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NARRATED
*
After Nontle's revelation the atmosphere at Manzini was sombre. Menzi cried so much because now he could why he made the decisions he made, the way he was towards his own child which is something he could never understand. Now he understands why Nobuhle had changed so much. It was not her. It was the woman he loved with whole heart, it was an impostor and he didn't even know. Iyana and Qophelo spend the day at Manzini while the Seer Sabelo performed a cleansing for the entire royal family including the culprit.
After the cleansing ceremony everyone had dinner at the palace. Iyana and Qophelo had to sleepover as it was too late to drive back to their home. Now everyone is at the breakfast table, silence heavy among each other but Menzi breaks with a heavy sigh.
Menzi: My decision to step down still stands regardless of the new revelations. I do have one last act to perform as King.
Thando: What would be that dad?
Menzi: This is going to be hard for you and your sister but this is something that has to be done. I would have your mother's head right now for what she did. She is your mother I can't have her executed.
Thando: Well, I wouldn't mind. It would hurt but eventual we would get over it.
Iyana: Thando !!!
Thando: What? It's the truth.
Menzi: Enough you two. I am going to send her back to her home, her family can deal with her. She is not my, she has never been one, she can live out the rest her days in her parent's home or whatever they decide to do and she leaves today.
Nontle: Please don't send me home Menzi, anything but that please.
Menzi: And why shouldn't I?
Nobuhle: She will branded as a witch for she did. She will hanged.
Iyana: Death is inevitable for her wherever she goes. Whether she stays or she leaves, she is still going to die. It is her punishment for all that she has done. I suggest you leave just as dad says or suffer my wrath. Husband, I think it's time we leave now before I start killing people.
Her husband takes her hand and they stand to leave with Menzi thanking them for coming with them promising to come back for a more pleasant visit. Thando walks them out to their car leaving with the twins. He walks up to Nobuhle and pulls her to his arms and holds her tight. Her warmth, her love, things he has not felt ever since she left for the funeral. He hates her sister for taking this away from him for making him miss out on this beautiful love. He looks at her for a long time and suddenly kisses her gently and slowly. After a while they pull part from each other. He tells her to go upstairs, he will be with her in a moment. She leaves the room leaving him with her.
Menzi: I must say, you have really outdone yourself. You really had me fooled.
Nontle: Not completely. You could still feel the difference but you were just not sure. You simply thought it was change.
Menzi: You are not remorseful for what you did?
Nontle: Why should I be. If I am remorseful, that means I regret what I did and I don't regret any of it. I got the live the life I wanted. I got to Queen and I have two beautiful children. So no, I don't regret what I did. I don't regret giving my parents a peaceful death. "Only then she realizes that she said too much. She didn't mean to let that one out.
Menzi: you even killed your own parents. I hope you will enjoy your time back home. The driver is waiting for you outside. You are not taking anything with you as you won't be needing any of it. Goodbye Nontle.
He says and walks upstairs while the guards escort her out to the car waiting for her. All he wants is to catch up with his wife and prepare for Thando's coronation in two days. At least with Thando taking the crown he is going to have more time to catch up with Nobuhle maybe have a little one running around the palace soon. The thought brings a smile to his face. From here on, there is going to be nothing but peace for him and his little family. He has his work cut out for me to make things right with Iyana.
*
THREE MONTHS LATER
*
MANZINI KINGDOM
Menzi retired as promised and enjoying his retirement with his wife who now officially the Queen mother. After her sister was banished to her home land, she started taking over the duties and she has been doing well as if she has been doing it for year. She has a perfect balance between her royal duties and being a doctor. Her husband didn't make her choose. He loves that she is doing what she loves and he focused on the business while Thando tries to find his feet as the ruler of the kingdom, of cause he is there to guide him. He has chosen his own council. "I don't want a bunch of old man that won't understand change father." That's what he had said to his father when they were talking about changing the council. He has not met his mate yet but they have have hope that he it will happen soon. Thando sees her in his dreams.
Nontle was sent back home and the former king had to give reason as to why he is sending her back. The twins who rule side by side, her brothers were shocked to hear what their sister had sister. In turn they couldn't ignore the laws of their Kingdom. Their sister was branded as witch. She charged with the murder of her parents and was sentenced to death. She was put to death a month ago. Her children didn't want to be there but they did attend the funeral for their own closer.
EDWALENI KINGDOM
Three months ago Ntsika Buthelezi was on his death bed because he refused to do as told by the ancestors. Eventually he saw that he was fighting a losing battle. For his own sanity, health and the kingdom he finally listened. He did as told. Followed all the instructions he was given to save his Kingdom. He realized that being stubborn would cost him his home.
The toughest thing he had to do was to humble himself in front of Menzi Zulu and apologize. He cleansed their kingdom for his wrong doing, for playing a part in harming their daughter Iyana. After all that was done, he saw the difference in his health and his kingdom. Everything is getting back to normal slowly but surely. His father is still stubborn claiming he did nothing wrong for wanting what is best for his Kingdom. His suffering is worse than Ntsika because he even refuses to seek his wife's forgiveness claiming he did what he had to do for the Kingdom to prosper. His doesn't know what to do anymore. She has cried and begged him to change but is dead set on being stubborn. She has given up on him. Whatever happens to him now, happens.
Their daughter was disappointed to hear of what happened has decided not to come home for a while. She feels she needs the the break from her family drama. She has been have dreams about a man but she can't see his face. She knows that it's her mate. She was told she would dream of him before she meet him. Life for her at the moment is simple and she is enjoying every minute of it before she tied down by marriage.
Their seer Muzi was since banished for his crimes and their ancestors sent them a new one as a kingdom cannot be without a seer for too long.
*
*
Nkosenye has been under intensive physio theraphy. When woke up from his coma it was discovered he was paralyzed but it was not permanent. They didn't tell anyone then as they didn't want to give Mbuso more reason to fight for the throne. He is now walking but he uses a walking a stick. It looks like his wife and Layla will be giving birth at the same time as they are same number of months along. Lizzy is looking forward to having twins.
She spoke to Layla about staying and raise the kids with her but Layla has not given her an answer yet as feels like she is not ready to be a mother but she has been loving her stay here she two months to decide. She has developed quite a nice with Lizzy and Nompumelelo. She feels like part of the family, something she hasn't had all her life. The family unity she is experiencing here is something completely different from what she knows. She doesn't know what it's like to have someone have your back and she is getting that.
Nompumelelo is as beautiful as ever. The experience with her uncle has humbled her a lot. She is learning to not be toxic. To not think she is better than other people. She is now engaged to Zibusiso. The love between them is unmatched. Life for her has been peaceful. She is going to be a housewife which is something Zibusiso doesn't mind. She will have more time for her Royal duties and the family they plan to start as soon as they get married. He is trying to find balance in his new life so that he can be there for his soon to be wife.
NTABENTLE KINGDOM
Bheki was sentenced to life in prison. The Queen Mother didn't want his kids to lose their father. She filed a request for Busi to be under house arrest for the rest of her life. The might have taken her husband away from her, taken away a father from his kids, she was not going to do the same. Their children still get to see their parents and talk to them. That's why she kept them alive.
"I want to spend the rest my days with you Lona. I want to retire and just be a husband to you and a father to our kids." Those were Sthembiso's words when Iyana was crowned Queen, taking over Lona's duties. He loves her and he hasn't hidden it. Their children have accepted their relationship and it has been smooth sailing with everyone. They are now married. It was not a big thing. They went to Home Affairs and signed after which they had a celebratory lunch with their family and friends. She is now his wife that he loves with his all and would do anything for. He still helps Mxolisi with palace security. That is something that keeps him busy as well.
Mxolisi is back and he has met his chosen one. He was surprised to find out that she is a normal human being. It has happened before. It skipped two generations and now it's him. He is more than happy. At first he wasn't realizing that his life will have to change. He will only have one woman to satisfy now. He realized that this is a path he cannot runaway from, so, to be happy, he must embrace his new path. He gave Imari a chance and he's been happy ever since. They are getting married in a few months as well. Now that he is back, he plans on settling down help his brother rule their Kingdom the best way he can.
Phiwo is close to both Iyana and Imari but she is closer to Iyana. Iyana understands her and lets her talk to her about anything. She is the big sister that she has been praying for. In her journey of self discover she has discovered that she is more attracted to girls than she is to boys. She is not rushing anything. She is of royal blood and in her family they can only end up with their chosen one. That is something she doesn't have a problem with. Happiness is all that she wants for her and her family.
Iyana and Qophelo, the most powerful couple the kingdom has ever seen to rule this kingdom in years. The shield that hides this kingdom from the rest of the world has grown thicker and stronger ever since these two got married. The love they have for their people makes the kingdom even stronger. The bond they have with their people and the trust the people have in them makes the powers of the kingdom grow stronger. That's the Kingdom survives. On love, trust, respect and loyalty. That's something that can never be stolen from the kingdom. The world know of Ntabentle Kingdom but no one has ever been able to find it, not without trying though. It the richest in the world. It has the most rare precious stone under it. They have small mine to keep the mining to a minimum so that it doesn't affect the environment of the kingdom. It is the reason why Iyana and Qophelo were chosen for each other. They both protect what is precious and what keeps their kingdoms alive.
As for these two, life is wonderful for them. They are a match made in heaven, well in this case the underground gang has a lot to do with it. Iyana was right about herself she has become addicted to the sex and her husband is beyond happy to make sure his wife is satisfied.
Ever since mother's saga, she has been struggling a bit to deal with it but she let it come between her and her husband or her duties as Queens or her flower shop. Her first business, her first baby. She has expanded it. Now it also sells fresh and dried herbs. It has been flourishing ever since. Qophelo has been the best king with brother as his advisor, his mother, Sthembiso and his Queen. It wasn't easy for him after his uncle was sentenced but with the family support he has moved on. He still sees his father's lion every now and again to guide him when things are too difficult. The only problem he can't seem to handle is his wife's mood swings. Sometimes she's happy, then too tired for anything but funny enough never too tired for s*ex. He has also noticed that in the past two months he appetite has grown extremely for both food and s*ex. He asked his wife about it.
"What's wrong honey?" He asked three days ago when he came to her crying sitting on the bed eating ice cream. "Who do I need to kill, who made you cry?" He asks pulling her to his chest comforting her.
"Can you kill yourself Qophelo, huh? Can you do that? Because you are the one making my cry right now." She asks and he pulls of the hug very fast and confused, he didn't even know what he did. "My beautiful wife, now what did your husband do so serve such? I love you so much, it hurt to see you cry like this." He says reasoning with her.
"I love you too, but right now I hate you. You left a mini you inside me. So please kill yourself and make it quick." She moves from him and gets back to her ice cream and very nonchalant to the very shocked Qophelo. "Wait, are you saying what I think you are saying baby?"
"Yes Qophelo, I'm pregnant, I'm pregnant." She cries again filling her mouth with ice cream.
"Oh my God, I am going to be a father. Oh sthandwa, thank you. I'll do anything for you except kill my self." He say pulling her into a hug. She gives him her naughty smile. "I'm horny" She says. Her husband smiles and take her in for a kiss.
********** THE END **********