THE CROWN - EPISODE 33 AND 34

I sat there without uttering a word.

Why did she give her permission for Chioma to move into the palace?

What will become of my marriage?

The Onuwu excused himself and his daughter to leave and go prepare her things.

“My daughter, if you want I can ask some maids to go with you and help bring your things” Mother said to Chioma

She smiled and bowed

“That will be nice of you my Queen” she replied acting all sweet and calm.

“No mother, she is my guest and I will decide for her henceforth if she’ll have to live in the palace” Adenike said in an authoritative tone.

She surprise’s me every time she speaks, very unpredictable and bold.

The elders left one after the other.

I sat still, she was beside me but I was too scared to even stare at her.

She got up, bowed and left.

“Your majesty, I do not like the privileges you give to this girl” mother said in a rage

“They’re not privileges but rights. If her husband’s concubine is to live in the same house then it is her right to take charge as the wife”

Father explained

“Ikenna will marry that young girl, no grandchild of mine will be born by a concubine”

“Woman!! Enough!”

He yelled, stood up and left.

Father must be really exhausted and disappointed. He rarely gets this upset.

“Your father is angry because you had refused to keep your third leg to yourself” she blasted at me and left angrily too.

I brushed my palms over my face frustratingly.

Emenike stood up and left.

I should have done better, I should have done better as a prince, a son, a brother and most importantly a husband.

Adenike showcase to be taking it lightly but deep down I know she is hurting and highly disappointed in me. She certainly feels betrayed and lied to.

I want to talk to her and apologize but I can’t find the strength and courage to do so.

I have to anyway,

I stood up, walked hastily to the chamber. I bent my head to go in.

She sat on the bed, her head down and her hand held tightly to the bed like she was holding herself from letting emotions get through her..

“I’m sorry” I said.

I truly regret hurting you this much, I never intended to. I didn’t know that I will end up falling in love with you.

She didn’t say nothing or even raised her head to glance at me.

I walked closer

“I’m sorry for everything I’ve done and everytime I have hurt you. I assure you that I never intended to”

I saw tears drop from her eyes on her thighs.

My heart broke and my conscience screamed at me.

Is this my love for her? To bring her tears instead of happiness?

I took few steps closer and bent down in front of her. I opened my palm under her face, tears dropped in my palm.

“This is what you want? to have my tears on the palm of your hands? You ought to celebrate”

She raised her head and the tears streamed down her cheeks

I took my thumb and wiped them

“She is carrying my child but I swear that my heart is with you”

I took her hands and held them

“I had something with her, yes that’s true. It was then before I decided to give our marriage a chance and slowly I began…. ”

“You began what Ikenna?” She took her hands from me.

She stood up and moved away

I got up

“This is not the life I wanted for myself, a polygamous home?”

She sounded dishearten

“I am not getting married to her, never”

“Oh please!” She turned to me vexed

“Soon that is going to be the next agenda but guess what? I will not allow it”

She stated. The last part soothing me

I walked to her, I gazed deeply into her eyes.

I held her face and placed my lips on her forehead for quite a while

I moved

“I’m sorry Adenike, please understand that this happened long before our marriage took a new turn. I care about you more than you think”

She moved back

“I have quite a lot to do so if you’d excuse me. Someone has to prepare for the arrival of your concubine and unborn child”

She said sarcastically, forced a smile and walked away.

She isn’t having any of this and I don’t question her anger and actions.

Having Chioma live here in the palace was her decision and I feel indifferent about it. This feels like starting afresh.

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Adenike (POV)

I stood in the middle of the yard, sighed heavily and looked up at the sky.

Is this the life you have chosen for me? Is this the fate you spoke about?

“Look at me”

I looked at myself.

I am preparing to welcome my husband’s pregnant mistress as my guest in my own house.

A woman that threatened my life several times over nothing. Nothing? Who am I kidding? She got what she wanted.

“Your husband’s second wife will soon be here, what are you doing standing here?”

The Queen walked in front of me, she looked down at me and up again.

“My husband’s mistress” I corrected her

She laughed in mockery

“and what makes you think we’ll let the next king of Umuagwo be born by a concubine?”

I counted five steps closer to her, I flipped my horsetail to my back and smiled at her

“You’ve had your time so let me deal with my family myself”

I told her

“Which family? Ikenna is my son”

“he is my husband now and my responsibility”

I replied

“Who do you…..”

I cut her off

“As you have said mother, I have to prepare to welcome my husband’s pregnant mistress”

I turned and walked out on her.

I headed for the maids quarter, they bowed.

“By the king’s orders, the maiden who will be joining in palace soon is my guest and everything pertaining to her will be my concern and know else’s. Not even the King’s orders should overpower mine in regards to her. Am I understood?”

“Yes your highness”

they chorused with their heads in a bow.

“Prepare a hut for her”

I said

“Yes my princess”

“And it shouldn’t be in the Royal quarter, she is not part of the Royal family and as such should not be treated as one unless I give the orders”

My tone has never been this authoritative.

I could see the shocks in their faces but If I have to harbour my husband’s concubine then I have to fully consume my place.

It was evening and the sky was filled with birds heading back to their habitats.

Chioma had arrived and was already settling in with the assistance of Ify, one of my personal maids.

With my maid assigned to her I will get infos of her day-to-day activities while in the palace.

I looked at the maid fixing up my toenails

Chioma walked in with Ify trailing behind her.

“Greetings your highness”

she greeted forcefully, standing straight up.

Her face had a smirk on and I could figure what was going through her mind already.

“You seem to have settled in” I said focusing back on my nails being done.

“I told you didn’t I? That the prince is mine. I am going to give him an heir to the throne” she laughed hysterically.

“Leave us” I told the maids. They bowed and ran out.

“Chioma, this is my husband’s house and if you don’t accord me the respect I will make staying here for you very difficult”

She laughed again

“Blah blah blah, you remind me of our nursery rhymes back then at school”

“Adenike, we’re mates now.. you’re his wife and I am the mother of his unborn child but very soon, very soon I will be his one and only wife”

I stood up

“It’s almost dinner, go freshen up. I will let you join the family dinner tonight”

I rounded up and left to go freshen up for dinner. By the time I was done it was night and time for dinner.

The maids escorted me

I walked in and saw Chioma on my seat, next to Ikenna who looked like he was boiling.

Why is he so pissed? He caused this upon himself

“Greetings Father, Mother” I said and walked to my seat

“Stand up!” I commanded.

Everyone including the maid, gave us their attention.

“But Adenike…”

“Princess Adenike, address her properly” Emenike chipped in, stressing the ‘princess’ in the sentence.

“Sit somewhere else, quickly” I told her again.

She stood up and I sat.

She walked over to the other side and sat beside Emenike, just opposite Ikenna.

I served myself and started eating without paying anyone attention.

“Chioma, my daughter you’re welcome. I trust the princess to have settled you properly”

Igwe said a while into our meal

“Thank you my King”

I was more focused on my food than anything they said.

“I hate havoc, we’re humans and sometimes we might have misunderstandings but what matters is how we handle them”

“I understand your highness, I will be of my best behaviour and try as much as possible to be friends with the crowned princess”

I raised my head and she was smiling at me, I smiled back.

“We can always be friends as long as you don’t exhibit disrespect”

Help your friends close and your enemies closer. I wasn’t a weak daughter so why will I be a weak wife and princess? I think I have a lot of abolishing to do.