Chapter 43: "Fragments of Unity"

The proximity of Dayinsi's house to Sewa's within the same compound was a constant reminder of what the fifth prince missed the most—the sound of Sewa's laughter. He longed to be the one to bring that laughter, to share those light moments with her. Watching his daughter play, he felt a twinge of envy for Dayinsi, who was so close to Sewa, able to hold her so tightly.The cheerful banter and laughter from Sewa's house reached the fifth prince's ears as he discreetly observed. His heart ached with a mix of longing and frustration. He yearned to be a part of that happiness, to see Sewa at ease. He couldn't bear Dayinsi being so intimately close to her."Stir it very well," Sewa instructed, her voice carrying hints of warmth as she guided Dayinsi's hand to stir. "Your hands are strong," she complimented with a smile, her laughter echoing in the air. The fifth prince couldn't contain his emotions any longer; he reached for Sewa's hand."Let's go home," he declared, his voice tinged with both authority and desire.Startled, Sewa looked at him. "Why are you here? Did you sneak in?" she asked, gently pushing Dayinsi away."Man, never be as close to Sewa as you are ever again," he commanded, his anger seething."Oh! Can't you see your daughter watching you?" Dayinsi remarked knowingly.

"What do you mean?" He impatiently pushed him again, and they were about to start a fight. "Stop... what is wrong with your head?" Sewa said as she took her daughter and exited the room. The fifth prince left but stopped. "She is my woman," he said, looking Dayinsi in the eyes."She is my cousin," Dayinsi replied. The fifth prince got disappointed and exited immediately.The room was silent since the day's events. Sewa served dinner. "I'm sorry about earlier, and we need to make things right. Your silence is hurting me," the fifth prince said while she continued to arrange the dinner. Everything was silent; the baby girl could feel it."Mama, your hands," she requested for her mom's hand."Papa, your hands," she said to her father, and he joined their hands together. Sewa and the fifth prince looked at their smart daughter and then at each other. "Teacher used to tie our hands together like this if we fought with our colleagues, and she'd say unity is the way to live... mama, papa, are you fighting?" she asked."No, daughter," they both said together."Everything is okay... you trust me, right?" the fifth prince asked as the girl nodded and extended her spoon to Sewa. She took it, and the baby girl chuckled. The dinner went well."We have no room, will you manage this?" Sewa said; the room was too small for the prince. "I think if you feel uncomfortable, you should go to the palace," Sewa thought.

"Yeah... and I can join you in your bed," he said, a playful smile dancing on his lips, his eyes holding a glint of mischief as he sat down on the bed. There was a magnetic charm about him, one that Sewa had always known. Despite the passing of three years, his allure remained as strong as ever.

She turned away, her heart fluttering at the memories and the temptation he posed. The air was thick with unresolved emotions, the room pulsating with a romantic tension that seemed to envelop them. He gently took hold of her, and she found herself falling into the softness of the bed, their gazes locking in a dance of longing and familiarity.

He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers, the touch gentle yet charged with a history of passion. Time seemed to slow as he kissed her, igniting a fire that had never truly extinguished. Each kiss was a tender exploration, rekindling the embers of their love. The way he held her, the way their lips met, it was as if they were writing a love story all over again.

Sewa's heart battled with her mind, torn between the love she once knew and the wounds that still lingered. She felt the intoxicating pull, the sensation of being lost in his embrace, drowning in the depths of their shared past. But she knew she had to resist, for her heart and for her daughter.

Summoning all her strength, she pulled away, leaving the room, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. The fifth prince chuckled softly, a mix of longing and understanding in his eyes. The room was now filled with the remnants of what could have been—a love reignited but left unspoken.