3rd Person POV
Hurt is an understatement, Suwaidah was feeling all kinds of hurt, she has been in love with Kamal since she couldn't pronounce his name and what hurt more was the fact that he didn't even recognize her talkless of reciprocating her affections. It seems it's an unrequited love after all, what is she to do now? It's actually a necessity that she stays in love with him, she wants to be queen so bad and she doesn't even acknowledge the princess of Bornu as his future queen, she actually does but she chose to ignore that fact. Who is that damn girl anyways?
As she walks into Daada's quarters she felt the trepidation kicking in, Daada will definitely scold her, and for what? For doing absolutely nothing. She did everything she had asked her to do, makeup, catwalk heck she even tried to sound sexy but thinking back now to that moment she double cringed... As predicted Daada was waiting for her in the living room, she looked way too calm but Suwaidah knows it's just the calm before the storm.
"Daada jambanduna?" she greeted in fullo
"sai jam Waidah, mi faamay (I don't understand) why was the prince ignoring you?"
"Mi anda fa, I did everything you asked me, even did extra wallah" She replied her Aunt.
" Suwaidah please don't prove to be useless, mene zance wa Inna wuro? she sent you here since you were four so I'd groom you into a fine young woman capable if becoming queen someday, but you disappoint me" Daada reprimanded
"Daada am, I am sorry, I promise I'll do better next time" she apologized
"Oya Achu (leave me) and go eat". Suwaidah looked up to meet her Aunty's gaze and smiled, the only good part about Daada is that she calms down easily and because she trusts her Aunt more than any person in the world, sitting down there in front of her she felt she could do anything in the world. Daada is her confidence.
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Maiduguri, Bornu.
The morning breeze blowing the palm trees in the palace had dried out leaves falling, the palace cleaners were all engrossed in their daily duties and didn't notice the princess sitting on the swing by the pool. She was in deep in thoughts, what will it be like being a queen of such a big kingdom like Fàànilè? Forget about being queen because it's honestly the least of her worries, it's getting married to some pompous arrogant prince that's getting to her. Yes she has never met him and perhaps she is too quick to judge him, but I mean he's the crown prince of one of the richest kingdoms in western Africa. He definitely is arrogant. No cap!!
Her family are preparing to send her away, that's what she thinks right now anyway but deep down she knows it's something she couldn't avoid, it's pact afterall. All she needs have been packed for the duration of her stay there, she asked Shamsiyya to pack normal clothing, nothing fancy or shouty. Her only solace now is knowing Amna will be with her throughout her three months stay. She huffed! Wai three months of grooming as if I've not been groomed enough at my own father's palace.
"Earth to Sainey!!! Yoo dude I have been calling out your name, Amma called for you. our flight is by 5:45 pm so get your butt off that swing and go meet her" Amna said
"Why do you sound like you are excited Amna? Don't forget whose side you are on dai" Yaccine replied a bit irked.
" Hah! why or how won't I be excited? I'm meeting my best person's in-laws and hubby to be for the very first time. Do you know Amma told me the guy is fine as a snack" Amna said but seeing the dirty look she got from Saineh she cleared her throat and added, "obviously she didn't say that but you get what I mean ai?!"
"Mtss Amna whatevs dallah" Yaccine said and stood up to leave.
Yaccine met Amma at Baa's inner living room, she summoned her daughter to give her the traditional humrah she usually makes by herself and the one she gave her is six years of brewing, hence the richness of the scent, just the way Yaccine likes.
"Wooow!!! Amma Askǝrngǝna(thank you) I love it,mashaAllah you really are the humrah goddess, no wonder Baa always talk about the scent" Yaccine said and winked making her beloved mother blush
"Kaii kwaise, ba kya ji fa" Amma replied to her daughter and laughed.
"Yalla let's go, it's almost time for your flight don't make the pilot wait, yes even if you are taking the PJ" She explained.
The duo made their way to the car where Baa and the guards were waiting, after a series of goodbyes Yaccine was an emotional wreck. She couldn't stop herself from shedding some tears, the only consolation she has is Amna and Shamsiyya.
Fàànilè 5:35 pm
The palace was bustling with busy bees everywhere, the maids were going up and down just to make sure they don't anger the 1st Queen; she's given orders that are not to be played with. It's all because of a new princess coming to their kingdom as the crown prince's betrothed. Half the kingdom was excited while the other half were gloomy, the reason being most kingmakers wanted their daughters to be the queen of Fàànilè in the near future but now the King had not only hidden the fact that the crown prince was already betrothed but also the fact that she was an outsider. A royal outsider!
Exotic cars drove the princess and her companions to the palace, the hand-maidens sent to get them were actually nice and respectful. Yaccine was impressed with the infrastructure of the kingdom, it's very modern, unlike the traditional place she imagined. It is actually more civilized than some major states in Nigeria. The palace stood tall with a mixture of African and modern architecture, with its tall walls and large windows; it was magnificent.
The 1st queen herself came out to welcome the princess, her soon to be daughter-in-law mashaAllah! She has waited for this day all her life, after all matar Kamal ce.. she'll love and support the young princess with all her heart.
"Masha Allah! Masha Allah! You are welcome my daughter and I extend the same gesture to your cousin and companion" Hadjo said
Yaccine immediately became conscious of her appearance, did she look okay? were her eyes puffy and red? Will the queen like her? so many questions were running through her mind but she had to reply despite the sudden shyness that overwhelmed her.
"Ina wuni? Mun same ku lafia?" she squatted and greeted the older lady. She didn't know what to address her.
"La la la, please get up no need for formalities, I'm sure you are tired. We'll talk more later in shaa Allah, now the maids will show you to your quarters" Hadjo replied
The maids assigned to them ushered them to the section cleaned for them, it was adjoined together with the 1st queen's quarters actually but they had all the privacy they needed. Amne couldn't stop gushing about the interior, nothing royal it's all contemporary which pleased Yaccine.
Ten minutes later Kamal came out from his quarters to walk down to Hadjo's, at the entrance he stopped dead in his tracks, he thought he has forgotten the scent that haunted him a few months ago in London. Boy was he wrong because right now at this moment at the entrance of his Mother's quarters is the same DAMN scent. Truly he is doomed!
