The Black Panther (Discontinued)

Cai Bride ( Revamped)

Please listen to music linked with chapter.

Mnandi- Sweetheart

T'Challa pov

" Harper  ? ", I feel a wave of sadness from her and I noticed the worry that laced her expression.

" What ? ", I hear her whisper under the crowd.

" What is the mat-", I was cut off by the announcer grabbing one of the microphones at the front of the room.

" Please have a seat so that we may start with the questions ", the announcer's voice rang over the room and the camera's were still rolling. She was trying her best to save face and look normal for the camera but her worry hit me hard. I guide her to the seats at the top of the podium. The announcer hands us both a microphone and we wait for the questions to begin.

" Why don't you introduce yourself ? ", the announcer conducted the entire atmosphere of the room. She hesitantly pulls the microphone to her full lips. The moment she opens up her mouth to speak camera's start flashing once more.

" My name is Harper Asha Atsu. I'm 19 years old and I am the daughter of Emperor Khal Thomas Atsu and Empress Naomi Atsu. My father is the Emporer of Cai, that has been in relations with Wakanda for over 20 years. My country produces excessive amounts of cobalt which is useful to Wakanda. My hand in marriage was arranged to T'Challa to solidify the treaty between the two countries ", I explain.

" Tell us about your home life, your education and family dynamic. What do you want Wakanda to know about you ? ", The announcer pushed though Harper was uncomfortable. I grab her hand into mine to reassure her that I had her back, no matter what happened in the moment.

" Well, I've lived in Cai all my life. I went to a private school called " Cai Academy " from primary school up until the end of my highschool studies. I played soccer for a few years, wrote for my school paper and worked in community services. I've never traveled outside of Cai unless it was to go to Wakanda but that was very brief. In Cai we speak mostly the Amharic dialect which was my first language. I also speak Xhosa, Swahili, Yoruba and English. I'm fluent in all languages that I've spoken and have been learning them since I was 5 years old. When I was 18 I did some brief missionary work for the influx of immigrants traveling towards Cai. It was just outside of the border. I had to stop because I caught a very bad strain of malaria and that handicapped me for months ", her voice shook at the last sentence and I squeezed her hand momentarily. I had not known, she hadn't told me. She cleared her throat momentarily before starting again.

" In Cai our religions consists of mostly Orthodox Christianity, and Islam. We also have small percentages of Orthodox Judaism, and Hinduism. My parents were Orthodox Christians but they respect other religions and cultures considering that I'd be married off to Wakanda that practices polytheism. One of the things I hope to accomplish by being princess to Wakanda, is helping the malaria epidemic that plagued the outskirts of Cai. I want to help children in need in any way that I can. I understand that Wakanda is hidden to the masses unless they choose to reveal themselves to small countries such as Cai. I don't want to come here and change anything, but I'd like to help as many people as I can with what I'm given. I've seen the affects of Malaria, I've survived it, and there were times that I actually wished death upon myself because I felt so miserable. Helping people is one of the main things I hope to accomplish through the treaty. My family dynamic is just like any other African household. Listen to your elders, do what's right, work hard in school, don't talk back unless you're willing to pay the price ", She chuckled and so did the audience. I could tell that she could not sense how much the audience adored her. She had the ability to engage the audience despite her nerves and with time, public speaking could be her strong suit.