THE CROWN - EPISODE 43

I sat at the courtyard waiting patiently for Mmesoma while I had some mangoes.

She wanted me to accompany her to the market and I was happy about it,

I’d be able to thank the Great mothers of our land again for finally acknowledging their rights.

“Did you wash these?” I asked Ngozi who sat opposite me on a small stool.

“Yes your highness”

I saw Chioma and the maids assigned to her heading to my direction.

I braced myself for whatever she was coming to say. Ikenna has been spending time with her more than usual and I’m sure she’s here to throw it at my face.

“Greetings your highness” the maids behind her chorused

“Greetings Princess Adenike” Chioma added.

I nodded my head in order to their greetings, I had something in my mouth. I swallowed

“Why have you come here?”

I questioned, she was standing close to me but I didn’t raise my head to spare her a glance.

“Your.. ” she coughed “your highness I could love to talk to you”

I dusted the perching fly on my legs

“Go on”

“Privately”

I raised my head to her, the maids behind her and at Ngozi. There was no chair otherwise I’d have permitted her to sit while I finish my Mango before tending to her request.

I dropped and washed my hands in the bowl of clean water.

“Take these ones to Prince Ikenna and Emenike at prince Emenike’s chamber. I’m sure they’ll want some” I said to Ngozi

“Yes your highness” she bowed and left.

The other maids still stood behind Chioma

“Do you want them here while we talk?” I questioned.

“You’re the Crowned Princess and this maids were assigned to me by you, it is your duty to dismiss maids”

There was something different about her, she sounded like humility with a touch of peace bringing energy. What is she up to now?

I looked away and dismissed them with my hands.

She made all sort of wincing sounds, I looked and she was on her knees.

“Why are you…? Your condition” I was confused.

“I’ve come to plead with you not to punish my innocent child for something he knows nothing about. He needs his father’s full attention and he can’t get that if you don’t permit it….”

She cried. I stared at her in awe, What is this? I have never forbidden Ikenna from caring for his child.

“I’m already suffering the loneliness, I don’t want my child to go through that. I appreciate all you do but please let Ikenna take over his responsibilities to our unborn baby.. Biko ka nwata ahu hu ihunanya Nna ya”

She held my feets and pleaded non-stop. I was struck and I couldn’t move or know what to say or do.

“What… why are you doing that with your condition?” Ikenna and Emenike walked in on the scene.

He rushed to her and got her up. She kept crying like an helpless woman

“Princess Adenike why are you doing this? She’s heavily pregnant and it’s bad for the baby” Ikenna scolded me. I just stared at him, no words or expressions.

“Please help me plead with her to let my child have time with his father, that’s all I ask” Chioma cried on.

Ikenna nodded his head like he was disappointed.

“I don’t expect such from you” he said and left with her.

I sighed, I couldn’t believe what just happened. Emenike bent down to me

“Are you okay?” He asked. I looked at him and nodded

“What was that?” I looked shocked.

“Come, I will take you to your chamber” he held my hand and we walked away.

He left me at my chamber and excused himself.

I sat on the bed for a while trying to put things together. Ikenna.. Ikenna said that to me? And Chioma, what was she trying to do?

I should go see what they’re up to, I stood up and sat down back.

That’s unnecessary, I might end up blowing up. With my recent moods I’d hate to say anything I’d regret thereafter.

Mmesoma came and we headed out together with few guards and maids.

On our way she kept gisting about her new found crush and the only thing on my mind was my husband’s sudden changes towards his child or rather Chioma. Was it just him caring for his child’s host or was there more?

“Adenike…nike!!”

Mmesoma yelled me out of my thoughts.

“Are you okay? Is something bothering you?”

I forced a smile quickly and wrapped my hand on her shoulders.

“did we take a longer route, we seem to have been walking for a while now and honestly, I’m tired”

I didn’t know if to bother her about something that didn’t seem like a burden to worry about.

“You’ve been becoming very lazy, you need to start doing some hard chores”, she said we both laughed.

It was dinner,

I sat next Ikenna while he sat next to Chioma. She was having dinner with the family and Ikenna sat between us.

It was quiet and peaceful.

There was an obvious space between me and Ikenna and I’m sure everyone noticed this.

We hadn’t really talked since the incidence with his mistress.

I picked on my food cause for some reasons it made me feel nauseous.

“Princess Adenike” the King called. I turned

“Yes Father”

“Could you like a different meal prepared?” He questioned.

I looked at the food on my plate

“No father, I’m not feeling hunger. I will eat later. Excuse me” I stood up and left in a hurry before anyone could question me.

Ngozi trailed behind me.

“I want the wrappers on this shelve to be replaced with new ones from my personal chambers. Bright colors please, this dull looking makes me feel dizzy”

I told her and she bowed and started carrying out my orders immediately.

I went in to have a bath.

The touch of water on my skin made me shiver. Was I overthinking everything?

I finished and went to the room, he was there. I went to the shelve and picked a wrapper.

Ngozi seeked audience and came in, she bowed and went to the shelve to continue my orders.

“You’re dismissed, it’s late. You can continue tomorrow” I heard Ikenna tell her. She bowed again and left.

I got dressed and walked to the other side, there was food there.

“I brought you something to eat, you left dinner in a hurry. Is anything the matter?”

He asked. I heard his footsteps get closer to me. I nodded

“I just want to sleep, I’m tired” I sat on the bed and adjusted my wrapper.

He still stood there, he bent down and took my hands in his.

“Something is wrong, are you upset about something or with me? You haven’t said a word to me all day”

Was he trying to play dumb or he didn’t know what he did?

“No Ikenna, let me rest”

He sighed, looked down

“If this is about what happened earlier with Chioma then I apologize. You know it’s bad for her to be doing that in her condition and I reacted that way because of my child’s health”

I had a plain expression and simply looked away from him.

“You think I made her knee down, you believe I’d risk the health of your child? Look I am too tired for any of this, you believe whatever you want to” I told him and pulled my hands free from his.

His knees fell to the floor

“Did I make you knee down now? No”

“Adenike I’m sorry, I overreacted and I’m sorry”

“Your highness! Your highness!” We heard from outside.

“Come” he replied.

It was one of the maids assigned to Chioma. She bowed

“It’s the Princess your highness, she’s in pains”

She said. The princess! Am I a joke to these people?

Ikenna stood up

“The princess? Are you drunk? Does my father have a daughter? Is my brother married yet?”

“No your highness, forgive me”

“The next time you make such silly mistake I’d send you back to where you came from. There’s only one Princess in this kingdom until my brother finds his soulmate, now get out of my sight”

She ran off. He turned to look at me

“Didn’t you hear? Your child needs your attention” I told him. He nodded

“Come, we’ll go together” he said.

I want to but I feel tired and lazy to even get up on my feet let alone walk such distance.

“Leave, I want to sleep”

I laid down and closed my eyes.

“You can fall asleep there if you want” I added and swallowed nothing down my throat.

I opened my eyes and he was gone, I turned over to the other side and soon I fell asleep.

My eyelids flattered open, I yawned and sat up. He’s not here, did he spend the night out again? I heard noise so I turned, he walked out from the bathroom.

“You’re awake” he walked over to me andl pecked my lips. I watched him, he untied his wrapper

I looked away, I heard him chuckle. He got dressed and sat on the bed next to me.

“I want you to accompany me today, get dressed” he caressed my thighs.

“You didn’t have anything to eat last night, what do you want for breakfast?”

It’s a new day and I was indeed starving.. I should think less and simply enjoy his company.

“Roasted yam and.. no just roasted yam” I replied. He smiled and brushed my hair back.

“I will get it for you, go bath”

I stood up and went to prepare.

I got dressed before he returned with the yam. He dropped it on the stool and gestured me to come eat. I sat and the aroma irritated me.

“Is something wrong?” He asked noticing my change of mood.

“I don’t want to eat this”

“What? But you…”

“I know what I said, get me fruits” I told him. He looked at me confused but nodded.

“Infact nevermind, let’s go” I stood up and went to put on my beads.

We left the hut together, it was quite bright outside and the sun was set. I did make up pretty late, didn’t even make it to breakfast.

“Your highness” the guards bowed.

“Stay back” Ikenna told them off. He took my hand and we started walking

“My prince” we heard and stopped. I turned before he did and it was Chioma walking towards us.

Her hand was on her waist and she took slow steps to us.

“Greetings My prince, my princess. May you live long” she bowed her head.

“Yes? What is it Chioma?” Ikenna asked her.

“My prince, are you heading out for a stroll? I’ve wanted to do that but no one to accompany me”

“Get straight to the point” he said

“Can I come along? the midwife said it’s good for our baby”

I saw Ikenna steal a glance at me from the corners of my eyes. Chioma had a smile on and she looked all excited.

I waited for Ikenna to say something but it was taking so long for him to answer her request.

“I will accompany you later” he finally said.

Later? Alone? Will I be okay with that?

“No, come with us. It’s just a stroll”

I said.

“Guards!!” I yelled and they assembled.

I called for a few maids too

“I wanted to be alone with you” he he whispered. I paid deaf ears.

We all left together. I walked next to Ikenna while Chioma was next to me.

It was quiet. The silence was killing me, the drift between us killed me more.

“Greetings your majesties, May you live long”

I forced a smile to the maiden, he walked pass us.

Ikenna took my hand and held it, I looked at him and he smiled.

“Do you want to visit anywhere?” He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. I nodded

“You’ve been quiet” he stopped walking and we all did.

He turned me to face him

“Something is missing” he said searching my eyes. I gestured

“Your smile, is something the matter? I hate to see you like this”

He pulled me closer and crashed on my lips, I kissed him back.

“Ahhh” Chioma suddenly screamed. He pulled away and quickly rushed to her.

He held her waist and cried “my stomach o, my back! Chimo”

Ikenna wrapped his hand around her waist, she held tightly to him.

“Gịnị ugbu a? Let’s head back to the palace”

I ordered and we started moving slowly to her pace. She screamed at every step she took

“I can’t walk anymore, I’m tired” she said.

“Guard, carry her”

“It’s fine, I will” Ikenna insisted and sweeped her off her feet.
,
She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his chest. I acted calm but deep down I was boiling anger and uncomfortable with the new phase.

We got to the palace and headed for her hut. Ikenna slowly dropped her on the bed. why won’t she stop crying already?

“Where does it hurt?” He questioned. The maid brought her water, he helped her drink.

“My waist, massage it” she whined

He glanced at me, I folded my hands like I was unbothered. He massaged her waist, I folded my fists

“My feets, they hurt” she dropped her legs on his thighs. I turned and left to my chamber

I withheld for a while before breaking down in tears. Maybe mother was right, I do need to bear a child soon or I’m afraid of what will happen.

I trust my husband, I do but I don’t trust the father in him to a child that isn’t from my womb.

gods of our land please forgive me and bless me with a child of mine. I don’t know how long I can stay wrong and understanding

I trust my husband, I do but I don’t trust the father in him to a child that isn’t from my womb.

gods of our land please forgive me and bless me with a child of mine.

I don’t know how long I can stay wrong and understanding…