Chapter 5 Reason why (I)

On the day Buka called Zui to inform her about her marriage, he sent for Mjoka, Feya's father, the deputy commander of the army to discuss some military affairs with him. After their discussion, Mjoka said;   "Congratulation! I heard your daughter Zui has been betrothed to one of the princes." "You have ears everywhere" Buka replied with a smile. "Who is the prince Zui will be marrying?" "I thought the person who gave you the information added that one too" Buka replied jokingly. "My ears didn't hear that one" Mjoka replied and the two men burst into laughter. "The King asked for her hand in marriage for Mbaku". Mjoka raised an eyebrow to signify how surprised he was to hear what Buka just told him. "I was surprised myself, when he told me told me he wants me to accept Mbaku as my son-in-law" Buka continued. "Will Zui survive a day around Mbaku? And is she willing to marry into the royal family?" "Zui can't be underestimated. I know she won't give in without a fight. I am prepared for anything from her" "She's the son you never had!" Mjoka said and they burst into laughter again.  "But why would you allow her to marry Mbaku?" Mjoka asked in dismay." I know Mbaku is your favorite warrior but I never thought you would give your daughter to him" "Even though he is very cold and isn't interested in anything in the palace, he has a charming aurora which can't be underestimated. His lack of interest in the throne is the reason why I am willing to give Zui to him." "I see. I have to be on my way now" "Don't forget to do as we've discussed." "Sure!"   Mbaku, the fourth prince and the only son of the King's third wife, is the least regarded among the princes. He seldomly shows up or takes part in most social gatherings or anything in relation to the royal family. He was either on the training ground or at his manor. He was very cold and it was rumored that he hardly completed three sentences in a day. Even though all the other princes were hailed by almost all the women in Wailand, he was despised and feared by most women and even by some men. His mother's family was stripped of their power when they were framed by the Queen's family. So, he had next to no power and could only rely on his relationship with the King to survive in the palace. He was well-built, handsome, and tall, yet members of the royal family and most noble families looked down on him. He never showed any emotion even when he was insulted in his face yet, even his brothers found it difficult to approach him. It was even rumored that he was impotent because he was never seen around any woman apart from his mother, which Buka knew, very well than anybody, was a lie because he, himself had been a victim of such rumors. Buka went to the training ground after seeing Mjoka off, and saw Mbaku wrestling with Nnuku, the strongest warrior. He watched them, and smiled at the small crowd of warriors chanting happily around the two wrestlers. He knew Nnuku would win but Mbaku wasn't a cheap bait either. After several minutes of wrestling, Nnuku finally defeated Mbaku.   "Well done! You lost with honor." Buka told Mbaku with a smile on his face. Mbaku got back on his feet, walked to Buka bowed slightly and said; "Thank you, general"   Before Mbaku could continue a messenger from the palace walked to him, bowed slightly, greeted both Buka and Mbaku and said;   "Your Highness, His Majesty the King, wants to meet you at this instant"   Mbaku looked at Buka and asked permission to leave. He left at that instant and went straight to the palace. Buka, as smart as he was, knew Mbaku hasn't been told yet and the King was going to break the news to him now. Buka went about handling other affairs and suddenly remembered he hasn't given the clothes and beads for the ceremony (the ceremony that will Zui into womanhood), to Zui yet. He hurriedly sent for Mbola and asked her to send the items to Zui immediately.     At the palace, Mbaku went to the King's manor and saw him in a meeting with the councils of the various states of Wailand. An eunuch in the King's manor told him to go into the King's garden and wait for the King under the summer hut. Mbaku did as he was told. He sat there for almost three hours, feeling uneasy and wanting to know why he was summoned in such a haste. He stood up and decided to take a stroll in the King's garden. But before he took a step, he saw the King approaching him with two eunuchs, two palace maids and two guards following, closely behind him. It was normal to see King every day, but why was he feeling uneasy as the King approached him.   "I have kept you waiting" King Ouko III said when got near Mbaku. "Leave us" he commanded the eunuchs, maids and guards and they obeyed his command. "I asked you to let me know if there's any woman on my land or even beyond whom you would want as a wife. But you told me, you will search for one. Have you found any?" King Ouko asked. "No, papa. I am still searching." Mbaku replied. "For how long do you intend to search? The first prince has four wives, the second, two, the third, two, and the fifth prince also has two already. Aren't you even bothered? Yesterday, the sixth prince came to inform that he has found a woman he wants to marry". When Mbaku, didn't reply, he continued; "I have betrothed a woman to you."   Mbaku suddenly raised his head, looked at the King and bowed his head again.   "The performance of your marriage rite will be ten days from now. The woman will be ushered into womanhood seven days from now and your marriage rites will be performed three days after she has fully become a woman. Build a hut in your manor and make preparations for her arrival."   With that being said, the King tapped Mbaku on the shoulder and turned to leave. Then Mbaku asked;   "Can I know the woman and the family from which she comes?" "Zui. Buka, the army general's daughter" the King replied and left.   Even though Zui was lively and chatted freely with the men on the training ground, he hardly remembers when he even spoke a word to her. He admired her for her tactics, skills and bravery but has never liked her beyond that. He ignores all her comments and doesn't even want her around him. How was he going to cope with sharing a bed with her now? Mbaku walked to his manor and ordered his eunuchs, guards and maids to build a new hut and it must be ready in three days. They looked suspiciously at him but couldn't ask him anything. Mbaku walked straight into his hut spread his mat and laid on it. He remembered he had to inform his mother to make preparations to meet her daughter-in-law. He called one eunuch and sent him to the King's harem to inform his mother that he would pay her a visit today. He tried to sleep but was restless. He knew Zui will protest against marrying him but cared less about her protests. Soon, it was time for lunch and he went to the King's harem to meet his mother. When his mother, Lady Shui, saw him, she beamed with smiles and asked happily;   "I heard you have asked your servants to build a new hut. It won't be used for storing foodstuffs, right?" "That's why I am here." Mbaku replied. "Set the table for us" she ordered. "You must be very hungry because I heard you missed breakfast today." "I am ok, mama" "Your highness, the table has been set" a maid suddenly said. "Come in, and let's eat" his mother said.   They both entered her hut, sat down, washed their hands and began to eat.   "So why are you here?" Lady Shui asked. "Papa called me today" he paused looked at his mother and continued, "he said he has found a wife for me" "Ow! I am very happy to hear this. Who is she?" "Zui, the general's daughter" "I love that girl. I think I've told you that before." "She's going to be your daughter-in-law. Are you happy now?" "Don't be silly. Who would be stupid enough to be sad to have such a girl as her daughter-in-law? I know I made the right choice." "You made the right choice?" "Yes! His Majesty called for me three days ago. He was worried, and asked me why you haven't considered marrying yet. He then asked me if there's any girl I want as a daughter-in-law and I told him about Zui. He was pleased with what I said and promised he will make her my daughter-in-law." "Why didn't you ask me first?" "Won't you have objected if you knew?" "She's not a girl who can easily be handled. She will definitely protest. How do you intend to solve that?" "I will go and meet her as soon as possible and ask her what she needs to accept our offer" "Do you think it's going to work?"   Shui began to wonder, because it seemed Mbaku knew a lot about her.   "You know a lot about her. So, you come up with something at least. Besides, how come you know her that much?" "Good luck on your trial. I have to be somewhere else right now" Mbaku said, washed his hands and left.   Shui knew him more than he thought she knew him. He was always like that when he was doesn't want to talk or give any explanation or was hiding something. She allowed him leave and she prepared to meet Zui a day after she has been ushered into womanhood.