The palace of Benin, a place that had once thrummed with the energy of a mighty empire, now felt like a quiet chamber, thick with the weight of an impending storm. The grand halls, normally alive with the sounds of laughter and music, were now quiet—save for the sound of footsteps of servants rushing to prepare for the royal wedding.
Adesuwa sat on her balcony, staring into the distance. The golden rays of the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow on the palace grounds. Beneath the light, servants bustled about, hanging vibrant cloths and garlands of flowers that would decorate the grand hall. Even the air itself seemed to hum with the excitement of the occasion.
And yet, inside her, there was nothing but a hollow emptiness.
"Princess Adesuwa!" came the voice of Itohan, her ever-faithful maid, bursting into the room. "Your uncle and his sons have arrived. They're waiting for you in the grand hall."
Adesuwa stiffened at the mention of her uncle. It was not that she hated him—far from it. But his presence always carried with it a sense of unwelcome tension. Since the death of the king's father, her uncle, Osaretin, had seen his chance to take control of the kingdom, but her father's rule had been steadfast. Now, with her father's decision to marry her off to Orobosa, the prince of the enemy kingdom, it was as though her uncle's ambitions were once again inching closer to fruition.
"Send them in," Adesuwa said, trying to force a calmness into her voice, though her heart had begun to race.
Itohan bowed, her expression full of sympathy, and hurried out. Moments later, the heavy door to the balcony opened, and in strode her uncle, tall and imposing, with his two sons, the elder brothers of Adesuwa. Their presence was nothing short of suffocating.
"Ah, my niece," Uncle Osaretin said with a smile that never quite reached his eyes. His voice, smooth and carefully calculated, was the kind that reminded Adesuwa of the snakes in the palace gardens—slithering in the shadows, ever patient, always calculating. "It is such a joyous occasion! A union of great importance for our people."
He moved closer to her, his two sons following dutifully behind him. Osaretin's sons, Edozie and Okun, were both older than Adesuwa by several years, and both bore themselves with a proud air of superiority. Edozie, the eldest, was the one who most resembled his father. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and his eyes were sharp, forever watching and calculating. Okun, though younger, was no less imposing. His smile, while charming, often seemed more like a warning.
"You must be so excited, Princess," Edozie said with a grin, his eyes glinting with something Adesuwa couldn't quite place. "Such a grand match for such a beautiful girl."
The words stung more than Adesuwa would care to admit. Beautiful? She was more than just a pawn in their eyes. She was the key to securing the throne, and they all knew it.
"Your marriage will bring us much-needed strength," Osaretin continued, his gaze lingering on Adesuwa for a moment too long, as though assessing her like an object to be appraised. "And the alliance with Orobosa's kingdom will solidify our future. You will do your duty, of course."
Adesuwa felt the knot in her chest tighten at the sound of her uncle's voice. The casual way he spoke of her marriage, of her life, made her skin crawl. She forced a smile, though it felt more like a grimace.
"Of course, Uncle," she replied with an icy calmness. "I am only a daughter of Benin. I shall do my duty, as is expected."
Edozie stepped forward, his voice low and teasing. "There is no shame in doing your duty, Princess. Some of us are just... better suited for it."
Okun laughed, though the sound seemed hollow. "Yes, Edozie, after all, it is not every day that the princess of Benin marries into an enemy kingdom." His eyes gleamed with something darker, something Adesuwa couldn't place. "A union such as this, it might make a woman a bit uneasy, don't you think?"
Adesuwa's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered, her eyes cool and calm. "The union is not my choice, Okun. But I will fulfill my duty as a princess of Benin. I will carry my family's name with honor, and nothing will stand in my way."
Her words hung in the air like a challenge, though none of them seemed fazed by it. Her uncle's smile widened.
"Well said, my dear," Osaretin said smoothly, his tone like silk. "Indeed, nothing will stand in your way. It is good to see such determination in you."
Adesuwa's gaze shifted toward the door, and though she could hear the preparations for the wedding outside, she felt as though she were in a distant, cold place—far away from the joy and celebration the world outside seemed to carry.
"Uncle," she said, her voice cutting through the air like a sharp blade. "I am grateful for your visit. I know you have much to attend to. The wedding preparations are, after all, quite demanding."
Uncle Osaretin's eyes sparkled with amusement, but he bowed his head slightly, signaling his leave. "Of course, Princess. We will leave you to your thoughts. The wedding is tomorrow, after all. There will be much to celebrate."
The three men turned to leave, but as they reached the door, Edozie lingered behind, casting a quick glance over his shoulder at Adesuwa. His eyes were searching, lingering on her face for a moment longer than necessary.
"You will be a vision tomorrow, Princess," he said with a smile that made Adesuwa's skin crawl. "A vision indeed."
With that, they exited, leaving Adesuwa alone in the room. She collapsed onto her chair once more, her mind racing.
The preparations for the wedding would go on as planned, and she would do her duty. But in her heart, the seeds of rebellion had already been sown. She would play the part of the dutiful bride for now, but one thing was certain: She would never allow her future to be defined by the ambitions of her uncle or anyone else.
Her heart belonged to no one but herself. And the fight for her freedom—her true freedom—had only just begun.
Chapter 2: The Preparations of Duty (Continued)
The grand hall was alive with preparations, the clang of workers setting up the royal stage for the wedding, the murmur of servants arranging the fine silks and precious stones that would adorn the room. The palace felt as though it were closing in on her. The air had grown too thick with expectation, and Adesuwa couldn't breathe.
She needed to escape.
The thought gnawed at her all day, every time she passed the corridors where her uncle's voice echoed in her ears, reminding her of her duty. The constant stream of dignitaries arriving for the grand wedding was nothing more than an incessant parade of faces—faces she could not remember, faces that saw her only as the princess, the pawn. No one saw Adesuwa, the girl who longed to breathe free, who longed for the world outside the palace walls.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the palace grounds, Adesuwa found herself in her chambers, standing by the window. The sight of the bustling streets beyond the palace walls filled her with a sudden, deep longing. She closed her eyes, breathing in the scent of the cool evening air that seemed so far away.
"I can't do this anymore," she whispered to herself. "I need to be normal, just for a while. I need to be... me."
It was during moments like these, when the weight of royal duty grew unbearable, that Adesuwa found solace in a secret escape. Over the years, she had come to know a handful of people outside the royal court—people who did not know her as the princess, but simply as a girl named Adesuwa. They were not of noble blood, nor did they belong to the royal circles, but they had become her closest friends, the only ones who could understand her longing for freedom.
And tonight, as the palace doors closed behind her and the final preparations for the wedding were set into motion, she would escape once again.
She grabbed a simple wrapper and wrapped it around her waist, carefully disguising the royal garments she wore beneath. Her long hair was hastily pinned into a simple braid, and she slipped out of the balcony door into the palace gardens.
The guards were stationed at every entrance, but Adesuwa knew the secret paths—hidden routes that led out of the palace without raising suspicion. She moved with the ease of someone who had practiced this many times before, slipping past the guards unnoticed, her heart racing with excitement.
Outside, the air was cooler, the scent of night-blooming flowers in the air, the sounds of the city growing louder as she approached the market. Adesuwa's heart quickened, and she felt the freedom in her bones. For the first time in weeks, she felt the weight of the royal crown lift from her shoulders.
She turned a corner, and there, waiting by a small street vendor's stall, was her friend, Efe. A bright-eyed girl with an infectious laugh, Efe was the daughter of a local trader, and though she had no claim to noble blood, she had always seen Adesuwa for who she truly was. A girl, not a princess.
"Adesuwa!" Efe called, spotting her from across the street. Her face broke into a wide grin. "You're here, finally!"
Adesuwa's face softened into a smile, and for a moment, she felt a weight lift from her chest. She ran toward Efe, her heart light with the joy of being with someone who knew her for who she is and not just as the princess. Efe's arms opened wide, and Adesuwa embraced her tightly, feeling the warmth of a friendship that had never been tainted by duty.
"I thought you'd never come," Efe said as she pulled away, laughing. "You're going to suffocate yourself in that palace one day if you keep hiding like this."
Adesuwa grinned, glancing over her shoulder as if to make sure no one had followed her. "I can't take it anymore. They're already planning my wedding, and I don't even know if I want to go through with it."
Efe's smile faded slightly, concern flashing across her face. "I know, my friend. I can see it in your eyes every time you come here. You don't want to marry him, do you?"
Adesuwa shook her head. "No, I don't. I don't even know him. I don't want to be forced into something that isn't my choice. But... my father... my uncle… they all say I must. The kingdom needs me. And I must be the dutiful princess." Her voice cracked as the last words slipped out.
Efe frowned, but she knew there was nothing she could say to change Adesuwa's destiny. Instead, she took her friend's hand and led her toward a small bench beneath a tree, away from the prying eyes of the market.
"Sometimes," Efe began, her voice soft, "it's okay to feel trapped. But it's also okay to dream. What do you want, Adesuwa? Not as a princess, but as the girl who's still... you?"
Adesuwa took a deep breath, staring at the city lights in the distance. She could see the palace, towering high above everything else. It loomed over the town like a reminder of what she was meant to be. But tonight, just for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine a life outside of it. A life where her choices were hers alone.
"I want to be a healer," Adesuwa said, her voice steady, the words carrying a quiet resolve. "I want to heal with herbs, to help the sick and the suffering. In a world where everything is bound by power and politics, I want to touch lives in a way that truly matters. The world may be built on kingdoms and crowns, but healing—the power to mend both body and soul—that is where true strength lies. I want to bring that kind of peace to the world, one patient at a time."
Efe watched her, her eyes wide with admiration. "You have the heart of a true healer, Adesuwa. Not just because of your knowledge, but because of the kindness in you. You were born to make a difference, even if they don't see it yet."
Adesuwa's heart swelled with a mixture of hope and longing. "Maybe the world isn't ready for someone like me, but I'm ready to be who I am. I'm ready to choose my own path, even if I must fight for it. No one can take that from me."
Efe smiled, her eyes brimming with pride. "Then you must fight, Adesuwa. You are a force of nature, and no one can make you bend to their will. Follow your heart, always."
Adesuwa smiled, a tear slipping down her cheek. "Thank you, Efe. I needed to hear that."
As they sat together, speaking of dreams and adventures beyond the royal walls, Adesuwa felt something stir deep within her—a renewed sense of strength. She couldn't change her fate all at once, but perhaps, just perhaps, she could begin to find a way to carve out a life that was hers.
For now, she would savor the small moments of freedom, like this one. For tonight, she was not a princess, nor a bride-to-be. She was just a girl, sitting under the stars with her closest friend, laughing as if the world didn't weigh on her shoulders.
And for the first time in days, she felt a glimmer of hope.
As Adesuwa wiped the tear from her cheek, Efe leaned in closer, her eyes bright with determination. "You know," she said, her voice light and teasing, "if you're going to be a healer, you'll need to start practicing. And I know just the thing to make you feel better."
Adesuwa raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Oh? What do you have in mind?"
Efe grinned mischievously. "Follow me." Without waiting for an answer, she stood up and grabbed Adesuwa's hand, pulling her toward a nearby stall where an elderly woman was selling herbs and various homemade remedies.
"Come on, let's put your healing skills to the test," Efe said, as she guided Adesuwa toward a bundle of dried lavender and calming chamomile.
Adesuwa laughed softly. "You want me to make a potion?"
"Not quite," Efe replied with a wink. "But a little something for the mood, perhaps?" She selected a small jar filled with crushed lavender. "It's said to calm the mind and ease the heart. Think of it as your first task as a healer."
Adesuwa couldn't help but smile at Efe's antics. The simple act of blending the lavender with chamomile, creating a mix of soothing scents, made her feel as though she were doing something, however small, to claim her future.
As the lavender and chamomile mixed in her hands, Efe took a deep breath. "You've got the power to bring peace, Adesuwa. But for now, let's start small. Close your eyes."
With a soft chuckle, Adesuwa did as Efe suggested, closing her eyes as the scent of the herbs filled the air. She felt the calming effects instantly—the tension in her shoulders eased, and the weight on her heart lessened. It was a simple remedy, but in that moment, it reminded her of the power she could one day hold in her hands.
Efe smiled and handed her a small vial. "For you, my friend. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, just take a deep breath and remember that healing doesn't always come from grand gestures. Sometimes, it comes from small acts of kindness, of care."
Adesuwa took the vial and held it close to her heart. "Thank you, Efe. You always know how to lift my spirits."
Efe grinned. "What are friends for, if not for cheering you up?" She paused, her eyes mischievous once more. "And now, I'll help you get even more in touch with your future career."
Adesuwa laughed. "Oh, no, what are you going to do now?"
Before she could respond, Efe grabbed a few colorful flowers from the stall and handed them to her. "Make a crown! I've heard of healers who wear flower crowns to symbolize their connection to nature."
Adesuwa's eyes widened. "You want me to wear a flower crown? Do I look like a village girl?"
Efe raised an eyebrow. "Only if you want to." She smirked. "But you can wear it like royalty, and still be a healer in spirit. Just think of it as embracing your roots."
Adesuwa laughed, shaking her head, but she couldn't help the spark of joy that lit up inside her. As Efe expertly braided the flowers together, creating a crown of vibrant petals, Adesuwa felt a sense of belonging to something outside of the palace—something simple and real.
"Just for tonight," Adesuwa whispered, as she placed the flower crown atop her head. "I'll be me. Not the princess, not the bride-to-be—just me."
Efe beamed. "Exactly! And maybe, just maybe, you'll find the strength to fight for what you really want." She stepped back, admiring her work. "You look beautiful, Adesuwa, but in a way that's all your own."
For the first time that evening, Adesuwa felt light. The world, for all its complexities and expectations, seemed just a little bit smaller. As she stood with Efe under the starlit sky, her heart swelling with gratitude for the friendship that had kept her grounded, she allowed herself to breathe deeply.
And for a moment, just a fleeting moment, she was not the princess who was bound by duty. She was simply a girl—unburdened, free, and hopeful for what was to come.
Efe grinned at her, leaning in with a playful glint in her eyes. "Now, go on and show off that crown. Let the world know who you really are."
Adesuwa, smiling with a heart full of hope, stepped back into the night, ready to face whatever came next, knowing that she could choose her own destiny—even if it meant starting with something as simple as a flower crown.