Chapter 47

When my son was born, I was alive.

The Queen dowager with her changed person facade, came to see him and left. Then a cup of water was sent to my chamber for me to drink as was a custom for birthing safely.

The  Queen had called King Sepo to talk to him outside. So when he came back I asked him;

" What did the Queen mother say?"

" She was congratulating me, I wonder why she didn't say it here." He said holding a small human with pick little hands.

" He looks so much like you."I said with a grin.

" Does he? We will have another that will look just like you then" he said smiling before the smile Folded, packed it self and left without a warning.

He thoughtless drunk the water in the clay cup meant for me to calm the awkward mood.

" That's​ my water."

" I'll have them bring you another cup."

He had brought a chair besides my bed and sat. He was happy but equally distraught. We didn't know when it would happen, me dying was the straw that will break the Carmel's back. We both unspoken decided there was no talking about it, it was an agreement that needed no words.

What do you want to name our son, I know it's early but am curious. He was about to tell me when his face​ contorted in pain as he was seized by cold chills and stomach cramps. He placed our son in my hands as he tried to use the facilities. An excruciating pain surged and throw him to the floor.

He started vomiting, tasting a strange liquid mixed with a bitter bile each time. bowel incontinence attacked him, my very strong and healthy King had incontinence.

I placed the baby on the bed and ran to him unfazed by the pain between my legs.

" I wish to take away his pain."

Nothing.

" No, No...I wish to take away his pain."

Nothing.

" Someone help me, My King."I cried as if on que, the baby also started crying. When Namakau came in, she carried the baby and walked out.

King Sepo could barely keep his eyes open, he started shivering, trembling and sweating.

The maidservants helped put him on the bed.

" Don't worry​, I'll be fine." He said through his trembling dry lips. Succumbing to his urge to sleep, he closed his eyes.

I screamed for the royal healer who I would never call because everything pertaining to my King was my business. I was still weak from child birth, that maybe why I couldn't heal him.

The royal healer was called. "

It is poison, my Queen." He said

"But I do not know which it is to make an Antidote." He prostrated himself facing the king in Apology.

With the realisation that I was meant to drink that water and not him, to the clear certainty that my King was going to die, like his father at the hands of his mother.

With a headache and the loss of blood from my carelessness to attained to my health, I was in cold anger. as I burged into the Queen mother's chamber and Slap her across the face.

" She did not defend herself and she fell to the floor wailing.

"Must  you ruin as all Maliwa."

" .... "

" You killed the father, now it's the son, You should have waited to see me drink your poison before you left to make sure it was I who took it...Now you have taken someone who would have taken care of my son longer than me."

" Am sorry."

was all she could utter.

All my strength left me at her words. All I could do was turn around and leave. barefooted. The agony of my beloved dying before me.I have bet on Sepo outliving me, what is this absurd situation now.

" Nyambe, my god, spare his life for my son who had not even seen you clouds, your sun and you beautiful clean air yet."

If my husband's life can be returned to him at a few good words, I was winning this war for him but No, Nyambe must have watched me make a fool of my self with my nuisance pleas.

In just two days, My King's face had greatly changed, his face looked like a poverty's face, he had cough out a lot of blood in these two days that he looked​ dry and pale.. I rushed to the bed and fell on my knees beside it.

" Forgive me, my King...It's my  ...If I hadn't...I was incoherent.

Tears streaking down my face. He reached out a shaky hand,  slowly reaching for my cheeks. I sank my head on the bed, holding his hand, I sobbed aloud.

"Where is my son?"he asked through cracked lips.

His son was brought to him, he attempted to stand but couldn't, Can you leave us, he told the courtiers, his wailing mother and the attendants.

We where just the three of us.

"His name... my beloved is Tumelo. I have had faith in your love and so did you in mine...and that was what the gods only allowed us to have."

" I'll take care of you in our next life, I'll make sure no one tries to kill you because you married me...And maybe a mother in-law who would be genuinely happy for achievements and not kill you because of them. I'll go first and wait for you...Don't be too angry with Queen dowager, she gave me this life, it is a pity that it is by her hands that I die."

I listened and said nothing to him.

" It is my plea that I be known to you as just Sepo, your beloved."

He had liked it when I had mistakenly called his Sepo once when he was a Prince.

I nodded my head with tears. There is no end to tears, they just come out, where they​ come from, it never dries out.

He coughed out blood. He wanted to tell me more but the Queen dowager busted in crying on top of her voice.

The courtiers came in too.

He coughs some more and his face twitches, and his face contorts with pain, his eyes still on me. He breathes in low, rattling gasps.