Revamped!

[So yay! Iqadi is now engaged to Imanu and the funny thing is that I wrote the character of Imanu before this story. I didn't even plan for this to be a story. It was just going to be a small OS or a small novella in Project: New Generation but now it's a 20-plus chapter story and I'm glad I wrote it]. [2019: Best decision ever].

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Thanks

I owe the other suitors so much. Although I didn't pick them as my prince, they've been a major influence in my life and I would like to think that I was one for them as well. They weren't the only ones who grew into new people in the palace. I became a better woman and princess all because of them.

"Zuberi," I call over. When he approaches me, I'm glad to see not a hint of sadness in his face. "I would love to thank you for your time and, most important, for risking your life to save mine during the attack."

He smiles proudly. "You need to thank your father for that. I was actually going to thank you for not choosing me to be your prince."

I tilt my head a little, confused and unsure of what I just heard. Should I be offended?

"I want to spend my life fighting," he explains. "I would love to die a heroic death. It would be a shame and a tragedy if I were to die knowing that I left behind a family and my loved one, especially if it was you and you ended up ruling a country on your own - which I'm not saying you can't do, but you know what I mean. King T'Challa is a wonderful and courageous man for being able to live that life. He raised the perfect daughter to succeed him when the time comes."

I smile with a grateful heart and go in for a hug.

-o-

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" I ask Jaheem.

Casually, Jaheem shrugs. "Well, I'm not engaged so I'd say my schedule is clear."

I'm shocked that he didn't wonder why I asked that question. I look at him with the biggest grin on my face. He sees my grin but doesn't fully understand why I have one. A part of him is concerned about what may follow but he doesn't say anything.

"What is it?" He finally asks skeptically.

"Tomorrow, you're leaving Wakanda," I tell him. For a moment, he looks frightened. "Hold on, allow me to finish. If I were to choose you to be my prince, you will be forced to stay here and fulfill the duties that come with the title. I know you want to see the world and it's not the same to look at places from a book than it's to see them with your eyes. I'm giving you the freedom to travel wherever you want in the world and not be bound here. Go exploring and learning more as you go."

The fear on his face suddenly turns to joy as Jaheem reaches over to hug me. I smile brightly. I knew he would love a gift like this.

"Oh, Iqadi…" Jaheem mutters. "I have no idea how to thank you for all this."

"Don't be ridiculous," I reply, "this is how I'm thanking you. Maybe you could send me a postcard from your travels."

He smiles. "I will be back for your wedding, I promise."

-o-

"Can you do me a favour, Iqadi?" Femi asks me.

"Anything," I reply. "What do you need?"

Femi is about to answer but when he opens his mouth, he smiles and laughs a little. I don't know what favour he'll request but his laughter only wants me to demand it out of him. He holds up his pointer finger, asking for a minute before regaining his composure to finally ask for his favour.

"When and if you and Imanu have a big family, name one of your children after me," he says.

I wasn't expecting that kind of favour at all. I look at him just to make sure I heard that right. Femi nods which verifies his statement as the favour he wants. I smile.

"My name works for both boys and girls," he adds.

I smirk. "I will think it over but I can't promise that."

"At least consider it."

"Ask Imanu."

"I understand, but please, allow me to hold your newborn child at least once."

"Oh, Femi…" I mutter to him. "I'm in no rush for offspring but you can hold my future children as much as you want."

He smiles. "Until then."

Femi leans forwards and kisses my hand, just like when we first met. It brings so many wonderful flashbacks and memories to how that one moment took us to today.

-o-

"She's truly extraordinary," I make sure to say to Abioye as we talk about his love.

His woman, Edele, stands in the centre of the ballroom, talking to the other guests. She glows in a faded silver dress as she smiles brightly, knowing that she can have her love with no more worries about him being the new prince of Wakanda or worse, be killed because of treason. Her head turns to us and she waves with the happiest smile I have ever seen. Abioye and I return the gesture before focusing back on each other.

"Thank you for all this, Iqadi," Abioye says to me.

"You have been honest with me," I reply. "An honest man deserves to live his honest life."

"You will be a just Queen when that day comes." He sighs out of contentedness and satisfaction. "Nobody will ever have rebellions against you. The moment you proposed to Imanu, it occurred to me that the purpose of this whole event was to improve the relationship of our tribes."

"I know."

"Despite the fact that we're not marrying each other, how do you think the future for Wakanda will be?"

I think over that question over for a bit. The Gorilla tribe may or may not attack again. I'm not putting any bets nor am I saying that I have any doubts. The other tribes are fine and peaceful as of now.

My eyes look at Abioye again and I raise my wine glass to him. "You and I are on a better foot now."

He clinks my wine glass with his. "And so is Wakanda."

-o-

Close to the end of the night, I find Imanu with his sister and parents. The three of them embrace me, praising me and thanking them (although I should be the one thanking them for their son). Kili eagerly tugs on my dress and I smile at I crouch to be at her height.

"You're going to be my sister!" She exclaims.

I exhale an excited laugh. "I know!"

"Does that make me a princess too?"

"You were already a princess."

Imanu puts his hands on Kili's shoulders and I see the relieved smile now that I'm here. When I stand up, Kili runs off towards her parents which gives Imanu and me some alone time after the announcement. I embrace him, knowing that many people have swarmed him, asking him endless questions ranging from how he won my heart to how he will rule Wakanda one day or they congratulated him.

We hold each other for a bit and he kisses my forehead, where the stitches he sewed once were and presently have healed into a beautiful scar. That's the first time we've kissed. My mother prefers me to cover the scar with makeup or my bangs even if it's not that noticeable. That may be because of appearance or because she doesn't want to remember the event where her daughter almost died.

"I have to give you a ring," Imanu says, fumbling around his pockets for it. "Your mother overwhelmed me with this velvet box that had over at least a hundred choices for engagement rings, all ranging in colour, size, jewel - oh, wow. My mother and Kili were amazed and giving their opinions on each. Kili liked all of them which was very helpful. And your father was silently looming over my shoulder, making sure I pick the right ring - or whatever he claims to be the right ring." He bites his lip. "But all of them befitting a future queen."

I feel my heart racing for joy as he pulls out the ring he chose for me. It's a large pearl that sits on a bush of gold with a matching band. My lips part a little in amazement. It's the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.

"I love it…" I mutter to him.

"I'm glad to say that I have made the right choice," he says proudly.

"So have I," I say about him.

I hold out my hand and he slips on the simple, yet elegant ring.