'I hold no knowledge of this'

Bakoena Kingdom

16 years have passed, the princess was in high school studying in South Africa, Cape Town to be exact and was now 16 years old. She goes home only on school holidays but has a bodyguard as per the king’s orders. Prince Tokelo her brother is now 26 years old and owns a law firm with his partner and brother Lebo. The kingdom has prospered over the years, the palace was renovated and now looked like a village on its own. They also own different farms and trade in livestock, crops and have shares in a coal mine. The people also benefited a lot from all the developments, they renovated their huts and were able to send their children to school after a new school was built in the kingdom.

The king was sitting outside late in the evening with his royal guard discussing the journey to the capital the following morning when a messenger interrupted them. “My king” he greeted with his head bowed “ As you were” the messenger straightened up “I brought a note for you my king” the king looked at it as the guard inspected it. “Where is it coming from?” asked the king. “I hold no knowledge of that my king; however, it was dropped off by a messenger wearing markings of BaTloung kingdom, so I assume it comes from there my king.” Explained the messenger “Very well, you may take your leave now.” The messenger bowed “My king” he left.

The king opened the letter and read the contents. He could not believe what was written on the letter when he saw it, he left and went to find the queen. He found her laying on the bed reading a book. “My queen please read this letter and tell me that what I think I read in there is not true.” He handed the letter to the queen, she accepted it and read. “These are good news my king, so they are coming tomorrow.” The queen could not hide her joy and excitement. “How can this be good news when I have no knowledge of it my queen?” The queen was stunned looking at the king. “I don’t understand my king, what does the king mean when he says he holds no knowledge of this when he was the one heading the negotiations.” The king’s anger grew from the bit of his stomach. “I did no such thing!” his voice was louder this time

“But my king you did and..” the king cut her off “I am telling you that I did no such thing, now explain to me when this happened.” The queen saw how serious the king was and thought that something was amiss with the situation. “It happened right after the princess’s ceremony” the queen told him everything that happen during that time. However, the king could not recall any of those things.

“I hold no knowledge of any of this, I do recall the ceremony but the week after that is blank, I hold no knowledge of what could have happen.” The queen did not understand either what could have happened to his memory for that week. “Maybe the headaches did a lot more damage than I thought.” The queen recalled him having those headaches during that week. “What headaches do you speak of my queen?” her eye went wide “Oh gods of Bakoena” she said with her hands covering her mouth. “My king, you had headaches that whole week and it got worse on Friday that I went and got you some medication from the chief priest and there after you were fine so we didn’t make anything of it.” The queen explained.

“I don’t understand what could have happened, could it be that the princess’s powers affected me somehow?” The queen shook her head. “I do not think so my king, the chief priest would have seen something but is it such a bad idea that the princess is married to the prince of BaTloung? I mean he is a good young man; he grew up in front of us, went to school and now owns a marketing company which we also make use of and his father is your old friend.” The king did not reply immediately.

“That is not what is bothering me my queen, what bothers me is that I agreed for her to be taken before she reaches maturity and she is still in school. I can’t do that to my princess.” Explained the king “Her in law is your old friend my king, make him see reason.” He nodded in agreement “let me call him now and talk to him maybe we can cancel tomorrow if he agrees.

The king took out his phone and made a call to him old friend who picked up like he was waiting for the call. “Greetings old friend, soon to be in law.” Sounded the voice of king of BaTloung on the other side on the line. “Greetings old friend, the in-law part is why I called you.” He stated the king. “Please tell me there is no problem” the latter asked a bit worried. “There is no problem however I would like to make a suggestion regarding the children’s marriage.” The king sigh after saying that. “I am all ears.” He straightened up from his seat. “Since the princess is out of the country and still in school. I was wondering if you would allow her to finish school, at least her high school education and by then she would have reached maturity and won’t have a problem with getting married as per our way.” He held his breath without even knowing he was doing so. “I did think of that my king, but I was merely honouring our agreement. That is not a bad idea since my prince is educated, I do not see why the princess cannot finish school. Also, she can continue with her studies while here.” The latter stated making the king release the breath he was holding. “My thanks old friend.” He was relieved but also could not get the matter out of his head, he needed to know what happened that week

They said their goodbyes and cut the call. “He agreed my queen and I am relieved however we have another issue.” The queen sighs. “What issue is that my king?” the king sat on his chair thinking, “ How do we tell the princes about the matter, moreover how do we tell the princess that she is to wed in 2 years?” the queen joined the king on the chair, indeed the princes of the land were very difficult when it comes to the princess. “You my king talk to your boys and I will have a talk with the princess when she returns for holidays.” He ran his hand through his head in frustration. “If am to talk to those big-headed beings then it will have to be soon for, they do not take well to change.” The queen did not say anything, there was no need she too knew how the children she raised were. The king once again took his phone and dialled the prince.

Prince Tokelo was busy in his office preparing for a meeting with a client, his phone rang but he did not even look at it and continued to pack his documents in a bag. The phone stopped ringing but as he sighs in relief a knock sounded on the door, he summoned the person in, and his PA walked in. “My prince the king is on the line.” He glared at the poor woman “How many times have I told you not to call me prince at work?” the latter opened her mouth many times, but no words came out. “You may take your leave.” The poor woman ran out of there as if she were being chased, while the prince took the call.

“My king” he greeted with respect. “I may be king to many but not to my children, to you am your father.” Said the king “I know that father, to what do I owe the pleasure of having the king of Bakoena call me.” The latter sigh on the other end. “My prince, I need one of you to come to the palace tomorrow, it is important that you be here.” The prince got worried. “What is the matter father?” he asked worry visible in his words. “You will hear when you get here.” He prince sigh loudly, the king always does this when he wants them home or when his queen complains that they do not come home anymore. He would call and say it was important.

“My king, I have a business to run and shareholders to report to. I can not just leave for no reason.” He tried to reason “Did I not just say it was important? Tokelo being summoned by a king on its own is important, know your priorities my prince, you are to lead this kingdom one day and matters that concerns it should not be taken lightly by you.” Reprimanded the king “But father. Hello” The king had cut the call.

He called his PA and told her to call his brother Lebo to go and attend the meeting on his behalf. The PA took notes and left. He prince sat on his chair wondering what could be so important that he would be summoned back at the palace in the middle of the week. Since he could not get answers, he sent his brother a message informing him of his departure then left going to his place to pack a few things before driving home.