IYOBA

CHAPTER NINE

One week after the incident, Adaeze secluded her self in her room, she was barely eating anything and this worried Amara. The queen mother had requested to see Ada severally but she refused to see anyone , she was in pain both physically and emotionally. She never thought her husband could do such a thing to her. Oba omonuwa on the other hand deeply regretted his actions, he was also ashamed to face her so he kept his distance. The queen mother finally forced her self in to Adaeze's chambers and she asked angrily" Adaeze why have you been avoiding me , I have tried to see you severally but you keep saying you're sleeping when you're not". Adaeze apologised for the inconvenience. " By the way, I saw what happened between the both of you although he is my son  I must admit he was wrong and I apologise to you for how he treated you,regardless of what you did , he shouldn't have done that to you" .then Adaeze replied furiously" what I did?, Mother what exactly did I do to be treated like this all I have done is love and respect my husband at least can someone tell me what my crime was to be treated like this worse than a slave. I can't even look my subjects in the eye all I feel is shame and pain, how can someone who claims he loves me do this to me mother. Regardless of our cultural differences I still do my best to not disrespect any body ,now where did that get me ? Look at me mother she cried again and her mother in law hugged her and assured her that everything will be fine. The queen mother then explained the implications of her wearing  black and she was perplexed, then she told her mother in law that it was  Eseosa that convinced her to wear black. " Even when I wasn't sure I asked some maids and they also convinced me to wear black that it was the tradition. Said Adaeze. " that is wrong, why would they lie about such a thing, especially Eseosa she   knows our customs" said the queen mother. The queen mother was a very meticulous and wise woman. Then she secretly called the maids that lied to Adaeze and threatened them, they told her the complete truth of Eseosa's schemes. She was shocked to hear this,she knew Eseosa had a crush on omonuwa but she never thought she would take it this far. Then she went to omonuwa's chambers and she told him everything Eseosa had done and she even brought the maids as witness. He felt even worse after hearing all they said. "How is she ever going to forgive me after what I have done. This temper of mine will be the death of me. mother what do I do, I don't think Adaeze will ever forgive me". " Don't make assumptions without trying first, she is indeed very hurt but if you ask for her forgiveness, she might forgive you" said his mother. After their conversation, he went to Adaeze's room and on the way he saw Eseosa conniving with one of the maids to further harm Adaeze. He hid and listened to their conversation. After the maid left, he came out from his hiding place and asked Eseosa" why are you doing this to Adaeze" she was shocked to see he was standing there the whole time, she was dumbfounded."what  has she ever done to you? Why are you trying to create a rift between us? I thought you guys were friends, I thought you were my sister, so why don't you want to see me happy? ". Then she replied furiously" friends? What friends, how can I be friends with some one who stole the love of my life right from under my nose . It was meant to be me and you forever , then that Igbo girl came and ruined everything". "What are you talking about Eseosa, you are like my little sister and I have never had feelings for you and you know that so what nonsense are you saying? Look I know about everything you've done to Adaeze but for the sake of my late father, i will not punish you for it , but you must leave this palace at once. You can't stay here any more". He said this and stormed off , Eseosa was wailing on the floor but he paid her no mind. As he approached Adaeze's room, he saw Amara frantically running out of the room he caught her and asked what the problem was and she told him Adaeze had fainted. He rushed into the room, picked Adaeze up and took her to his chambers and then he asked for the Royal doctors immediately. After she woke up, he rushed to her side and helped her sit up"are you fine" he asked and she said she was okay and she moved away from him. The Royal doctors came in and gave Adaeze a herbal tonic to drink and then omonuwa asked the doctor what the problem was and doctors replied smiling"  oba she is fine, she just fainted due to lack of energy, I suppose she has not been eating properly. Well congratulations oba, your queen is pregnant. She is expecting the heir" . Oba omonuwa was filled with different emotions, he thanked them for their work and saw them off. He came back into the room and told Adaeze that the doctor advised that she should eat more to gain energy as she was pregnant. She stood up to leave the room, then omonuwa held her back and went on his knees and said" I don't deserve your forgiveness, what I did was unthinkable but I beg you Adaeze,please forgive me. I'm so sorry, I should have never, I was deceived and blinded by rage, please forgive me" he held her tightly begging for her forgiveness. She bursted into tears and then she picked him up and forgave him. He was so happy, he made her sleep in his chambers.