?Beautiful??
(Ifeoma)
Written by, Rejoice Jeremiah. C?
Semi Finale | EPISODE 19?
?Destiny?
?Ifeoma?
We arrived at the Princess room and found her awake and in tears.
She also held the bracelet that has no ev!l.
I guess the ev!l bracelet got destroyed by great grandmother.
“Ola, are you okay?” Prince Eric asked as he went to her.
“My Princess,” I called.
She touched the bracelet and smiled amidst her tears.
“This is really beautiful,” she said.
“Ola why are you in tears?” Prince Eric asked her.
“Great grandmother came to me in my dream and she told me all the wrongs I’ve done this few days. I acted dem0nic and I hurt everyone. I should have known that Gozie was ev!l. He possessed me and turned me into a devil, I really don’t know how to start my apology to everyone. To you, to Ifeoma, to Ujunwa and everyone else…”
“My Princess, it’s okay.. You don’t have to feel guilty. It wasn’t your fault. You were blinded by love and you have no idea that he was ev!l. Please wipe your tears because we all are happy to have you back,” I said.
“Yes Ola. We are happy to have you back. I’m not blaming for everything that happened but the akaka who are all dead now and gone forever never to surface again. Thank you for coming back to your real self. Thank you,” Prince Eric said and hugged her.
“Thank you brother. I love you, so much. Thank you for standing by me and trying your best to make things right. Thank you,” she said.
“You are welcome. You only owe me your beautiful smiles,” he said.
“I will do that,” she said then withdrew the hug, stood up and came to me.
“Ifeoma…” she called.
“Yes my Princess,” I answered.
“I’ve always liked you most among all the female workers in this palace. You’ve always been the most beautiful, hardworking and jovial among them all and there was no way I would have planned ev!l against you. I’m sorry for making you go through a lot this few days. I had no idea what I was doing to each of you. I was being controlled.. I promise to make it up to everyone for my wrongs, I promise,” she said.
“My Princess, like I said.. It wasn’t your fault. We knew that and we stood by you. We tried to cast the demon out of you and we are happy that you are back. We are really happy my Princess therefore cheer up,” I said to her.
She smiled. “Thank you Ifeoma…”
I nodded and then she hugged me.
I felt excited and honored.
“Thank you for ever being in this palace. We are happy to have you here, thank you..” she said.
“Thank you my Princess.”
She withdraw the hug and gave I and Prince Eric a smiley look.
“There was another thing great grandmother told me,” she said.
“What’s that?” Prince Eric asked.
“She said that you both are destined to be together. Like husband and wife, King and Queen. Do you know about that?” she said.
I looked at Prince Eric.
“Yes that’s true. I’m going to marry Ifeoma. She’s my bride to be,” he said and took my hands.
She smiled. “That’s good news. Ifeoma I’m happy for you. You deserve a crown and you are going to get one on your head,” she told me.
I smiled happily.
“Don’t worry, I have your back. Destiny can not be changed. You both are destined for each other and so be it. No one is going to stop that. Not even my Father,” she said.
“He can’t anymore. He knew all along even before I was born. He knew that I was destined to marry a palace maid who would save my life a number of times,” Prince Eric said.
“Really? Great grandmother didn’t tell me that part,” she said.
“And I’m not gonna waste a huge time. In few days time, i’m getting married to my chosen bride, chosen to me by the gods of our land,” he said.
I smiled.
“Wow great! Congratulations. I can’t wait for that very day. It’s going to be great… But there’s someone I really want to see right now,” she said.
“Who?” Prince Eric asked.
“Ujunwa…” she said.
“”””””””””””””””
We got downstairs and met the King and the Queen who seemed to be in panic.
But they were more shocked to see the Princess and I walking together.
She had just accused me yesterday.
I greeted them both.
“My Princess are you okay?” The Queen asked her.
“Yes I am… I will be with you soon mother. I need to see Uju,” Princess Ola said.
“Uju? For what?” she asked.
“To apologize mother. I wronged her so I’m going to apologize to her,” Princess Ola said.
“Apologize to her?” the Queen asked.
“Yes mother.. Let’s go Ifeoma,” the Princess said to me.
The King called Prince Eric and they were discussing about the call they got from the market square about the eleven c0rpses dropped at the market square who appeared to be wtches and wzards.
“The Chief Priest and the chiefs are arriving in a moment. You are coming with us Prince, go and prepare,” I heard the King say to him.
“Yes Father,” he answered.
Our eyes met and he gave me the sign that he’s going to be back soon.
I gave him a nod and left with the Princess.
”
”
We arrived at the maidens Quarter.
“Good morning my Princess,”
“Good morning my Princess”
“Good morning my Princess”
Good morning my Princess came from every corner of the quarter.
We finally met Uju inside where she was arranging her bed and mine.
“Good morning my Princess,” she greeted, immediately stopping what she was doing.
I gave Uju a sign that the Princess is back to herself now and that the demon is gone.
I also knew that Uju had gotten her memory back.
“Uju, I’m here to apologize to you for hurting you. I was being controlled and I knew not what I was doing but I take the blame and I’m here to beg you to forgive me Uju… I’m deeply sorry,” the Princess begged.
“It’s fine my Princess. I remember everything now because I woke up and I found out that my lost memory is back but you’ve gotten my forgiveness even before now because I know it wasn’t your fault. You were being controlled. Everyone in this palace know that we have a very sweet and caring Princess who wouldn’t even hurt a fly not to talk of hurting a human being. You don’t need to apologize to me my Princess. I’m happy that you are fine now and everything is back like before. We just have to thank God for everything,” Uju said.
I smiled.
“Thank you so much Ujunwa.” The Princess said.
“””””””””””””””””””
(Minutes later)
I was escorting the princess back to the main building.
“My Princess I have something to tell you,” said.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I’ll be leaving the palace this morning after I’m done with my chores,” I said.
“Why? You want to go and visit your dad?” she asked.
“Not just visit.. I’m stopping my work here as a maid,” I said.
She stopped and turned to me. “What?”
“I know it’s not supposed to be this way, but my Father, he gave me twenty four hours to return home and this twenty four hours would be due in two hours. I can’t disobey my Father. I’m happy everything is fine in the palace now so there’s no cause for alarm anymore. I have home to my Father…” I said.
She exhaled. “What about the Prince? Does he know about this?”
I shook my head. “No my Princess. I don’t want to tell him ’cause I know he won’t let me go. I’m going to tell the Queen and Mrs ugo then I’m going to leave,” I said.
“Ifeoma..” she called.
“Yes my Princess,”
“It’s fine. You can leave but you are going to return not as a maid but as a crown princess. If my brother returns, I will let him know and we would come to beg your father.. He also needs to know about your destiny with the Prince…” she said.
“Thank you my Princess,” I said.
“”””””””””””””””””””””
“So are you really going?” Uju asked me after I’ve narrated everything that happened last night including the dream to her.
“Yes I have to. I can’t loose my father. He means a lot to me more than anything or anyone,” I said.
“And the Prince, how’s he going to feel when he returns and you are gone?” she asked.
I heaved a sigh. “I guess he would feel bad but I’m hoping on the Princess to make him understand why I had to leave. He also would even understand because I told him everything last night,” I said.
“In your dream world,” she said.
I chuckled. “Yes”
“Ifeoma… I’m going to miss you,” she said.
“I will miss you too,” I said.
“Biko return soon and make me your personal maid,” she said.
I laughed. “How would I make you my personal maid. I will relieve you of your maid duty and you’ll live in the main palace house until you find your Mr right,” I said.
“Really?” she asked.
“Of course, you’ll then have the whole chance you need to learn the baking you want to learn,” she said.
“Oh my… I’m so excited. I can’t believe all these is going to happen. I cant wait for it.. Mostly, I can’t wait to see you in a royal bridal grown. You will look so so beautiful,” she said.
I smiled.
“How’s your injury?” she asked.
I glanced at my hand. “Healed” I said.
“Are you going to clean the Prince room?” she asked.
“Yes I have to…” I said.
“Then I have to go clean up the Princess room too, let’s go together,” she said.
“Okay.”
…….
Soon we were at the upper floor. Uju went to Princess Ola’s room and I entered the Prince room.
Being in his room brought back memories of last night.
The ksses and all the amazing words he said to me making me feel butterflies in my stomach.
Even in the dream world, it was the best moment with him.
I sat down on the bed and felt the smoothness and softness of it.
‘I’ve slept on this bed already even before marrying him. I should have waited until our marriage.. I was too fast right?’
I smiled.
‘I wonder if this is the bed we are going to be sleeping together when I become his wife… I guess it would be’
I smiled and laid down, hugging a pillow.
“This feels amazing. To love someone whom you both are destined to be together. To know it’s someone whom everyone want to have but you were picked out of all that many…” I said and smiled.
“It feels nice.. This pillow smell nice too, just like the wounded sheep….”
I chuckled.
“He’s really going to feel bad if he returns and don’t see me. I’m sure he’s going to come for me. the Princess had assured me that… I can’t wait to see him at my Father’a house. I feel so happy.”
I smiled.
“””””””””””””””””””””
?Prince Eric?
The gates were opened and we drove back to the palace.
The car doors were opened and I stepped down with my Father.
The chiefs also returned with us except the chief priest.
I ascended straight to the upper floor and to my room to see it well tidied up even much more than ever.
I smiled. “She put in extra effort today… I wonder what she’s doing right now at the quarter..”
The door opened and the Princess walked in.
“My Prince, you’re back,” she said.
“Yes I am. It was a h0rrific sight. I’m so glad you and mother didn’t go with us,” I said.
“You took a picture?” she asked.
“No, I didn’t think I should,” I said.
“Okay…”
“Don’t you see anything?” I asked.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“My room. It’s extra cleaned today.. Ifeoma has never cleaned my room this way before. She wants to surprise me.. She’s so sweet, isn’t she?” I asked, smiling.
She smiled. “Yeah you are right. It’s sparkling like never before. She must be really happy that everything is alright now,” she said.
“I think so… I’m glad she’s happy,” I said.
“Brother there’s something you need to know,” she said.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“It’s about Ifeoma…” she said.
“What about her?” I asked,
“She left the palace… She had to go to her father. She quit her work here in the palace and she’s gone,” she said.
I heaved a sigh.
“Yeah she told me about it… It’s fine if she left as far as she’s not going from where I can’t reach her, I would go to her..” I said.
“We have to go today if we really want her father to listen to us. We have to talk to father and let him understand that this is destiny and it can’t be changed,” she said.
“That’s right. Let’s do this..”
“Yes let’s do it”
“”””””””””””””””””””
?Ifeoma?
“Ifeoma….” I heard Joy’s voice behind me.
I was on my way home with my small luggage.
I stopped and turned to see her running towards me.
“Ifeoma did you leave the palace already?” she asked as she got to me.
“Yes. I’m going home.. Where are you coming from?” I asked her.
“The Market square of course.. The whole kingdom is there but the corpses have been carried out of the market square and are on their way to Achu, the evil forest. They are ev!l corpses which can’t be buried in the good soil of Amaeze. They are to be thrown into the Achu forest to be eaten by wild vultures,” she said.
“That’s good,” I said.
“You have to see them. I took a close picture of eleven of them. See them.. How they were struck by amadioha, you won’t believe the people you are going to see,” she said and stretched her phone for me to see.
I saw them…
Four men and seven women.
They were all dressed in black.
Their faces were burnt that one could hardly recognize their face but if looked closely would.
The first face I saw was Mrs Helen, Rose’s mother.
The others were two from our village and the rest from other village and even from another Kingdom.
“May God forgive them,” I said.
She withdrew her phone. “No oo, there’s no forgiveness for them. Isn’t this Mrs Helen that we all call Mr good woman? Imagine her daughter even went to the contest. Are you sure she didn’t give her daughter charm to use on the Prince? I’m shocked to my bones,” Joy said.
“This is life for you Joy. Life could be what you don’t expect. People could be what they don’t appear to be. That is why we need to be very careful of human, even our self,” I said.
“You are right Ifeoma. You are so so right. I couldn’t my eyes..”
“”””””””””””””””””””””””
“Papa!” I called as I entered.
I saw him sitting on his favorite sit reading the bible.
“Papa… You are reading bible?” I asked.
He raised his face at me and smiled.
“My daughter there are so many evils looming over the surface of the earth. If one needs to protect himself, he should start with the words of the almighty God,” he said.
I smiled. “You are right papa.. but why’s the sitting room this untidy? ”
“Because I do t think it’s been cleaned up for a weak now,” he said.
“Whaaaat! Papa.. Why now, don’t you get visitors?” I asked as I dropped my luggage and began picking up his scattered shirts on the sofa.
“You came back… You’ve done well my daughter,” he said.
“I have to papa… I can’t disobey you papa. I would regret it if I do,” I said.
“You made the right decision. Welcome back. I prepared a good meal for you, you would like it,” he said.
I smiled. “Thank you papa.”
“”””””””””””””””””””””
(Later in the evening)
My father and I were at the verandah, licking oranges while receiving the fresh evening breeze.
“Papa, it’s been awhile we had this king of pretty weather, it’s really beautiful this evening,” I said.
“Yes you are right. Thanks to the dead wtchcraft in the kingdom, we can now receive the good things of life in peace,” he said.
I smiled, feeling happy but deep inside me, I was anticipating for the arrival of the Prince and the Princess.
I wondered if it was going to be today.
My ears kept waiting to hear the sound of a coming car and my eyes itches to see it coming.
I couldn’t wait.
“You see Ifeoma.. There’s something I need to tell you,” papa said.
“What is that papa?” I asked.
“Your mother appeared to me in a dream last night and she told me to let you follow your destiny. She also told me that her death wasn’t the doing of any human but nature’s illness, therefore I should stop believing that her sister has a hand in her death… Ever since your mother’s death, I’ve never allowed you to visit your maternal home nor let any of them come here. I’ve always protected you from them. I’m sorry for keeping you away from your mother’s family and also forbidding you from using your good power,” he said.
I sighed.
“It’s fine papa. I’m happy that you finally know that my mother’s family are innocent of my mother’s death. Now I can finally go on a visit to them after so many years… I’m happy,” I said.
“About your destiny.. She told me that I’m going to find out soon and I shouldn’t try to be an obstacle. I wonder what it is but I know it would be a good destiny,” he said.
I smiled.
“It is papa,” I said.
“You know it?” he asked.
Just then I heard the sound of a coming car and before I could reply him, the car showed up and driving into our compound, not just one car but two cars.
It was a palace car.
“Who are they?” Papa asked.
“They are from the palace,” I said, with a bright smile on my face.
“From the palace?”
“Yes Papa,” I said and stood up, ready to welcome them.
“You are right.. There are palace cars,” papa said.
The cars stopped, the guards came down from the first car and opened the second.
The King, the Queen, the Princess and finally, My Prince walked down from the car.
Our eyes got in contact.
He smiled and I smiled back.
_____________
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