We needed a small break from the Academy drama.

Year Two: Worth and Loyalty

Wakanda's Palace - 15:11 PM

Iqadi walks through the palace after finishing her training session. After she grabs a bite to eat, she runs into Imanu who must be on a break as well. Before they could say hello, his eyes go straight towards her thigh where a bandage peeks out through her shorts.

"This is a fashion statement as an ode to me being the heir to the throne," Iqadi eloquently explains.

"It's fitting," Imanu responds, nodding as he continues to look at it.

"Are you still thinking about our disagreement?"

Imanu looks up at her. "I can't stop. I sit in all those prince consort protocol lessons and I can't stop thinking how I'm expected to be partially in charge of a country whose traditions I disagree with."

"You know this, you've been taught this," Iqadi mutters, holding his hand. She leads him behind her to their bedroom so they could have this conversation privately. "It's been a tradition since Wakanda's formation. It serves a purpose. Anyone can rule Wakanda but not everyone is worthy. That's the point of the ritual. Ever since The Black Panther rule, my lineage has always been automatically granted. The heir was always given the mantle if the current Black Panther died, but they have to continue proving themselves. It's challenging, pressuring, but that's why I train and get these."

Iqadi gestures to the bandage peeking through her shorts. She takes a seat on the corner of their bed. Iqadi takes Imanu's hands and gently wraps his hands around her thigh, on top of the bandage. He almost pulls back but she cups his hands around his.

"This is for Wakanda," Iqadi explains, "so that nothing happens to you or my - our people. If I fail, I've let you, my people, all and my ancestors down. In that order. I'm already under pressure for being the first female to, as of now, naturally inherit the mantle and the first mutant."

"I know," Imanu mutters, sitting down next to her. "This is all scary for me, it always has been. Growing up, this day always had us on edge, especially since we couldn't watch the ritual. In the mines, we were workers of the throne, meaning that we have a forced allegiance to whoever possessed the mantle, regardless of who held it. Some of our training contained drills on what to do if we have to start working for another tribe. On those days, nobody spared small talk about their weekend plans or how their families were doing. Some would mention how they would rather kill themselves than serve a new ruler if they ended up as corrupt. And now? From the front row? It's terrifying."

Iqadi nods. "I know. You're there and have more to lose."

"I've never shown much appreciation for myself. I've never loved myself the way I should and I certainly don't see myself as worthy to even rule by your side, no matter what you or anyone tells me."

Iqadi feels tears starting to form in her eyes. "Imanu -"

"But you?" Imanu continues, turning to look up at her. "You're certain on everything you do, even when you chose me. I love you so much that it's slowly breaking away all the doubts I had towards myself. I'm starting to forget what those feelings felt like. I love you, my princess, but I don't want to love you so much that I forget to love myself, that I wouldn't be able to survive if you left."

"What are you talking about?"

"I've been trained to switch loyalties without thinking if the worst happened. I had to if I wanted to keep bringing food to the table but now? Now I can't do that." Imanu holds her hands again. "I could never betray your father let alone you, my wife. I would rather die having refused loyalty to someone not deserving of it than live because I had to betray you."

Iqadi's had many moments when she knew she made the right choice for a husband. The attack on the palace when he was a suitor, The Contingency Plans, their night of mutual vulnerability - he could tell her that she saved his life because, in a way, she did. His family is now better off than he could've ever imagined a few years ago. But he wouldn't understand that he saved her. Those can never compare to the words he just said. Imanu has a way with words but the ones constructed in that sentence, in that order, took her breath away. There's nothing she could say that could complement or even show gratitude. Nothing is worthy.

It's because if there's one lesson Iqadi took a peek at regarding the roles and responsibilities for the consort: it's to have undying loyalty for the heir.

Imanu did that with twenty-one beautiful words. Twenty-one. If she could choose him all over again, it would be because of those twenty-one words.

In response, she hugs him tightly, looking up to thank the Almighty Panther God again that this man is her husband. She knows that opposites don't attract but some opposite beliefs, like pacifism and militarism, may gradually fade if a couple stays together for some reason.

"I love you," Iqadi says as she parts from him. She looks at him directly. "I'll make a promise."

"What?"

Iqadi looks hold, holding back a smile. "When I'm pregnant, I won't fight."

Imanu is taken aback. "Are you -?"

"No, no." She laughs a little. "I'm not, but I'm saying that when I am, I won't distress you by fighting. I'll do light workouts to keep the blood flowing and in shape."

" … when."

Iqadi nods, letting her smile out. He did say she was certain on everything she does and he's right. "When."

Imanu takes a moment to process the sudden shift of the conversation. First, he and his wife have a more laid out rehash of their explanations but now with more details. Now, she's talking about pregnancy, their future child, and how she agrees she won't put herself under so much stress. He's impressed at how fast her mind moves.

"Have you ever thought about having kids?" Iqadi asks, slightly steering the conversation. "I know that you must've learned about it during your prince consort lessons. Wakanda's always looking out for the future."

Imanu nods, rubbing the back of his neck. "Um, yeah, it was brought up a few times."

Iqadi cocks a brow. " … and?"

"Aside from the biological clock, I know we have to have a child and I'm telling you that I would love to have one. Not now, of course, but down the road."

Iqadi smiles.

"What about you?" Imanu asks. It's only fair.

"You're the only person I would ever want to have a child with."

A coincidence I just noticed is that Imanu used 21 words to make Iqadi fall in love with him again. In her story, it was chapter 21 where she asked Imanu to marry her. I'm impressed with myself.