Arc Eight. Chapter Two Hundred Fifteen. The Heart Of The Matter

Shuri woke to find a sprawled Laura laying almost on top of her. While the young woman wasn't heavy, she was too warm and she snored. They had warned Shuri that she sleepwalked, nightmares from a bad time in her life meant she would seek out anyone in the night, and her wanderings were random but harmless.

With several empty Shuri had been shown into a guest bedroom, and one of the women who visited but did not live here had tastefully decorated the home in white and creams, fine linen bed sheets covered a soft and comfortable bed. Peter had looked like he would cry when they had told her where Emma bought them from and how much they cost. The Dora had stood guard all night, even though Peter had supplied them with camp beds and blankets. While they had been drinking, not cider it turned out, Laura had been stealing that, she was happier and she knew her brother would be less inclined to punish them.

They of course had already submitted a report. After finding the security of the warehouse they ventured outside and sent in their findings, including their own failings and the behaviour of the Princess. While Shuri knew her brother would find out eventually, she had not expected him to know even before she woke up.

Everyone else was awake, and Peter had made a breakfast platter, toast, eggs, bacon, and an assortment of teas and coffees were laid out on the table. As Shuri picked up her phone she frowned.

"Won't work, need to go outside," and grumbling she slipped out to check in with T'Challa.

As he picked up his phone she could hear him laughing. "Did you have fun sister?" and she knew they had told on her. "Do I need to start the wedding ceremony?" damn, she thought to herself as he laughed.

"Very funny brother, I am fine, and you can stop with the teasing."

"Not at all, I heard that the Princess of Wakanda has snagged herself a poor American husband, bringing thousands of years of shame to our family. I have already begun to sacrifice a herd of goats to purify the bloodline, and once we find enough virgins I can begin to make amends to the Gods as well."

Shuri swore in her mind at him, "Good Good brother, remember to get some children as well, you need to perform the pregnancy rites, as I'm sure with what I did last night I must be, of course, you were not to know I did not wake up alone," ha, stupid brother. She would of course neglect to mention it was Laura and not Peter.

"Children, already? I shall pray it is twins, or maybe triplets. Oh, how you shall swell sister, and I'm sure after mother hears she will be delighted. Let me conference call her and you can share the good news." and now she really did swear.

"Fine fine you win. I am sorry, but I did have fun." Shuri made a promise to get him back,

"I know, your Dora already reported in, and I am glad you had fun. Are you still at the warehouse, or are you returning to your apartment in Massachusett?"

"I am staying here for now. Peter has invited me to stay, and we are going to discuss plans for Parker Inc. If that is okay?" and Shuri stared, her brother was being awfully nice and as her eyes narrowed she knew he was planning something,

"Good. I am fifteen minutes away, please tell Ororo and Peter I am coming to speak to them, and please, do not let them leave, I will be apologising." Now she knew he was up to something, T'Challa was stubborn and rarely apologised for anything.

"If you do anything stupid brother, I will hurt you," but he laughed and hung up leaving her shaking her head.

As she headed back inside, Peter had laid out a plate for her, while Laura sat on his lap, letting him feed her pieces of bacon. As Shuri came back in, he lifted her up and she sat on her own spot, squirting ketchup over her eggs and bacon before happily eating.

"My brother is visiting, he has said he wishes to apologise, to you both," and Peter shrugged but Ororo sat up and frowned,

"T'Challa said that?" and Shuri nodded, taking a bite of the omelette Peter had made for her. It was good and one of the Dora nodded, he must have asked how I like it, she mused but Ororo picked at hers.

"He said that? And he was not angry or shouting?" and Shuri nodded as she ate her breakfast,

"No, he was laughing and sounded happy." and Ororo frowned, "Oh do not tell me you are having second thoughts, you are better than that." but Ororo shook her head,

"No, I am just worried that he does something stupid." and as she finished the buzzer went, Shuri leaned over and as she was about to hit the entry switch Peter lightly smacked the back of her hand and raised an eyebrow at her,

"There is a limit Shuri. You are welcome here but this isn't your home." and as she rubbed the back of her hand she nodded and frowned,

"Sorry, I am used to being in charge," and he shrugged,

"It's fine, but a guest, not a resident." and as Peter checked the monitor, and saw that it was T'Challa and a spear-wielding Dora he sighed and let them in, standing and getting ready for the confrontation.

"Mr Parker, may I borrow her highnesses guards?" The woman asked and Peter shrugged, but pointed to the pair, giggling and eating toast. As they saw their commander they snapped to attention and one let her plate clatter on the table as she hurriedly put her breakfast down. "I trust they will be safe without us for a few moments?" she asked him, and as he nodded she glared at the pair and they hurriedly left and he could hear her shouting at them outside.

"Brother, please do not let Okoye be too harsh, I gave them orders they could not disobey." and T'Challa stood with his arms crossed,

"Orders to let you drink? And strip? To cavort naked in front of an unwed man?" and Shuri bit her lip and sighed,

"Yes, that is what I thought. As a Princess of Wakanda, there is a limit to the trouble you may cause. Mr Parker, I am sorry If Shuri's behaviour has caused you any problems. I will make sure she is properly chastised for her actions." and Peter frowned and looked over at Ororo, and the Shuri,

Shuri walked over and poked T'Challa in the arm, "Where is my brother and what have you done to him?" and he laughed,

"in a moment." As he walked forwards, he raised one hand but slid out a scroll with the other, "I am sorry but this must be done. By order of the Wakandan Royal Council, my engagement to Ororo Munroe is hereby dissolved. You are no longer a bride in training and must renew your Wakandan citizenship." As he bowed he handed over the scroll to a stunned Ororo, "and, I am sorry, I was short-sighted and too concerned with Peter's powers to see I was driving you away. My worry over the situation in New York made me over step, and hurt you. I do not ask you to forgive me, only that you do not punish Shuri in my place."

Ororo took the scroll and after reading it, cut her thumb on the corner and pressed it against the bottom,

"I hereby renounce my claim on the Wakandan Throne and my rights as a citizen of Wakanda." and as she licked her thumb, "and I hold no malice towards you. You were stupid, as was I, and it cost us everything. But to be angry only diminishes who I am."

Shuri sighed. "Well, that was depressing. So, who did you choose, I know there were four or five, Okoye?" and as T'Challa tried to hide the expression on his face Shuri laughed, "and now it makes sense. You must have bed Okoye last night and have become stupid from the exertion," and T'Challa raised an eyebrow

"Shuri, that was rude, not just to me, but to Okoye and the company you are in. Unless there is something you really do wish to tell me. Your behaviour is unbecoming. You are a representative of Wakanda, even amongst friends you may not act inappropriately. If they are just friends." and Shuri's eyes widened at his meaning.

Her face fell as she felt embarrassed at her behaviour. Had she really meant to do all those things around Peter or was it the alcohol? As she looked at T'Challa, knowing he expected an answer, she immediately knew how she felt.

"I will not, Peter was a perfect gentleman, and there is nothing to be ashamed about."

T'Challa smiled, "of course not, but you do know what your actions represent?" and Shuri nodded. "Good, then as long as Peter is aware as well, then I agree. In fact," and as Okoye came back in with two guilty-looking but stoic Dora she handed him a tablet, which he offered to Peter.

"An apology. I have realised my mistake, and I am seeking to rectify it." Peter shrugged and took the tablet, giving it a glance and seeing the contracts in Parker Incs name he handed it straight to Liv, who began to scroll through it after giving the tablet a once over.

"Uh, this goes to Liv, but, what's the other bit mean? the actions and consequences speech." and as Liv's face cracked with excitement over the contents of the tablet, T'Challa smiled, a huge wide toothy grin that made Peters danger sense tingle,

"By acting, and accepting her behaviour, Shuri has made it clear that she intends to pursue a relationship with you, and that you are now an applicant to be a Royal Consort to the Country of Wakanda."

T'Challa accepted another scroll from Okoye and handed it to Peter, as he read, it listed his duties and responsibilities, not just to Shuri but to Wakanda as well, including several trials he had to undergo to prove his worthiness for her hand.

As he looked over at Shuri she shrugged and smiled, "Did you think I walk around the palace naked, showing myself to every man I meet, or that just because Ororo was here I felt you deserved a prize. I have read your file, watched your life through the eyes of Talon, and yes, I am interested. You are a unique man, Peter Parker, and I wish to know you better."

Laura stopped eating her omelette, and with a wide grin, "Gwen's gonna kill you," before stuffing bacon into her mouth.

Liv laughed, "Gwen? I believe there is going to be a line dear, and it's already forming," and as Peter looked at the still eating Laura she had a glint in her eye and Wanda had already put down her fork, crossed her arms and was staring while Liv smiled and put the tablet down on the table.

"But let's be civilised about this shall we, after all, there are eight of us, and I believe even you have a limit. Mr Parker."

At Livs not so subtle hint Peter nervously smiled and sat back down. Shuri and her brother had gone down a route he had not really expected or planned for, and this was one fight he would not win, on either front.

As Peter's face fell, Shuri saw the smiles on the faces of the others.

"Oh, you misunderstand Miss Octavious. Wakanda practises polygamy. We may marry you all. Okoye, do you have the other scrolls, the one for the brides in training?" and Okoye nodded and handed another one over. Shuri gave it a cursory glance and handed it to Liv, and then one for each of them, laid out in a neat row on the table.

"As consorts, you too have duties and responsibilities. Do not think that Peter is alone in this."