Nathan landed a hot slap on my cheek for no just reason. I was carrying out my official duty as a palace servant, serving dinner while the king's daughter, Shirley stared at me.
"You looked seductively at him even while I was sitting." Said Nathan.
The anger in me was burning like a volcano. I was going to rage but my job would be at stake. My immediate boss, the queen-mother, could not utter a word. I have been working in the palace after I graduated from school because there is no job in town. The palace was my only hope. I made up my mind that I was going to be loyal to the king and his household.
"I was only looking at the crucifix pendant on his neck." Said Shirley.
I stood, lost. Not knowing what to do next.
"How on earth would you have slapped an innocent young man? Shirley said on top of her voice.
I have never seen her in such a mood. It is clearly written on her pink face that she was not in support of the humiliation I got from Nathan. She asked him to.leave at once, throwing his engagement ring at him in anger. All efforts by the queen-mother to make Shirley stay back proved abortive.
That night, Shirley refused to eat. She left the dining room and locked herself up in her room. She has been forced to marry Nathan, the son of the prominent king of Akakpo town. I was equally left in anger to cool off somewhere in the palace, away from where anyone could engage me on what had transpired.
King Ogbum was not aware of the hostility. He would have frowned at it. At first, the union between Nathan and Shirley was just in fulfilment of an agreement both kings had reached while signing a peace treaty many years ago. Ogbum will never substitute the joy of Shirley for anything in the world.
After the whole scene had cooled off, I sneaked into my one-room apartment, at the corner of the king's garden and lay on my bed with my regalia and shoes still on. I wondered how I have become so timid, a common household despite that I am a graduate.
As my thoughts got the better of me, my mind started thinking of other options than to remain here in a local palace when I ought to be in one of the big offices in the city. A soft knock on my door woke me to consciousness.
"Who is at the door? I queried.
I didn't hear anyone speak. Fear gripped me at once. I felt Nathan had to reinforce his boys to beat me up. He wouldn't do that in the palace. No, he dares not. From the doorknob, I peeped, only to find the princess, Shirley standing there.
" What are you doing here, Princess? I asked Shirley.
Tears gathered in her eyelids as she tried to explain.
"I am sorry for causing you much pain". Shirley said as she found her way into my room.
She looked at the four corners of the room and smiled. I think she liked the simplicity of the room.
" Your room is neat". She said,
We talked about so many things through the night until we both fell asleep. It was like that night should not end. I couldn't imagine Shirley who had been helpless, now calm in the comfort of my one-room apartment.
Shirley woke up at midnight and touched the pendant around my neck. I woke up when I felt the touch of warmth around my neck region. She was so close to my bosom. Shirley began to stare at me again. Her stare caused the hair in my skin to begin to rise. She began to draw closer, in an attempt of planting a kiss on my pink lips but I refused.
We started another conversation. This time, it is about how comfortable she is in my presence. Shirley is a beautiful woman. a man would love to make his wife. She is humble to a fault, even though she is a princess. I can't deny the fact that I have fallen in love with her from the first time I stepped into the palace but who am I to confess my love to her?
"Nathan is not the man Inwish to marry, when my father the king returns, I will make him realize the mistake he has done and opt out of the violet marriage." Shirley said.
Something is going to happen to me. That is one thing I know and I am sure it will be a big tussle. For me, I am not ready to exchange my comfort for Princess even though I love her dearly. Shirley is going to make her father an option and I would be able to marry her but first, I will have to leave the palace. The royal family will not stoop so low to accepting that a commoner like me marry the princess.
At his return, a family dinner was prepared for the royal families and Nathan would be in attendance. Since the king's return, I haven't been able to meet with Shirley but I have heard the argument between her and her parents. She has stood her grounds never to marry Nathan.
The whole day, we prepared for the meals. There were different dishes to prepare but I was equal to the task. I have made up my mind not to get near the table so that Princess Shirley will not get distracted and stare at me again.
There was silence everywhere when Nathan excused himself to use the gents. The shout from the pantry called the attention of everyone. One of the maidens held Nathan tight on the collar of his royal robe. She accused Nathan of being responsible for her pregnancy.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. King Ogbum had to rescind the earlier agreement that was on ground. The marriage between Nathan and Shirley Was annulled on the grounds that Nathan's behaviour could dent the name of the royal family.
Now, my guess is as good as yours. Shirley will definitely come for me. In the meantime, I will act like I am not comfortable until I have settled outside the palace. I will come for the queen of my heart.