BENEATH THE CROWN
(AMANDA’S TALE)
**CHAPTER 26
AMANDA’S POV**
I stared at the person in anger; she is one of the reasons my life is like this, and she has the guts to show up in front of me. I walked forward, wanting to sláp her, but she immediately went down on her knees, shocking me.
“Amanda! Please, I know I have offended you and really háte me, but I plead for your forgiveness. I was a gréédy and sélfish person, and I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but please find it in your heart to forgive me. You have taught me the greatest lesson of my life. All I want now is to live a humble and peaceful life. Please, just have mercy and forgive me,” Ujunwa said, tears rolling down her eyes.
I looked at her as I reminisced about the good times we had together in school and how she wasn’t all this móney-conscious before but ended up being influenced by Mirabel. Tears rolled down my eyes as the memory of that day flooded my mind.
“Look, you have hûrt me so much, and it will be hard to forget what you did; it will be hard for me to forgive you. You hûrt me; you betráyed our friendship for what exactly?” I yelled.
Ujunwa crawled closer to me, holding me by my leg. “Amanda, I am so sorry. I was so jeaáous of you, and it made me agree to Mirabel’s plan, and I won’t lîe; I was so fôôlish and stûpîd to follow her plan. That plan ruîned our lives.”
“I understand your paîn now, and I understand if you refuse to forgive me. I came here for you to know how sorry I am,” she said as she stood up from the ground, dusting herself.
I looked at her, noticing how leán and pále she looked. She looked like someone who could dîe at any moment; I wonder what went wrong in the city.
“Ujunwa, wait, where is Mirabel? Did she come with you?” I asked.
“No! I tried to convince her to come, but she refused. Amanda, I have to get going so I will see where to sleep. Thank you for listening.”
“What do you mean, where do you sleep? Have you eaten anything today?” I asked.
Ujunwa smiled as she held my hands. “I haven’t eaten, but I will be fine; you didn’t need to worry about me. Please, live the best of your life.”
I watched as she began to walk away, wiping the tears off her face. I walked forward and held her hands, preventing her from leaving.
“Ujunwa! I forgive you, and I lift up the cûrse I placed on you. You can now live your life in peace and happiness,” I said, wiping the tears on her face.
“Thank you so much, Amanda; I am really grateful. I will take my leave now before the king sees me,” Ujunwa said as she took some steps backward.
“I never asked you to leave, Uju; moreover, you haven’t eaten anything, and I know the only money with you is the one for your transport. So you will accompany me to the market; let me get you something to eat.”
I didn’t wait for her to respond as I dragged her to the market. I felt happiness bubble in me, even though I know our friendship will never be the same again, but I was happy to have her back.
We got to the market, and I pleaded with Chukwuma to get her some food from the other stall. After he left, I turned to her and smiled.
“So tell me, what of Soma?” I asked.
“Hmm! I lost him to my sister, but it is for the best. I don’t deserve him; I didn’t appreciate his love, I never cared about his feelings. I wish them the best; he needs someone who will love him for who he is, and I am happy my sister will fill the gap that I created in his heart,” she said with a sad smile.
Silence lingered with us lost in deep thoughts. I looked at her and saw a lone tear on her face.
“Do you love him?” I asked out of the blue.
She looked at me in shock before turning her face away. “It doesn’t matter anymore. He has my sister and doesn’t need me.”
I opened my mouth to say something but was cut off by Chukwuma, who arrived with the food. I handed the food to her and watched as she ate, eating like she hasn’t eaten in days. What exactly has she been through, I thought to myself.
We chatted for a while before she decided to take her leave, promising to contact me more often. I watched her walk off with a smile on my face; I wish her the best, and for Soma! Hmm. I smiled at my secret thought and walked back to Mama’s shop to collect what I came for. I still had an hour left to return to the palace; I decided to take the foodstuff to Chidi myself.
I got to his compound and met him and his mom sitting outside. I smiled as I walked towards them.
“Good afternoon, ma!” I greeted.
“My daughter, good afternoon! I have heard so much about you, and I really want to thank you for restoring our health. You have done so much for us, and I don’t know how to thank you enough,” Mama Chidi said with a smile.
“Mama, I am happy you are healthy, and it’s my duty to serve you, so no need to be too formal about it,” I said as I placed the foodstuff I brought on the floor.
“Mama, I brought this for you to manage for now until you are strong enough. I understand it is planting season and would love to help out with your farm to grow the foodstuff you will need in the dry season,” I said, causing them to look at me in shock.
“My daughter, you don’t need to do that; all we need is what to plant for the season. We have those that help us with planting. Thanks so much for your help,” Mama said.
“No problem, ma! I will help with the seeds, but please don’t stress yourself. I will be coming to check up on you,” I said as I stood up to take my leave.
Chidi escorted me outside his compound before kneeling before me. “My queen, I can’t thank you enough for all you have done for my mother. Please, I am ready to be your servant. Please don’t refuse me; let me serve by your side.”
I smiled and lifted him up from the ground. “You don’t have to do this; we would work together. For now, focus on your mother’s recovery, please.”
He smiled, and I bade him goodbye, walking towards the palace to know my fate. I got to the palace and met the young man on the floor, groaning in pain. King Ikenna and his mother stood there, looking at him. I walked forward to greet them when suddenly the young man lunged for my legs, holding them tightly.
“You, this witch, what did you do to me? Why is my body paining me?” he yelled.
I ignored his scream and checked my phone for the time. I smiled and looked forward. ”You have 2 minutes left to confess. If you have sense, you will start confessing.”
“You are the liár here. You—”
“You have 1 minute 30 seconds.”
“Shut up! You sent me—”
“1 minute remaining.”
“My king, she is lyîng, don’t believe her—”
“30 seconds left.”
“You this—Ahhhh!”
“I told you to conféss, but you refuse, so deal with your punîshment,” I said, turning to the king. “My king, this should prove my innocence. I don’t know anything about the queen’s staff,” I added.
The young man groaned in paîn, and a fôul smell filled the air. King Ikenna looked displeased and beckoned to the palace guards. “Take him out of the palace to the forest; let him find his way from there.”
“My king, please, I will conféss. Amanda didn’t steal the queen’s staff or send me to do it or even sedûce me, my king. It was all a lîe; please forgive me, my king,” the young man cried.
“Who sent you then?” King Ikenna asked furiously.
“Nobody, my king. I háte Amanda; that’s why I decided to fráme her and have her kicked out.” He groaned in paîn.
“You think you made a wise decision but only placed yourself in danger. Well, it is your business to find a cûre to your próblem. Guards, take him away,” King Ikenna said.
I watched as the palace guards dragged him out and turned to face the king. “I am sorry, my king and my queen, for the inconveniences. I will head for my room now.”
Queen Chiamaka rolled her eyes at me before walking off to her room, and Adaku followed closely behind. I sighed and walked off. When will all this be over?
**ADAKU’S POV**
I can’t believe my plan failed. What exactly is going on in this palace? Why did my plan fail me? Amanda, you think this is over, but no, it is far from over.
“I WILL BE YOUR DOOM.”
And for my dear king, he thinks he is smart and has refused to perform his husband duties and even has the guts to refuse me from entering his room. I will prove to him that he isn’t smart and just my pawn.
I smirked as I poured a liquid into the king’s cup of wine and stirred it gently before taking it to him.
”Since he refuses to sleep with me, I will make him.” I thought to myself, revealing a sinister smile.
TBC
I wish the guy mentioned Adaku’s name why did he cover her.