Brothers or foes

As if he was gradually showing his true self and just like the storm, we rode the horse carriage in eerie silence.

The atmosphere was so quiet and intense that i could I even hear my heart racing against my chest, I couldn't help but hold both my hands nervously as I prayed desperately in my mind like I had never done in my life, I didn't want him to be like my father, at the same time I didn't want to live in a marriage were my groom would completely abandon me.

I hated it because I have seen how most men get married to women take their virginity, get them pregnant, and then abandon them with a child for them to carter for by themselves.

It gave me goose dumps as i imagined different terrifying scenarios and imaginations in my mind, and the more I imagined the more scared I became, I couldn't fathom what was waiting for me in my new home, but I was sure it wasn't something good. Chioma, be brave, you're just scaring yourself, I tried to comfort myself.

"Your ma..jesty?"I slightly stammered and peeked through the corners of my eyes.

"Yes?"He replied.

"Do you drink alcohol, Your Majesty?"I asked, I didn't know what came over me but I just blurted those words out, as mother would always say what your husband does outside is not your business. Mother had told me this countless times without numbers, right from when I began to experience womanhood, but at this point, I didn't care. I needed to know whether the man I had been forced to marry was like my father.

As if he wasn't interested in the question, he kept quiet for a few moments before he then looked at me with a narrowed gaze that accentuated his ocean-blue eyes in the slightly dim carriage. Now I was sure I was scared, it wasn't so captivating and alluring as it was before, this time it was completely cold and emotionless.

I gulped down the saliva that was beginning to gather inside my mouth, as I regretted why I had even asked the question.

"No, I don't," He answered slowly and calmly. As he retrieved his gaze. The moment he did, I felt my heart that was quickly racing against my chest subside, and I felt a strange relief. Why? It was something I didn't understand, at least not yet, and not now.

"But I have drunk many times, "He added, his words struck like a cord just when I was about to feel relieved.

Bastard! I cursed inwardly, of course. He was not just a man but a king for crying out loud. I felt like cursing out loud, but I had to hold myself. But suddenly, he turned to look at me and winked before he suddenly began to laugh, this time his eyes weren't so terrifying, rather they made him look handsome.

``You don't seem to like people that drink alcohol?"He said with a hint of curiosity. Why would I? Father was already the perfect example of what a man that drinks alcohol could do, but I couldn't say that.

"It's not in my place to judge or talk about your habits. Your Majesty," I said, he heard what I said but said nothing to that but chuckle. I wondered what he could be thinking, when he was so quiet I thought to myself. 

"Iyama."

I heard him say after a while. I wondered what he meant by that.

"Your Majesty?"

"You can me Iyama whenever we are alone, rather than your majesty."He said to me.

Suddenly we heard the carriage halt, and then a guard knocked on the door of the carriage to inform us that we had arrived at our destination. Iyama looked at me for a split second, as he stepped out of the carriage and offered me, his hand.

I took it, and he helped me down. The moment I raised my head up, I was once again amazed by the scene before me, not only was it grand it was also majestic. I could see garden flowers even more beautiful than the ones in the market, they were so green and colorful, anyone would think they weren't real.

"Iyama?"I heard someone call out, and I couldn't help but turn my head slightly to see who it was. I could see several men in royal robes approaching us, with tons of guards behind him.

"Is that your bride? thought it was a copper never knew it was gold. Welcome home, Iyama we just came to see and welcome you together with your new bride, "One of them said with a smirk. For some reason, Iyama simply did not react, he only stared at them for a moment.

"Iyama, don't be like that, we are brothers, aren't we? The least you could say is thank you."Another one from behind said with slight irritation.

Are these people supposed to be his brothers? I thought to myself because I could smell something was wrong just from their attitude towards him. 

"Why don't you and your little bride join us this evening? We would like to throw a welcoming party for both of you." The man who had spoken earlier said, this time shooting me a glance as if he wanted me to say something. Iyama also kept quiet as well. Suddenly, he walked up and stood in front of him. Compared to the man, Iyama was still taller and very much like a giant, as he looked down.

It was then I noticed the look in his eyes had changed it was the same horrifying look he had in his eyes back in the carriage. I could tell I wasn't the only one who noticed the strange changes, because the guards behind his brother were already putting their hands on their weapons sheath, as if they could attack at any time.

I felt my head was spinning, and the atmosphere was gradually becoming dangerous and intense with each breath I took, I couldn't understand what was going on.

Iyama had no guards behind him, but I could see the looks on his face he wasn't afraid nor did the menacing looks in his eyes decrease because9f them, even though the guards were armed to the teeth with swords while he had nothing but his bare hands.

I couldn't understand what all this was about, was it because of me? I thought to myself or was there something else and I had only been the spark to light up the flame again. Their attitude from the moment they arrived, didn't seem like they were brothers but foes.

"Thank you dear brother, but I must decline,"

Iyama said in a calm and polite tone, but I could tell he didn't mean a single word he said because he still very much had a menacing look in his eyes, after he said that, he turned to look at me, and suddenly took me on his arms, without even getting my consent and walked inside the halls of the castle.

I could tell he wasn't the only person that was angry but his brothers as well, judging by the looks on his face even though they were no longer menacing or scary and the fact I was being carried so roughly in his arms.