💔BENEATH THE CROWN💔
(AMANDA’S TALE)
WRITTEN BY:RuchinaBlog
CHAPTER 33
9 MONTHS LATER
HOSPITAL
“PUSH… PUSH… Ma’am, you need to push!” the doctor yelled.
Amanda groaned in paîn, trying to push her baby out. Labor had never been this painful before, and she sighed in frustration as the baby seemed reluctant to emerge.
“Can’t you see I am trying, and it refuses to come out!” Amanda yelled.
The doctors sighed in frustration as the delivery was taking longer than usual, risking complications. They began contemplating a cesarean section.
“Madam! You have to push, or else we would have to do a cesarean section to get the baby out,” the doctor urged.
Amanda sighed, looking at the doctor. “Okay, I will push, but please get this baby out of me; I can’t stand the paîn anymore.”
“We will do our best, ma’am. Get ready. At the count of 1…2…3… push!!” the doctor yelled.
“AHHHHHHHHH!!!” Amanda pushed with all her might, sweat dripping down her body. Soon, the cry of a baby was heard, bringing a smile to Amanda’s face. She had successfully given birth to her child.
“Well done, ma’am! You did a great job; it is a boy,” the doctor announced as he handed the baby over to the nurses. Amanda looked at her boy in the nurse’s arms and smiled. He sure looked like his father, she thought to herself.
Suddenly, another contraction hit her with force, causing her to yell in paîn. The doctors rushed over to see what was wrong.
“Oh my God! Another one is coming. Please, ma’am, you have to push one last time; you have another baby on the way,” the doctor said softly.
“WHAT! How is that possible? I did a scan and only saw one,” Amanda thought to herself.
“Ma’am, at the count of 1…2…3, push!” the doctor yelled, prompting Amanda to push once more, and the cry of the second baby was heard.
“Ma’am, it is a girl. Congratulations!” the doctor said as he handed the second baby to the nurse to clean up. Soon, both mother and children were properly cleaned and moved out of the delivery room to a private ward.
Amanda smiled as her babies were handed to her. She gently caressed their cheeks as they cooed in her arms.
The door to her ward opened, and Michael and Ifeoma walked in with flowers and fruits. Michael walked towards her and carried one of the babies.
“You know, I can’t still believe you tricked us and left the house to deliver on your own. What if something had happened to you? How would I explain myself?” Michael muttered sadly, causing Amanda to laugh softly.
“Don’t worry! I understand, and as you can see, nothing happened to me. I just wanted to come alone, so I trekked down here, thinking it would make the birth easier,” Amanda explained.
“Sister! Please don’t do that again; you really got us worried. Thank God you are alive and safe. My niece and nephew are really cute,” Ifeoma said while taking the other baby into her arms.
“Have you thought of a name for them? Though I know with the present condition; it isn’t your duty to name them, but I feel you should have a name that you want to give them. Right!” Michael asked as he rocked the baby.
Amanda smiled and said, “Their names will be Ifechukwu and Ifunanya Chukwuyeremaka (God helped me) Tobechukwu. Other names will come after.”
“Those are really lovely names. I like them,” Michael smiled.
“Thanks,” Amanda replied.
“But the main thing now is that Egonna needs you. Right now, they are beginning to threâten Ikenna to step down from the throne. We have to prepare to head back in a month’s time,” Michael explained.
“I don’t understand. Where has it been heard of that a king will be asked to step down because of a crîsis?” Amanda snapped.
“Well, sadly, Ikenna is beginning to consider it. He is tired of this whole thing,” Michael said.
Amanda lay quietly and thought for a while, then turned her gaze back to Michael. “It is time to go back.”
“What! But you just gave birth, and I never meant this soon,” Michael muttered.
“I know! In 7 days, I will return.”
THE PALACE
KING IKENNA’S POV
It had been nine months since I made one of the worst mistakes of my life. I failed to protect the one I claimed to love, and now I had lost faith in myself and my leadership. The situation in the village had worsened, with the youth threatening me to step down or face trouble. Despite my pleas for time, they refused, stating they had had enough.
Sighing, I walked out of my room towards the throne room. I was at a loss, unsure of what to do. Should I convince my people to give me time to find a solution, or should I step down and allow peace to reign? But stepping down at this point could be dángerous, and the question of who would lead my people loomed.
In the throne room, I found the elders and the youth leader waiting for me, all wearing frowns. I sighed and sat down on the throne.
“Good morning, my elders.”
“What is good about this morning, Ikenna?” Elder Amadi yelled.
“Elder Amadi, I know you’re my senior, but I am still the king. What gives you the guts to call me by my first name?” I asked.
“Ikenna! I will call you how I like because you are no longer my king! A real king looks after his people in times of crîsis, but you have refused to address the problem,” Elder Amadi snapped.
“King Ikenna! The youths are ready to make this village hot for everyone until you either provide a solution or step down as king,” Nonso said.
I sighed and sat upright, turning my gaze to Elder Ejike. “Elder Ejike! What do you have to say concerning this matter? I want your opinion.”
“Ikenna! I support them. Either you provide a solution or you step down. I can’t watch my son dîe because of your incompetence,” Elder Ejike snapped.
“How do you expect me to step down at this point when my people need me the most? Who will take over from me?” I asked.
“What the people need is a competent king, and sadly, you are not one. Don’t worry; we will be careful in choosing the next king,” Elder Amadi snapped.
I sighed and thought for a while before standing up and walking to the middle of the room. I took off my crown and beads, symbols of my kingship, placing them on the table in front of the elders.
“My elders, I hereby step down as king of this kingdom because I have the interest of my people at heart. I hope my successor will be able to provide a solution to the crîsis,” I said and bowed.
“I have just one request, and I hope it will be granted. Let the coronation take place in 7 days, and the new king shouldn’t place the crown on his head until then,” I added, staring intently at Elder Amadi before walking out of the throne room.
Exiting the throne room, I headed towards my mother’s room, meeting her and Adaku together.
“Mother, please pack up; we are moving. I’ve decided to step down as the king for the good of the land,” I muttered.
“Ikenna! What did you just say? Don’t tell me you actually heeded the thréats of the youths. Ikenna! What exactly is your problem? Why didn’t you consult me first? I am your mother, for God’s sake!” my mother wailed.
I sighed as I watched her cry and walked close to her. “Mother, it is for the best, and the situation in the village is beyond control and needs a solution. I can’t watch more people dîe. If sácrificing the throne will save my people, so be it. I just came to inform you to pack up; we will be going to the city, but in 7 days.”
My mother looked at me and sighed, noticing the look of determination on my face. “What about Adaku? Where will she go?”
“It is her choice if she wants to come, but my priority is you,” I said, looking at her. I really didn’t want to do this; I knew it would be hard for her, but there was nothing I could do.
I sighed and turned back, heading towards the door to give her time to process the information and pack up, but her voice stopped me on my tracks.
“And if I refuse to go?” she asked.
“It wasn’t a request, Mother!” I said, glancing back at her and finally walking out.
By evening, my bags were fully packed and arranged in my car. I sighed and waited for my mother to bring her luggage. Adaku refused to come with us and decided to return to her father’s house, saying it was for the best.
My mother brought her bags down with a grumpy face and walked off without sparing me a look. I quietly arranged the bags and closed the back of the car. I sighed and looked around the palace one last time; I still couldn’t believe I would be leaving the only place I had known as home.
I turned and walked to the car with a smirk on my face before finally zooming off.
1 WEEK LATER
CORONATION DAY
AMANDA’S POV
I moaned as I stepped down from the car, allowing the fresh breeze of Egonna land to brush my skin, giving me goosebumps. I stood in front of the house at the outskirts of the village and smiled as I walked into the compound where Chukwuma and Chidi were waiting for me.
“Good morning, my queen!” they greeted in unison with a slight bow.
I smiled in return and walked forward, with the two of them following closely behind.
“Where is he?” I asked.
“He is in the room, your majesty! He never got over your leaving,” Chukwuma replied.
I smiled and practically ran to the room, searching for my lóver. I saw him in his favorite black track suit, sitting on the bed with another man beside him. I quietly hugged him from behind, causing him to face me.
“Cutie pie,” he called in a croaked voice.
“Yes, my lóve! It is your cutie pie. I am back,” I smiled with tears glistening in my eyes. I caressed his cheeks lóvingly and pecked him.
“My lóve! My Ikenna! I missed you, and I am finally back for you.”
TBC
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