Azalea The Queen

Azalea

The following day, I woke up early. Even if I didn't want to be married to this family, I was still their daughter-in-law and I had duties to fulfill. I did my morning routine and wore a simple dress, with a scarf draped over my shoulders to show respect. I was told I had to wear the scarf for the first few weeks.

I had already undone my braids, and my afro was free. The color of my hair was ginger orange, I had dyed it a few months back, it stuck around, and I loved it. I wrapped a head wrap around my head, only leaving the top part, revealing my hair.

The encounter that occurred the night before, none of us spoke about it. I was glad because I felt quite embarrassed. By the time I was done making my bed and with my morning routine, the prince was taking a bath to get ready for what I assumed to be work.

I made it to the kitchen and saw different women making food. I figured that they were the maids. "Sanibonani," I smiled warmly at them. They acknowledged me and bowed to show respect. I instantly felt awkward with the bowing thing. I wish they could cut that out.
"Do you need any help?" I asked no one in particular.

They exchanged looks, some seemed surprised.
"I don't think Your Highness should be doing a servant's job," A girl said. I chuckled. It didn't matter because I was helping, besides wasn't kitchen duties part of a wife's list of duties after she gets married? I looked around for something to do.

"Maybe I didn't phrase that properly. I am helping and that's it. So what is yet left to be done?" I fixed the scarf around my shoulders and tied it under my armpit. The maid who spoke seemed irritated by that, and quite frankly I didn't care.

"Has anyone started on the Queen Mother's soft porridge?" I heard someone say, turning around I saw a maid looking frantic.

"You know you're the only one who knows how to make it the way she likes. One of these days, you going to get fired Khosi," another maid said to the girl who was already looking around for items to make the soft porridge.

Khosi rolled her eyes. "I know, I had to take Melo to school, ama taxis are on strike today," she groaned. She seemed like she had a lot to do. "I haven't even cleaned her chambers yet, she's gonna have my head." I felt bad for her.

"I can make the porridge, you can go right on and get done with everything else." It was then that she noticed me. Startled, her eyes widened in fear. She bowed her head. I chuckled. "No need for that. I'm pretty good when it comes to making soft porridge," I winked.

"I can't possibly make you do that my princess-" I cut her off, taking the pot she already held in her hands.

"Go on, it's an order then. I will call you when the porridge is done." I found a stove. Everything in this kitchen was expensive and modern, so it was hard to operate some things.
Luckily, having experience working with the Rivers, I was quick to learn.

The maid scurried away after a minute. The maids looked at me like I was crazy.
"Unless you have something to say, I would appreciate it if everyone went back to what they were doing," I chuckled, shaking my head.

___

The table was full of food. A lot of varieties, from fruits to bacon. Everything was decked out and ready to be devoured. I knew that was how rich people lived. The Rivers, I made sure to always have everything ready for them. Luckily it wasn't always, it was only on Sundays and Wednesdays.

The maids exited the dining room bowing their heads at me. That thing again.

The first person to grace the dining room with their presence was the queen, the first wife. I had learned that the king had three wives, the queen, and her sister. But I heard that the second wife was sick with cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy in Russia. I felt sorry for her.

"Good morning my queen," I bowed my head in courtesy. She seemed surprised to see me but more importantly, she was beaming with pride.

"Good morning my child," She took a seat on one of the chairs.

Within a few minutes, the room was filled with the rest of the family members. The King's last wife, being the last. And my husband was also present, surprisingly arriving after his mother. I realized that the dining table didn't have a particular sitting pattern. It didn't go with the ranks.

"Makoti, I am glad to have you join us for breakfast. Wamukelekile kulomndeni," the King smiled warmly at me. I returned the gesture. Even though I was already introduced as the family's daughter-in-law, it was the first time the king addressed me personally.

Khosi came in and put a bowl of what I assumed to be porridge in front of the Queen Mother. She looked at me and smiled, I winked at her. She left the room soon after. I watched as the Queen Mother took her first spoon. She hummed in approval. I smiled, turning to my own food.

"So Azalea, how's living in the palace so far?" Sphokazi asked. I immediately felt uncomfortable being the center of attention.
But before I could answer she continued.
"I'm sure a girl like you from well, where you come from is thrilled to be part of the royal family," she smiled. How fake.

"Sphokazi!" The King reprimanded his wife.
But it didn't look like she took the hint.

"I wouldn't get comfortable if I were you, the prince does have other selections and I wouldn't say you are the best one yet." I froze midway as I was about to take a bite of my toast. This woman was really something, at least I knew how she felt. Another person to add to the list of people who didn't want me here.

"That's enough Sphokazi!" This time it was the former king who spoke. It was my first time hearing his voice, and I must say it was scary. The third wife rolled her eyes, but she didn't say anything after that.

The queen who was seated next to me grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I smiled at her. She must've felt bad for the occurrence. It wasn't her fault though, I understood why she didn't say anything. Everyone went back to their business. The King and the prince went on about the business, I drowned them out.