Azalea The Queen

Azalea

The next day I decided to get up at my usual time, I did my morning routine and dressed appropriately as a wife. I was going to help out in the kitchen since the last time grandmother liked my soft porridge. I wondered if she was around since it seemed like everyone was out somewhere enjoying their lives.

The staff was sweet as always, never ceasing to amaze me with their new gossip which I so liked. The head of staff shooed me away from the kitchen quarters and told me it wasn't a place for a princess. Of course, my maid also inserted her two cents of unwanted opinion. Obeying them, I made my way to the dining halls. The palace was huge, it was annoying this way because I hated these long walks from one place to another.

If I wanted to lose weight I would go to the gym.

"Makoti, good morning," I went and side-hugged Grandpa. He and I had gotten close and I loved him so much. He was so funny and carefree. He was the opposite of what his son, the king was like. I wondered if the king really was his son. I kissed Grandma's head as she smiled at me warmly.

"Good morning," I greeted the people at the table as I took my seat. It seemed the king and his wives were still missing from the palace till further. As usual, the table was decked out with various types of foods. From croissants to pancakes and fruit salads.

"Good morning," A deep voice said, I turned my head to the door, and Nkululeko strode in with his annoying self. He took a seat next to Grandma and kissed her cheek. We started talking about random stuff and life inside the palace.

"Dear, where is your husband? We are almost done with breakfast and he isn't here." Grandma asked as she looked at me. It was so hard to pretend that everything was okay between Samkelo and me, especially in front of his family.

"I don't know grandma, he's probably not going to make it today and on his way to" I was cut short as the one and only husband entered with his demanding aura.

"Good morning," His deep and rich voice made its way to my ears. I looked down at my food. I couldn't even look at him without feeling- what was it that I was feeling? I didn't know but I just couldn't look at him. I started to eat my toast with eggs and bacon.

"Ah, His Highness has graced us with his presence, all hail!" I looked across the table at Nkululeko as he continued to munch his food like he hadn't just said that. Okay...

The tension was starting to rise and I was so glad it was not because of my drama. Samkelo chose to ignore him as he made a fruit salad for himself. The table was awkward and quiet, it was suffocating. Until grandma decided to open her mouth.

"So tell me, when should I expect my great-grandchild?" I froze. "Are you even planning on getting a child soon, because time is of the essence." she continued.

Sorry Grandma but we haven't even consummated our marriage yet, so you can close that chapter of great-grandchildren.
"I am busy with work Grandma, I don't have time for children." I felt a pang inside. I didn't understand why he was acting cold towards me, I mean we were okay at our getaway, and after we came back, then what was his issue with me now?

"Bet you have time for Amanda then," I cursed my big mouth for saying that, because the room was suddenly quiet, not even a sound of utensils. But I was angry and probably hurt by his actions, he was so infuriating. I got up from my seat. "Excuse me, I have some stuff to attend to." I left the room. I couldn't stay there in the same room with him.

I was probably acting immature and unreasonable considering we never spoke about where our relationship was after that night at the guesthouse. He didn't make any promises to me, and he didn't declare his love for me so why was I acting like a jealous girlfriend? But at the same time, I felt validated in my feelings because I was his damn wife.

___

I found a tree by the garden, it was big enough to accommodate me with its shade so I took a seat under it. I was lost in my thoughts. My life was such a movie with a stupid plot and a shitty ending. I picked up a small rock and threw it, I groaned.

"May I join?" I looked up and frowned. What did he want? I shrugged instead of answering him. He took that as a yes as he sat down next to me, leaving enough space between us. "Do you smoke?" I looked at Nkululeko as he took out a pack of nicotine and took one out before placing it in his mouth. He held the box over to me but I shook my head. He shrugged.

He took out a lighter and lit it up, the smoke invaded my nostrils and senses as it filled my space. I coughed, irritated I gave him the side eye. "Can you not smoke that in my face?" I rolled my eyes. Way to disturb my peace of mind. What the hell did these Zulu brothers want?

"Why did you marry him?" He suddenly asked. I looked at him and diverted my attention back to the garden. Maybe I should start planting some vegetables and a peach tree in my spare time because I was definitely not planting flowers.

"What kind of question is that?" But in all honesty, I also wondered why the hell I agreed to this marriage. I was unhappy obviously.

"Were you one of his groupies and got lucky then realized that he was a shit person and only cared about himself and now you regret it?" I coughed as he blew the smoke in my face again. In anger, I snatched the cigarette from his lips and threw it before putting it out. He was about to protest, but I held my hand.

"What is it with you Zulu men? Do you think everyone is so obsessed with you that you think they'd even go to such lengths of being in your presence?" I scoffed at him. He was just like his brother. "Get over yourselves, it's not cute," I was about to get up when he spoke again.

"I'm sorry." I looked at his profile, he seemed genuine in his apology. "It's just that all my brothers' past girlfriends were what you would call snobs and obnoxious, I thought you were one of them, groupies." He looked at me, giving me a small smile. "My bad, let's start over." he held his hand out to me. I looked at it skeptically.

"I'm his wife, not his fling or whatever, and I'm not a groupie." I shook his hand. He chuckled as he took out another cigarette. My brow rose at his action.

"I won't smoke in your face, I promise," he said as he lit it. "So I'm dying to know how you managed to get yourself in with it with my brother," True to his word he exhaled far away from my space.

"You don't wanna know,"