Revamped!

[So this chapter is important if you have been making your bets on who Iqadi will pick as her prince].

Chapter Seventeen: The Confession

My attendant informs me that someone is at my door. I give her permission to open it and she dismisses herself when she sees Abioye. I light up a little and get up to approach him. The door closes behind him, shutting tightly.

"Princess…" Abioye says softly to me, fumbling with letters in his hands nervously. I have come to notice that he likes writing letters and is always jittery with them. "Can I speak to you sometime privately about something important?"

I don't respond with words but with a nod. Abioye gives me a small bow with his head before dismissing himself quickly and closing the door behind him. I couldn't help but watch him walk away because something strange is going on.

It has been months since he and my other suitors arrive at my palace. I have given my remaining five the permission to only address me by my name and no more bowing, all of which they have been doing except for Abioye at the moment. He called me by my title, bowed, and asked for time alone with me - all of which isn't allowed.

That doesn't stop me from granting him his wish.

-o-

Later in the day, I knock on Abioye's door and he opens it instead of his attendant. I welcome myself in and when he closes the door behind him, I stand tall as I face him.

"Do you mind if I ask you something first?" I question Abioye. A bit struck by my force, he nods. "Is it possible that you have any romantic feelings towards me?"

Abioye stares at me. It feels as if I have been counting the hairs on my head for hours while waiting for a response and I stop myself from crossing my arms and tapping my foot to pass the time. I hope he's silent only to avoid sounding eager.

"You're impeccable, Princess Iqadi," Abioye replies, "as you're beautiful and powerful. If you asked me for my hand in marriage, I would accept to help our tribes. But for invalid reasons, I wouldn't be able to go through with a wedding emotionally. And I would never want to make you or Wakanda go through that."

"Invalid reasons?" I repeat, needing an explanation.

He gestures for me to take a seat and I do so on the bench at the foot of his bed. He takes a breath before looking at my eyes.

"I know there are rules," Abioye starts. "My parents gave me the same lecture I'm sure your parents gave you. I know that a suitor being in a relationship with someone else is treason. Above all, I know that a short and honest life is much greater and more valuable than a long and false one. Princess, my heart has been elsewhere and it has been for a while. I never told my parents or anyone because I knew that I would be here. I couldn't risk leaving here when I knew that I could be a part of something better for Wakanda."

One of the rules is that suitors can't have pre-existing relationships outside the palace or worse, have one during this time with someone who isn't me. Considering that Abioye was chosen to be my suitor and his parents (the leaders of the Tiger tribe) didn't know about his relationship, my parents didn't know either. It was a secret this whole time because he knew that he had to be here for his duty. If I were to eliminate him for that reason, he and his love would receive a strong and serious punishment, possibly death.

"Princess...?" Abioye asks, getting more nervous due to my long silence.

"Iqadi," I state sharply so he will call me by my name again. "This is serious. Why are you only telling me this now?"

"Because of how close you may be to making your choice. I just want to let you know that I won't be a good option for a life partner sentimental-wise rather than political."

"You're aware of the consequences." That isn't a question because I know that he knows. "You should've said something before your parents shipped you over here."

He takes a breath and looks away. "I do. But please, don't get Edele, my love, involved."

I look up and meet his eyes. Instead of frowning, I smile brightly. I now understand his letters although I didn't read them. He was writing to the one who has his heart to keep in contact with her. He was only nervous due to the fear of being caught. No wonder he didn't communicate electronically. A man this real and genuine would've already been snatched by a wonderful young woman. It only makes sense that way.

I can only be happy for him. Inflicting pain and suffering to them are the last things on my mind since I can't bear to be the cause of it, let alone be the one to initiate and watch it.

"Abioye," I urge, "what makes you think I could ever punish you?"

"I know the rules and how Chike left," he replies.

"He threatened my life, your life, the lives of the other suitors, my parents, my palace staff, and my people. He was lucky I let him walk out and not be mailed back. I have a different plan for you."

His mouth drops. "Don't punish anyone but me."

I stand up and take a step closer to him. "I'm bringing your love here."

"But, Iqadi, I've been honest with you."

"Allow me to finish. You will stay here in this palace till the very end. You'll be here for my engagement ball, whenever that will happen and Edele to be present. You two deserve some time together after all this. And that's an order."

Abioye blinks and takes a moment to absorb when I told him. I'm not going to punish him but reward him. He hugs me tightly and it relieves me to know that five choices went down to four because of pleasant reasons.

"I can't think of a single thing to repay you for this," Abioye says as happy as he can.

"Simply obeying me is thanks enough," I reply cheekily.

"I have a question for you now. Are you in love with one of the other suitors or did I just break your heart now?"

I laugh a little. "I'm a lot of things, Abioye. Confident, hopeful, stressed, scared, and so much more. It would be nice to add in love to that list. Sometimes, I think I know who I'm going to pick. How did you know you picked the right one?"

"Your heart beats a little faster but then abruptly stops. Then you find yourself wondering why them when the answer is why not them."

[So, Abioye is out! Any guesses on who her prince will be?]