Chapter 9 The Agreement
Mbigu and the people with him left after Buka convinced them he would send me to the palace himself. Buka looked a little disturbed. He turned to look at me and said;
"There are a few things you need to know before you enter the palace. Follow me. Nana must be worried".
I followed Buka closely behind, and he told me to walk beside him.
"Your husband is very gentle. But I am afraid some members of his family are not. Your husband is a loner in the palace. Even though he is fearless, he lives knowing each day could be his last. You can't let your guards down. There are some people in the palace you must never cross paths with. The Queen, the seventh wife of the King, and their sons. You must,"
Before he could finish talking, we saw Lady Shui's carriage approaching us. I turned to look at Buka in surprise. He looked surprised too. It seemed he had no idea why she was there. We stood there and watched the carriage approach us.
"Why is Lady Shui here this early? I asked Buka.
"I have no idea" Buka replied.
Lady Shui smiled broadly and looked at us and said;
"Good morning! Have I disrupted your meeting?"
"No, Your Highness" Buka replied. "We are just a little surprised to see you here this early".
"We are going to be a family soon. I thought it wise to meet your daughter and you before finally joining hands".
"That is very kind you, Your Highness"
Before joining hands? Why would I join hands with her since I was not going to be Mbaku's wife? Was she here to show off? I couldn't help but think. A maid helped Lady Shui to get off the carriage.
"Can I steal her from you for a moment?" Lady Shui asked Buka.
"Yes, Your Highness"
Buka smiled, winked at me, and moved a few steps backward.
"Zui, how have you been doing?" Lady Shui asked.
"I have been well. Thank you for asking, Your Highness."
"Zui, I know as part of our traditions you are not supposed to know the man you are marrying until the day of the union. But I am afraid, I have to breach that tradition today"
She paused for a few seconds and continued proudly; "maybe Buka hasn't told you yet, but you're getting married to Mbaku, my son. I know a lot of women despise him because he acts like a ten thousand years block of ice, but trust me, he is one of the best men out there. I know you despise him a lot because he ignores you almost all the time. But he will serve you willingly!"
The way Lady Shui described Mbaku made me feel like I have never met the Mbaku she was talking about. He didn't act like a ten thousand years block of ice but was a hundred thousand years block of ice! Mbaku will serve me willingly? That was the funniest joke I've ever heard. Mbaku did what he wanted; he never obeyed a command so long as I was concerned. I couldn't help but smile in disbelief. Alas! She was here to praise her son. But why would Buka accept Mbaku of all the princes? Why Mbaku? Why him?! I couldn't help myself but think. I wasn't concentrating on what she was saying but I suddenly tuned in when I heard her say;
"Tell me what you need to marry my son."
"Can you repeat yourself, Your Highness?" I asked in disbelief.
"Tell me whatever you need to be my son's wife?" Lady Shui repeated.
What can I trade my entire life with? I thought. My dream! I can only use this opportunity to get it or near it.
"I don't want to marry right now because I want to be a warrior. I want to learn how to use a lot of weapons. If you can talk to the King to allow me to be in the army after our marriage, I think it would be enough" I replied.
She looked stunned. Maybe she wasn't expecting that answer. But that was the only thing I could trade the rest of my life with. Finally, she found her voice back and asked;
"Is that what you really need?"
"Yes, Your Highness" I answered stubbornly.
"It will be very difficult, but I give you my word. I will talk to the King"
"I will want to know the outcome before the rites are performed. Hopefully by tomorrow, Your Highness".
She smiled and replied; "that is very little time. I will give you a sign before the marriage rites are performed".
"Thank you, Your Highness. But if I may ask, what is the sign you would be showing me?"
"When I lift a white cloth in the morning before the rites are performed, consider it done. I am very positive about the outcome, so don't worry".
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am very grateful"
"Zui, when the outcome turns out to be negative, will you marry him?"
My brain suddenly went blank. I never thought she would ask such a question.
"I cherish the fact that you have come to me today. What I just told you is my lifelong dream. I don't think the outcome will be negative. It will be positive. I am still counting on you, Your Highness" I replied.
"Thank you, Zui. I am very grateful" Lady Shui said with a warm smile.
She turned to look at Buka, who was standing behind us all this while. She smiled and signaled him to come forward. He did and she told him, he can have me back. She will take her leave now. Buka and I bowed slightly as she left us. She sat in her carriage and left. She knew I was not in for any 'loss'.
"Papa, why Mbaku?" I asked.
"You will understand me, someday" Buka replied. "Let's hurry, Nana must be waiting"
We walked in silence until we got to my grandmother's compound. Feya looked like she had seen a ghost when she saw me. But all the other women, including Nana, were not surprised to see me. Buka greeted them warmheartedly and said,
"I will be taking Zui to the palace this afternoon". He turned to Nana who was still there and said, "since all her clothes are burnt, give her the new clothes I sent early this week"
"Mbola" Nana called, "go and pack them for her".
Feya still couldn't believe her eyes and I couldn't help but look at Nana. I felt betrayed. Nana didn't show any emotion when she saw me. I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad to see me. I could see that the palace maids, eunuchs, and guards were still there. They were helping in the preparation towards the marriage.
****
The Queen waited impatiently for Diemo in the harem. At last, Diemo appeared and she shouldn't help but scold him;
"Why are you late?"
"I am sorry mama, I just returned from the meeting" Diemo replied.
"Mbaku is getting married to Zui. And do you what means?"
"Mbaku will be having an upper hand to the throne!" Diemo replied in confusion.
"All this while, he lured us to believe that the throne was the last thing he was interested in" the Queen scuffed angrily.
"Let him try too, mama. The game would be boring with very few contestants" Diemo said.
"We have to prevent their marriage from coming off," the Queen said in anger. "It must be sabotaged. The Mwaga family's power cannot be underestimated".
"What do you intend to do, mama?"
"Come closer" the Queen ordered.
She whispered into Diemo's ears and he smiled.
"Consider it done, mama!"