The Royals: A Kings Heart

Chapter 82

SASA'S POV_

I woke up finally. I'd fallen asleep in my father's arms. I knew I'd have to deal with life after my nap. Today was horrifying. If I didn't fear the king before? I definitely did now. It would be stressful seeing him again and I have a feeling he's still here. His existence is just to make me uncomfortable. How the hell do you kill someone and laugh? How do you watch another suffer a heart attack and die then carry on with your meeting like he isn't laying there, dead?? The thought made my spine cold. I sat up.

Xolani: "My angel. How are you feeling?" Mama was sitting on the chair staring fresh sharp daggers at me.

Me: "I'm okay tata."

Xolani: "I know you're not allowed to talk about council but are you hurt?" My spirit? Yes.

Me: "No tata."

Xolani: "Okay. Was the witch found?" I shook my head. "Alright." He rubbed my back and hugging me. I felt so safe in his arms. Good God, what was I thinking falling in love with a powerful royal? "Mntanam. This is never going to be easy. You sat in the highest room of the nation. I can imagine the decisions made in there are extremely difficult but for you to be respected and heard, you have to be strong. I know you love Nkosinhle and will never let him go. So you have to toughen up and be his equal."

Me: "I'm scared of his dad. He's not like you."

Xolani: "And he is scared of me but he's here every half hour, knocking on that door to check on you. I'm not even a king." He kissed my head. "It's going to get easier. The good thing is, you have him and he cares. Let me get you something to drink." He got out of bed, walking out the suite. I sighed.

Mama: "Why unje?" (Why are you like this?)

Me: "Mama?"

Mama: "Why are you always seeking attention Thembisa? Everyone must attend to you. The king, the prince, your father. For what? Why must you always be begged? Is it not enough that man loves you? Why ungoneli?" (Why aren't you satisfied?)

Me: "Mama I'm not seeking attention."

Mama: "You're about to be married. To a future king Thembisa. You were given an opportunity to be in a very important meeting and the first thing you do is run to your father crying like a child?"

Me: "Mama, please don't be like this right now, I can't-"

Mama: "Hewena Thembisa. Don't irritate me. This is the one chance you have to give something back to us. We are important people here and you want to ruin that for attention!? You will not ruin this for me, Thembisa. I will never forgive you. Imagine? Every 30 minutes that man is at the door begging? A King? No don't be stupid man!! Nxa! What the hell is wrong with you!? Yoh, sundonyanyisa man. Don't do that. You will never in your life find someone who will beg and love you like that man, don't be stupid." (Don't disgust me.) My father walked in carrying juice. I held back my tears because I didn't want another argument. My heart was torn because I thought I was getting somewhere with my mother but this was clearly all for her benefit.

Me: "Thank you tata." I had a sip of my juice.

Mama: "Nawe Xolani stop coddling this child because she's going to be a weak wife!"

Xolani: "Ntombenhle, don't start your nonsense."

Mama: "What nonsense Xolani? We've had to sit here for hours while she slept in your arms all because of what? Why can't she toughen up? What would be so horrible at a meeting that she must cry in your arms? Will you be here everyday for her to cry?"

Xolani: "She's my child and she will cry as much as she wants in my arms. If you have a problem with that then go sit elsewhere."

Mama: "The country must come to a standstill because she's crying? This one won't last on that throne. You just watch. In ONE year, that king will marry again."