9

Chapter 9

Holding her close he felt her relax slightly as she let out a long tired sigh; but the way she fisted his shirt in her hand told him she was still frightened. Something was not right. Another sigh captured his attention as he looked at his boy shifting slightly he found Rudo's grip on him tightening much more thus resulting in him getting comfortable as best he could. Their steady breathing somehow lulled him to sleep with each one of them secured in his arms.

Sometime later the slight pressure on his arm as someone shook him awake brought him out of his slumber.

"What is the matter?" He asked as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

"You should go some rest your highness," she whispered.

Moving away from him she cast her eyes onto the ground as he rose to his feet.

Standing before her he reached out for her hand.

"Come with me," he said in a deep voice.

Looking up at him she shook her head no.

"Very well," he said walking across the room to get a chair. Settling in it he shifted Munashe to lay on his chest whilst he stretched out his legs making himself comfortable as he closed his eyes. "If you are not in your bed in the next five seconds I will put you in it myself he said his eyes still closed.

She looked at him baffled thinking to herself that he was going insane.

Snapping his eyes open he titled his head to look at her.

"I am not playing love," he said with a serious expression.

She looked at him as though he was truly mad. Making a move to sit up and stand she quickly stood moving to the bed.

"Good girl," he said with a smirk as she laid still on the bed facing him. "Now go to sleep, I am not going anywhere. You are safe and sound," he said softly as he moved his chair closer to her bed. Stretching out his hand to her she hesitantly took it as he gave it a gentle squeeze.

Holding her hand he fell asleep as she did the same.

She woke up early the following morning only for Gareth to find her ready and prepared for their usual morning exercises. A walk in the garden as the sun rose always put a smile on her face. The morning dew still clung to the plants cooling the soles of her feet as Gareth let her roam freely keeping a watchful eye on her as she looked at ease.

"You may leave Gareth," he heard the king say startling him.

Walking towards the gazebo servants went ahead carrying platters of food setting them down on the table. She had been too engrossed in picking up the flowers to see all the activity occurring around her. It was only when he heard her humming did he also see the earphones she was wearing.

The tune sounded oddly familiar but he pushed it aside. He frowned noticing her movements where calculated and not as swift as should be. Clearing his throat he called her out but realized she would not hear him. Informing a servant to go get her he watched as the servant told her pointing towards the gazebo. Dropping the flowers she moved as fast as she could towards the gazebo. Standing a few meters away she bowed her head greeting him formally making sure to not look at him at all.

"Good morning your highness," he let out a huff trying to control himself as anger suddenly coursed through his system.

"I told you to look at me always did I not?"

Slowly lifting her head he saw her visibly swallow before she apologized making him clench his jaw in thought.

"Good morning Rudo," he said gently.

"Good morning your highness," she responded.

He passed by her walking to where she had been earlier. Before she could stop him he crouched down to pick up the flowers she had dropped, each and every one of them. Holding them in one hand he walked up to her looking intently at her.

"You dropped your flowers," he said with a smile as her mouth fell open no words coming out. "You are welcome," he said with a smirk. "Now shall we have our breakfast," he said taking her hand leading the way to the table as she remained silent.

"Sire..I don't think this is appropriate. Should the queen not be the one joining you for breakfast?"

"I see no problem in having breakfast with whomever I like. If she or anyone has a problem with who I am friends with, or who I dine with, they can tell me in my face," he said with a sour expression.

"Friend?" She questioned looking confused.

"Yes, you are my friend. For you I am willing to go against whatever society sees as uncouth especially for a king," he said without flinching.

She didn't know how to respond to this as she looked at him for a moment as though studying him. Seeing he was not bluffing she turned her gaze away from him, nonetheless worried about her newfound predicament.

"This is still highly inappropriate your highness. I believe a male acquaintance would be more suitable. I believe a man and a woman cannot be just friends especially when the other party is married."

He chuckled rendering her speechless. He seemed to have a knack for that.

"Well my dear, I think you and I are going to become the best of friends no matter what, this I promise you," he smiled.

Remaining silent she watched him drink his coffee before he looked up to look at her.

"Is friendship a matter of forcing one into such a relationship."

"Not at all love. I am a man who knows what I want and I want you by my side," he said in a serious tone.

"But sire..." She stopped as he cut her off.

"I had the chef prepare various dishes for you," he said as a servant girl stepped forward to dish some food for her.

Lifting the fork of scrambled eggs to her lips she froze midway before rushing to her feet. Heaving into the bushes she emptied her stomach as large hands supported her.

"Get me Gareth!" He yelled at no one in particular hearing feet patter as a glass of water was handed to him.

"Is there something wrong with the food?" He asked shooting daggers at the servant who had served her.

She shook her head no as she rinsed her mouth just as Gareth arrived.

Pure terror is what he saw in her eyes as he looked at her.

"You haven't told him yet have you?"

She simply shook her head no once more sweat forming on her brow.

"Told me what?" He growled angrily looking at Gareth before turning to Rudo.

Gareth turned to look at Rudo.

"I swear if someone doesn't tell me what is going on they will not like the end result," he said slowly as he stood rigid at his full height.

Tears pulled in her eyes as he looked down at her. She continued to shake her head no.

"Your highness I think we should go inside," Gareth murmured.

Seeing the pleading look in his eyes and the free flawing tears on her face he growled in frustration as he turned away from them leading the way towards the palace. Moving briskly he led the way to his wing ignoring John who tried to grab his attention holding a stack of papers.

The door closing was the only sound audible in his office as he stood facing them arms crossed over his chest.

"What is going on?"

"Your highness the thing is, Rudo is pregnant," Gareth blurted out as Rudo looked at him horror and anger.

Looking towards the king he stood rigid his face expressionless.

"Who is the father?" He said in a monotone.

"She..she...your highness," Gareth stuttered with a bowed head.

"Leave," he said as Gareth looked at him in horror.

"Your highness?" Gareth said looking perplexed.

"I said leave!" He yelled startling both of them before they rushed out of the room.

Leaving before he said anything again they stepped out of the palace only to find commotion at the main gate as the queen looked angry.

"What is going on?"

"There is a boy looking for his sister. He is begging to meet the king but the queen refuses.

"Stay here," Gareth said softly marching down the driveway towards the gate.

"She caught a glimpse of the child before her feet carried her towards the gate passing Gareth who started to run after her instead.

The boy somehow managed to get out of the guards grasp as he ran towards her. Crouching low she gathered him into his arms looking over him frantically as though not believing he was truly there.

"Panashe how did you get here?" She asked wiping away his tears.

"Papa sent me away saying I was troubling him. I wanted the Kings help in finding you," said the ten year old boy.

"But how did you get here?"

"I used the birthday money you gave me last year," he mumbled.

"Come we must leave," she said standing up holding his hand.

"Good. Saves me the trouble of throwing such trash out," the queen said as they both saw several guards move towards them.

"Forgive us for all the trouble we have caused my queen," Rudo bowed.

"Spare your words for someone else. Now leave this place now," he said with a wave of her hand sending them off.

Walking towards the gate Rudo looked down at her brother giving his a reassuring smile.

"Where are we going to go? We cannot go back home things are not good at all back there," the little one whispered.

"Don't worry Nash. Something will come up. The Lord is not blind," she smiled down at him.

"Shut that gate now if you know what's good for you!" They heard someone bellow stopping them in their tracks.

In all his glory the king marched down the driveway passing his wife without even a glance in her direction stopping once he reached them.

"Who told you, you could leave this premises?" He growled angrily.

"I am leaving as requested by you and your wife," she snapped clearly becoming frustrated by him.

She couldn't help it. Firstly he asked her to leave and was now stopping them, his wife had been ill-treating a child, her brother, over a simple request to see his royal highness, and her patience was slowly wearing thin.

"Woman I meant leave my office. Not the bloody damn palace," he muttered as she rose an eyebrow in question of his eloquent vocabulary selection.

"I already have enough on my plate. Between this pregnancy and us being homeless. Please do not add more coals to the fire that is already burning me alive," she sighed.

"You knocked her up!" The queen said in a low but furious tone.

"Stay out if this," Munya snapped back.

"The answer to your question is no, before you start whispering nonsense into my mother’s ear like you always do," he snapped once more shutting her up before she said anything else.

"I knew she was a loose woman. It seems her talent is clearly lying on her back," she spat with a smirk.

Munya turned to face his wife who took a step back out of fear as he moved towards her.

"Don't test my patience," he whispered dangerously low.

"Sister what is wrong?" Nash questioned looking worried as Rudo tightened her hold on his hand trying to make her way towards the gate.

"We have to go now," she said softly.

Looking at the guards blocking her path they looked at each other as though assuring each other they would not move. Gareth stood before her but surprisingly stepped aside resulting in the others making way for them.

"Where will we go?" Nash asked.

"I don't know, as long as we are together I will figure something out," Rudo smiled at him.

Stepping out of the palace walls what happened next left everyone speechless.

A hand gently curled around her arm stopping them in their tracks. He stood behind her towering over her as she stayed still. Pulling her back, her back hit his chest as she gasped at the contact.

The rapid beat of his heart told her he was clearly nervous.

"Rudo," he breathed out her name. "Please don't leave," he whispered walking around to stand in front of her.

She shook her head no too afraid to speak.

Rendered speechless she stared at him as he went down on both knees several gasps being released by the maids and guards around them.

"A home you already have, here with me. No one will bother you if you so wish. You can carry on with your life once you are well, just stay here. If you leave what true friend will I have left here," he whispered the last part looking straight into her eyes.

Averting her gaze she found everyone looking quite shocked at the sight of their leader kneeling down.

"Please get up my king," she pleaded feeling embarrassed as all eyes were on her.

"I am not your king Rudo," he said looking irritated as everyone became tense.

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