THE CROWN - EPISODE 41

I opened my eyes and there she was, in my arms where she truly belongs.

Her hair was scattered on her face and it reminded me of how much pleasured work I put her through the previous night.

It was beautiful and worth every wait.

Now I understand her unreadiness and eagerness to give me herself before going for the execution.

I arranged her hair, I’ve never felt this much a man in my life.

She makes me feel another level of love and giddiness.

She makes my heart beat rapidly and she makes me strong and weak at the same go.

I kissed her forehead, she moved, stretched out a bit before opening her eyes.

She looked up at me and smiled shyly.

“Hmm, Good morning your highness”

she said in a sweet delicate voice.

She yawned and relaxed back on my chest.

“Good morning my Queen” I kissed her forehead.

“Ah ah…” She raised her head

“Are you killing your father?”

“Of course not, you’re the Queen of my heart not Umuagwo’s yet” I replied and we laughed.

We stared at each other,

I stroked her eyebrows.

It felt as though she was melting countlessly in my arms.

Her soft bare body on mine still sent shivers down my spine.

“So you were a pure maiden”

I started a conversation.

I couldn’t help talk about it considering how low we thought of her.

I’ve had women in and out of the land but I’ve never met a virgin. I must be blessed to have met one in my wife.

She nodded

“Why are you surprised?”
She questioned

“You’re too beautiful, I know men came so what made you….”I stopped talking.

She rested her head back on my chest, her fingers ran on my body. My eyes closed and I sighed

“What made me what? Choose to respect my body? Or what made me choose to honour myself and the man meant to be my husband?” She completed in her preference

“Either” I placed a kiss on her head.

“It doesn’t really matter, it was worth everything”

“Yes, it was” I raised her jaw to look at me, she smiled.

“I’m sorry”

I said even though I didn’t know when it came out or why but I was infact sorry.

I was sorry for treating her more than she deserved.

I was sorry for everything she went through or she’s still going through as my wife.

“For what?”

I shrugged my shoulders

“For being my wife?” I replied.

She sat up a bit. “Why would you say a thing like that?”

“Ever since we got married you’ve been facing one problem or the other. From my brother’s obsession to my mother’s sudden hatred towards you. How I treated you when we first got married and even brought in my.. my mistress with a child”

“Shhh”

She placed her index finger on my lips and nodded her head sideways.

“Don’t be like that, it hasn’t been easy and it wasn’t for you either but I forgive you and I give myself peace rather than worrying. What matters to me now is what we have and I hope it stays this way”

She searched my eyes.

Her words sounded like doubts to me but in her eyes I saw none. For a woman who finally trusted someone enough to give herself to,

that was nothing but love and indeed it was all that mattered.

“I love you, I love you so much Adenike”

I reached for her lips and kissed her

Her tongue coiled up with mine and my teeth arched for her lower lip. She pulled back and smiled

“Breakfast will soon me served and they’ll come send for us” she said attempting to move away from me. I pulled her back

“I took care of all that, no one will be disturbing us today”

“What? Why did you do that? I have a lot scheduled for the day”

“I want to spend time with my wife, is that too much to ask?”

I hugged her to myself kissing her all over.

We were both still unclad and it was sending shivers to my spine.

“Hold on” she stopped.

“What are you trying to do?” She looked like she had a frown. I chuckled

“I want you”

“No way, it was too painful. I’m not interested”

she folded her hands akimbo. I almost laughed but that will mean a failed mission and I was already erect so I can’t risk the pain.

“I promise it won’t hurt this time”

I tried to convince her.

Physical desires will make a man almost do anything,

let’s not forget that’s also the reason I have a pregnant mistress in the same house as my wife, not so good.

“Okay forget it, let’s get you cleaned up” I told her and she smiled.

I stood up from the bed, she looked all the way down and

“Erm..you..hmm..why..eh”

she started to stammer like she wasn’t the same person who boldly undressed me last night.

“What is it? you undressed me last night that’s why I’m unclad” I laughed.

She gathered the wrapper on her body and threw it at me forgetting that was the only thing covering her bare skin.

“Now we’re even but ahh you’re so beautiful”

I teased and she stood up quickly probably in attempt to run to the bathroom as usual but it was a failed one this time.

I walked to her when she winced in pain.

“ọ ka na-afụ ụfụ?”

I asked holding her shoulder

“Kedu ihe ị chere? my whole body hurts”

I sweeped her off her feets and into the bathroom. I washed her and helped her get dressed.

“Why do act shy like this is the first time I’m helping you get dressed” I pulled her into my chest and tied her wrapper behind.

I rubbed my nose on hers, she smiled.

I want this woman but suddenly I want her even more

I want her to bear my kids and raise them. I want my daughters to be like her and I want my sons to be blessed with women just like her.

I want the villagers to honour her and most importantly… I want this woman to be mine forever.

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Adenike (POV)

I sat in between my parents on the mat. My head was on my father’s thighs and mother massaged my palm.

For some reasons my body is beginning not to feel like mine and I’ve been getting exhausted for some weeks.

“Mother do it properly” I whined.

“kedu ihe na-eme gị? nwa a!” She scolded me.

I pouted my lips and looked at Baami to come to my rescue.

“Please handle her tenderly, she’s the sweetheart of this land” he chipped in and we laughed.

I’ve been here all day and the day is starting to get cold which signifies the cool evening.

I stood up and rested my head on mother’s chest. She laughed and hugged me

“The prince is spoiling you too much” she said

I laughed again “he has no choice”

Father started singing me praises, I smiled and closed my eyes to enjoy the moment.

He suddenly stopped, I opened my eyes to look and raised my head.

“Adenike, Achọrọ m ịgwa gị okwu”

mother said and she sounded serious. I sat up and looked at their faces.

Oh god! This doesn’t look good. They look like they’re about to upset me

“kedu ihe ị chọrọ ịgwa m?” I questioned back.

“Your home is already experiencing an imbalance, don’t you think it’s time you take your stand in the palace?”

Mother said. I was confused at her words and expressions.

“I’m confused”

“Why are you taking so long to give the prince a child?”

“The prince is about to have a child soon, Chioma is heavily pregnant”

They looked at each other, mother sighed heavily

“Exactly, you’re his wife and you need to bare him a child from your womb otherwise…”

“Otherwise what? Nne”

Baami took my hand and smiled

“Ignore your mother, she’s just worrying for nothing. Take your time dear, your home is yours”

He said but I wasn’t convinced.

I kept staring at mother, she looked worried and I didn’t like the fact that she had to worry so much over nothing.

“Nne gee nti, I’m honestly not happy that my husband will be having a child from another woman but you know how much I love my peace, I’ve come to accept my fate a long time ago when I was chosen to be the prince’s wife”

I took her hands and caressed them

“When the time is right the gods will bless me with a child of my own. Don’t worry over nothing”

I completed and she nodded. I smiled.

I walked into the palace and through the back court. The Queen was having her feets massaged

I bowed my head to greet her “Greetings mother” I said and took a step

“Greetings” she replied, shocking guts out of me.

I stopped and turned to her, I looked at Ngozi and back at the Queen.

“Yes? Do you want something?” She asked.

I nodded my head “Nothing your highness”

I walked away.

Is she finally coming to terms with me? Are her doubts starting to clear off or is it something I’ve done of recent?

“My princess do you need anything?” Ngozi questioned

“No, you’re dismissed. Thanks”

She bowed and left.

“Greetings my prince” I heard her say from outside.

I waited for him to come in while taking off my jeweleries.

I felt him wrap his arms around me from behind.

“You spend more time with your parents than with your husband. Should I go with my kinsmen to pay another dowry?”

He sniffled my scent, I giggled.

“You should pay the dowry directly to me this time but this time it’ll cost you more”

“Oh really?” He sucked on my neck. I bit my lower lip smiling.

I quickly remembered the Queen and Said it out loud

“Your Mother responded to my greeting a while ago”

I dropped the heavy beads on the shelve. I turned to him when he said nothing to that regards

“Did you hear what I said?” I questioned

He nodded “if she did then it means she’s gradually letting go of whatever it was keeping her from you”

I shrugged my shoulders and returned to my business.

It made me feel indifferent, his poor show of concern on the relationship his mother and I have.

“I wanted to talk to you about something” he said after a while.

I calmed my nerves and intruding anger to be able to talk to him properly without blowing the heat

I was suddenly feeling inside on him.

“Yes?” I turned and he was seated on the bed.

“I want to know if you’re still comfortable with Chioma here in the palace, I know she’s been giving you a hard time and stuff”

I sighed and brushed my hand into my chest. I didn’t know what to tell him.

Remembering all mother said and now him asking me this.

Is he really going to send his unborn child away at my call? .

“Adenike?”

He called, snapping me out of all the crazy thoughts I was having.

“I know I’ve been neglecting my duties towards Chioma and your child but it doesn’t mean that I don’t want them here anymore. I’ve just been really exhausted and I don’t want you to have to be far from your child”

I said in a rush and suddenly burst out in tears. Ikenna was shocked but I was more surprised at my rush of emotions.

He stood up tome in a haste and held me.

“I’m sorry I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…I” he stuttered and I knew he was confused.

He wiped my face and for some reasons my mood changed into anger and at that point I knew I needed to keep quiet to avoid saying things I’d regret larer.

“You have no duty towards them and you owe nobody nothing, it’s my fault and it’s my responsibility but you’re feelings are also my responsibility so if you don’t feel comfortable I’d….”

“Chioma will have her child here, I’m okay with that” I smiled. He smiled and hugged my head.