"Please forgive me," Tobias cried out as guards seized him. Gareth groaned having jumped in front of the spear to protect them. Rudo looked stunned before she did the least expected. Walking towards Tobias with the spear still in her hand she drove it straight through his heart as he looked at her in surprise.
"The next person who tries to kill my husband will have to deal with me," she said sending a glare towards the assassin who quickly shook his head no, indicating he had no such intentions.
Wiping the blood off the spear with her skirt she handed the spear back to him before going to tend to Gareth.
"Blood shall me spilled," she heard Gareth murmur as he looked at her with pride. It was like seeing a rare flower finally blooming before he closed his eyes.

She felt his presence beside her as Gareth was rushed off to the hospital. Looking at her hands she saw the now dried blood as Munya grabbed ahold of her hand with his own stained hand.
"My little warrior," he whispered as she looked at him directly in his eyes not saying a word.

"Your highness," he heard.
Looking away from her he saw John standing before them. With a questioning look John started to ramble about an incident that had occurred at the western boarders that required his attention.
"No one leaves this room," Munya said as he led the way out of the room.
Reaching their room he helped her out of her clothes as she was still in shock having never killed anyone before. Blood stained the water they stood in as he scrubbed her hands until there was no trace left. She looked at him as he tentatively scrubbed her fingers making sure none had dried in her fingernails.

"Love," he called out to her.
Looking up at him he placed a kiss upon her cheek moving to her ear.
"Thank you," he said pulling her into his arms as she sighed relaxing into his hold.

Tucking her into bed he quickly put on his royal robes before he left their room.
Walking into the throne room he found everyone as he had left them. Seated patiently.
"Where were we?" He stated breaking the silence.
"Your highness. Regardless of the circumstances some of us still feel that tradition is tradition," Stanford began. "This is how we will know she is loyal to the crown and nothing else," he stated as several heads bobbed up and down.
Munya sighed looking at the time. It was almost midnight and he had better things to do, like getting some rest or better yet find out what exactly was happening in his country.

"I will not allow it. Would you allow for your wife to go through such humiliation and torture?" He asked in a calm tone.
The old man remained silent for a while before he opened his mouth to speak Munya silenced him.
"Do not dare lie to me," he growled as the man clamped his mouth shut. "I have heard enough, my decision is final. No one will harm her," he said standing up as John followed him out.
"Keep me updated on Gareth's health status," he said as they stepped out of the building. Looking towards his wing he saw the lights still on. He had informed Vimbai to keep them on in case Rudo woke. A feint smile on his lips as he slid into the waiting vehicle knowing she would love the gift she would wake up to in the morning.

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Having slept surprisingly well Rudo frowned seeing no sign of Munya in their room. She noticed the small box on his side of the bed with a white rose attached to it. Taking the flower and box she smiled opening the seeing the simple locket. Opening it her smile widened seeing all three boys smiling in the picture. Placing it back in the box she got out of bed to freshen up before she wore the locket.

Opening the door she found Vimbai standing outside her door.
"Good morning you highness," she greeted.
"Good morning Vimbai. How was your night?"
"Restful my queen," she said with a smile as two guards stood at attention.
Rudo smiled realizing it was the same pair assigned to her while they were abroad.

Walking into the dining room she found the queen already seated having her breakfast.
"She looked at Rudo with a mixture of pity and disgust," as Rudo bowed before her greeting her.
Sucking her teeth she stood up leaving her half eaten meal as Rudo watched her silently.
A few minutes later her brother and the prince ran into the room making her smile as the little prince appeared strong to stay on his feet for longer without falling.
Lifting him into his high chair she took her seat as the servants came and laid out their breakfast. Turning to Vimbai she asked her where Munya was only to be informed he was attending to an urgent meeting.

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Rudo's POV

Smiling at my brother I laughed at his questions as he asked about my marriage and if it meant I was now the queen. He seemed rather excited for me as I fed Munashe his breakfast. I really couldn't enjoy my breakfast pondering over the queens' reception earlier. It was clear she did not like me, but how could I get in good books with her.

Stepping out of the dining room another servant came to inform me that I was being summoned by the queen. Following the girl I walked into the throne room to find all the elders seated talking in hushed tones.
Upon seeing me silence fell in the room as I saw Munya's mother seated on the throne. They all looked at me and I knew why I had been called in.

"Stanford please inform the girl what she must do for her to be accepted," she said without looking at me.
"The young girl must first get her head shaved. Once this is done a punishment she will receive from the queen mother before she bares the mark of shame," he said.
I looked at him realizing what I would have to go through. This was after all my fate there was no escape especially with Munya not here.

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She watched as her hair fell onto the ground bit by bit. It had been cut short after her accident and now all of it was being removed. She felt bare and exposed as several pairs of eyes watched this act. In her village women never wore short hair for it was considered their crown. Leading the group to the courtyard she saw two bottles of water. Each filled with a Litre of water.

"You will hold each bottle in each hand with outstretched arms. The minute your arms fall you will be beaten," she said with a smirk.
Looking up the sun was already blazing, how would she survive through the heat, better yet the beating she was going to experience. For even the strongest warriors of them all had fallen when it came to this form of punishment. She had heard stories growing up.

When the guard struck her the first time she cried out in pain quickly lifting her arms up  stopping him from striking her once more.
The queen was no were in sight and so where the elders. It was only after a while did she hear commotion by the door to the courtyard.
Matthias looked at her in shock and it was clear as day that he was angry.
"I demand you stop this nonsense immediately!" He said as two guards blocked his way by order of the queen. Though they had the power to order the guards the men and women could never disobey the most powerful individual in place, this being the queen mother. Munya had the final say.

Too exhausted she did not see where Matthias went as her vision became blurred causing her to collapse. Hunger and dehydration the root cause as it was now nightfall. The elders whispered amongst themselves wondering how she had lasted all day. Holding her up she opened her eyes to see them surrounding her. Stanford had a branding iron in his hands which was already red hot. Turning her around to give him her back she cried out in pain as her flesh was burnt by the iron.

Sweat ran down her face as she parted her lips gasping for air the pain too much for her to bare. As she was released she sunk to the ground as she heard his cry.
"Noooo!" Munya cried out as the elders looked startled.
"What have you done!" He yelled as as he reached her.
Gathering her into his arms he realized she had already passed out from the pain. Calling for his physician he gently placed her on the bed tearing the dress off her only to stop as he saw the bruises on her back. Someone had been beating her he realized with great alarm. Leaving the man to tend to her he went down to the throne room.
If Matthias had not informed him she would be dead, this he was sure of he thought to himself as he barged into the room.

Closing the doors he surprised the elders by locking them himself.
"Your highness..."
"You have defied my words. Defiled my home. Defiled my wife in other words defiled me," he said as he looked at them.
You will stay in this room and think over your actions. If you do not choose your punishment you will not like mine," he whispered in a deadly voice as the men looked at each other.

Using another exit they heard the door being locked as he went up to their room. Walking into the room he found an IV fluid bag set up for her as she was already patched up. Even without her hair he still found her stunning. She opened her eyes slightly before mumbling something. Asking her to repeat her words slowly he heard her say, "I did it for us."

This was how much she loved him. Enough to please those buffoons even if it meant risking her life and suffering through humiliation.
Sitting beside the bed he simply reached out for her hand holding it securely in his as he whispered, "Forgive me love."

Hope you enjoyed. Until next time.