SENZANGAKHONA POV

a few days had passed long enough for Senzangakhona to feel comfort. He would give himself a last half a month for him and his team to complete their given task then leave quickly so that by the time these people have realized the not so truth told by Senzangakhona it would be too late. That his people had celebrated the disappearance of their deity and were not suffering as her painted them out to be and that he was here to prepare this for the expansion of the empire.  His team had been distributed, some we with him withing the castle but most where outside researching and studying. 

Today he was to go for a walk with the princess who he was still convinced was a reincarnation of his wife. It was weird and awfully tormenting how he had this sense of longing and one sided connection with a stranger. He kept forgetting himself and having to constantly remind himself of how inappropriate he was acting and thinking. She is a stranger and he knows nothing about and he anchored himself to that fact with both arms.

"Are you ready for our walk" a voice from reality disturb his trail of thought. It was Nathi ,standing at the door way of his room. Senzangakhona turned his head and gave her a polite nod before standing up. He dusted his hands and then followed Nath's lead. 

"I have gotten better at speaking your language, it's so funny how your language isn't too different from ours..." Nathi tried to start up a conversation but Senzangakhona didn't answer. He has been like this since they met, not once has Nathi heard his voice. His behavior didn't annoy her rather it intrigued her.

They arrived at the palace garden, a palace full of wild flowers, herbs and vines. Senzangakhona had not found a single plant familiar and he couldn't help but exude a child like wonder. Nathi watched him as Senzangakhona started analyzing the garden. 

"are you hungry?" Nathi asked 

"don't answer I'll get something just now" she carried on. Nathi tied the extra piece of fabric on her skirt trailing behind and she then started climbing on a tree. This tree had colorful yellow leaves and green fruit hanging from it. She pulled off two pieces of fruit, carrying one in her mouth and the other on her free hand. She was safely climbing down until the tie she did came undone and the extra piece of fabric fell causing her to trip on it. Before she hit the ground Senzangakhona steeped in and saved her.  

His locs gently fell on her face leading him to try to remove them from her face but cuasing him to accidently touch her. He skin felt so warm that it sent a shiver down his spine. Nathi held onto his strong arms for dearly life breathing heavily ,still in shock of the almost fall. She then calmed down and smiled at him and asked...

"who are you? and why do I not fear"

And then for the first time ever Senzangakhona spoke to her

"you should fear things that you do not know" his voice was deep and commanding. Nathi didn't expect that so she gulped. 

"fear of the unknown fades once you learn the unknown to turn it into the known" Nathi responded back with wit and a smart comeback. Senzangakhona's jaw tensed and he raised her up from her bent position. He took a step back and bowed 

He then started to walk away leaving Nathi dumbfound 

"had I said something wrong?" Nathi asked herself

"I didn't even get the chance to offer him the fruit..." Nath carried on talking to herself as she too walked away from the gardern.