His Queen

Chapter Twelve - Beautiful Painting

Ajinke's POV;

I get to the prince's room and take a deep breath before knocking on its gigantic doors.

"Who is it? "He questions and I swallow before replying,

"Ajinke... "I reply. Not sure if I should refer to myself by my name, or something else. Does he even know my name?

"Come in. " He calls back, and I gulp before pushing the door open. I walk in and shut the door behind me.

I find the prince in a corner of his room, painting on a canvas with brushes and some paints. The back of the board is turned towards the door, so I can't see what he's drawing, as I'm standing before the door.

I never knew the prince drew or painted...

He suddenly looks up at me, and I quickly look away. I look around the room and find that there's nothing to clean in here.

Besides, Asake has already cleaned this place.

"Will you just stand there? " He questions and I jump a bit in fright as his smooth voice invades the silence.

I try to blink away my fear, and walk up to the cupboard, under one of the windows in the room, and start cleaning its surface while carefully picking up the beautiful pieces of art resting on it.

I have my back turned to the prince, but I can strongly feel his gaze boring holes into my back.

"How old are you? "He questions, and I choke. My eyes water as I battle to hold back the cough gnawing at my throat. The uncomfortable itching feel increases, and I'm forced to let my cough out.

The room falls silent as drops of tears escape my eyes, and I huff and puff while trying to calm myself.

"Was that too much to ask? "I hear the princess's voice say, and I take a deep breath before replying. Staying silent any further could be considered rude.

"Eighteen. I'm 18 years old... My prince" I reply. Adding the last part reluctantly, as I have no idea how to converse with people of royalty. I only started doing that the day I got here.

Silence falls upon the room again as I keep cleaning the spotless cupboard.

"Are you of Akomojo blood or?... "He questions and I arch a brow. Why all these questions? From the look of things, he didn't call me here to clean anything. He called me here to interrogate me. Has he finally thought of punishment for my crime??

"Yes, your highness... Both my parents are from this village. "I reply, and my heart snaps as I mention my parents. Why did I have to talk about them? What if he questions me about them?

"For how long have you been alone? "He questions and a dagger of sadness suddenly pierces through my stomach.

I unintentionally fall silent, and the prince makes to speak, but I cut him off. I can't have him thinking I'm disrespectful.

"Three years, my prince, "I reply, and silence follows again.

I've cleaned this cupboard so much, if it were made of human skin, I would have scrubbed off a lot of layers.

I turn around. Uneasy and uncomfortable, and scan around the room for something dirty to clean, but I find nothing.

I am forced to turn back to the window when I hear people from somewhere playing talking drums, and singing beautifully.

I smile as music has always had a special effect on me. I scan about with my eyes for the people playing, but I can't see them. Only hear them.

Adebiyi's POV;