THE CROWN - EPISODE 48

It was thick night, the moon and stars were in hiding somewhere grieving with me.

The night was quiet, only the crying crickets could be heard.

My eyelids flattered open, there was weight on my lower abdomen. I looked and it was his hand around me.

I took it off carefully and stood up from the bed. Staring at him like it wasn’t the same man I love, he was suddenly too much.

I turned to the entrance and walked out, the guards had fallen asleep on the bare floor.. fighting mosquitoes and cold.

All these security couldn’t protect my child.

I looked around and goose bumps covered my skin.

I went to my personal chamber and roamed around the room.

The loneliness was killing me but I was ready to wait till it was dawn to leave.

The palace choked me, it clinged on my guts like crab clicking on the skin.

My feets glued to the floor till I heard the cock crow.

I went out and looked around, no one was up yet. I left the palace and headed straight for the stream, it was the only place I could think of that will ease me.

I sat on the floor with my legs in the water, it was so cold.

I held myself tightly and swallowed hard.

The tears gathered in my throat rather than my eyes.

I almost got killed twice, one for standing up for the truth and the second through poisoning.

If I wasn’t pregnant I would probably have died. The guilt that my unborn child died instead of me is killing me.

He took a false that wasn’t his, my innocent baby.

Slowly the morning got bright and I knew they will be searching for me.

I want to find out who tried to kill me, who made me lose this much.

I don’t care how much it’s going to hurt to finding out who it is.

Nothing is going to hurt more than losing my unborn child.

If Ikenna won’t do it then I will, I would never understand his relationship with that woman but mine will come first whether he likes it or not.

I heard heavy footsteps, there they go.

“Adenike..” I heard his voice.

I kept mute and still. His hand touched my shoulder from behind, I refused to look up at him.

“Obi m” he called.

I shrugged his hand off my shoulder and waggled my legs in the water.

My eyes fixed to the waves of the water.

“Nike…” Someone else called.

My mood lightened a bit.

I looked up and it was her, I stood up immediately and hugged her. She caressed the back of my head gently.

I understand what Ikenna means when he said it’s gonna hurt to find out the truth about who tried to kill me.

It’s going to hurt because I love these people so much and yet they tried to kill me.

Mmesoma is my bestfriend, she stood in front of me and fought for my sake countless times.

She went with me everywhere and did everything a true friend would do. I find comfort in her, it’s normal that she’ll do me no harm

I released from her hold, she touched my cheek

“We were worried, come”

she took my hand and walked. I avoided eye contacts with Ikenna.

The guards gave way and we passed.

There was a number of maidens waiting to use the stream, they bowed.

Mmesoma held my hand all the way to the palace.

“My dear, oh thank the gods.. you’re safe.. Nwa m”

Mother hovered around me.

They must’ve been so worried and searched hard. She hugged me and patted my back.

I looked at everyone, the guards, the maids, the king, Queen, my parents, Emenike, my husband and then his mistress.

We fixed our eyes at each other as I tried to see through her.

Mother released me from the hug but I refused to get my eyes off that woman.

“How are you? Are you okay?” Mother questioned non-stop.

Chioma’s lips moved in a smirk and I smiled, there you have it.

“My king….” I called and watched her move her shoulders nonchalantly

“I want the Ezemmuo summoned immediately” I said and her folded arms fell to her glutes

“Adenike let’s not do….”

“With immediate effect, your majesty” I added cutting Ikenna off.

My eyes still fixed to her while I heard the King give his orders.

I know she’ll try to get ahead of me but I won’t let that happen. I heard she was not in the palace that very day, then she must have a confederate.

“And also your Majesty, nobody should be permitted to step out of the palace too. I want the villagers to also be present so we all find out who tried to kill the future Queen of Umuagwo”

I said and finally took my eyes off her. I looked at Mother and Baami

“Stay for the ceremony” I told them and walked away as they paved way for me to pass.

I went and had a bath, I was still bleeding and it was hurting.

I changed into something dark. I sat to wear my beads and also draw beautiful Uli on my skin.

I sighed heavily and closed my eyes

“Why are dressed like that?”

I flinched from the sudden voice but stayed cool. It was Ikenna

I went ahead to arrange my stuff properly

“Did I dress any different from usual?” I questioned him too. He walked in front of me

“Do you realize that if the person is found out, he or she will be killed instantly?”

I dusted the hem of wrapper and adjusted the chest piece to cover more cleavage than it was already.

Paying him no attention at all will save my strength for the reality I’m about to face

“Adenike, if it so happens to be…..” He stopped and grunted

“Adenike I can’t lose another child, try to understand” he said. He is scared too?

“You know that she is the one who tried to kill me? Or you’re looking at possibilities?”

I posed at him waiting to hear him say something that will give me more doubt at the man I’ve grown to love.

“Adenike…”

“Go on your highness, say it! Give me more reasons to believe that you’re….. Ikenna save yourself even more embarrassment”

I turned and sat back down. I picked a fan and used it slowly, shrugging my shoulders.

“Leave! I want to be alone”

I need time to relax my nerves for the worst.

“Adenike don’t do this, let’s talk about this”

We both turned when we heard the drum roll, there it goes.

The Ezemmuo has arrived and everything is about to kick off, finally I will come face to face with my child’s murderer.

I will see who have taken my love for granted and who has questioned my strength.

I stood up to his face, I glanced at his lips and then his eyes. Is this the man I want?,

“Come, let’s see if we’ll mourn another child…”

I moved closer to him till my chest hit his

“Or not”

I picked my horsetail and readjusted myself before walking away from him. I stopped at the door and turned

He was still standing there

“I’m waiting” I said.

He looked down, released his fist and walked to me. took my hand and we left together

The villagers were no doubt present, the entire Royal family, my parents, the king’s cabinet, Mmesoma and the palace labourers.

We went and sat on the chair reserved for us.

“Onye maara ihe, Onye na-anụ mmụọ… We have summoned you here today to know who dare tried to take the life of the crowned Princess when even the gods has spared her life all these years”

the king started with praises. His voice echoed loudly and the authority in his voice could be heard.

“The first seed of the first seed from your groins have also be sent back to his maker at no appropriate time. Your majesty.. the gods are angry that it took you too long to unleash fire” the Ezemmuo said.

He sat on her baboo mat, his aides stood behind him and the cowries he tossed around.

“Eye of the gods, what are you trying to say?” Igwe questioned

“Urhmmm…Otu mmiri a na-eji na-eme ka azụ̀ dị ndụ bụ otu mmiri ahụ e ji egbu ya. The fish dies by the same water it survives on”

The Ezemmuo continued to drop words.

Words that are hardly understood by common men. I sat up, whoever has done this is definitely close to me. Who could it be?

“Ezemmuo, speak to us in a layman terms. We’re eager to know the truth that we seek” one of the elders said.

I looked at Ikenna beside me, he was sweating. If Chioma is indeed responsible for this then he is bound to lose another child because I will not spare her.

“If you have done this, speak now to lessen your penalty otherwise death awaits you!!!” One of the aides yelled holding a calabash and going round.

No one said anything, I swallowed hard and held my fist tightly.

“SPEAK!!”

It was quiet. I wanted to close my eyes but I also want to come face to face to the murderer. My teeth gritted and my jawlines tightened.

“I said Speak! SPEAK!! SPEAK NOW!!”

“It wasn’t me, sh.. she..she made me do it. I didn’t want to but she told me to. I’m sorry, forgive me.. please don’t kill me, please don’t” I heard someone cry.

That voice! I was too scared to look at who it was

Everyone gasped. I turned and looked at her, Ngozi?

Why didn’t I think of her? She serves all my meals and also served the fruits I had that day.

I stood up

“Who.. who” I stopped to inhale

“Who made you do this to me?”

I questioned. She was shaking profusely

“Her! My princess she did! she made me poison you”

she pointed her index finger to the opposite direction. I followed it and it fell on Mmesoma….

No! No! Please don’t do this to me..