Chapter 20

A day came when some of the servants went on a three-day break to go see their families. On this day, Buhle went home to see her grandpa and Mini. This break always brought joy among the servants who lived in the palace. On this particular break, the servants usually woke up in the early hours of the morning, while others left in the previous night to extend the hours they spent with their families.

On this break, the servants were allowed to take a 10kg of anything home to their families. Each person received that 10kg as a gift from the palace.

Buhle left on that day, in the early morning. She chose a package of beef and made a deal with the rickshaw man. He agreed to give her a ride for 1 kg of meat because she had no cash. And the journey began, he pulled as he ran.

Buhle arrived safely home. She went into the house, took a knife and cut a piece of the meat for the rickshaw man waiting outside. Grandpa also took some of his money and gave to the man, thanking him for bringing Buhle home safely. Buhle handed the man the beef she had promised him, wrapped in large green leaves. The man went his way.

Grandpa turned to his granddaughter and gave her a proper welcome. He even insisted on cooking her favourite meal. Buhle truly was a lucky girl.

While Buhle ate her meal, Grandpa called a child passing by going in the direction of Mini's house. He instructed the child to inform Mini of Buhle's visit.

Shortly after, Mini came. Grandpa and the girls chatted all day. She told them about the palace;

"It is huge!"

Grandpa and Mini, Buhle best friend, listened on. They truly were interested. Not many people had entered the palace thus, hearing stories about it satisfied many of the people's curiosities.

Buhle went on;

"The palace has 9 palaces. One for the King, another for The Queen and a third one for the first Prince. And the fourth palace is for Prince Abasi."

Mini chimed in;

"Oh, for a moment, I forgot that the crown Prince was born a twin. And he is the younger one. His twin brother is the older one."

"Even I did not know that until I actually moved into the palace", said Buhle. "The most important one is the main palace. That is where the King receives his official guests and holds business. I have only spoken of about 5 sub palaces. Let me tell you about the rest."

Buhle continued;

"The rest of the palaces are for very guests who have the honour of staying the night. Therefore, there is 1 main palace and 8 sub palaces."

"Wow! That is huge!" exclaimed Mini with her sparkling eyes.

Buhle also told them about the landscape within the palace gates;

"There are a few gardens that grow fruits and vegetable. And also, flowers. Flowers for decorations and some are edible. These flowers add a magnificent fragrance to the palace. Oh! The trees! The trees are big, healthy and beautiful. The grass is even greener there."

Mini enjoyed listening to the description that Buhle was presenting.

"It is clean. Very clean. The land on which the palace is on, has some parts that have an inclined slope and other parts with a declined slope. The flowers are bright and colourful. You could lose yourself while gazing at them. Oh! and the palace has a pond!"

"A pond?" Mini said as her continued to shine.

Grandpa enjoyed the descriptions and seeing his precious granddaughter home. However, he felt that he needed to let the kids catch up with each other. So, he let them have their moment. Before leaving, he insisted that Buhle should not join him at the farm. He told her to rest; he understood that working at the palace was a very demanding job. He left for the farm.

Buhle told Mini about the equipment and tools the palace had.

"They have curtains made of silk and embroidery. They also have curtains made of jade. The healing jades."

Mini gasped as if asking 'really?'.

"Yes", Buhle responded to her gasp. "They eat out of plates made of gold; drink from golden cups. Their spoons are made of gold as well. There is so much gold and jade everywhere. And they have statues of the big five and the gods and goddesses that rule this kingdom. I have also seen some wall and rock art there."

Buhle added;

"By the way, The Queen has her own set of guards, maids and manservants. So does the King and each of the Princes. The Queen, King, first Prince and Prince Abasi each have their own kitchens."

Mini gasped, this time even louder. Buhle nodded.

"Yes", Buhle said. "And because they all have their own palaces; they therefore all have their own bathrooms in their segregated palaces."

The chatting went on and on.

On the next day, grandpa and Mini worked the farm. Meanwhile, Buhle sat under a tree watching them. Grandpa had insisted that she lifts no finger as she stays for the duration of her break.

Whenever Buhle lifted a plate to wash it, grandpa was there to stop. When she tried to do laundry, you guessed it; grandpa stopped her. She was not even allowed to cook. Grandpa wanted his precious descendant to get a full rest before she returns to the palace and endure strenuous labour.

The Prince showed up at the farm. He saw grandpa and gleefully approached him. He greeted;

"Good day, sir."

Grandpa greeted back; "Prince Abasi, greeting. I hope you are doing fine."

"Oh, yes. I am very well", the young Prince turned to greet Mini and Buhle. "How are you, my ladies."

Buhle got up from under the tree and walked closer to the three; grandpa, Mini and Prince Abasi.

"Hello, My Prince. It is an honour to stand in your presence", said Mini.

The Prince nodded, respectfully so.

The young Prince looked at grandpa and asked; "Where is Buhle, your daughter?"

Grandpa and Mini looked at each other and then Buhle. They were shocked that The Prince still did not know her identity. Buhle stood there hoping that they would not tell The Prince. Grandpa and Mini could not think of an answer for The Prince's question. They stood hoping that Buhle would answer for herself.