💔BENEATH THE CROWN💔
(AMANDA’S TALE)

WRITTEN BY:RuchinaBlog

CHAPTER 22

THE NEXT MORNING

Amanda walked into the palace the next morning, ignoring the palace maids who were busy giggling and gossiping about yesterday’s event. She walked on with a beautiful smile on her face till she got to the garden where King Ikenna and his mother were seated.

“Good morning, my king and my queen,” she greeted respectfully, only to be ignored. Not wanting that to affect her mood this morning, she began to walk off to her room, not bothering to greet them again. What was the use of greeting if she was only going to be ignored?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a snarl coming from behind her. She turned to see the queen sending death glares. She wanted to ignore and walk on, as it wasn’t her business, but was stopped again by the queen’s voice.

“Are you just going to ignore us as if we are invincible? Where are your manners? Oops! I forgot you don’t have one,” Queen Chiamaka giggled, obviously mocking Amanda.

Amanda rolled her eyes, biting her lower lip to stifle her laughter. “My queen, I greeted you, but you refused to acknowledge my presence.”

“Oh! You are now saying I am deáf because I didn’t hear anything. I only saw you pass without any regard for the great king and queen mother of this great land,” Queen Chiamaka snapped.

“My queen, with all due respect, I greeted you before walking off to my quarters, but you ignored. I definitely knew it was useless for me to greet again because I was only going to get the same result,” Amanda shrugged.

Queen Chiamaka slammed her tea cup down on the table in rage. “You insôlent girl! You have no respect for your elders. What gives you the right to talk to me in that manner? Have you finally lost it?”

Before Amanda could reply, a voice from behind interrupted her.

“Who got my beloved mother-in-law angry this beautiful morning?” Adaku said as she walked towards them.

“Good morning, my sweet mother-in-law. How was your night?” Adaku greeted with a smile on her face.

Her words brought smiles to Queen Chiamaka’s face, totally ignoring Amanda. “Oh! My beautiful daughter, as beautiful as the morning sun; radiating with beauty. Shining like a diamond. How are you this morning? In fact, I don’t need a response because it is written all over your face.”

Adaku turned towards King Ikenna and knelt down to greet him, who in turn made her sit on his lap, pecking Adaku on the cheek.

“My queen, you flatter me with your praises. What is it that got you angry?” Adaku smirked, looking towards Amanda.

“My dear, it is some people who feel that they are bigger than everyone around them,” Queen Chiamaka said as she rolled her eyes.

“Can’t you see how respectful Adaku was to both of us? I don’t even know where you got your attitude from. You better learn from Adaku if you want to remain in this palace,” Queen Chiamaka added, turning her face towards Ikenna.

“See how perfect the two of you are. Ikenna! You should have married her in the first place; then all this irrelevant nonsense wouldn’t have happened. I am sure you guys will lead the kingdom to greater heights,” Queen Chiamaka smiled as she sipped her tea.

Adaku smiled as King Ikenna held her hand, pecking Adaku on the cheeks. “We will surely not disappoint you and make you proud.”

“Mama, I won’t disappoint you,” King Ikenna smirked.

Amanda only rolled her eyes at the scene before her. “Please, can I go to my room? I have important things to do.”

“Who gave you the right to speak when we are talking? Don’t you have the courtesy to keep quiet till we finish speaking?” Adaku snapped.

“Oops! Sorry, my great queen. Can you please allow me to go to my room? I have important things to do,” Amanda said with a note of sarcasm. She loved the look on Adaku’s face, and she had to stifle her laughter.

Adaku stood up, glaring at Amanda, and walked toward her. “You need to have respect for me as your queen and our queen mother. You are nothing in this palace; remember that!”

Amanda couldn’t stop herself and burst into laughter. “Oh my! You are queen to all those who want you as their queen but not my queen. As long as I remain the king’s wife, you are nothing to me. Know your place.”

Her words shocked not only Adaku but the queen mother. Amanda walked toward Adaku, stopping right in front of her.

“You better be careful with the way you speak to me. I will always be the king’s wife, and there is nothing you can do about it. If not because of something….”

“Amanda, that is enough,” King Ikenna yelled.

Amanda stormed off to her room, not minding glares that were sent her way. Queen Chiamaka glared at King Ikenna, who avoided her gaze. “And what was the meaning of that?”

“Mama, just let her go; she is no one important,” King Ikenna sighed, rubbing his temples before taking a sip of his tea..

“A lot has been happening in this village,” a voice said, causing Amanda to stop halfway to her room. She turned to see Olanma and Adanna gossiping.

“What do you mean?” Adanna asked.

“Hmm! It is becoming serious. Do you remember that guy who was among the people who accused Amanda of steâling, that Chukwuma’s friend?” Olanma said.

“Yes! I remember him. What happened to him?” Adanna asked curiously.

“He is deád; he dîed by thunder strike on his way back to his house that same evening he accused her,” Olanma sighed.

“What!! You are joking, right?” Adanna asked, with tears brimming in her eyes.

“I honestly wish it was a joke, but sadly it is not. That isn’t all; do you know Mama Adaora, the one in the market?” Olanma continued.

“Ha! Who doesn’t know her, one of the most successful traders in the market and also really beautiful,” Adanna said.

“Well, she is now broke. For the past two weeks, no one has gone to her shop to buy something, and she has suddenly gone deáf too. My dear, I am getting scared because I don’t really understand anything again,” she sighed.

“WHAT!! No, this is getting out of hand now. What has the poor woman done wrong to deserve such a condition?” Adanna asked out of frustration.

“I don’t know. To make matters worse, Mama Chukwuma has suddenly become one of the most successful traders; her shop is always with people buying things from her; she even employed girls to help her out,” Olanma replied.

“Seriously, that wîtch that kîlled her husband?” Adanna asked.

“Yes, oo.”

Amanda walked off to her room with a smirk on her face.

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

============================================

ADAKU’S POV

I watched as Amanda stormed off with anger brimming inside of me. Who does she think she is? I have already gotten to the exact point I need to be.
For this humîliation, I am going to teach her a lesson she will never forget in a hurry. She is just a pawn in my game; they all are.
THEY ARE ALL GOING TO PAY. I smirked.

============================================

MIRABEL’S POV

“Madam, abeg open your leg well; make I do commot,” a man said as he made his way in.

I watched as he had his way with me; I just laid there with tears streaming down my face as I looked at the ceiling.

The past two weeks have been hell for me; I didn’t have any savings after all my time with Emeka. I have been struggling to survive.

At first, I thought things were going to be fine, making me squander the little I have left with no care in the world. Things began to go downhill when my landlord suddenly served me a quick notice. I tried to plead with him, but he gave me flimsy excuses, and I had to leave.

I tried squatting with a few friends, but they all turned me down, leaving me with nowhere to go. I tried continuing my hôokup business, but no rich guy or Alhaji ever wanted me. That is how I found myself in this prostîtûte house, trying to make ends meet.

Ujunwa is no exception; ever since her break-up with Somadimna, she has been battling with mental issues and has lost her job. She also lost her house, and ever since we have been living together just to manage ourselves.

She has gone several times to go and plead with Somadimna to just help. But her sister always stood in the way and refused to let Somadimna help.

“Madam, abeg take your money,” the man said as he threw some naira notes on me, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“Oga, it is not complete now; we agreed 3000. Why are you giving me 1500?” I asked, sitting up from the bed and waving the money at him.

“Why I go pay complete when you no swéet, everything don fall finish, that place don wide join. I do well pay you 1500,” he said, walking out of my room.

I watched with tears in my eyes and only one question on my mind: “How did I become like this?”

TBC