Revamped!

[After all the seriousness this story has been in so far, it's time for a fun chapter. Am I right?]

Chapter Thirteen: The Jungles

"Princess!" I hear someone call from down the hallway.

I head over and see my remaining suitors, all of them. But Femi is the one who called me. As I approach them, they bow for me in sync.

"Hello," I casually greet.

"Your Highness," Abioye formally begins on purpose, I may add. "We have a proposal for you - not marriage-wise, since that's your task, but our idea may be a little out-of-line. We were thinking that choosing a suitor is very challenging for you."

"Especially since we're all tremendous," Femi adds with a smirk.

I chuckle. "You have no idea."

"We thought of something," Imanu says. "Since you have your own duties to finish and still us to manage, we have thought of a way to lighten your workload."

"How so?" I question, slightly intrigued by the idea.

"We were thinking of an activity for the six of us," Zuberi continues. "Nothing too straining but relaxing and amusing."

"Brilliant!" I exclaim. "That sounds perfect! Any ideas?"

None of them answer. It's quite ironic how they propose the idea of an outing without actually planning the outing. I won't be the one to plan it since I don't know how nor what to do. I grin at them.

"I will go change into garments much more comfortable," I say, walking past them towards my room. "You'd better have a proposal by the time I return."

-o-

"How about this?" My attendant says, offering a short dress and a pair of sandals.

I shake my head. That's the sixth or maybe seventh outfit she offered. I sigh, dismissing her but thanking her for her help. She bows her head and scurries out of my door. I rise from my bed and push my clothes across my closet.

I don't know what to wear since I don't know the agenda. I think back to how my suitors were dressed since I highly doubt they will change. They were casual. My casual clothes, if anything, are nowhere near their casual clothing (even the garments we provided).

My only other options are my training uniform or the civvies I would wear when visiting America. I ignore the former and pull out the latter. Should I wear this? Seeing no other choices, I pull them out.

-o-

I skip down the stairs, approaching my suitors wearing my American civvies. They're all speechless and I don't know if that is because of my outfit or how I look in it. I open my mouth to say something to them but can't think of anything to say. Suddenly, they come to and bow at my presence.

"You aren't wearing a dress…" Abioye mutters. "Or those one-piece jumpsuits."

I understand their confusion. All they have seen me wear are dresses and one-piece jumpsuits.

"These are called jeans," I explain, pinching on the deep blue pant fabric on my leg. "They're made of denim and cotton. I would wear them when I would visit America. Oh! And they have pockets! They're not as functional as they're fashionable."

I put my hands in my back pockets and quickly spin around in glee. I suddenly feel like an excited child wearing these clothes.

"You should wear them more often, Princess," Jaheem says.

"Can you fight in them?" Zuberi questions.

I smile a little. "I can fight in anything."

I stretch my leg in the air into a high kick. I hold it for a second to prove my point to them. When I'm back on my two feet, I suddenly remember the focus of the day.

"So, where are we headed?" I ask.

"We were thinking of a walk through the jungles," Femi says.

I light up a little. "Fascinating! Lead the way."

-o-

Wakanda is a nation surrounded by jungles on all borders. If one were to enter Wakanda, they would be welcomed with jungles that are subtly yet heavily guarded. It consists of a concoction of various plants and wildlife, all combined to be a perfect addition to the defence system. Any threat that is unfamiliar with the jungles will spend days as a hopeless wanderer before inflicting any danger upon us, possibly meeting death before catching even the slightest glimpse of Wakanda. If they were lucky to make their way through the labyrinth, they would see our different tribes before meeting the kingdom and Panther tribe in the centre, along with the vibranium mines.

The world thinks we're a third-world country, but we're slowly changing that idea.

I'm familiar with the jungles up to the point where if get lost, I can find our way back. But it's interesting to take a break from being a powerful leader. For once, I'm the one following and seeing the jungles as a set of trees and nothing more. Although all the trees are the same, they seem new at the same time.

"As a child," Imanu starts, "my younger sister and I would play in these jungles and even swing on the branches."

I laugh a little as my suitors begin to swing on the branches that surround us. I look up at them in awe for the happiness that spreads across their faces.

"Princess, join us!" They all encourage.

"On one condition," I say. "I have an order and all of you must obey it."

For some reason, my suitors leap from their branches and onto the ground. They brush themselves off, making them look the least bit presentable as they could.

Oh my, they think I'm about to give a serious order. I might as well play to that part.

"From this moment on," I start, "you must address me as Iqadi, not Princess, Princess Iqadi or Your Majesty. Just Iqadi. The same goes for bowing. No more of that. We need to get rid of that formality."

My suitors are in shock. I nod, indicating to them that I'm serious. One of them will be my husband and I don't want my husband to be formal towards me my whole life. My suitors sigh in relief as I proceed to jump from the ground and swing from the branches.

We're adults acting like children. I'm the heiress to Wakanda's throne and the Black Panther mantle yet here I am, covered in dirt and swinging on trees. Who knew this group adventure would be so much fun? The boys dissolve into stories and comments. The end of each sentence sparks a new memory from someone else, sometimes even myself.

Our conversation grows louder, the laughter so lovely and hearty that it makes me realize something.

I always grew up in a routine: being trained in what to do and how to execute it properly. Now, I'm frolicking in the jungle with five boys who were once a third of what was in the beginning. One of them will be my husband and my prince but I'm hoping the other four will remain as close friends.