Dingani's pov

"What are you still doing here?" I demand the maid angrily who is still on my bed and wrapped in a bed sheet.

She sits, provocative, allowing the sheet to drape across her revealing curves.

Her posture falters upon my temper, as if she had not been expecting it.

I thought sleeping with one of the maids would help relieve me of my stress but it did nothing but make it worse, so after I was done, I immediately went to take a quick bath. Finding her here, baffles and angers me.

Why is she still here? She knows the rules. I do not spend a whole day or night with a woman. All of them know to leave immediately after I am done with them.

"I am very sure you know about my rules, do you not?" I ask her, my voice hard like steel.

It was a rhetorical question. She nods her head as she cowers in fear. Her head bowed down.

"I'm s-sorry, my king. I-I thought you might still want me to be here, since you request for me the most, compared to the other maidens," she stammers.

This is the most absurd thing I have heard today.

"You thought I like you? That I could fall in love with you?" I spit with mockery.

She looks up at me hopefully, and nods. I almost laugh. She actually had the audacity to nod.

Stupid, disillusioned woman! I think with resentment.

"Keep dreaming, because I don't have time for such nonsense. I don't do love. Now listen to me, and listen to me very well, because I shall only say it once. This is the last time you will ever come to bed with me. Never show your face here again. When I get back, I should not find you. Do you understand?"

"Y-yes, your highness," she squeaks.

"You should be grateful you're not being punished for defying me," I snarl at her.

"T-thank you, my King," she whimpers and bows her head in submission.

"Good. Get out," I snap, my voice harsh like the crack of a whip.

The maiden scrambles from the bed, collecting her garments with trembling hands, and flees my chambers.

"Ungrateful vixen," I growl under my breath. "She has the honour of being my plaything, and still demands more, from me, the King."

I grab my clothes, quickly dress up and walk out. Taking a walk in the forest helps to clear my mind, forget about my problems and worries of the Kingdom. That is exactly what i intend to do now. As I walk out of the palace, my personal Royal guards begin to follow me, but I lift my hand in silence, signalling them to stay behind.

I want to be alone.

******

I stand atop the mountains and survey the vast and breathtakingly beautiful landscape of my Kingdom - the Kingdom of N'Jovu. Its natural beauty brings to me an unmatched sense of inner peace and harmony.

The warmth of the sunlight caresses my skin, and the birds sing to me their melodious songs of nature.

The trees stand like silhouettes, tall and proud. Some simple natural beauties of life, like fresh air and sunshine, are feelings which are difficult to beat.

Everything feels so coherent, I think

to myself with contentment.

After inheriting the throne from my father, I accomplished more than he or any of my forefathers ever could. I won battles and overthrew Kingdoms in my wake. I took their lands, their men, women and their children.

The north of Africa is my domain, my Kingdom. I would do the same for the south, but I cannot because of my brother. His Kingdom is inferior to mine. It is weaker. While he believes women are not weak, I on the other

hand believe otherwise. Women are weak. They are powerless and an enormous source of destruction. They make men weak and pathetic. I see no value in them except for breeding. I despise weakness. I love power and success. That is why I am the most feared man in Africa. At the mere mention of my name, every man alive bows in fear and reverence.

Pulling out of my train of thoughts, I decide to return to the palace. As I walk further into the green forest, I hear an overwhelmingly beautiful voice singing from a distance. Entranced and intrigued, I follow the sound.

Before me, is the most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on. Her voice is as sweet as honey, smooth and rich. It is like an angel, carrying me upon clouds floating through the air. I shiver with unexpected delight as goosebumps ripple across my flesh. She captures my undivided attention with her song.

'if i was loved,

i would have been a happy person.

if i was loved,

i would have been a happier person.

Everything else i have tried,

just for you to love me.'

She sings in my native tongue, and as such, her words touch my heart in a way I have never experienced before.

Do not forget that she is a woman, and don't forget who you are, my conscious reminds me. I ignore it and decide to speak to her.

"Such a beautiful voice," I commend.

My voice startles her. She throws the bunch of wood she had been holding to the ground in shock, and turns around to see the source of the voice. Surprise and realisation comes to her like a slap to the face.

"My King," she gasps. Her voice Is still as beautiful and angelic as it was when singing.

"What is your name?" I ask, ignoring her trembling figure.

"Mi-Misozi, my King," she stammers.