me & tomfoolery

Royal Pain pt. 3 | Giannis Antetokounmpo Short Story

"Do you enjoy being Royal?" Sakari asked as she walked alongside Giannis around the ground.

"Enjoy? Not necessarily but, I'm very grateful for what has been afforded to me. I will not take it for granted." He walked slightly in front of her so that she wouldn't accidentally step in anything. "Is it true you're military trained?"

"It is, my father taught me everything I know. He's always wanted me to be able to protect myself and my mother. He would be in battle and to be honest, my mother wasn't first on the kingdom's priority list simply because she's deaf. So if anything were to happen, she would be one of the last to be saved."

In Galelo, anyone impaired in any way would be first in line for safety if they were invaded. Giannis couldn't believe that.

"You never have to worry about that here. You both will be first to safety. I will make sure of it."

Sakari smiled slightly. She didn't want to give too much emotion away. Still getting used to living in a new place, learning new people. Anou came to her room everyday for girl time, Koastas would pick her brain about global economics and ethics, Thanasis would talk to her about his super rare cases with his patients and she would share her war experience. She spent the least amount of time with her fiancé but, thought of him the most.

Giannis worked most of the time and his work didn't call for show and tell. He was now spending some allotted time with Sakari. Something that was his idea.

"What is the event we are scheduled for later?"

Their official announcement of engagement will take place at the Festival for Change. This is to help navigate international alliances and how to communicate within our kingdoms better. Galelo is now the highest kingdom in the land. Previously the most resourceful, after winning the war against the British, they were able to advance as Nigeria's leading people.

"It's for you to meet your people, getting to know who lives amongst you."

"They're not my people, at least not yet. I like how you said that though." Giannis stopped them to avoid a puddle. He stepped over first to position himself, then firmly grabbed her arm and waist to bring her over.

They stared at one another for a moment before Sakari cleared her throat. "Like how I said what?"

Creating a safe distance, Sakari began walking again. Giannis chuckled at her behavior, she always became shy when they were too close to one another. It definitely built his confidence in building a rapport between the two.

"You said that they live amongst us. Not that the were below us, or that they serve us. You see the people you lead as human."

"Sakari dear, could you hand me that roller please?" Veronica asked. At the moment Anou needed her hair set for tonight and it was a way of bonding for mother daughter pair. Right now Genova was in the hospital wing with Thanasis, teaching him sign language.

Veronica wanted to spend time with her future daughter in law. She being the one who found Sakari. It was funny how really, having searched Nigeria's most independent women. Sakari came in first, as she serviced in her kingdom's military and was a world traveler. It seemed like a match made on heaven for the her son.

"Here you are. Is there anything else you may need?" Sakari offered, she loved to be of help in any way that she could. She thought Veronica was sweet.

"No dear, I just would like to get to know you a little better. How are you settling in?"

Sakari liked it so far, she hadn't been in town which was a reason for her nerves.

What if they didn't like me? She thought.

"I like it so far, I won't complain. Still so much to see." Veronica knew that feeling all too well. She was originally from Suoil kingdom which was the furthest from the center of Nigeria and had the most European influence. She was able to teach her family Italian and Greek.

"I can understand if you are scared. I was too. New place, new people and the expectations are high. You will persevere."

Giannis shook another hand and kissed another baby as he greeted his townspeople. This was his usual.

"Brother, you look tired." Kostas observed. "Don't worry, business first, rest later."

Lately Giannis couldn't sleep at night. He kept having a reoccurring dream about his own death. Almost dying in battle haunted him. The only time where an opponent got the best of him. Part of the reason Giannis took that year to explore wasn't to find a wife, it was to distract himself from the PTSD.

"May I steal the Prince away?" Sakari asked. Kostas pushes his brother into his future wife which causes them to hold one another a little longer.

"This keeps happening. I would say it was on purpose Lady Bakembe." Giannis cracked the first genuine smile of the night. Kostas was right, tired was more than just a physical feeling, but an emotional one.

"Prince Giannis, you have quite the imagination. Now unhand me." Sakari nervously giggled.

"You seem uneasy, in all seriousness. What is the matter?"

Sakari hated how he could read her so well. They known each other for a short amount of time and it all seemed too good to be true.

"Nervous about meeting people, that is all." Giannis understood, he had social anxiety himself. The outgoing personality was a facade. "Let's go meet your people."

Giannis only stayed with Sakari for a short amount of time before she bloomed. The people of the kingdom loved her. She was currently helping at a petty zoo. They would occasionally smile at one another and go back to what they were doing.

"I see you're enjoying yourself."

"I am, you were right."

Giannis could see his father approaching with a group of people. He did not recognize any of them.

"Ah son, there you are. Lady Bakembe, lovely that you and my son are getting along regardless of plans changing." Sakari had no idea what King Charles was referring to.

"Father..." Giannis began but Charles continued. "Giannis, meet the Fraitu family. This is Lady Elaine, Sir Olufunmilola and their daughter Lady Ruth."

Sakari tilted her head trying to piece together what was happening. Because there was no way that another family was being presented in front of her. It was hard enough to let her guard down the last month and because it took her some time, her pace must've been too slow for him.

"Hello all, welcome. Please enjoy our festival." Giannis tried to show disinterest so his father got the hint, but it wasn't working. He could see that Sakari felt a way.

"Looking forward to this possible Union. We do not want to be presumptuous." Sir Olufunmilola motioned to Giannis, "Seems hard to keep you Interested young man." He joked.

Sakari had enough, she walked away without excusing herself. Charles grabbed his son's shoulders firmly, "No need for the sarcasm. Whatever Giannis decides to do as King, is what you all should be praying for."

But what Giannis wanted, he should've spoken for.