Revamped!

[It wouldn't be a royal story without a ball of some sorts. This was very necessary]. [2019: Nobody asked for your justification but thanks anyways].

Chapter Fourteen: The Tiara

Our palace is hosting a ball for me to meet my suitor's families and vice versa. Tonight doubles as a chance to see how my suitors would handle an event like a gala, especially since my future prince and I would be the ones hosting and attending. It would be our duty to entertain our guests and make sure they do not get bored.

I survey the room. All my suitors are easy to spot since they all wear the same crisp black dashikis which were embroidered with purple details on the collar and sides. (They all dressed the same so the guests can spot them easier in case they wanted to strike a conversation with them. My dress also matches).

They look as handsome as ever. I've been subtly observing them the whole night, adding more to the information I have already obtained about them; even when I met their families.

-o-

Femi had graciously entertained most of our visiting guests with his glowing smile and matching personality. He grew up around our advisors and nobles so he's favoured by them. Of course, he would know how to behave properly around them. He was an only child so I only met his parents, who were just as charismatic and charming as him. The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.

Jaheem spoke to the guests about his travels since they wanted to know more about the world outside Wakanda. Just like our moment together, he spoke with a sparkle in his eyes and voice which only made me smile. Sadly, his parents were overseas and could not make it to the ball but he told his guests that he will see the rest of the world one day. That gives me an idea that I would have to think about for longer.

Abioye was the suitor most of the guests have been approaching with a grain of salt. They asked constant questions about the attack the Gorilla tribe posed since he's from the Tiger tribe. Some were suspicious but Abioye gave them a reason for them to discard that. He handled it perfectly and spoke greatly about his tribe along with mine. His parents embraced me unlike the others and ensured to keep the peace between the other Wakandan tribes.

Zuberi shook hands with so many guests. He showed off this radiant energy that lasted the whole evening. He was the youngest of three brothers who were also as strong and courageous like him and in our military. I even shook their hands to catch a glimpse of their strength and **oh my, were they strong. I was lucky my arms did not snap off like twigs.

Last was Imanu. I haven't met his family yet but I've watched him interact with others. He was the most reserved but is doing his best with conversations. Many guests liked talking about vibranium and how a young man like him knows so much about it. He doesn't lie nor does he reveal everything in one breath. He tells them what he can while keeping the advice I gave him to heart, and I love that. I admire his improvement which he always shows.

-o-

I walk across the ballroom to meet Imanu's family before the night ends. But I suddenly stop in my tracks and take a sharp breath when a little girl unexpectedly zips by me. My hand rests at my accelerated heart and the other fixing myself.

"Kili!" I hear Imanu exclaim calmly. He playfully grabs his little sister towards him and she laughs happily. His eyes meet mine and he stands up straight with the brightest smile I've ever seen him wear. "I apologize, Iqadi."

"All is forgiven," I reply, looking down at the little girl. She cannot be more than six or seven-years-old. My eyes meet Imanu's once again. "Is this your sister?"

I already know she is. I only asked out of politeness. They have a slight resemblance but their close bond reveals everything. I remember Imanu mentioning that he had to go to work in the mines because his sister had to go to school. But then I remember him sharing how he would always play in the jungle with her, swinging on branches and such. With the large age gap and his busy work in the labour, it amazes me how he still has time for his sister with such a physical strenuous job. I find my accelerated heart slowing down and getting warmer the longer I look at them.

"She is," Imanu responds with a bright and proud smile, keeping his eyes on her. "Kili, meet Princess Iqadi."

The little girl, Kili, looks up at me with an expression of wonder mused with admiration and fear. I know that look. When I was her age and forced to attend these balls, I would have that face whenever I met someone. It would be intimidating to be small in a room of big powers, especially when I had nothing to say since I had no one to talk to nor any understanding of anything. In those situations, I would always be at my mother's hip as if I was still attached to her umbilical cord, looking around and wishing for the night to be over. My father would have always encouraged me to speak but I would have just stared back up in silence.

It got better as I grew up.

I smile lightly at Kili to make her fear go away as I kneel down to be at her height.

"Thank you for coming tonight," I say to her. I lean in closer to whisper, but just loud enough for Imanu to hear. "Can you hold something for me?"

Kili nods fast. Her fear turns into excitement which makes me smile bigger. I remove the diamond tiara from my head and gently put it on hers. Her eyes glimmer brighter than any of the diamonds on that accessory. She quickly thanks me before breaking free from Imanu and running off to show off to her parents. I stand up and my eyes meet a shocked Imanu.

"Keep it," I tell him about the tiara. "Or better yet, sell it. I remember you telling me that you were ten when you got pulled out of school and into the mines because of the price of education. I assume that Kili is almost at that age and I don't want her to go through the same thing as you. I know you wish the same. Use the money for her education and since it'll be more than enough, share it amongst your neighbours, family, and friends; or better yet, you could go back to school and learn more. I can send Kili another tiara to make up for it."

"Two tiaras?" Imanu questions. That one question took all his breath away. "No, Iqadi, I can't accept that. I refuse to accept that. It is too much."

I laugh a little. "Imanu, I have one head and one thousand tiaras. That is the definition of too much."

I look back up at Imanu who struggles to find something to say. I raise an eyebrow, waiting for his rebuttal and he says nothing. He only looks at me in a way that I have never seen him look at me before: with feelings.

"What?" I ask him. "What is it?"

"What?" He asks back.

I smile a little. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He blushes, pulling at his collar. "You don't get whatever look you're talking about from anyone else?"

I hope I'm not blushing in return. "From you, it means something else."

"You and I seem to have a different definition on some words so what did my expression mean to you?"

Now he raises an eyebrow at me. I do the same in return, again, and take a step closer. Our faces are now inches apart and I can feel his playful yet a tad nervous smile slowly makes its way onto mine.

"I guess we'll find out one day, won't we?"

[So this chapter is kind of important but won't be mentioned why until Project: New Generation…] [2019: In the next arc from where I went on hiatus, to be exact].