsetail and stood up, tapping it on my palm. Why do I feel nervous like a woman whose husband went for war?

I looked at myself. Do I look well dressed? Is this wrapper okay or I should change into something brighter?

“Ahhh” I exclaimed and flinged the horsetail to the bed.

I held my hands together.

What is wrong with you Adenike?

I need to pee.

I went into the bathroom

“Your highness, my princess” I heard

I hurried and went out to the room. Drum rolls? Is he back?

“Yes, what is it?” I answered the maid

“The Prince is back” she announced.

I ran but stopped when I noticed how obvious I was. I comported myself

“After you” I told her

She bowed her head and walked pass me.

I inhaled and exhaled before leaving
the room.

The drumrolls got louder as I got closer. I walked and stood beside the maids not to close to them.

The Queen couldn’t let go of her sons.

“I missed you both so much” she expressed

“Father” Ikenna hugged the King while Emenike remained with his mother.

Ikenna stopped and started looking around

“Where’s the princess?” He searched

All the maids in front of me stepped back. He smiled

He walked to me

“Welcome my Prince” I bowed

He chuckled and pulled me into his chest. I missed this

“I missed you” he whispered.

I stood there while he hugged me.

He let go of me and I forced a smile. I don’t know why or how it was forced even with all the emotions inside me.

He held my hand and we walked to the others.

“My sons, I’ve asked them to prepare your favorite dishes. Come”

The Queen said.

We left and went to have lunch with them. Variety of meals were prepared.

He pulled out a chair and I sat, he sat next to me.

The void I felt in his absence healing slowly and in seconds.

I took a plate and started serving, his maid stepped back.

I dropped the plate in front of him

“Eat, I doubt you had any good food while you were away” I blurted

He looked shocked but he smiled

All eyes were on us. I smiled and sat down to eat.

“So tell me about your trip”

Igwe said

“Adventurous and challenging I’d say” Emenike replied quickly

For some good reasons he has been off my back and hardly seen in my space. I miss our friendship but I think it’s better this way.

“And like the princess just said, we had no good food to eat” Ikenna added and everyone laughed.

Everyone gisted and talked about the trip, the smiles on their faces though.

I said nothing but smiled and laughed when necessary.

“A stroll? After this” Ikenna leaned and whispered

I turned and his face was so close to mine.

“Okay” I replied

My eyes went down his lips and back on his eyes. Did I miss him that much?

“Crowned Prince and Princess”

The king called and we adjusted ourselves

“You can excuse yourself if you have other business to attend to” he added.

I heard little giggles all around

I looked down shyly. Jezz! So embarrassing

I raised my head and my eyes met Emenike’s

He looked away and I did too. I can’t believe I can’t have a brother in-law relationship with him.

I looked up at the sky, it was obviously going to pour heavily. I don’t know why we took the risk of going for a stroll in such a weather.

“We took such a risk knowing it’s going to rain” he said taking the words right outta my mouth

He smiled.

“You must’ve been very happy in my absence” he said

I looked at him and turned away

“You should go on more official trips” I told him

Please don’t, I don’t think I can stay in the palace without him.

Aside him, only the king seems to be there for me. The palace becomes a bore without affection.

He stopped walking, I did too

He turned me to him

“I will take you with me, I don’t think I can concentrate on official assignments if I have to worry about you”

I looked up at him due to our height difference.

His eyes boring into mine.

“Do you want to tell me something?”

My throat suddenly felt dry

His hands snaked around my waist, he pulled me closer. My chest pressed against his

“Do you want to hear something?” he asked and immediately it started pouring heavily

He moved his face closer to me, our nose touched and my whole body quivered at the feeling. My eyes closed

I felt his fingers slowly stroke my face. His lips nuzzled my cheek softly and then he kissed my lips

Our saliva mixing with heavy raindrops and my emotions mixing with confusion.

Why were we doing this? Why did he kiss me? Why didn’t I stop him?

I moved my head back a bit to give him more access. More access to my lips or everything I have?

He sucked on my tongue and dragged my lips with his teeth softly.

Wait! I stopped when it got to intense. I was starting to shiver under the rain

“It’s raining” I said instead

“Let’s go, you’re shivering” he held my hand and we started running.

He stopped and sweeped me off my feets.

I gasped wrapping my hands around his neck as he carried me like he was rocking a new born.

He continued running with me in his arms.

We got to the palace finally, he went into the hut.

“We’re here” he said.

I couldn’t get my eyes off him,

“Get changed, you’re shivering” he said still carrying me

“urhm..you are,.. I’m” I stopped and looked at myself

“I’m sorry” he apologized and dropped me.

The floor was wet from our dripping clothes. I turned to go into the bathroom, he held me back

“Hold on” he said

I turned to him. He walked closer to me and started taking off the beads on my neck and on my head.

He dropped them and took my hand, he slipped out the wrist beads too.

He bent over to my neck and placed kisses on my shoulder.

His hands went over me, they trailed from my neck and stopped on my chest piece.

He started loosing the wrapper. I moved away from him quickly

“Please don’t” I turned my back to him and wrapped my arms around myself. It was really cold and he wasn’t helping

“I promise not to touch you, I just want to help you change.. you’re soaked” he said

I flinched when he hugged me from behind.

“Can I?” He whispered.

His fingers trailed around the waist beads

“Please” he whispered again

He left the waist beads and slowly began untying the piece around my chest.

He slowly dragged it off me, my eyes shut in a gasp and I held my bosom with my hands.

Heat swept through me and thoughts clouded me. Is this right? He is my husband

I tried to convince myself

He placed kisses on my back while untying the waist piece.

It fell to the ground and he hugged me again. His groin touching me sent new feelings down my spine

My heart beating faster

I kept my eyes closed.

He left me for a while

“Open your eyes” he said and I obeyed

How vulnerable he made me, I hate the guts.

He was standing in front of me, my eyes moved from his to the wrapper in his hand. It was a one piece wrapper

“Your hands”

He gestured to my grip on my bosom

I looked at my hands on my bosom and slowly left them.

He stared at me for a while

He moved closer to me still his bare chest touched mine. I gritted my teeth in order not to explode from the intensity

His eyes closed as he pulled his head back a bit. He groaned huskily

He looked back at me fondly

He took the wrapper under my arm and tied it behind.

I looked at him, he smiled and kissed my lips.

What happens after this? How do I define this?