Dingani's pov
"What is this nonsense I'm hearing about you looking for a girl called 'Misozi'?" My father asks angrily with disbelief, barging into my room without so much as a single knock.
I roll my eyes with exasperation."It is exactly as you hear, Father," I respond lazily. I pull my pants up and slip on a shirt. Upon my bed is one of my maidens covering her chest with a bed sheet, cowering in fear and shame.
My eyes land on her. "Get out," I order harshly.
She obeys, rising quickly and grabs her clothes. She rushes out from my quarters. This is not the first time my father barged into my rooms and found girls in my bed. Nevertheless, I do not care about his opinion, because I know he does not mind. After all, this is his lifestyle too. In my early teens, he would force me to sleep with concubines he selected. Sometimes I would find them upon my bed, waiting for me dutifully as a reward from my father for conquering neighbouring kingdoms.
"I'm waiting for an exlanation, Dingani. Why are you looking for the girl. What do you want from her," my father demands. If it was anybody else, my father's present glare would have them trembling in fear. But I am not. I am not afraid of him. I achieved more than he ever did. I accomplished more than what he could ever dream. I am the most feared man in Africa.
"I don't owe you an explanation, old man. I'm the King. No one questions me, not even you, regardless of whether you are my father or not," I spit at him.
"I am only looking out for you. Don't do anything foolish. Do not lose your mind over one girl. She will make you weak," he warns, his voice darkening with anger.
Irritation builds in my blood. This conversation is pointless.
"Like I said," I begin, words hissing through gritted teeth, "I don't owe you an explanation. However, to put your mind at ease, I do not plan on doing what you think. I've managed to rule and be successful and prosperous without a woman. I don't need one to achieve success." My expression cools as I regard him.
"You may take your leave now. I have more important things to attend to." My words are final. It was not a request.
My father looks at me one more time, steely eyes matching my own, before he then leaves. I sigh, collecting some paperwork and head to my office.
*****
While I sit in my office, working through the forms and requests of my Kingdom's governance, I reflect back over my father's question. What do I want from her? I wonder. Honestly, I do not have an answer to that question. Whatever this is however, will stop in due time.
Yet this is so vexing! I hate this! I grab my glass of whisky and throw it at the wall in frustration. The glass shatters upon impact, spewing crystalline shards and droplets of fine whisky along the lengths of the wall.
Whatever work I hoped to get done today, has failed miserably. Because of one girl, I cannot concentrate. Her smooth and dark skin promised to be as soft as the finest of satins. Her rich black hair was gracefully combed back. I cannot forget how wide and large her beautiful black round eyes widened when her gaze landed upon me. I was lost in her beauty. It makes me wonder how she would look when she smiles. I have seen a great many beautiful women in my Kingdom, but not a single one of them can match up to her. She is a Goddess incarnate. Such a perfect body, such slender curves and angelic voice. Oh that divine voice. Only that voice, her voice, could calm and soothe my anger.
I blink myself from my imaginary trance. Shit, I thought to myself, growling under my breath. I need to stop thinking about her. What is wrong with me? Am I becoming unwell? Am I sick? I have never thought of a woman in this way before. What did she do to me? Could she have cast some voodoo shit on me? Yes, that could be it! I think immediately. It is the only logical explanation as to why I am bewitched. Whatever sorcery she cast upon me will never work. I shall kill her. She must be planning to take the throne from me. I mean, obviously. This is not normal. Yes, I will kill her, and all shall go back to normal.
My chest aches.
Why does the thought of killing her make my chest so strange and unpleasant? It is as if someone is pressing on my chest so hard that it is becoming difficult to breathe. My chest feels tight.
You care about her, another region of my conscious reasons. It made me scoff.
Oh shut up, i don't care about her, I tell myself instantly.
I will not kill her – yet. All I have to do is use her like one of my toys and then be rid of her. Discard her like so many of the others who have had the honour of lying in my bed. Yes, that will satisfy me.
"My King . . . My King," one of the guards hauls me out from my thoughts.
My attention snaps to him, like a falcon plummeting to the land to strike its prey. "How dare you come into my office without knocking!" I shout at him.
The guard flinches. "My apologies, my King. But I swear I did knock, and your door was open," the guard explains, keeping his voice level and subdued while in the presence of my spark of anger upon being interrupted.
I stare at him, impatiently waiting for him to spit out what he originally came for. The guard senses my rapidly disappearing patience in my tight silence.
"Your father sent me to bring you the map for the neighbouring Kingdom," the guard says swiftly.
"Take it back. I don't have time for rubbish," I snap.
My father wants me to conquer my brother's Kingdom, but I have no interest nor desire in doing so. Last thing I want is to see the woman who abandoned me.
The guard tucks the map away and salutes, about to leave.
"Ah, before you leave," I add, "send someone to announce to everyone in the Kingdom that we'll be hosting a festival tomorrow. All the maidens are encouraged to come," I command.
The guard nods and bows. "Yes, my King," he said, and left without another word.
It was a surprise idea. I do not know how the inspiration came about, but I will use this festival as my opportunity to find Misozi.
A dark grin spreads across my lips. "Let us see how you'll hide from me this time, Misozi."