Chapter 2

~☆No matter how much a snake sheds its skin, it's still a snake~☆

The early rays of the sun filtered through the window of the hut as the cock began to crow. Yesterday's events came flooding through my mind causing worry and dread to course through my veins as I lifted the blankets. I was fully clothed and the only thing that seemed to be aching was my head. My eyes frantically searched for my husband who laid on the floor away from the comfort of his bed.

His muscles bulged out of his skin as he soft snores escaped his lips. Thick lashes covered his eyes as he tossed and turned in his sleep. He had not slept with me, instead he had put me to bed as he slept against the cool slab with only the aid of a thin blanket.

His one good action did not make him a lesser evil and yet my mind could only wonder if perhaps I could forgive him like father would've wanted me to. Maybe we could build an empire together and have a family.

"Good morning, my queen." His husky voice broke me out of my thoughts.

"You can speak my language?" I questioned him. Alarm washed through me as his eyes met mine.

"I learnt it for you." He beamed as grin settled upon his lips revealing his pearly white teeth. My feet landed against the cool slab as I trudged towards the door before his voice caused me to stop dead in my tracks. "My wife, I have a gift for you." He began as his grin grew wider. "She will be waiting for you outside our hut." The word 'our' caused me to scoff before leaving the hut.

A petite young woman stood right outside our hut. She twirled her fingers before looking up at me, her hair was braided down to her back as a welcoming smile curled onto her lips. "My queen," she greeted. "It will be an honour to serve as your maiden and translator." She continued as her body dipped into a bow.

She seemed genuinely friendly which caused a small smile to creep onto my lips. "What is your name ?" I asked her.

"Azile , my queen." She responded. I nodded my head slightly before heading towards the forrest of trees that gave me comfort and peace. The dry grass and leaves crunched beneath my feet with each step I took causing the birds to flutter from their nests.

The wind gently brushed against my skin whilst rattling the leaves of the trees. I could finally breathe freely away from the constraints of my responsibilities and duties as a queen and wife. My fingers gripped the bark of the Msasa tree. I could remember when my brother and I would scramble up the trees in competition of who could win. His boisterous laughter howling through the trees everytime he beat me.

The memories of my older brother caused pain to ebb through my chest. His lifeless body laying upon the bed as mother bawled into fathers chest, he was the only male heir who had survived childhood and adulthood. The sound of soft footsteps broke me out of my memories.

From the corner of my eyes I caught sight of Azile's small figure hidden behind the small bushes. A sigh escaped my lips, I just wanted to be alone. I walked towards the bush before looking at her questioningly.
"Why are you here?"

"My queen, I uhhh wanted to fetch some water for you to drink and collect some herbs for your headache." She lied her stuttering voice betraying her.

"How did you know about my headache?Did he send you to follow me?" I questioned her my voice slightly becoming louder.

"Forgive me if I have made you upset, my queen." She apologized again bowing her head to show submission.

I shook my head, as I remembered what father said don't shoot the messenger or rather in this case someone following the kings orders.
"Azile you did not upset me." I confessed.

A smile embraced her lips as her eyes glimmered with joy. Before signalling me to follow her." The king hand picked me to be your maiden amongst forty other girls of the tribe," she said proudly. She saw serving me as an honour.

"He wanted me to learn what you like and what you dislike so that I may tell him." She continued before holding my gaze with her eyes.

'Why did he care so much? First it was not sleeping with me without consent. Secondly he was hand picking maidens he deemed worthy to serve me. Now he had her spy on me to get to know me better.' I mused. The only conclusion I could draw was that he was trying bury his biggest sin underneath his good deeds and that was pathetic.

Her small coffee coloured hand stretched towards me with a herb.
"Take it ,my queen," she urged. "It will help with headache." A genuine smile embraced her lips as sincerity glimmered in her eyes.

I returned her a smile of my own, it couldn't hurt to make a friend.