16 Chapter 15 - Breakfast with Royals

Damilola anticipated the reason why Denle didn't want him to accompany her. He was frustrated so speak already.

Denle took a deep breath before she finally said "Its just that you just completed the parade and if we are seen together, people might think I was the one you chose. Like you know, they might think I am your wife to be"

Damilola gave out a loud "Oh!" in his head, before he said "Yes, I didn't think of that. You are right, but I can at least accompany you in the carriage, just to make sure you get back safe"

"Damilola, I don't think that will be necessary. I really don't want to bother you. After all, what happened was not your fault. Please, I insist" Denle said confidently. She really didn't want the prince following her. She planned to lie to her mom, then after go see her friend. Normally, she wouldn't want to lie to her mom, but funny enough, her mom would be happy that a royal wanted to take her as his, even if it meant that she was to be raped. She would just say "If anything happens, like you getting pregnant. He will take responsibility and you will live well". Her mom is so obsessed with her children getting acquainted with a royal that she doesn't care how. Sigh...What a mother!

"And also, I insist please. I might not have been the one who did that to you but he was a family member. I really feel ashamed of it all"

"No Damilola, you don't have to feel ashamed of it. You are not the one who did it and if not for you, I would have been...."

Denle didn't understand why Damilola was behaving like this. It wasn't like she is the first girl Akun is doing this to. Why is he acting so emotional? There has to be something to it. The way he was treating her was as if it had been done to his very own sister or family.

"Please let's not bring back that painful night. It's in the past and that is it. I will accompany you back home and that is final. Now, let's go for breakfast" Deep down in Dami's heart, he wanted to make sure Mayowa had returned home safe. Surely, Denle's house was close to hers, then he would use that chance to see her again. He had not heard from Shola since last night and he had to do something. Who knows what had happened. Well, he could still have some hope that Mayowa had gone home safe because it was not the first Shola was doing this. He was the type of person to forget that he needed to report back to him, the prince when he had completed a job for him. But why Damilola was still relaxed is that he always completed the assignment. He just got a little carried away to come report, but he couldn't also shook off the uneasiness he had in his heart regarding Mayowa. He needed to find out and also, he didn't want to worry anyone since he was the reason for everything. He just hoped Mayowa had returned home safe and sound and his friend Shola was cooling off with some girl like he normally did after an assignment. Oh, that friend of his. He wondered why he still kept him around.

"After you" Dami said as he signalled with his right hand to Denle to move. Denle bowed her head in return. She had nothing to say. The prince had already dressed her to fit the royal breakfast with his family.

The both of them moved to the breakfast hall with all eyes staring at them. The workers murmured as they passed.

"This must be the girl the prince has chosen as his bride" one worker said

"Yes. She is beautiful though. She is so lucky. I wish I am the one" another worker replied.

Denle heard that part but ignored it. She definitely was not the prince's bride, it was her friend. No one would be able to contemplate how she ended up with the prince, even to the extent of joining him to eat breakfast with his family - with royals.

Would Mayowa be jealous? Of course not. I will explain to her everything that had happened and it will be okay. Of course it will be. She thought. Mayowa trusts her more than anyone in the world.

Just as Denle was still lost in thought, she felt someone hold her hands tight. Looking up, she figured it was Dami, but why was he holding her tight like as if she was going to run away. She tried to get her hands off. The grip was too tight and it was beginning to hurt.

She wanted to say something before she looked straight and realised why Damilola was holding her tight. It was Akun who stood in their way, looking fiercely at them. Denle immediately started sweating. She was shaking and felt like running away. They were standing just at the door where the breakfast was to be held.

The two princes stared at themselves fiercely leaving Denle with the pale face. She was shaking and Dami could feel it. The silence was intimidating so Dami took the opportunity to speak "Good morning Akun. How was your night?"

"Probably the worst, but I see you had a great night" Akun replied clearly frustrated. He looked like he didn't sleep at all. There were dark circles just below his eyes. He refocused his gaze from Dami to Denle.

Wow! She looked really good this morning. She is really beautiful. Looking at her, he could not help feeling the anger he felt now for his brother. This was his woman. He was supposed to be the one to dress her up like a princess that she is. Even if he was a little harsh in the beginning, he didn't plan to continue. She is the only girl he had ever longed for so badly. Even when his father locked him up in jail, he still slept soundly but this girl made him not sleep an inch. He was awake all through.

"Yes I did" Dami said. He turned to Denle and said "Shall we go inside?". Denle nodded in approval.

"I will never forgive you for taking what is mine" Akun added.

"She was never yours in the first place" With that, Dami took Denle with him, but Akun dragged her to his side.

"She is mine. I will not let you take this one from me. When I did all those things to those girls, why didn't you interfere? Why didn't you say anything? But all of a sudden now, you are interested in this very one. The very one I have so much interest in" Akun said holding Denle tight.

"That is none of your business. Let her go. I don't want us to cause any problem here. Our family is inside" Damilola said calmly. He had to admit that he had never seen Akun so interested in a girl like this.

"Let me go. I don't want to stay with you" Denle said lightly as she tried to get her hands off.

"You have no choice. You are mine. I will introduce to everyone as my bride to be"

Denle's eyes widened in fear "No, no, I don't want to be your bride. Let me go please"

Seeing that Akun was not ready to let her go, she stepped on his feet, drew his hands close to her mouth and bit it. Akun immediately left her, and she took the opportunity to run to where Dami stood.

"I guess I didn't have to do anything. She clearly doesn't want you. Next time, when you like someone, be nice at the beginning. First impression lasts longer" Dami said

"You!.."

"Dami, is that you? Come inside" King Dele shouted from the breakfast hall, disrupting everything.

"I'm coming father" Damilola gave Akun one more look before taking Denle with him inside.

Everyone was stunned to see Dami with a girl. King Dele was more than stunned. Just yesterday night, he had an issue with one girl and now, another one is with him.

What is going on with my son? Is he turning to me? King Dele chuckled at that thought.

Dami took his seat close to his father with Denle by his side. Everyone stared keenly at Denle making her uncomfortable but no one said anything. This was the crown prince and they weren't to question or be ready to face the wrath of the king. She wished she could leave here but it will be disrespectful to Damilola after all he did for her. Akun entered and took his seat opposite them, staring deeply at Denle.

Oh My God! let this breakfast end!

The palace workers took turns to serve the different delicacies. There was vegetable soup with Pounded yam, Denle's best food. She was already salivating. It was the best soup she had ever seen in her life. It was stocked with meat, pomo, and snail.

Wow! Royals eat a lot. This is amazing.

Dami signalled her to start eating as everyone had started eating. Seems there was nothing much to the royal breakfast. It was just a tradition that had to be observed all the time to at least bring the family together. They were about twenty on the table including the king's concubines. Some of them came to attend it.

Denle took the food, washed her hands and started eating. She rushed it in, not minding where she was. She was hungry and for God's sake, this was her favorite food. She was ready to die there!

Dami touched her laps to get her attention "Relax, you might throw up and also, everyone is looking at you" he smiled. Denle nodded apologetically.

Akun on the other hand was enjoying Denle eat. It fascinated and he wondered why. Oh, how he would spoil her if he finally got her. Surely, he wasn't ready to give up on her and give Dami the satisfaction of seeing him lose. He behaved bad in the beginning. He really should have treated her well, but who would have thought that he would take her this deep in his heart. No girl on earth had been able to, not even princesses.

As I said earlier, no one would dare say anything to the crown prince but there is always that person that doesn't fit.

Akun's mother, the first Queen decided it was time to clear her doubts "Crown prince Damilola, is this the girl you have chosen as your bride?"

Denle coughed at the sudden question. She thought no one would say a thing, that she would eat her breakfast peacefully and leave.

"It's none of your business what my son does. I suggest you mind your business" King Dele said. "If I, the king has not questioned him, then who are you to question him? You are just a mere woman in the palace so shut your mouth and don't speak when not asked to"

"I am sorry my king" the Queen apologized.

No one except Denle was shocked at the way King Dele spoke to his wife. It was not the first time he had done it and definitely will not be the last. Everyone knew how much he treasured Dami and they dare not say anything against him. In some other situation, Dami would have said something but he had nothing to say so he let his father handle it. In his mind, he was like "Thank you father"

His younger sister smiled at Denle and she returned the smile. She was the smallest in the table and the cutest. Denle noticed that she was the only girl in the room. So the king really does have only one daughter.

King Dele did not say anything again. Everyone ate their breakfast and left.

Dami took Denle outside ready to take her back home when Shola appeared out of nowhere.

"My Prince" he said panting.

"What is it? Where were you? I have been looking for you"

"The girl, the girl is missing"

"Who? Who are you talking about?"

"Mayowa"

Denle knees gave in and she fell to the ground.

Author's note: Hey guys, author here, please add this book to your library to get updates on the book. Follow me on Instagram @ellathefirst18. Thank you