THE CROWN - EPISODE 27

It was cold and calm, the silence soothed me. My arms wrapped around my body like I was scared to let go.

My eyes fixed far and beyond as I stood in front of the stream.

On one hand I had the confusion in my heart regarding the new take my marriage has taken and on the other I had to fight to stop the killing of young girls for some ancient traditional sacrifice.

If I have to go against it then I have to be ready to sacrifice everything for it.

The wind took the water and trees around, the cold sweeping through me.

Something covered my shoulder from behind, he walked forward and stood beside me staring at the stream.

I looked and he had covered me with the piece that is normally around their necks

“You’ve not been here for a while now” he said

“Somebody almost made me detest the thoughts of coming here” I told him .

It was Emenike. I turned my face to stare

He looked as peaceful and calm as our first meeting.

He must’ve listened to me and brought back the man in him I know.

“Your marriage seems to be on a jolly” he said

I looked down and back at the stream

“What bothers you that you have come here today?” He asked

“My sisters are being slaughtered in the name of some sacrifice”

I said. He gave me a confused look

“The Ikeanja sacrifice, I want it abolished” I added.

I heard a little chuckle from him and he said

“Women are forbidden to talk about it, I’m not surprised that you take an exception”

I nodded and folded my arms together.

“I will go now” I said,

Gave him back his wrapper and walked away in a meek smile.

The simplicity was a start towards the brother-sister relationship I want between us.

Ngozi and the guards waited for me, we left.

“My princess that route takes longer to reach the palace” one of the guards said.

“I’m going to Mmesoma’s”

Though Ikenna and I seem to be okay and the issue with Emenike has also died down yet he refuses to lessen the number of guards that escort me.

The walk to Mmesoma’s was quite a long one.

I was quiet all through and said nothing to neither Ngozi nor the guards which is very unusual.

I clapped my hands on arrival to announce my presence in the compound.

Her father came out of the hut

“Ndeewo nna” I greeted bending my right knee

“Your highness, greetings my princess”

Her mother walked out from the back, I greeted her quickly before she greeted.

“What brings you to our compound? your highness”

Her father asked

“When did I need to have a reason to come here? This is like my house too” I smiled

They smiled and nodded

“Nne, where’s Mmesoma?”

I asked looking around

“She’s at the back, sit and I will go and get her”

She replied. I stopped her

“I will get her myself” I told them and walked, the guards followed.

I stopped

“I command you to stay back here”

I said and they obeyed, thankfully.

I went and called Mmesoma

“You’re here, greetings your highness” she bowed

“Stop the formalities, come”

I dragged her

she laughed.

I sat with them to have lunch, we ate.

“Nnayi I want to ask you for something, please don’t refuse” I started

Everyone looked at me in anticipation for my request

“Go ahead my daughter” he said

“I could ask Baami but you’re the son of the land and you know better about the customs and traditions of our land”

He nodded

I looked at Nne and Mmesoma before speaking

“I want to know everything about the Ikeanja sacrifice”

“Shhh, my child” he stopped me

“We’ll have to make an exception today, please ”

I pleaded. He sighed

“……….. Pure and true maidens of the land are used for this sacrifice to the gods. These Maidens are picked from various families by the gods choosing. They go through series of purity rituals before the sacrifice is made”

“How many maidens are being used for this sacrifice?”

I asked

“Seven, seven maidens from different family” he looked sad telling me about it

“I want to abolish this act and I will need the support of the villagers to do this. I can’t stand the sight of letting my sisters be sacrificial lambs”

“I lost my only sister to this, she was picked to be sacrificed years ago while we were young” he sighed heavily.

His wife held his shoulders.

“Nne, I know of your position among the women of this land especially the market women”

She holds a position due to her daring personality to lead without sentiments.

“Yes my daughter, I hold a position in the council of women”

“I want you to help me do something”

I left there and went back to the palace. The Queen sat in front of the Royal bedchambers.

She was receiving a foot massage.

“Greetings mother” I bowed

“Come back here” she ordered.

I stopped and walked back to her

“Yes?”

“Look at the sun, it’s late afternoon already yet you left this palace at the break of dawn”

“Mother I…. ”

“Don’t speak while I’m still talking. Ikenna your husband who is a busy man has returned to the palace before lunch. Where are you coming from?”

She half yelled

“I visited some friends” I replied simply

The maids were present otherwise I’d have replied her accordingly. She’s too much

She yelled all she wanted

“Excuse me” I left her

I need to see Ikenna.

I went to our chamber and he was there on the bed.

“Greetings my prince” I bowed my head slightly

He said nothing but stared. Only him has the full rights to question my movements

“Greetings my Princess”

He finally replied while I stood there like a child being scolded.

He stood up and walked to me, he smiled

“Greetings has never sounded so amusing”

He ran his fingers from my temple and held my jaw

“You’re so beautiful” he complimented with a smile on his face.

Compliments has never sounded so necessary, I wanted to smile but I rather not embarrass myself

I looked down shyly

“You’re not going to ask me where I’ve been?”

“You’re my wife not a prisoner, as long as you go with the guards then I have nothing to worry about”

He searched my forehead and placed a kiss

“What would you possibly worry about?”

I asked with my eyes closed and his lips on my forehead.

He let go and stared at me

“Another man stealing you away, perhaps”

I laughed

“You must be joking, who would dare look at the crowned Princess of Umuagwo? Wife to the crowned prince and soon to be King”

He laughed too.

He held the back of my head and drew me closer with his hand on my waist.

“They won’t dare”

He pulled closer to my face and kissed my lips.

“I will kill if I have to”

He said in my lips and pushed deeper.

What does he mean? Why does he keep confusing me? And my heartbeats!

I have to withdraw and talk to him about something important before it’s too late. No! I can’t let go of him. The issue can wait..