14

Chapter 14

"Rudo," she heard as she stepped outside.

"I hate the outcome of your anger. If you were defending me, or my honour words could have inflicted as much pain as your fists. Yes it's in men's nature to act like brutes but why be like the rest. How many times must I ask this of you for our friendship to survive?"

"I need to just work on controlling this," he said.

"To be honest there is anger and then there is this," she said pointing at him. "You are not just angry at that man for poisoning me, there is something else and until you let it out you shall forever be a slave to the matter at hand."

He turned his gaze away from her.

"Good day my king," she said softly not waiting for his response.

----

A few days passed by without them speaking to each other. Focusing on healing she shut the rest of the world out as he submerged himself in his work.

What baffled him assistant was the fact that he was not lashing out on anyone for their mistakes. He looked more stressed about this impasse with the young lady than he did about work.

"Send for Gareth," he stated as soon as he finished his first meeting for the day.

A few minutes later a knock sounded on his door and in walked Gareth.

"You called for me your highness."

"I need you to do something for me. Go see Flora, she has a delivery of mine that needs attention. Take with you several hands and...." He stated

---

Just as she put away the last of her dishes she heard a knock on her door.

Opening the door she found a palace maid holding a flower arrangement. Looking at the girl who wore a shy smile she scoffed knowing who they were from. Shaking her head no she asked the girl to go back with them however the maid did not leave.

Thirty minutes later another girl showed up not even bothering to look at the flowers she shut the door becoming angry with the fact that he couldn't even come to apologize himself but sent other people.

This continued and upon begging the people to return to the palace it all proved futile.

"He did apologize Ru," she thought to herself as she sat in her living room pondering over what to do. The people outside had been standing out there for who knows how long without any food or water.

Looking at her food stocks she realized she needed more fruit. Grabbing a bag she stepped out of the house to find Gareth making his way towards the house also holding his own arrangement.

Shaking her head in defeat she simply greeted him as she made her way out of the compound.

Returning an hour later from the market she stopped in her tracks at the gate to find Gareth still there.

Stepping into the house she shut herself in before a knock sounded later in the evening.

Cracking the door open she saw the glimmer of lanterns as they chased away the darkness.

Holding a bunch of flowers he slowly made his way towards her before stopping beside Gareth. That's when she realized the reason behind the servants before her. Each arrangement was made of two different colours but only one formed a letter. The first one had an "F" followed by an "O" all combined to spell "FORGIVE ME". However Munya didn't have a letter in his arrangement instead his was that of a heart.

She stood speechless as he slowly made his way towards her.

"I have come to realize something these past few days. I don't like it when you are mad at me," he whispered for her ears alone. Please forgive me love," he whispered looking down at the flowers in his hands avoiding her gaze.

"I promise to become someone worthy of you," he said in a low but clear tone as she took a step back shaking her head no. Looking at her he saw the tears running freely down her cheeks as he parted his lips to utter more words.

"I don't want you to change because of me. Change for your benefit not anyone else's," she whispered. I on the other hand only voiced out my concerns about your anger."

"Which I am working on," he said moving closer towards her.

"That's good to hear," she said averting her gaze from him only to see several pairs of eyes looking at them, her in particular. Each person wore a pleading look like she was their saviour.

Looking back at him she saw the worry lines etched on his face as he took a deep breath looking hopeless.

"Your people have not eaten please tell them to eat they refused even the water I offered," she murmured.

Turning to face them he simply gave a nod in Gareth's direction as they all slowly made their away from the cottage.

"Have you eaten?"

He shook his head no.

Sighing she turned and made her way towards the kitchen with a simple gesture for him to follow her.

Taking a seat he watched her as she dished out some food for him quickly averting his gaze when she turned to him.

"Thank you," he whispered as she placed the plate before him.

"You are welcome," she said giving him a small smile.

Turning to the sink she busied herself with cleaning the empty food containers having served him all the leftovers.

Humming to herself as the sink filled up with warm water her reached for the scrub only for a hand to stop her movements.

"I am sorry," he said sincerely as he slowly turned her to face him resting his hands on her waist.

She nodded her head yes averting her face from his gaze before she felt a finger under her chin. She looked at his pained expression as he wiped away the easy flowing tears.

"I forgave you silly," she said with a smile. "Why do you think you are having supper here," she chuckled as relief washed over his face.

He looked like he wanted to respond to her question but chose to simply pull her close for a hug. She felt his long sigh of relief as his tense features relaxed against her.

"You should eat your food before it gets cold," she murmured into his chest.

Releasing her he pulled her towards the table. Sitting across from her she refused the offered meal as she had already eaten.

"How is your family?" She asked cheerfully.

"Munashe, misses you dearly," he said with a find smile. "There was a day he sat outside your bedroom door blabbering as if he was calling for you to open the door. Even though we ended up fighting about bedtime though he didn't want to leave until he saw you," he said as a smile played upon her lips.

"Gareth clearly missed you. Though he never reveals this in front of me I can see it as clear as day. It just hasn't been the same with you out of our lives," he said.

She remained quiet waiting for him to continue.

"Well my mother is alright last I spoke to her she was talking about some shopping spree, I don't know why you women torture us men," he grumbled making her laugh.

"Torture," she said with a raised eyebrow. "If she doesn't look presentable who will be on people's lips, you of course. Being the king and all do you have some status to uphold meaning making sure your mom is well taken care of even if she has her own money?"

"That is not the problem love," he said standing up with his empty plate. "Take for example during my studies abroad. Most of the woman I associated with seemed to only want to be around me because of the size of my pockets amongst other things," he stated.

"Hmm well I guess most girls get bitten by the shopping bug. It's part of us since women are the home maker, we shop for food and all. Can't blame a girl for shopping for clothes besides it doesn't benefit her only. When people see a woman looking well and kept it reflects upon her husband," she said with a smile. Even if she can afford these things for herself it's refreshing when a man also looks out for his wife."

"I guess you gave a point," he said with a smile.

"Oh my gosh," she gasped. "Did you just admit to some form of defeat," she said with a cheeky grin.

"Defeat, you must be joking," he laughed.

"Yes you did," she teased.

"Keep in mind I have soapy hands and a sink full of dirty water at hand," he said seeing her realize what he meant before a smile formed upon her lips.

He rinsed his hands after draining the sink before he turned to face her.

"You have lost weight," she simply stated looking at him.

"I had a lot going on my mind," he replied.

"You can sleep on the couch, I'll get you some covers," she said turning away from him as his mouth hung open.

"A king sleeping on such a small thing," he said.

"You might be a king to others but you begged me to not see you in that light hence I will treat you in such a manner Munya," she said pulling out some sheets from the closet.

"But we can share the bed I will not touch you I promise," he said.

"Ok you can sleep on the bed," she said as she disappear out of the room. Returning a few minutes later with a sleepy brother in tow she informed him that he could use her brothers’ room as she tucked her brother in bed.

"You and I in the same bed is never going to happen again, I am off that drug list your people had me hooked up on. Just simple pain medication left. Thus I am of sound mind when I say this," she said seeing the smirk on his lips.

"As you wish love," he said.

-----

Waking up late she took a shower and redressed her wounds. Leaving her room she found the house empty before she heard the door open and close.

All three pairs of eyes looked at her each face wearing a cheeky grin as Munya placed the grocery bag on the kitchen counter.

"Good morning sister," Panashe smiled giving her a hug.

"Good morning," she replied.

"Good morning love," he whispered pulling her in for a hug with his free arm just as she felt a little hand on her as well.

"Good morning Munya," she said reaching out for the young prince.

Happy to see each other they both seemed content with just being in each other's presence. Munya smiled rolling up his sleeves as Panashe had already started on the scrambled eggs for breakfast.

"Oh no don't, I can prepare breakfast," she said stopping the boys.

"We got this, you go and just rest," he said.

Sitting together for breakfast she said grace before they started to eat.

After doing the dishes she was surprised when Munya took her hand before placing a plastic card in it.

"I need you to go buy some warm clothes for yourself and your brother, please," he said before she could protest. "Enough for two weeks including summer wear," he said. "I will see you guys later I just need to take care of a few things."

With that he left before she could utter another word.

An hour later Gareth arrived to accompany them. Getting into the car they headed off to the city but before Gareth could leave the car she asked him if she could just go with her brother. Staying back in the car he watched as they entered the first shop.

The air conditioning provided cool air which she was grateful for as she stepped further into the shop.

Slowly making her way to the winter wear section she admired the soft sweaters. Looking around she realized several pairs of eyes where following them as her brother pointed at a pair of boots he had fallen for.

"Do you think I can get these?" He asked pointing at them.

"Why don't you try them on," she smiled grabbing a different pair to look at the price.

"May I help you ma'am," she heard behind her as a young girl stood in front of her looking at her in a funny manner.

"Oh no it's okay we are just looking around," Rudo replied.

"Very well," the lady said before she turned to walk away.

She was surprised to see Gareth rushing towards them.

"I must rush off to his majesty's office, I shall return shortly," he said as she gave him the go ahead.

Turning back to her brother she looked at the price of the shoes once more. They were too expensive and she did not want to use much money.

"Come on I think we can find something much better," she said with an enthusiastic smile.

Walking around some more they grabbed some plain t-shirts and a pair of jeans she was satisfied with the total cost of their clothes before they made their way to the till.

Handing over the card the cashier frowned looking at the name on the card before looking at her.

"Excuse me ma'am could you please come with me," she said.

Leading the way to the manager’s office Rudo watched as the girl whispered into her managers’ ear. The man simply nodded before looking at Rudo from head to toe. Feeling uncomfortable she pulled her brother closer to her as he asked her to take a seat.

"What is your name ma'am?" He asked.

"My name is Rudo," she whispered. "Sir may I ask what is the matter?"

The man remained quiet before two officers walked into the office.

"Where did you get this card?"

"Munya, sorry. His royal highness gave it to me," she said as the man looked at her.

"You mean to tell me that the king have you his card to use. What relation do you have with him?"

"He is my friend," she responded.

"Ma'am may you please come with us," one of the officers said.

"Wait where are you taking us?" She asked as the other grabbed her hand roughly.

"Please sir you are hurting me," she winced.

"Let go of my sister!" Panashe yelled trying to remove the officers’ arm from his sister.

"Nash!" She gasped as the officer pushed him to the ground before the button stick landed on her abdomen making her buckle over in pain.

Being dragged out of the establishment she couldn't stop the tears from flowing as she looked at her brother just to make sure he was okay.

Hi everyone hope you are all well. Hope you enjoyed.

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