chapter 18
had gone to fetch water with Little Lugi on my back. It was almost evening, and so there was no one at the river but me. I bathed Lugi and bathed too before wearing my chitenge. I had it wrapped around my armpits and tied behind my neck...I carried the clay pitcher and walked home.
I wasn't expecting to see Lobe and Prince Sepo at home. I felt embarrassed in my wet chitenge that clung to my body showing off a well developing figure. Prince Sepo had seen plenty better ones but it was the first time that his breath has hastened, his blood running in faster rhythmic pulses. His body tickling with excitement. He was losing control over what was happening to him, seized by sensations as he watched me walk towards them. He was getting uncomfortable, he didn't know how to control himself. Searching for places to look instead lead him to Lobe, who he felt was looking at me the same way he was. Jealous surged as he yunked him to the side, I thought they were playing, so I went inside minding my own business.
"What are you doing, looking at Princess Zae like that?" Lobe was speechless.
" Apologies my Prince, I didn't mean to "
"They both sat quietly on a bench that Thabo provided them with".
" How did things turn out this way? Prince Sepo thought, I would be married to princess Zae by now if not for the Letuyako murderers. If I tell everyone that Zae is alive, her life will be in danger but yet I can not marry Princess Mokomena because Princess Zae is alive... What am I going to do? He had not seen me or heard me greet him when Lobe gentle tapped his shoulder.
"My Prince, Princess Zae is greeting you".
I heard Lobe addressing me as princess and knew he had already told Prince Sepo my identity.
"Why did you tell him?" I ask Lobe disregarding Prince Sepo's presence.
"Were you going to live like this without telling me then?" Prince Sepo asked clearly hurt.
"I have been living like that all this time and I was going to make sure you didn't find out if not for him and his big mouth."
"Princess Zae"Prince Sepo shouted grabbing me by the shoulders. Lobe jerked towards us in fear.
" What are you doing" I asked shocked and uncomfortable with the sudden physical confrontation.
" You are engaged to me, I am literally your husband"
"I am no longer a princess, the people who gave me away to you are no more" tears started forming threatening to spew.
"I know and I'll grant them their revenge when I became king before that I have to take care of you because you are my wife"
"You are getting married tomorrow, what's an engagement compared to that?"
"You are my wife"
"We where just engaged, don't lie to yourself, you keep saying, you are my wife....you are my wife, when did you marry me?".
" Then, I'll tell my King and Queen about you, you are someone they approved of already".
" Are you a child? look at me... My family is dead, without the king.... The King and Queen or any of my brothers on the throne are what makes me royalty, without them am just a commoner, I would have to be your concubine if I am to come live with you"
He knew I was right but still he wouldn't accept it. Can't we do that before I sort this situation out?"
"No am not going to be anyone's concubine, I would rather marry a commoner because that's what I am"
Lobe coughed up in surprise. Prince Sepo looked at him and he could see the love and hope shimmering in his eyes.
" you are coming to live with me, am not marring Princess Mokomena" he said dragged me with him.
"let me go you are hurting me"
Thabo came outside after hearing the commotion. Where are you taking her my Prince?Thabo asked. Both of them lost to what they can do to help me.
" He stopped and looked at me, am giving until the first cock crow, to think about my proposition" He loosened his grip on my hand and hurriedly walked away, not looking back.
He was in his chambers thinking about what he should do if I decided to not live with him or marring him.
*********
It was in the wee hours of the following day. People had woken up extra early due to the Prince's married with Princess Mokomena.
Thabo was the first one to go outside and met eyes with Prince Sepo. She made obeisance and came to inform me. I hadn't slept the whole night thinking about the answer I could give to this overbearing Prince.
Changing to a more respectful clothes than the flimsy cloth wrapped just above my breast and reaching only to the knees I slept in, walked outside. He didn't allow me to say anything, grabbing me by my wrist, we walked away from the hut, but not to his house.
"Am not running, or refusing, I accept to be your concubine" I bloated out which stopped him in his tracks.
"Who said, you will be my concubine?" We are going to get married.
Concubines where not married, they where owned. When you like one, lay with them and they are forever your concubine, no formal or informal ceremonies.