Amile The Queen

Chapter Sixty-Nine

***Langalethu Zulu***

Thulisile is back. She brought back the rest of his things that he had left behind. Now he is fully transitioning back to the palace, he’s not left with much of a choice. He’s still sleeping in the allocated room, he still feels like an outsider, and he doesn’t want to cross the boundaries just as yet.
Thuli is sitting on the floor folding his clothes and packing them neatly into the wardrobe.
“I have a meeting with the council later today.” he announced.
“Oh yes, and when is the press conference?”
“Tomorrow. MaGumede organized everything.”
“How is she holding up?” he gave a small smile.
“She’s a resolute young lady. Her strength is admirable and she’s making this whole transition easier for the both of us.”
“So she agrees to the marriage?”
“Surprisingly yes. I mean she understands the reason why we have to do it, but she’s on board.”
“For everyone’s well-being.” he nodded.
“I’m going to miss having you around shlobo.” she said throwing a t-shirt at him.
He caught it and laughed.
“How are you going to miss me when I was half dead most of the time?”
“You gave me back my love for healing, now I can go back to helping people.”
This went downwards for her after her brother died. She had to be strong for her sister-in-law like her brother asked her to, and she forgot about herself. When he came, it was right at the time when she as trying to get back to her feet, and he made everything easier.
“I owe you my life. In fact, you should be my right hand man, and the royal seer.” she shook her head.
“You know I can’t. I’m a woman, they would never agree upon that.”
“At the end of the day, that decision is mine to take, not anyone else. Imagine having a repeat of what happened to Banzi. I know I can trust you, and I know I won’t find anyone as good as you.”
“Ufika nje, usufuna ukuphula umthetho?”
“If they want a queen ruling the kingdom, surely they can bear having a woman as the royal seer.”
She shook her head and continued packing his clothes.
“Thank you shlobo.” he said throwing the t-shirt back at her.
She laughed and threw it on the pile of unfolded clothes.
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He’s ready for the meeting with the council. He asked MaGumede to accompany him because he doesn’t know these men, not that he expects her to know them. She’s just coming with him for moral support. He needs it.
He’s sitting in the lounge waiting for her. He keeping himself occupied with his thoughts because he has noting better to do. He hears wheel rolling down the stairs. He stands up and see’s MaMzobe carrying her luggage. Three bags to be exact. He rushes to her and blocks her way.
“Where are you going?”
“Home, I have nothing waiting for me here anymore. The children are with Khethukuthula, that’s if you will fight me for them.” he grabs one bag.
“I shouldn’t be letting you go. You have fucked this family over, we are where we are right now because of you and by right, you should be in jail.” 
“Banzi is dead. I’ve made peace with that. I think it’s time you do the same. That is why I’m leaving, for the well being of everyone.”
“Nontuthu?” he’s stunned to say the least.
“What? Arrest me if you want, I don’t know how that will change anything. It will only be a lifetime of bad luck on your side for arresting the love of your brothers life.” emotional blackmail.
“Even in those mourning clothes, you are still conniving and sly.”
“Ungithanda nginjalo.” she pushed him out of the way and he flew like lightweight.
He staggered and held onto the table next to him, almost knocking over the vase on it. He was not expecting that.
“I’m ready.” he stood up straight and turned around.
She was standing in the passageway staring at Nontuthuzelo. He couldn’t read her face, both their faces. 
“Does Nkosi know about this?” MaMzobe asked looking directly at Amile.
She swallowed hard and kept a straight face.
“What he doesn’t know won’t hurt him.” that was Amile’s response.
He can’t help but feel that there is some underlying issue here. Maybe he missed something. He still had questions about what he saw that night, but he is in no position to be questioning her about her life, he is a non-factor. Maybe it has something to do with that reaction he gave yesterday when he walked into them ‘holding’ hands. He’s not going to pry though, the best bet is to shut his mouth and continue with life. It will come up when it is supposed to.
“MaGumede let’s go.”
They are already running late, and last time he checked, anyone who’s late to a council meeting gets fined. He’s not king yet so he’s not excluded from that rule. She walked past the staircase where MaMzobe was standing, staring at her, and out the door, her heels making a loud clicking sound on the tiles.
“Go, if I even see you breathe next to those children, I won’t be responsible for what I do to you.” he hissed.
Sometimes he gets flashes of anger. He knows this is because he bottles things up and when they build up, he always bursts. He’s been harboring so much hate for Nontuthuzelo, from the time she left him for his brother, to finding out she was plotting to kill her. He’s still holding himself back, if it wasn’t for the circumstance, and who she is to him, he would’ve shred her to pieces already.
She saw the look on his face and rushed passed him. She knows better than to try him when he is like this. When she was out the door, he slammed his fist against the wall and took a deep breath in, trying to calm down as he felt his heart racing.
“Not now.” he said gasping for another breath.
He put his hand on his chest and practised breathing exercises. He believes she’s not worth it, he can’t let her win.