Adesuwa stood before the mirror, her reflection a tapestry of royal grandeur. Her gown, spun from the finest silk in the kingdom, shimmered in the soft light. Intricate gold embroidery trailed down the bodice, the design of a lion and a serpent intertwined—symbols of the Benin Kingdom's strength and wisdom. Her hair was pulled back into an elegant updo, adorned with golden beads that glinted like the sun's rays. She barely recognized herself. The woman in the mirror was a stranger, draped in a future she never chose.
She had not yet seen the man she was to marry. The entire kingdom was abuzz with the news of the royal wedding, but her heart felt like a stone in her chest. She had always been told that she would marry for the good of the kingdom, but the weight of that responsibility now felt like an unbearable burden. She had no say in the matter, no say in her future. It was all preordained.
The sound of soft knocking on the door jolted her from her thoughts. It was Itohan, her ever-loyal maid, with a worried expression on her face.
"Your Highness, it's time," she said softly, bowing low.
Adesuwa looked at her, eyes heavy with uncertainty. "I can't," she murmured. "I can't do this. Not today. Not like this."
Itohan paused, concern flashing across her face. "But Your Highness, you must. Your father—"
"I know what my father expects of me," Adesuwa interrupted sharply, her voice trembling. "But what of what I expect of myself? Can I live a life bound by duty alone? Can I truly be content with a marriage I did not choose?"
Itohan didn't respond, only watched as Adesuwa stepped back from the mirror and collapsed onto the edge of the bed, burying her face in her hands.
Just then, the door creaked open again, and her mother, Queen Aigbovbiosa, stepped inside. Her face was calm, but there was a depth of understanding in her eyes. She moved toward Adesuwa, sitting beside her and gently lifting her chin.
"My daughter," Queen Aigbovbiosa said softly, her voice full of wisdom. "I know this is difficult. But you are not alone. This union is not just about you; it is about the future of our people, the future of the Benin Kingdom. Your father and I have worked tirelessly to secure peace. This is your role, your destiny."
Adesuwa's heart ached at her mother's words, but the fear gnawing at her soul would not be silenced. "But what of me, mother? What of my happiness? What if I can't be what everyone expects me to be?"
Queen Aigbovbiosa took a deep breath, her fingers brushing through Adesuwa's hair. "Sometimes, our happiness is found in the path we must take, even if it is not the one we envisioned. Trust in the process, my love. You are stronger than you realize."
Before Adesuwa could respond, a voice from the doorway interrupted them. It was Oseratin, her uncle, standing with his usual air of importance. His sharp eyes glinted as he watched the exchange, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. He was pleased, of course—this marriage was a triumph for his ambitions.
"Ah, the princess, ready for her royal duties," he said with a low chuckle, stepping further into the room. "Such an important moment for the kingdom, and for our family."
Adesuwa stood, smoothing her dress with a trembling hand. "Uncle, please," she said quietly, her voice tight with restraint. "This is not a moment for your amusement."
Oseratin's smile faltered for just a moment, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. "No need to be so dramatic, Adesuwa," he said coolly. "The kingdom will be in good hands. Soon, you will have a husband who will be your equal. You should be honored."
Adesuwa's eyes flashed with defiance, but she said nothing. There was no point in arguing with him. Her uncle always had his own motives, and she knew better than to engage him in one of his games.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to her mother. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady. "Let's go."
As they walked toward the grand hall, Adesuwa's heart raced with uncertainty. She couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. The air felt thick, like a storm was brewing just beyond the horizon. Was it just the nerves, or was there more to this marriage than she could see?
The grand hall was resplendent, the high ceilings adorned with golden chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the guests. The floor was covered with a lush carpet, and the walls were draped in crimson and gold tapestries, the symbol of the Benin Kingdom proudly displayed at the center.
Adesuwa stepped forward, her feet hesitant but steady. She could feel the weight of every eye on her as she walked toward the altar. It felt as though every breath, every movement, was being scrutinized. But none more so than the man standing before her.
She had never seen him before. The man who was to be her husband. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.
He was not unattractive, far from it. His features were sharp, his jawline strong, his presence commanding. His dark hair was neatly swept back, and his attire, though not as extravagant as hers, was perfectly suited for the occasion. He wore the insignia of his house, a lion crest that gleamed in the light.
He smiled at her, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but there was something warm in it. Something genuine.
"Adesuwa," he said, his voice smooth and calm. "I am Prince Orobasa of the Ehanlen Kingdom. I've heard much about you."
She managed a small smile in return, though it didn't reach her heart. "I am honored, Your Highness."
As they exchanged pleasantries, Adesuwa couldn't help but wonder: Was this truly her future? A marriage to a man she didn't know, a man she hadn't chosen, and a life she had no say in?
But just as the ceremony began, with the priest about to speak the first words of the vow, an unexpected sound cut through the air—a loud, jarring clash of boots hitting stone. The heavy, rhythmic sound of marching feet echoed down the hall, and the doors of the grand hall burst open with force.
Adesuwa froze as a group of British soldiers, their red coats bright against the regal golds and reds of the wedding hall, marched in. The room fell silent, the weight of the soldiers' presence sinking in. Their leader, a tall man with a stern expression, stepped forward.
The priest stood motionless, the words of the ceremony caught in his throat. The guests murmured in shock and confusion, unsure of what to do or what this intrusion meant.
Adesuwa's heart pounded. The peaceful union she had been forced into was now at the mercy of forces she had never considered.
And as she looked around the hall, she realized that her life—her future—was not only about her marriage but also about the larger struggle of her kingdom. The very ground beneath her felt uncertain, shifting as the British soldiers moved toward the altar.
Everything had changed in an instant.
The grand hall, once filled with joy and music, had now fallen silent. The British soldiers had entered, their boots echoing like the footsteps of fate. The atmosphere had shifted from celebration to shock in an instant.
Adesuwa stood motionless, her heart pounding as she tried to process what was unfolding. Her mother, Queen Aigbovbiosa, remained poised at her side, but even her strength couldn't hide the fear in her eyes.
The soldiers gathered in the center, their leader, Captain Frederick Hayward, stepping forward. His voice cut through the stillness like a blade. "We are here under orders from Her Majesty the Queen of England," he announced, his words laced with authority. "King Oba Esigie, you are to come with us. The British Empire demands your immediate submission."
Oba Esigie's eyes darkened with defiance. "Benin will never bow to you," he declared, his voice steady but filled with the weight of impending doom.
Prince Orobasa shifted beside the king, his expression unreadable. Adesuwa's gaze flickered to him, confusion rising. This man, whom she had thought an ally, seemed distant, his earlier warmth replaced by an unsettling coldness.
"King Oba Esigie," Prince Orobasa said, his voice clipped, "I'm afraid you misunderstand. This is not a choice—it's an order from the British Empire."
Adesuwa's stomach twisted with dread as her eyes met those of her uncle, Oseratin. He stood near the back, his usual smirk now replaced by a calculating, cold expression. A brief, unspoken exchange passed between him and Prince Orobasa, a moment so quick that no one else seemed to notice.
"Uncle?" Adesuwa whispered, her voice trembling. "What is happening?"
Oseratin's lips curled into a smile—a smile that held no warmth, no love. "My dear niece," he said, his voice venomous, "your fate has already been sealed. This marriage, this kingdom—it was never meant to be yours. You are simply a pawn in a game that I have already won."
Adesuwa's heart sank as the truth hit her like a blow. Oseratin had been scheming with the British all along. He had played everyone, manipulating the court, the marriage, and the kingdom's trust for his own gain. Now, he had betrayed his blood for the favor of the British Empire.
"And you, Prince Orobasa," Adesuwa spat, her voice shaking with disbelief. "You, too, are a traitor? You sold us out for power, for position?"
Prince Orobasa met her gaze without flinching, his face cold. "It was never about love, Adesuwa. I did what was necessary. The Benin Kingdom is no more. The British now rule, and I stand by their side."
Before Adesuwa could respond, Oseratin gave a subtle signal. At once, British soldiers moved toward King Oba Esigie, drawing their weapons. Adesuwa's breath caught in her throat as she watched the soldiers advance. Her heart raced, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the horror unfolding before her.
"Uncle, no!" Adesuwa cried, but her words were drowned out by the sound of steel meeting flesh.
The king, caught off guard by the betrayal, fell to the ground in a swift, brutal moment. The room was filled with a silence so deep it suffocated every soul in the hall. King Oba Esigie—defiant, proud, and strong—was no more. His body lay lifeless before them, a king slain by the very people he trusted.
Adesuwa's legs buckled beneath her, and she fell to the floor, tears streaming down her face. Her mother, Queen Aigbovbiosa, rushed to her side, but there was no time for comfort, only for survival.
"Adesuwa, we must go," Queen Aigbovbiosa whispered urgently, pulling her daughter toward the back of the hall.
But Oseratin blocked their path. His eyes were cold, and the cruel smile on his lips sent a shiver through Adesuwa's spine. "It's too late, my dear. The kingdom is gone, and now you belong to the British."
As they tried to make their way through the hall, Oseratin raised his hand. "Take them."
The British soldiers advanced, forcefully grabbing Queen Aigbovbiosa. She fought back, trying to protect Adesuwa with all the strength left in her, but it was in vain. One of the soldiers struck her down, and she collapsed to the floor, lifeless.
"Mother!" Adesuwa screamed, her voice breaking, but it was too late. The queen had sacrificed herself to protect her daughter, and now she was gone.
The soldiers turned to Adesuwa, their cold hands gripping her arms, dragging her from the scene. She fought, struggling against their hold, but she was no match for their strength. Her world was crashing down around her as they pulled her toward the exit.
Prince Orobasa, standing beside Oseratin, looked on with cold indifference. "She's mine now," he said flatly, as if Adesuwa's fate meant nothing to him.
Oseratin, now the new king, watched the chaos unfold with a satisfied grin. The kingdom had fallen, the royal family was shattered, and the people of Benin were now prisoners to the British Empire.
As Adesuwa was thrown into a cage with others from her kingdom, her heart ached with the loss of everything she had known. The life she had once dreamed of was gone, replaced by chains and uncertainty.
With her mother dead, her kingdom destroyed, and her life now in the hands of the British Empire, Adesuwa had no idea what the future held.
Would she ever find a way to escape the horrors that awaited her? Or would she be forced to live out her days in captivity, a mere shadow of the princess she once was?