THE CROWN - EPISODE 29

I roamed around the room restlessly thinking of my next move.

At the early hours of the day I had received a message from my parents through one of the palace maids assigned to them for me to go see them.

I know they’re going to try and convince me to go against my decision and I don’t want that.

Innocent young girls are being killed for no reason, I have to do everything to abolish this ac

I need Ikenna’s support but if he won’t give it to me then I will do this on my own.

Yesterday at the market I was fully prepared for whatever would happen.

Nne Mmesoma warned me about the consequences but I refused.

I think I would have to go to the women head myself.

I turned to leave, Ikenna walked

“Where are you headed?” He questioned looking up-down at me

“Greetings my prince” I replied instead

He walked in and passed me to the other side.

“You’ve not answered my question” he said after a while.

What do I tell him now?

If I tell him the truth then he won’t let me go.

I don’t know how a husband has this much power like he’s my father.

I can never understand things completely just like I don’t understand the need to give human sacrifices when animals have been provided for the purpose.

“Adenike” he called

I turned and forced a smile

“I just wanted to have a stroll, the weather is nice”

I replied

“Have you gone out? The sun is scorching hot”

He stopped and gave me a look

Oh no! Lies ain’t for me. What do I do now?

He took few steps closer to me. He stood in front of me gazing

“You’re lying” he stated

I raised my head to look at his eyes, I looked away quickly to avoid emotions getting the best of me.

“I want to pay the village’s women head a visit” I said honestly

He said nothing, the silence grew into the room.

I got curious on why he said nothing so I looked up at him

“Why? You’re not saying anything”

I couldn’t read his eyes, he had a straight face and I swear it’s been a while I’ve seen him this way

“Adenike” he called

His tone almost scaring me but I was down for whatever he offers

“Henceforth you’re not allowed to leave this palace, the guards and maids gave been informed” he announced boldly with his hands behind his back

“What? You can’t do that”

“I can do anything to make sure of your safety”

He replied. What is this?

“I am your wife not some palace prisoner”

I stretched to stare into his house. I needed answers to my questions

“Are you okay with this? Are you okay with your sisters being killed?”

He looked away

“I’m okay with you being with me, your safety comes first. I swore to protect you”

He said looking at some other place. This isn’t it

“Is that what you want? Ikenna, innocent girls are being killed for some silly sacrifice and you think it’s okay? It could be your sister, your friend or even….”

I stopped as he walked away like I said nothing.

He gave me his back.

“I want you to know that whatever you or anyone else does I will never stop this fight against all of you who partake in this devilish act”

“I am your husband, listen to me. You will stop this madness now!” He half yelled turning in a rage of what seemed like anger to me.

“You’re angry? You have no right to be angry and no right to stop my decisions”

I yelled back and left to my personal chamber.

On my way I noticed how much stares the guards gave me like their were scared I will disappear

“Ahhh”

I groaned

“My princess, you called for me”

Ngozi came

“I called for you? Ain’t you supposed to be with me always? You’re my personal maid not theirs. You should listen to me instead” I transferred the anger on her before I realized

“I’m sorry my princess” she fell on her knees.

I sighed and brushed my forehead up

“I’m sorry too for Letting my anger out on you, it’s just that it’s really exhausting how everyone is against my good course”

I said apologetically

She stood up and walked to me,

“Can I?” She questioned gesturing my hands

I nodded and she went ahead to hold them

“I lost my only sister to this sacrifice, my mother’s heart couldn’t take it so she died”

She said sadly. Tears threatened to fall down my eyes

“So even if they tell me to go against you I won’t cause I finally get to help stop this evil custom. I have grieved all this years, fighting within because I wasn’t bold enough to fight it out”

She stopped and looked down, drops of tears falling off

She raised her head and smiled

“If I can’t stand beside you I will stand behind you and if I can’t stand behind then I will stand in front of you to protect you against harm as we fight together”

My tears streaming down with hers. Imagining the pain she feels made me cry. People suffering for baseless reasons.

I hugged her tightly

“we’ll win this fight, I promise”

I stroked her hair.

I have to do something about this restrictions to my movements. I can’t do anything if I stay in this palace all day. I’m happy Ngozi is here with me now, things are going to be a lot easier.

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Ikenna (POV)

I want to support her, it’s my duty to support my wife but aside that it’s also my duty to protect my people.

I can’t risk losing Adenike, not now that I’ve fallen head over heels in love with her.

Yes! I am in love with her, I love her so I can’t let anything happen to her.

I headed for dinner

I greeted and sat to eat. Adenike wasn’t present, isn’t she having dinner?

“That wife of yours is really something”

Mother said and started eating

“Is the princess skipping dinner?” Father asked calmly

I sat there looking at them with nothing to say.

Could she really be skipping lunch and dinner in one day?

If I go get her then I might have crossed the line between being a caring husband and a possessive one.

“Greetings your majesties” she walked in majestically like nothing was wrong.

She pulled out a chair and sat

“Apologies for being late to dinner” she bowed

“Let’s eat” father nodded

Her maid served her and she started eating.

During dinner she didn’t give me even one glance. She must be mad at me.

Which woman won’t be upset at an unsupportive husband? None, I would presume.

“Adenike”

I called. She simply walked passed me to the bed

“I know you’re angry at me but you…..”

“Why would that be? Go to bed, it’s late” she cut me off and went off to bed. I sighed and laid on the floor to sleep.

Even though our relationship was getting better we still didn’t share a bed.

Now that things seems to be getting off the tiny bridge we’ve managed to build to get closer to each other, I don’t know what to do.

I woke up and she was gone. It’s not fully dawn yet so where could she have gone to? Oh goodness!

I got up and checked the bathroom to be sure, I ran to her personal chamber but she wasn’t there.

“Get up! Get up!” I woke the guards

“My prince, my prince”

“Search the palace, I can’t find the princess” I told them

They dispatched in a jiffy, waking up other guards and searching for her”

Where could she possibly go? Even with the tight security and my instructions? gods of our land please protect her from harm.