THE CROWN - EPISODE 38

I sat upright on the bed, my hands into each other and my face turned away from hers.

She was beside me, her hands on my right arm and her head on my shoulder.

A lot on my mind, my heart was rather heavy from all the things I have to worry about.

she rubbed her cheeks on me and held me tightly. I was uncomfortable with our sitting arrangement and the fact that I was with her while Adenike was out in a dangerous parade that threatens her life.

What kind of man will I be if my wife loses her life out there while I was with my concubine in an enclosed space.

“You’re lost in thoughts my prince”

She raised her head and kissed my shoulder. I moved not or spared her a glance.

“What troubles you my love?”

She tipped her fingers up my arm slowly.

My head faced front, exhaling and inhaling was probably the only thing I did.

Her hand found it’s way to my open chest, she caressed

“I missed you so much”

I felt her eyes boring into my skin, I understood the tone of her voice and the slow movements of her fingers.

I held her hand and kept it on her open thighs, her wrapper was tied extremely short that one more fold on the hem will leave her naked downward. If this is her aim then she has failed.

“You asked your maid to call me because you were in pains, you seem better now” I said

She brought her hand on my thighs

“Don’t you miss me? And your unborn baby, you never spend time or show concern for him. Even Adenike does a better job, sadly I’d say cause I don’t want that woman anywhere close to my son” she frowned.

I looked down at her belly, it was obviously growing out gradually. So she is indeed pregnant, and it’s my child.

“Do you want to touch it?”

Her lips curved in a smile.

I looked away, ignoring her question.

I want to feel my child in Adenike’s womb, this is not where I’m supposed to be.

Mistakes has landed me in the wrong place.

She took my hand and dropped it on her thighs, then she slowly moved it deeper into herself.

I took my hand back forcefully

“What are you trying to do?” I looked at her

“Ikenna I’m starved, I need you. Atleast for the health of my pregnancy”

I felt disgusted at her request

“I am a married man Chioma, what is wrong with you?”

“You were a married man too when you bent my back countless times and now the result is here so you can’t stop now, it’s too late”

The fact strung into me, the truth always hurts.

“I refuse to make the same mistake all over again. Why can’t you accept that it is over for us?”

“I did, not until I found out about my pregnancy. Ikenna there’s no way I would have sat and watched my child grow without his father and take his rightful place”

Her pitch was high and a lot of mysteries in it.

“And where is his rightful place?” I asked

“Over Adenike, yes! Your child comes over anything even your so called wife”

She squeezed her lips. I nodded my head tiredly and stood up.

She stood up too, hugged my arm to herself.

“Please my prince, I am carrying your first child and I deserve better”

My head suddenly felt wet and I knew she was crying.

My conscience eating me, the frustration and confusion in my head.

What have I gotten myself into?

I know everything is not entirely her fault.

After Adenike was chosen at the dance, she had decided to stay away but I promised her better if she stayed.

I got myself into this, how could I possibly have known how much I would love Adenike.

I held her shoulders and pulled her out, she sniffled

“Chioma I’m sorry. I don’t know how we got here but I know that I am to blame for everything. I want you to understand that things can’t be as they were, I love my wife and…”

“Oh stop it there! And me? What happens to me? Ikenna I was suppose to be your wife before the little wench jumped out of nowhere”

She said angrily, demonstrating with her hands up and down the air.

“I can punish you for disrespecting the Crowned Princess”

“You’ll do no such thing” she dared, opening her eyes in fiery and her teeth gritted.

Her eyes soften after a while, she tipped her toes to my face and searched my eyes. I simply stared back

“We used to love each other so much, what happened? I came around the palace as a child with my father then just to play with you”

She said softly, she had her calm again.

“We were kids, simply playmates. It’s our fault we grew up with such shallow thinking”

We were playmates, maybe that’s why I was attracted to her but it was never love and I knew that from the very start.

It was mere attraction and comfort in an innocent childhood.

She looked at my lips and before I could stop her, she crashed her lips on mine.

Kissing me and struggling for me to open up and kiss her back.

I pulled her hands off my face and moved away from her gently.

She looked at me surprised and teary. I nodded my head

Her eyes diverted and soon a smile appeared on her face. Why is she…?

“Greetings my princess” she said, shocking the daylight out of me.

Her head bowed in all excitement

My legs stucked to the ground and I couldn’t find the strength to move.

She walked from behind me, she looked at Chioma, at me and back at Chioma.

“The maids informed me that you were in pains” she said and smiled

“Yes but….” Chioma stopped and looked at me

“The prince has been able to handle it properly” she completed, biting her lower lip.

Oh gods of our land!

Adenike chuckled

“I can see for myself” she replied staring at me. I nodded my head

“It’s not what you think, I was just…”

“I have sent for the midwife, when she comes explain to her how you feel in details” Adenike cut me off.

She must be so disappointed and angry. What have I done? Why did I come here without informing or coming with her?

“I was told you haven’t had lunch too, do well to eat. The last thing we want is an unhealthy baby”

“Thank you my princess” she bowed.

“I would leave you to rest”

she completed and turned to walk away. I held her, she didn’t even glance. She pulled her hand and walked away.

“So where did we stop?” Chioma laughed.

I ignored her and went after Adenike, she went straight to our bedchamber and I went with her.

“Adenike I’m sorry, it’s not what you think. I was only there because you weren’t around to attend to her and and and”

I stuttered. She walked to the shelve, pulled her beads and kept them.

“Please listen to me, shout, scream and hit me but don’t give me this silence. It’s killing me”

I pleaded but she still kept mute and went on with her business.

I gathered courage to look at her face, she had a smile. Could her smile be worst? Oh god

“Guard!!!” She yelled

One of the guards rushed in

“Yes, my princess” he bowed his head

“Please, ask Ngozi to serve me lunch here” she said

“Yes your highness” he bowed again and left.

She paid me no attention, she was focused on picking out something to change into.

I walked to her and fell on my knees behind her.

“I was there to see her after her maid called that she was in pains. I got there and stayed with her till the pains stopped. I should have left immediately but I didn’t and I’m sorry. She forced herself on me and I swear I wasn’t going to reciprocate. Adenike please believe me, the last thing I want is to hurt you again”

She turned and started laughing, I looked at her shocked. What does she find so amusing?

She stopped and looked down at me, she bent and pecked my lips quickly.

She walked pass me, heading towards the bathroom.

“I was standing at the door for long and I heard the your conversation you both had. I love how vulnerable you get around me” she winked and turned back to go into the bathroom

“Tell Ngozi to keep the food on the stool and go get me mangoes, I’m craving some” she smiled and walked in.

I sighed heavily in a smile and stood up on my feet.

“Hey!”

I heard, she stuck her head out of the door

“I think there’s something you’re yet to tell me” she tighten her smile and went back in.

Something I am yet to tell her? What could it be? I love you!

I smiled.

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Adenike (POV)

After a successful talk with the men at the carving workshop, I returned to the palace by late noon.

I was excited to tell Ikenna everything about how my day went but I couldn’t find him.

I asked the guards and they had no idea, Ify ran to me and told me about Chioma’s condition and Ikenna attending to her.

On getting there I overheard their conversation and decided to simply stand by the door.

That was how I knew that Ikenna did nothing wrong. Though if I had walked in on them in an unpleasing situation, I’d still trust my husband.

I finished bathing, changed and ate.

Mmesoma was with me today and she promised to also join me tomorrow.

It will be an Eke market day by tomorrow and I would take advantage of the busy day.

After tomorrow, I will do my best in awaiting the next Eke market day, after which the priest will return.

I was in my personal chamber with Ngozi and another of my maids.

Picking out pieces of wrappers to give out to maidens tomorrow.

“One would think that you’re campaigning to be the women’s head” Ngozi said and we chuckled.

I looked at the wrappers, the Queen was really happy to welcome me that she got me so many expensive wrappers.

I wonder what suddenly changed, even after the issue with Emenike ended she still carried on the grudge.

“My princess, you’re not allowed to give out royal jeweleries” Ngozi said.

I nodded and dropped back the beads.

I hardly use anything in this chamber or come here much often.

I remember how this place was once my comfort zone when I wanted to avoid the sight of Ikenna.

We still don’t share the same bed and it baffles me.

We’ve had several encounters as husband and wife, though I am not ready for the intercourse.

After abolishing this sacrifice, I hope I’m ready by then to carry his child.

“My princess” a guard seeked audience and came in

“Yes?” I asked

“There’s a woman here to see you”

I dropped the piece I was holding

“A woman? Who is she and why is she here to see me?”

“I have no idea my princess but she is weeping”
He bowed

“Weeping?” I dropped everything I was doing and took on my heels. Why have a weeping woman come to see me.

I met her crying on the floor, she was a middle aged woman.

I fell down on the floor to her, she raised her head.

“Nne, Kedu ihe ọ bụ?” I held her hand

“Greetings your highness, Ha egbuola m o, they have killed me o, eh! Chimo”

She cried.

“Get me water quickly” I ordered and they ran along.

“Tell me what the problem is” I said

They brought the water, she gulped it down

“My princess, my daughter Nwa m”

She cried on

“What happened to her?” I was getting worried and anxious

“She came back home bleeding from her Ọtụ and.. ah! and she’s almost dying”

I covered my mouth with my palm, ahh!

“Help me get her up quickly!” I told the guards.

“Is the midwife still around?” I asked

“She only just got here my princess” Ngozi replied.

“Get me the herbalist, send the midwife after me on my orders and inform the crowned prince of my whereabouts” I dropped orders quickly.

The woman and I took on our heels, my guards ran after me.

The haste and strength of the old woman surprised me. Indeed.. Agbara iya ti ọmọ rẹ wa ninu wahala ko le ṣe afiwe

we got to the small compound and I rushed into the hut with her while the guards waited outside.

The girl was almost lifeless in the laps of her sister. The woman fell to her

“Obiageli, Obiageli” the mother called.

Her legs were covered in blood and she was struggling for breath. I bent down and touched her arm, her palm covered in blood too.

Ngozi and the midwife ran in too.

“Greetings your highness” she bowed

“What are you doing? Attend to her quickly!” I half yelled.

She asked us to excuse her

We all left the room and went outside. Ngozi tried to soothe the sister while I held the mother on the floor. After a while the midwife walked out

I stood up

“yes? How is she?” I asked

“Your highness, she was raped brutally”

“What?!” We all exclaimed

“She’s losing a lot of blood and I think we need assistance from the traditional herbalist or ” she nodded her head sadly.

The women burst out in louder tears.

“I sent for the herbalist, why is he not here yet?!!” I yelled.

One of the guards rushed off, the midwife went back inside.

I looked around, she’s losing blood, she’s losing blood. What do I do?

I looked left-right and ran into one of the farms.

“The princess! Go after the princess!” I heard the guard yelled from behind.

They all went after me..

I ran in as fast as I could, searching herbs and leaves.

I plucked as much as I could and started running back. Something suddenly spite me

“Ahhh!” I screamed

“My princess! My princess! It’s a snake”

They panicked. Ngozi took the leaves from me and one of the guards carried me.

We got back to the hut, I was in pain.

“The princess was bitten by a snake”

They announced on arrival.

“Get me a mortal and pestle, water and a cup quickly”

“But my princess” Ngozi counted

“Quickly” I yelled and she left to the back.

Emeka, one of my personal guards bent down to my feets, tied my leg tightly and started sucking out the bad blood.

“chi ala anyi!!!” The old woman screamed

I started preparing the herbs quickly

The sister ran out of the hut

“my sister is barely responding,somebody please help us, Onye mere ezinụlọ m ihe a?”

I took the pounded leave and squeezed the water out of it.

“Take, give this to her to drink” I ordered.

I was feeling pains and my leg was starting to swell. Sweat pouring out my forehead already

The girl was starting to respond slowly till the herbalist ran in with a maid and guard of mine behind him

“Greetings my….”

“Attend to the maiden quickly!”

I stopped his greetings.

I began to feel dizzy, I lost consciousness and regained it again in a jiffy. I was starting to have a light head.

“We have to take the princess to the palace quickly, hurry up!” I heard faint voices and hands on me.

I stood up and lost consciousness immediately, it was dark and I could only hear silent screams. Urhmmm

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Ikenna (POV)

I was restless and uncomfortable. I roamed to and fro at the entrance of the palace.

I contemplated on whether to join her or not, atleast one of the guards recognized the woman and knows her compound.

What if she needs my help? Barely five guards went with her and of recent I hate to have her out of my sight.

Somebody touched my shoulders, I jumped in shock

“Calm down brother” it was Emenike.

I sighed

“What is it? You seem restless” he asked.

I stopped moving and brushed my forehead.

“The guards said a woman came here crying and looking for the princess because her daughter was bleeding and dying” I replied him .

He gave me the *and so?* Look

“The thing is that she went with the woman but I feel really restless” I told him.

He smiled

“it’s nice to see how much love has done to you” he laughed and I joined him

We stopped

“Relax, she’s simply doing her duties” he patted my back, I smiled and nodded.

“Your highness, your highness!!”

We both turned, my heart ached at the sight. Why is..? Why is she..?

“My prince” I ran and took her out of his hands

“Call the Royal herbalist quickly!” Emenike shouted

“He is attending to someone else on the Princess’s orders” one of the maid replied.

I turned back to them

“Someone else? the crowned Princess is unconscious and you stand there and tell me that he is attending to someone else?!!” I yelled

They moved back in fear

“What is all the havoc about? Chineke! What happened to her?” Father walked in, with mother behind him

“She was bitten by a poisonous snake while searching herbs for the daughter of the woman who came to seek audience from the princess earlier”

My eyes almost popped out, a poisonous snake? A snake? I looked at her and blood was already streaming out of her mouth.

My thinking was far and I paid no attention to all the things they were all saying. The herbalist! What do I do? They are other herbalist but it will take much time to get here and Adenike, she’s

“Stop!” I shunned all their conversations.

“Go quickly, to the Princess’s house. Tell her father that the princess was bitten by a snake”

“Ok my prince!”

“Hurry!!”

I know for a fact the westerners are known for their specialties in herbs. I took her to our hut and placed her on the bed.

Ngozi brought a bowl of water and a piece of cloth to clean her face, she was sweating profusely.

Is this the gods way of taking my wife? Is this her punishment for doing what’s right? Is this the reward for selflessness?

“ough! ough! ahem!” She coughed out blood and lost consciousness again.

I held her hand to my lips, please don’t leave me, please don’t leave me.

“Somebody please help me, she’s dying” I cried. Tears gathered in my tears and fell on her hand

Emenike held my shoulder from behind.

“What is taking them so long?” Father asked

“What if her father isn’t home?” Mother added

They are gathered in the room, including Chioma. Wait! What if her father isn’t home? What will happen then?

“Look, I don’t care who the traditional herbalist is attending to but he should be done by now. Go for him quickly!” I heard father yell

“Someone should also go for the herbalist at the Umuagwo main market. We’re talking about the crowned Princess here, go now!”

He gave more orders.

I simply watched Adenike, Ngozi kept cleaning her face to reduce the heat pouring out her body.

I looked at the leg, it was bruised and swollen.

I kissed her hand “please stay with me,Biko obi m”

“Ọmọ mi, nibo ni ọmọ mi wa, where’s my child?” It was her father

I stood up, bent close to her

“Where did she go that a snake bite her?” Her mother cried and went to the other side.

She held her hand and caressed her head

Her father gave Ngozi some leaves

“Please pound this in a mortal, squeeze out the liquid into a cup and bring it. Please be fast, we’re losing her” he said and she ran along

He packed another set of leaves into his mouth and said somethings in his dialect. He brought it out and placed it on top of the wound.

“Please give me warm water”

He requested. I hoped for the best, I was anxious and uneasy

Ngozi brought the cup back and soon they brought the warm water. Her mother caressed her hand softly

“She’s not responding” her mother cried out after a while.

“She will” her father replied.

I prayed in my heart, everyone anticipated.

She coughed out, her breathe pitch heightened. Her father raised her up and gave her something to drink, she drank slowly and started coughing. I bent down to her legs.

“Mother!” She mumbled.

“I’m here dear, I’m here” she kissed her hand and smiled.

Adenike’s eyes were still closed. her father cleaned her face and body with water.

She wasn’t responding anymore

“Wait! Why isn’t she responding anymore?” I panicked.

“She’s fine now, she’s sleeping. Let her rest now. We’ll be outside” her father answered

I nodded and bowed to him.

Emenike patted my back and left

“Don’t worry, she’ll be fine” mother assured me

Everyone left the room. I sat on the floor beside the bed, holding her hand.

Are they tormenting me?

I worry about her even when she’s in my arms. This is unbearable, is this what it means to love someone?

My heart not only beats for love but also of worries.

I can’t stand the thought of losing her, it makes me mad and restless.

Sharp pains pierce my soul and my head becomes light

I am completely in love with this woman, please don’t take her away from me. Don’t threaten to even lay a finger on her. I don’t know what I could do.