with the hunter gone, the prince knew pretty well his marriage with Sheshije was at stake. The hunter had so openly shown his interest towards her and the prince knew that the man would stop at nothing when it came to getting the girl. He was also aware that Sheshije would choose the hunter without a second thought , over him .
It was only her farther who was making things easier for him.
Somewhere in between the feuds, harassments and pride, The prince had unknowingly starting to develop some feelings for the girl despite her tantrums and the despise she had in store for him.
At first he was hell bent in marrying her just to satisfy his egocentric self and also to let the kingdom know who the real lion was.
But somehow.. his heart had started to gradually yearn for her, there was an unknown feeling inside him that wanted to so badly have her by his side for eternity.
' What has this lady done to me? ' ' I, the future king of Ukadama Kingdom has never struggled so hard for a woman's affection. I must have her by my side, she's mine! she's my wife to be and the future queen of Ukadama Kingdom! I must make her permanently mine no matter what it takes. ' He spoke to himself.
He sprung from his seat and headed to his father's chambers.
"Father, I need my future wife to be guarded , I need to be sure that no harm befalls her, " he spoke to him.
Deep down Kodawa wanted a reinforcement at Sheshije's homestead inorder to prevent the hunter from taking her away.
He was so anxious but knowing how Sheshije's father was desperately waiting for a position in the council of elders, he smiled with great hope.
***
It was only a week's time before the long anticipated wedding between the Ukadaman prince and Sheshije to finally take place.
Sheshije was still confined in her 'prison' however, things were much better now that the wedding day was approaching.
Maids from the royal palace had been temporarily sent to be at her service, to gradually groom her, tend to her in order to make her look as beautiful as possible during the wedding ceremony.
Relatives of the family across the land had already arrived for the wedding.
The homestead was live, every member of the family was in a joyous mood.
Sheshije's mother, despite pretending that everything was alright, she was internally hurting. She clearly knew how her daughter was feeling at the moment. It was through the same way ,how she married his husband . Over the years she had come to accept her fate and learned to respect him just like how she had been taught by her late mother.
.....
" Mother please, I don't want to marry that man my heart belongs to someone else. please listen to me ." Nareku pleaded with her mother.
" My beautiful daughter, as you know, Iam only a widow. Iam the one who gave you life but unfortunately the final decision isn't mine to take...we have your uncles.. Am only responsible for how you Shall be living with your future husband." Nareku's Mother spoke emotionally. Her efforts to conceal her tears were in vain. Her eyes watered but she went on to speak.
"Nareku dear, ever since your father passed away , you and your younger brother have been the only people I treasure much than anything, you have been an obidient child all along.." she paused just for some seconds to sip her lemon grass tea before continuing, " Now that you're a fully grown lady who has bravely faced the ngariba, You're now ready for marriage. All that I have taught you all these years, please child carry it with honor to your new home, practice it and store it for your children someday. I might be gone by that time but if you properly keep my teachings with you dear,,my future grandchildren will surely get them from you." she spoke amidst tears.
Nareku and her young brother couldn't stand it any more, she quickly covered the distance between them and embraced her mother in a tight and passionate hug. They broke into tears once more.
"Go my daughter, respect your future husband it is the only place you will feel at home apart from here ,your uncles will never welcome you back here anymore... you will belong to another family once you get married. with time, you will find yourself letting go of any kind of affection you had for someone other than your husband, henceforth, love will bloom in your marriage. Divorce is a disgrace dear, make sure not to get one, and lastly...do not forget about me completely child, together with my future grandchildren, be visiting me once in a while..."
....
Sheshije's mother remembered how she never got a chance to introduce her children to her mother , she had passed away only two moons after she got married.
Streams of tears that had painted her cheeks flowed freely to her chin down her neck. The women in the society had no permission to take part in any topic related to Marital life.
She weeped uncontrollably at the state of helplessnes she was in. She was not in a position to save her daughter from the forced marriage with the prince. Her brave, charming and beautiful daughter was going to be the wife of person of status but without any strings of morals attached to him. She was so much carried away with her sadness, that she failed to notice her brother who had been watching her for some time , approaching her.
"Sshh sister, it is well..Izubha the God of Tubheta land, together with our ancestors will surely make a way out of this if they also see darkness in the path she has been set to lead." Zenge comforted her elder sister.
" Brother..If only mother was here, she would have at least found some encouragement for my daughter, look at me..I don't have the courage to face her , knowing pretty well what kind of marriage awaits her, why is my husband so mean?!" she wept hysterically.
" Nareku ..." zenge couldn't bring himself to finish his sentence, at the mention of their deceased mother, he too couldn't control his emotions . He hugged his sister and just like that night with their mother.. they broke into tears.. for how life has been cruel to them, to Sheshije..and tears of sorrow in loving memory of their dear mother. The only woman who had showed them love..sung them lullabies.. stood by them until her last breath...