Dingani's pov
Misozi.
A native name which means 'tears'. What a haunting name for a beautiful young woman. I nod my head with acknowledgement and walk away, not wanting her to fear anymore.
*****
It's been days since I saw the beautiful young woman in the woods. I cannot stop thinking about her. Her voice is like a melody from the Heavens which forever lingers within my mind, echoing in my ears.
Since stopping myself from thinking about her has been impossible, I sent my men to go search and bring to me all young maidens by the name of 'Misozi'. I do not understand why I have not been able to drag my mind from her, but whatever the reason is, I do not care. Maybe I will stop once I see her again and have her in my bed.
Yes, I was raised to treat women like that by my father. You see, my father once loved the woman I call my mother. He was willing to change and reform some of the Kingdom's rules concerning the treatment of women, all for her sake. However, she turned her back on him when she fled with my brother to wed another man whom she claimed to love. I hate her for what she did to me. She chose to leave with my brother, and yet left me behind. Was I not also her son? What wrong had I ever done to her? I was young too, and yet she left me without the love and guidance of a mother. My father raised me brutally. Every mistake I made was paid with harsh punishment. He was never gentle with me. Not once. And in the privacy of my room, I used to cry for her, praying to the Gods to bring her back to me.
Growing up, I never knew what it felt like to love or to be loved. After all, this was how our ancestors believed it should be. Love was weakness. Never show love nor care to a woman. My father trained me to be strong of mind, as unwavering and as sharp as a sword. "Women are ungrateful human beings. They do not deserve to be loved. They are weak and pathetic. Nothing more," my father used to say.
Ever since my mother left him, he has been nothing but cold. Coldness and detachment from love is what he considers to be a sign of strength. Despite hating my mother for what she did to my father and I, I thank her too. If not for her actions, I would not be King today. I would not be the most feared man in Africa. And because of her, I will never be fooled by a woman, nor will I ever be weak.
Power and strength are all which matter. Those two things are everything to me. And women are just like sugarcane.You chew it, enjoy its sweetness, then throw it away. They are meant for pleasure. That is it.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I see one of the guards approaching me.
"Your Majesty," he says with a bow of his head. "We have found a few maidens by the name of Misozi."
"Very good. Bring them here," I say, feeling excitement stir in my chest while keeping my expression schooled.
Girls come in, lined up. Some appear to be excited, while most of them seem to be afraid. Cruel satisfaction rolls in the darkness of my mind to see them shaking in fear. Just how I like it.
Without getting up from where I sit, i take a careful look at each one of them girls. To my disappointment, none of them are her. I knit my eyebrows together with displeasure, scanning them again. But I still do not see my girl. My Misozi.
"Take them away," I spit out, not bothering to disguise my anger and lashing disappointment.
How is this possible? Did she give me a fake name? How dare she lie to her King! I think to myself furiously.
"I'll find you, pretty girl," i growl a dark promise. "Even if I have to turn this Kingdom upside down, I will find you."