CHAPTER FIVE

Ada stared at them still the thoughts swimming in her head blocked out the sounds of their music. It was one of the palace guards who found and brought her back to Afudo this morning. She recognized the mark of the royal guards on his right arm. All day he stood silently at the front of her hut, daring her to try run.

Since she had been chosen by the chief priest of Afudo at the age of twelve,Ada had been prepared by different tutors for the prince. She had been taught how to eat like royalty and how to bow before the king; how to walk like a princess, Ada always listen absent mindedly and trembled with fear whenever she thought about her wedding night. She was expected to always please and never complain . All these years she longed for someone to ask,Ada how do you feel about this? Many year's later she still struggled with the fact that the decision had already been made for her and there was no turning back. Tradition also demanded she never move close to the palace until the day she was to be married to the prince.

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On the same morning, feet that had tread and conquer many battles stood by the royal palace,willed by a consecration to duty and an oath to protect the village of Afudo. Silent winds gently caressed the bare chests of the warriors who guarded the palace. In an instant, the movement of a hand cut through the silence and the prince tenth spear hit the circle on the tree. Heads turned and eyes connected in silent wonder

Ikenna struggle to quell the feeling of anger and betrayal that wrestled inside him. He picked his eleventh spear and gathered the momentum to throw , heart pumping and eyes calculating the distance ahead. Suddenly, unable to bottle up his frustration, he threw his spear down in one defeated motion and cursed loudly. The guards immediately turn their backs knowing better than to get in his way

Ikenna what is the matter? The queen asked as she stepped out of her hut with two maid servants. looking into her son's eyes, she smiled. Today you will become a man and learn the responsibilities your title entails--first as a husband and later as a king she raised her hands and dismissed the maids.

Mama how can live a lie when my heart belongs to another? Ikenna asked.

The queen walked towards her son and raised her head to look him straight in the eyes and you make sure to treat her right, else you'll never be able to rule right.

The prince quietly pick up the spear and threw it down with all the strength he could muster. He bowed before the queen and Walk away making up his mind on what on what to do about the love of his life.

He promised her that he would go against tradition and the royal family's judgment, but his promises weighed little in the light of his present predicament. He would marry this Ada, who had been chosen for him, and make life unbearable for her until she left him. Then he would bring his love in. He smiles at the wedding today would come from the foresight of his plans coming true, not from the bubbling joy of acquiringa bride who he was neither in love with, nor had ever met.