10

Chapter 10

Guess what day it is today????

It's a Monday yes but it's also my....

"Please get up..." She paused searching for the proper title to use not wanting to anger him. "Munya," she mumbled. Everyone stood anticipating his next move. Seeing the smile that graced his lips as he slowly stood up she let out a sigh.

"Good. And you will use that name only," he murmured as everyone visibly relaxed.

"Come on let’s get you inside," he spoke gently for the boys benefit as he stood beside his sister looking at him strangely. He admired the boy who had a protective hold on his sister even though she thought she was the one protecting him.

Walking back up the driveway towards the palace she stopped in her tracks as she realized he was taking them towards the palace.

"Where are you taking us?" She asked voicing out her thoughts.

"Home of course," he said with a confused expression.

"No, no the staff quarters are very much accommodating for us," she said out of respect.

"You are not a member of my staff hence you will stay in the palace. Your rooms have already been prepared."

"No we cannot stay in the palace."

"You are my friends. Therefore I must insist," he said through clenched teeth.

"Only for one night. But tomorrow we must leave and find our own place."

"So be it," he huffed guiding them towards the palace too tired to pick a fight with her, especially in front of the guards and servants.

"Whilst your brother freshens up we need to talk," he said as Gareth took charge of the boy.

Pulling her into his office they sat on the sofa as he watched her fidget with her skirt.

"Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" He asked as she stopped her actions looking at him wide eyed. Remaining silent he cleared his throat. "If the father is refusing to be in the child's life then too bad for him. He is definitely missing out on something beautiful," he said seeing the pained expression on her face. "I will help you Rudo if only you will allow me," he whispered.

When she did not respond he turned her face up towards him only to find her cheeks wet as she continued to silently cry. It was like she hadn't even heard anything he had said.

"Rudo," he called out to her but she showed no response to her name.

Pulling her onto his lap her fingers curled around his shirt as she gripped onto him for dear life.

"Talk to me Ru," he whispered into her ear as she shivered.

Getting up with her in his arms he walked towards the adjoining door that led into his room.

Laying her on the bed her hold on his shirt did not slack one bit resulting in him lying beside her. She kept mumbling the same words which had him worried.

"Please don't do this," she repeated with more tears flowing down her eyes.

It was only after she fell asleep did he slip out of bed taking the sofa for the night. It was already late for him to even bother about food. Besides he had no appetite too worried about the woman slowly taking over his life.

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Rudo's - flashback

Returning from the market she started preparing their evening meal. Soon Panashe would return from school. Her older brother would most likely arrive later in the evening drunk as usual.

What she didn't expect was for her father to bring over guests. There already wasn't enough food in the house to feed other mouths.

Forced to give up her plate she hid food for Nash so he could at least eat something.

Their drunk laughter filled the night as they continued to drink some more having finished their meal. Retiring to her room she never expected to wake up later in the night to meet dark eyes looking at her with pure lust.

"So lovely," he said as he ran his hand up her leg. "So soft," he slurred.

A large hand clamped over her mouth before she could say anything.

"Why where you teasing me?" He questioned as she widened her eyes in confusion.

"You are a little tease aren't. I am going to have so much fun with you," he said in a raspy voice as tears blurred her sight trying to push him off her.

Over and over again she kept begging him to not take her against her will as he roughly hiked her skirt up parting her thighs with brute force. "Please don't do this," she repeated in her head as he took away the one thing she had preserved for her husband. Her most prized possession.

The door swinging open revealed Eddy as he stood looking at her in shock. Pulling his friend off her in his drunk state he quickly ushered his friend out. Before long he returned looking murderous.

"Open your ears and hear me. If you tell anyone about what happened here I will kill you," he spat as she looked at him in fear.

The pain she felt was far worse than anything she had ever experienced. He stepped closer to her trying to intimidate her revealing a blade, before she did the unthinkable. Shoving him away from her he lost his footing falling to the ground as she made a move to escape. Who knows what would happen, she already was suffering from the earlier encounter and now threats on her life. She felt her blouse rip as he tried to get a hold of her.

Running out she headed straight for the forest regardless of her bedraggled stated. Looking back she saw his angry expression right behind her as adrenalin allowed her to run for her dear life.

Her chest hurt with each breath she took in regardless of her not feeling the aches of the rest of her body as she slipped and tumbled in the forest. A large arm clamped around her torso pulling her onto the ground...

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Sitting up drenched in sweat she trembled in fear. Scanning the room she started to panic until her eyes settled on a familiar figure. He lay on the sofa looking uncomfortable as the small thing could not accommodate his large frame. His arm dangled down the side of the sofa. Sitting on the floor beside the seat she lay down beside the sofa after grabbing a pillow. Sleep returned after a few minutes as she listened to his steady breathing holding onto his hand. Subconsciously his hand curled around her small one allowing her to sleep peacefully.

Waking up before dawn he frowned seeing the bed empty. Sitting up he noticed the still figure on the ground beside him. He wondered what exactly was going on as he noticed her puffy eyes as she lay in a foetal position.

Crouching down beside her he shook her awake watching her eyes flutter open.

"Your highness forgive me," she stuttered avoiding his gaze as she quickly scrambled away from him still on her knees.

He remained silent taking a hold of her hand as he helped her up. Sitting on the sofa he patted the spot beside him.

She shook her head no, looking nervous.

"Very well," he sighed reaching for her hand pulling her beside him.

Pulling her closer to him he lay back on the seat pulling her onto his chest.

"Rest my dear," he whispered as his lips settled on her forehead.

He felt her relax after a while as she held her close somehow managing to fit them on the small seat.

Intertwining their hands he held her close as he said a silent prayer before falling asleep.

He woke up as she shifted slightly on top of him making certain parts of his anatomy come alive. He closed his eyes willing his body to not betray him as he opened his eyes to find her awake.

"Good morning," he said in a gruff voice.

"Goo..good morning....Munya," she stuttered looking embarrassed.

"I see you couldn't stay far from me," he smiled pulling her closer to him.

"I...I..."

"Hush. You don't need to explain yourself," he smiled.

"Next time I will just stay in bed with you," he smirked watching her cheeks darken as she shook her head no out of embarrassment.

"May I please go to my room," she asked indicating his arms still around her.

"Of course. But I expect you back here for breakfast, love," he said softly leaning up from the cushion to kiss her forehead.

She looked stunned as he released her allowing her to get up.

He sighed as he turned on the cold water jets before stepping into the shower. Quickly freshening up he dressed and waited for thirty minutes in his room. She still had not showed up. Leaving his room he went in search of her making the error of barging into her room unannounced.

She stood in front of the mirror studying the scars across her chest. She was applying fresh dressings to her wounds before she froze seeing him at the door.

"I...I'm...," he said standing at the door unmoving. Swallowing the lump on his throat he stepped into the room closing the door.

With only a bra covering her upper body his gaze ran down her skirt clad bottom which emphasized her wide hips.

Her arms held onto the matching top covering her bosom now, as his eyes wondered back up her body.

"I...," he breathed out taking several steps closer to her as she stood rigid. Swallowing once again he parted his lips but nothing came out.

Turning around to face the door he spoke to her.

"You were running late," he whispered making her mouth become dry as she didn't know how to respond.

"I hate waiting," he stated as he faced the door.

"But I guess you will have to be my one exception," he said as she finished dressing up.

"My only exception," he whispered feeling her presence near him as he turned to face her.

Clearly he had rendered her speechless as she looked at him perplexed not even realizing it when he took her hands in his enjoying the soft feel of her skin.

Clearing his throat he stepped away from her knowing he had just crossed the line of no return. Her hands where trembling as he gave them a light squeeze of assurance.

"I will wait for you outside," he said in a gruff voice. "You may continue," he said indicating her attire.

Once done she opened the door to find him sitting across her door typing away furiously on his iPad. Rising to his feet John accepted the gadget excusing himself as the king started walking down the passage.

Looking down at her he found her walking with her head bowed only looking up as her brother called out her name. Her face instantly transformed as a smile broke loose.

"Good morning Nash," she smiled.

"It’s almost noon sister," Nash beamed as Rudo looked at the king baffled.

Pulling out her chair he waited for her to take her seat before he took his. Nash had long escaped their presence mentioning something about playing with the little prince. Waiting for their food to be served she sat still a troubled expression on her face.

"Is something the matter?"

"Your high.... Munya I must be leaving. My brother and I still need to look for accommodation. We cannot stay here, it’s clear you and your wife need to fix your marriage, something that will not happen with guests in your house," she said watching his hand curl into a fist.

"How many times do I have to tell you this," he said his expression turning sour. "You are not going anywhere!" he growled slamming his fist on the table making the cutlery jump up as he stood up.

She flinched in fear looking at him wide eyed as he looked away from her in anger. The servants in the room where clearly frightened as they stood stunned by his outburst. Storming out of the dining room she looked around to find everyone looking at her, worried. Pushing her chair back she stood up looking guilty for ruining breakfast.

"I'm sorry," she apologized to the maids and guards as she ran out of the room.

"May someone please take me to my brother," she asked softly as one guard nodded his head.

Laughter stopped both of them in their tracks as the queen appeared.

Have a fantastic day! I hope I do too ??.

PS: today is my birthday for those lost from my earlier statement ??