I went to the King's harem immediately after Mbaku was summoned by the King. Yhuri and the other maid walked closely behind. I saw Lady Shui's maid in front of Lady Shui's hut. I hurriedly walk to her and asked;
"How is Lady Shui?".
"She's a lot better now. She's resting inside" the maid replied with a smile.
"I'd rather not disturb her for now. Make it known to her that," before I could complete, Lady Shui asked;
"Is that Zui?" as she walked out of her hut.
"Yes, mother. It's me!" I said happily and rushed to her side.
"I am very happy to see you, Zui" Lady Shui said.
"Mother, how are you doing?"
"A lot better. I just couldn't stand the thought that your marriage would have to be suspended."
"I was sad when you were taken out of the premise and even sadder when I realized we had to complete the rites without you witnessing it"
"Where is Mbaku? He hasn't been here?"
"The King has summoned him"
"Why?"
"I don't know why but I think it must be related to the golden sceptre"
"I heard it was found in Diemo's hut"
"Yes, I heard that too," I said trying not to bring up the poisoned wine.
"I even heard he bribed a maid to poison my son's wine"
I suddenly realized how true Buka was when he said, 'news travels faster than the wind in the palace'.
"He claims all the allegations are false" I replied.
"Come with me. I have something for you!" Lady Shui said with a smile.
She took my hand and walked me to her kitchen. She looked warmly at me and said;
"I prepared these for you. You have to prepare soup for Mbaku tomorrow" Lady Shui reminded me.
It's a tradition. How come I forgot? Every new bride has to prepare soup for her husband the next day after the rites have been performed. It can be any soup but brides like to go the extra mile to prepare the groom's favorite soup.
"Does he like these leaves?" I asked Lady Shui.
"A lot!" she exclaimed.
"These are the very leaves my father likes"
The leaves were coriander, kale, and epazote. I have been preparing soups for Buka using these leaves, so it was easy for me to identify them.
"Then it's a bonus for you," Lady Shui said smiling. "Mbaku is not a fun of meats. He seldomly eats meat. He prefers dried fish to meat. He likes vegetables too."
"Mama, what soup is his favorite?"
"Black soup, with kale leaves and dried herrings" Lady Shui replied. "You can take them with you".
I tried to pack the leaves but Yhuri stepped forward immediately and packed them into a woven basket.
"Thank you, mama" I said.
"Uhuuuh! Add this stem too" Lady Shui said as she took a piece of dried stem and handed it over to Yhuri. "With this stem, soak it in water overnight and add the water to the soup."
"Ok, mama" I replied and didn't ask what the stem is used for. "I have to go back to prepare for the feast this evening"
"Oh, yes! Do well to look like you looked in the morning. Did Mbaku tell you, you looked like a goddess of beauty?"
"No, mama" I replied shyly.
"Don't worry, it might not come out of his mouth but I can bet his eyes saw it and his heart loved it" Lady Shui replied with a wide smile. "You have to get going".
"Ok, mama. I will see you in the evening" I said and took leave of her.
When I got to Mbaku's manor, I saw him entering his hut. He stopped suddenly when he heard me telling Yhuri to take the leaves to the kitchen and open the basket. He turned to look at me and asked;
"Where have you been?"
"To mama" I replied.
"How is she?"
"Very fine"
Mbaku nodded and entered his hut. The look on his face made me know there was something wrong but I dare not ask him why. Soon it was time for us to attend the feast. Mbaku stood patiently at the entrance of the manor and waited for me to come out of my hut. The carriage had arrived almost an hour ago but I wanted to look my best. Finally, I walked out of my room with Yhuri and the other maid following closely behind me with their heads bowed. I walked to Mbaku whose back was facing me and said;
"Your Highness, I am ready now" with my eyes fixed on the ground.
He turned to look at me and stood still for a few seconds. I looked up to see widened eyes on a block face looking at me. His face showed no emotion but he finally said;
"You spent more than two hours in your room only to come out looking like this?"
"Eee!" I said as I tried to look at him.
Jabari looked confusingly at Mbaku. I suddenly felt tears running down my face. I tried to look pretty enough to please him, but he wasn't pleased at all. He was indeed despicable!
"Is that all you can tell me?" I sadly asked.
"What else do you want to hear?" Mbaku asked.
"Even if you don't like how I look, you should know I have put so much effort into it. It would have been better if you hadn't said anything" I said and turned to go back into my hut, thinking he would stop me but he didn't. As I walked away, I heard Jabari tell him;
"Your Highness, that was too mean. She looked very beautiful in my eyes. Even if you didn't like how she looked, you should have told her more politely".
"Jabari, have you ever slapped yourself?" Mbaku asked.
Jabari suddenly kept quiet and stood still. I entered my hut and closed it behind me refusing to allow any maid to enter. I looked through my window and saw Mbaku looking at my hut. 'Mbaku is a heartless beast, I thought'. After a few minutes Jabari asked Mbaku;
"Your Highness, what do we do now?"
"Wait for her" Mbaku replied coldly.
I took my ornaments off and replaced them with more simple ones and went back out. Mbaku looked at me as I approached him. I stood in front of him and asked angrily;
"How do I look now?"
"Let's go!" Mbaku ordered.
Jabari helped me to climb the carriage and Mbaku joined me in the carriage. He didn't look in my direction nor talk throughout the journey. When we got to the Royal dinner garden, the carriage stopped and Mbaku went out first. He then tried to help me get off the carriage but I refused.
"Jabari, help me get out," I said ignoring Mbaku.
Mbaku turned to look at Jabari. Jabari moved a few steps away from the carriage and looked sadly at me.
"It's either you take my hand or you go back to the manor," Mbaku said.
I couldn't afford to go to his manor so I took his hand and got off the carriage. The eunuch at the entrance of the garden announced our arrival as we walked into the garden together. Lady Shui looked at me beaming with smiles. I smiled back and walked to her.
"Mama!" I said happily suddenly forgetting all about how angry I was a few minutes ago.
"Zui, even with these simple ornaments you look very beautiful. Am I lying?" Lady Shui said and turned to look at Mbaku.
"How are you feeling now?" Mbaku asked his mother refusing to answer the question.
"I am fine, and a lot better now, seeing you two together" Lady Shui replied. "Go and sit because we are all here because of you"
Mbaku and I took our seats and pretended everything was ok between us. All the princes and their wives were there except Diemo and his wives. I talked to some of the wives and chattered heartlessly with a few of them while Mbaku sat quietly and acted like he was alone. The arrival of the King and Queen were announced and we got on our feet. After they sat down, the King ordered us to sit as well. The feast began with the King proposing a toast to Mbaku and I, followed by others. The Queen barely ate anything that evening and she looked shriveled as well. The King suddenly looked in my direction and said;
"Zui, I owe you a wish! I can fulfill only one wish for you. What do you want?
Suddenly all eyes turned to look at me, I locked eyes with Mbaku and asked Mbaku;
"What should I say?"