To Be A Queen✔️

Chapter 7

Adaeze's POV

I didn't sleep a wink last night. I had this inkling feeling that everything wouldn't go as planned. I had prayed to the gods and my Chi that my marriage to the King would not hold.

"Do you prefer this beads with blood shade or the one with the shade  of the night my princess?" Which bead to wear was the least of my problems right now. "Choose" I replied curtly.

She started putting the beads with the shade of the night on my wrists and neck. Another maid was applying Uli on my body. She looked so engrossed painting my arms with it that one would think it was her wedding and not mine.

"Sister!! You look so beautiful!" My sister practically screamed "Am not even done with the paintings Ola" I replied trying to mentally clear my eardrums. "You still look beautiful either ways sister"

"Is it not to early to be prepared for the wedding Ola? Even I the bride is yet to finish preparing" I asked really curious. My sister is not one to keep to time. She smiled broadly "I wanted to be the first person to wish you well before anyone and ward off evil forces. Seeing as mother is not here to do it."

That was when I noticed the palm fronts she was holding. As if on queue the maids told us that they were through with the paintings and left.

Without any other thing being said she started praying to the gods and warding off evil forces that wouldn't make my marriage work.

"May the gods protect you. May they give you sons to continue yours and your husbands legacy and daughters to take care of you" she said touching my belly. "May your children be protected from all evil forces. May you conquer your enemies both those hidden and those not hidden. May the gods protect you from all evil eyes and keep you safe." She said finishing the prayer.

I just sat there stunned. What an Irony. "Am going to miss troubling you sister" she sniffed. I gently cleaned the tear that fell from her eyes.

One of the things I have always admired about Olanna was that she doesn't hide her emotions. It's amazing how she can easily express herself without even talking most times. Unlike me.

"I promise to always visit you when I have the chance. I would have wished to follow you but I might not be traveling to anywhere anytime soon" I immediately became alert "Why? Are you sick?!" She laughed lightly "No" she said.

She looked around before turning to me and said in a hushed tune "I think I might be carrying" I blinked once, twice "What!? Since when!!?" " shhh lower your voice. Am not yet sure. I will be going to Mama Mgbeke's house later today to confirm it" she said holding her belly. She was smiling broadly now her tears long forgotten. "I am so happy we are having a child together. It has always being my dream"

She said dreamily.

" I have to go now. Look I know you will be able to take care of yourself even in a strange land. You are strong Adaeze. You will be alright, I trust that mother will watch over you from her grave" she said before leaving

Whatever happens I must make sure Olanna never marries the King.

Edikan's POV

"Why are you smiling?" Eno - Obong asked me. "What do you mean? Can't I be happy for once? It's my wedding day after all" I replied. He looked more confused. "Are you indirectly telling me that you have fallen for the princess?" he asked "And why do you think it's not possible?" I replied. "You are dodging my questions" he said narrowing his eyes "Then stop asking" I told him wearing my stop asking look.

He sighed loudly. "I just hope whatever you planned wouldn't sabotage this union. You will be seen as one who is not trustworthy and you will also be tainting your father's name. So think wisely, my King"

Now it was my turn to sigh. Of course I know that. That was the reason I came all the way to this Kingdom from mine so as not to taint my late father's name.

"I wouldn't and you know it. What I have planned would not taint his image am sure of it." " Oh!!! So you admit you are planning something" he said like he just discovered that fishes could swim. "Tell me tell me"  I smiled smugly "You will have to see it for yourself"

***************************

"I have had a change of mind. You will be getting married to me and not my sister. It's not like you could have her anyway. She is married and tainted." Adaeze said

I had pushed Eno - Obong out of my hut after he kept asking me to tell him what my plan was. I was about leaving for the throne grounds when Adaeze badged into my hut. Which brings us to were we are now.

"I have already made up my mind princess. And you can't badge into my hut and start commanding me on what to do. I might be a guest in your land but I am still a King!! And so you have to show some respect. The fact that we are getting married doesn't mean you should do otherwise."

She breathed out "Well that means we are getting married. Good, see you outside." She said and left without saying any other thing. She didn't even apologize!!!

"She is really Olanna's sister."

*******************************

Everyone had gathered to the throne grounds. Everyone wants to get the glimpse of the princess and what was going on.

Inter - ethnic unions were rare since people naturally married within their villages because other cultures always seems foreign to them.
But this marriage will be conducted according to Adaeze's culture. Since she is the bride.

Surprisingly I realized that we have similar cultures when it comes to marriages. Uncle Mfon had come earlier to perform the first stage known as the 'Ndidiong Ufok'  (to know the house)

I was supposed to come with them but I was just coronated and it wasn't wise to leave the throne vacant just couple of nights I was crowned.

This was necessary so as to avoid what we had went through the first day we came here. Uncle Mfon could have come with us but he had fallen from a palm tree few nights before we set off for this journey. The healer had said that he would be needing some bed rest for many moons to come. If he had come with us we wouldn't have any trouble locating the palace on our first day.

At least I met Olanna.

I had to shake my head to relieve myself of such thoughts.

The second stage is called 'Nkong Udok' what I came to know that the Igbos call it "Iku aka n'uzo" (knocking on the door) which is what we have come for. But since our lands were far we had stayed instead of going back and coming back again to perform the marriage rites.

I wonder why most people find it difficult to marry from another tribe with the excuse that they practice a strange culture when our cultures are almost the same.

I decided to veer my mind off of marriage activities and admire the throne grounds. I thought that the throne ground was beautifully decorated before but I was wrong. The decorators actually outdid themselves this time. The painted the wooden pillars with different colourful chalks and hung cowries and beads on the pillars. They also changed the animal skin on the floor. And on the king's throne from a lion skin to a leopard skin.

I have heard tales about King Anayo being a great hunter. The collection of wild animal heads and skins has proved that tale to be true. I was admiring the decorations when I saw her.

Olanna wore a regal attire for the first time since I arrived to this land and she looked like royalty. She looks so ethereal. The way she walked screamed royalty. I have no idea why I concluded she was commoner.

It was like she just wore a royal attire and the way of royals just imbibed itself in her. She was meant to be a royal.

She had no markings on her body like the other maidens but she still stood out more than the others. "Adaeze has arrived" My friend whispered to me. I had to look away from her reluctantly.

Once Adaeze came in the King stood from his throne. It seems he will be the one presiding over the ceremony Its now or never.

"I will not marry Adaeze" I said calmly but loud enough for everyone in the throne grounds to hear. And they did because they all froze.