Chapter 10

The birds of the kingdom of Simunye chirped and the trees danced to the wind, almost as if celebrating the young Prince's safe return. Buhle and Mini farmed away at the field, they worked with their new found energy; it was a new day after all.

"The Prince really returned?", Mini wanted to know.

"Yes, indeed", Buhle responded as she hacked at the ground. She then added; "My worries have subsided."

Looking confused, Mini asked; "And you let him leave?"

Buhle paid her no mind. And so, Mini added; "The gods gave you a free ticket to riches, and you gave it back?"

She paused to hear Buhle's explanation. But she got none, as if triggered; she scolded; "You stupid child!"

Buhle glared. Not believing the 'disrespect'. Mini's body language showed a retreat. She started speaking gently;

"I mean… it was obvious The Prince loved your personality. That is why he came all the way here. Let me tell you something; your personality stays the same even after you have transformed."

Seeing Buhle behaving unbothered, flared her up; "Then tell me, did you at least accept the reward? At the very least?!"

She paused; it was becoming clear to her, Buhle did not accept any reward.

"Seriously?!" she scoffed. "Buhle, you do not have that many fishes waiting for you! The Prince is that fish!... And you let him go. Just like that. Do you understand that this could mean that you, my beloved, are fated to be with The Prince?"

Mini sighed, heavily so. And then continued;

"That is it! You should go and work as a maid at the palace. You missed your first chance, and now this is your second chance. Luckily, the advertisement for a vacancy there was sent out ten days ago. And I doubt they have taken in anyone. So go!", ordered Mini.

Finally, Buhle spoke; "I am not going to work at the palace. What do I do when I transform?"

"Good. You are asking all the right questions. My answer… nothing. You do nothing. You have been hiding for far too long that you are the so-called Goddess of the night. If they bully you… good! That will give you reason to hide under The Prince's broad shoulders."

Buhle stood listening to 'the wise Mini'.

"You will be like", Mini acted it out with some perfect amount of satire as she spoke. "My Prince, I am only but a damsel in this endless palace. Protect me! From those vultures! They tease me day and night, relentlessly. Oh, my hero."

Grossed out, Buhle interrupted the little play;

"Stop it! I will not speak like that! Ever!... And besides, why are you always throwing me to The Prince. You, yourself, are beautiful beyond measure. And you have the kindest and sincerest of heart. You would be perfect for The Prince. Very perfect."

Mini let out a deep breath.

"I, my friend, do not really want to marry The Prince. But if he chooses me, I will oblige. However, my dream is to be free. And travel. And trade", said Mini.

Buhle listened on.

"While you add intelligence and perfect strategy to the ruling of the kingdom with The Prince by your side, I want to add to the kingdom by introducing the latest fabrics, fashion, house designs, gadgets and more. I plan to go all over the world and see what our fellows have invented, while also advertising our own inventions to them. That is what I want to do", said Mini.

Buhle smiled. She found Mini very inspiring. And a dreamer.

"But you, my dear", said Mini. "You need to stay here. The kingdom needs you. You save lives with your medicinal practises. And you have the cleanest heart and the cleanest thoughts. These people…" she paused. "Us people, we need you as our leader. So please, lead us."

Back at the palace…

The Prince eventually had the strength to be in his parents' presence. They had many questions they wanted answers for. They all sat in the living room of The Prince's Palace. All eyes on him, they sat expectedly.

"I do apologize for worrying you", said The Prince.

As if prompting him to go on ahead and enlighten them about his whereabouts in the last few days, they said;

"Oh, it does not matter."

Stalling, The Prince said; "Oh but it matters. The Prince must not, under any circumstance, worry his family. And also, his subjects."

"It really does not matter", they insisted, wanting to get started on telling them where he was.

The Prince was very much aware that his parents wanted particular answers, but he did not know where to begin. So, the young man stalled again;

"I am truly willing to take responsibility. All that is to show my remorse."

The parents could not stand it anymore, they yelled; "What happened?! Where were you?! These are the things we want to know!"

Shocked, The Prince was taken aback. Upon realizing his reaction, the parents retreated a little.

The Prince said; "I was in an accident--"

"An accident?!" went the parents, interrupting him.

The Prince retreated, their reaction was too overwhelming for him.

"It was just a small accident", he excused himself.

"It does not matter! You should not be getting into accidents, you are The Prince!" the young man's father scolded him. "Anyway, did you attain any injuries?"

The Prince shook his head.

"What about scars? Did you get any scars?", The Queen wanted to know.

The Prince shook his head again to The Queen's question.

"You did not get any scars at all? On your body and even on your face?", asked The King, wanting to be sure.

He shook his head. And said; "No. they treated me so well. I just cannot seem to find any scars."

"Are you sure?" the King wanted reassurance.

The young prince reassured him.

"Wait, did you say 'they treated' you well?... Who are 'they'?" The Queen was curious.

The Prince remembered Buhle and her grandpa insisting that they do not want the royal family to hear about them. Thus, he ignored the question.

"Where are they from? Do they not know that you are the kingdom's Prince? Could they not bring you here?" The Queen asked.

The Prince thought that he should open up and be completely honest with his family.

"My King, My Queen. This family's daughter saved my live from the harshness of the jungle and brought me to her home. There, she and her parental guardian doctored me back to health. And back to live. This family's only request was for me not to reveal their identities to anyone."

The Prince paused, he was trying to let his parents take in the news before he proceeded;

"And I would like to respect that. So, please… help me honour their word."

The Queen remained speechless. And she did not even know what to think.

"But, if they saved the life of the kingdom's Prince, they should be rewarded. Should they not?" prompted the King.

The young man kept quiet.

"If they are among the noble families, they should be made the richest among all nobles. And if they already are the richest noble family, their riches should be multiplied. But, if it so happens that they are from neither, they should be elevated into a noble family. And the richest noble family at that. Do the writings not say so?", said The King.

"They do say so, My King. But, if the family's wish is to have neither of those things, is it not better to respect their wish?", said Prince Abasi.

Upon hearing The Princes response, The Queen asked;

"Can we at least meet them? Or know who they are?"

The Prince shook his head. He was sad as he refused.