QUEEN UGONMA

THE PRINCESS'S FATE

Mary came with a tray of food, scrambled egg with some hotdog,  quaker oat , toasted bread and a glass of yogurt. she looked around but when she did not see her, quickly rushed to the bathroom, only to see her passed out in the bathtub. She turned the mixer to warm water section and as she raised the shower on her head and allow the water to cascade down her body. As the princess felt the running water, she slowly regained her consciousness, when she has finished, she brought a fresh linen cloth for her to wear. Princess Ugonma ravenously ate the food to the amusement of Mary who watched her devour the breakfast without any idea what the princess has passed through. she finished her meal and slept off, snoring peacefully. Mary quietly closed the door and went and informed the king.

   It was an hour later when the king decided to check on her and get acquainted with her, he is becoming impatient with her. He knocked on the door this time making sure to wake her up but did not wait to hear her answer before going in. He saw her sound asleep and sleeping like an angel, he could not resist the urge to kiss her cheek, he bent down and as he kissed her cheek, she woke up abruptly and seeing him so close to her, Ugonma panicked and screamed. He tried to cover her mouth to calm her down. but the more he tried the more she struggled and screamed untop of her voice ,clawing and kicking  him with her finger nails  and legs, that the king was forced to leave her and stormed out of the room angrily. The princess was still screaming for help when Mary ran into the room. " what is it?" she inquired .alarmed at her screaming. " did you have a nightmare?" she asked as she calmed the princess. Ugonma shook her head in the negative and said, "Who is that man ? where am I, why does he want to r**e me? Mary was shocked as she asked "You mean the king? Before any one could say anything, the king walked. "Mary" he said " Leave us" As Mary was about to leave, Ugonma grabbed her arm and pleaded " Please Mary don't leave me alone with him" "He will not harm you dear, relax" Mary said as she walked away closing the door behind her.

    The king cleared his throat as he said, " Young woman why are you acting like a small child, you are now my wife and yet you pretend and scream as if I am raping you or taking advantage of you" he said staring at her now confused and scared face. "What did you say, who is your wife?" she shrugged as she said "Over my dead body" " What?" The king asked in disbelief. " Let me tell you, your father borrowed money from me and could not pay , upon his death your family decided that i should marry in exchange and so your my wife now"  "What, which family, am not aware of this arrangement and will die before i marry an old man like my father" she narrowed her eyes as she remembered over hearing Beatrice and her father discussing something like this but her father later told her a few days before he died that over his dead body will he allow his princess to marry an old fool because of money, this must be why she was drugged because she remembers struggling with then as they administer the injection on her. Yet she is not marring this man king or no king. She summoned courage, after all she is princess Ugonma the fearless one and in defiance told the king " Yes my father owed you money but would have paid you back but for his untimely death, if you let me go, i promise ,i will pay you the money to the last kobo" The king laughed  and said " My dear i will not thread for all the money in the world, you are mine as my second wife, i will leave you now to rest but tonight you and i will consummate our marriage" he walked out before Ugonma could say anything, she threw the pillow at the closed door and cried and cried untill she fell asleep.

   "Hello sleeping beauty" Mary said as she brought her dinner. she had earlier come to bring her her lunch but did not have the heart to wake her up having eavesdropped  and heard all that transpired between Ugonma and the king. She tapped her gently on her leg and she woke up and upon seeing her her furrows that was beginning to form a frown eased into a smile. some how, the princess felt Mary can be trusted as she began to hatch a plan as she ate her food remembering what the king said. " Can i have some fruits like apple or oranges, i like to cut them with knives please" she pleaded. " Right away" Mary said taking the tray with her and returning momentarily with apples, oranges and avacado pear. she equally add a kitchen knife without any clue that the princess has ulterior motives. " thank you so much " Princess Ugonma said as she sliced the fruits, ' Where is the kings wife" Ugonma asked surprising Mary with her question. " Oh she traveled to see her daughter that just gave birth, she will be there for some time." realizing she has said too much and not wanting to incur the kings rut who specifically asked her not to chit chat with his new wife, she quickly bowed her head for the first time to her and said " i must leave now my queen' and she left before Ugonma could object or say anything. Princess Ugonma shrugged and remembering how his fathers palace maids behave, knew the poor maid was just saving her skin and at that she realized she can not confide in her for fear that she might relay it back to the king. As she sat, she couldn't help the tears that flowed from her eyes remembering her home and her family.