Prince Abbah, in his quest for a bride, had five maidens from the village recommended to him. These maidens were placed in different houses, each assigned two house helps to groom them in the ways of a princess—teaching them to talk, walk, and behave regally.
After a period of preparation, the five maidens were presented on the selection day. The event included a dance forum and a speech session where the potential brides had to articulate why they should be chosen and their plans for the village if crowned queen.
Reni, one of the maidens, surprisingly had nothing to say during the speech session, leading to laughter and assumptions that she would be the least selected. However, the unexpected happened. The king himself stepped forward, revealing that there was a reason for assigning two maids to each maiden. The king explained that these maids would be brought from their respective duty posts to provide insights into the brides-to-be.
To the shock of everyone, the housemaids revealed a dark side of the other four maidens. They spoke of mistreatment, starvation, ill-speaking of the king, and plans to misuse the prince's funds. Reni, on the other hand, received praise for her kindness and humility.
Despite initial reservations from the prince about Reni, he was intrigued when her first maid described her positively. As more maids spoke, Reni's virtues shone through, making the king happy. However, the prince, thinking Reni was unattractive, requested she remove her mask. To his surprise, a beautiful damsel emerged.
Marriage was swiftly planned, and the prince took Reni as his bride. They lived happily with the devoted housemaid. However, after five childless years, pressure mounted on the prince to seek another wife. Unable to conceive, Reni begged for patience, but the prince, eager for an heir, filed for a secret divorce.
In the wake of this decision, the prince contemplated marrying one of the other maidens or even the loyal house help. The village buzzed with speculation as the prince navigated the delicate decision of choosing another wife. Little did he know that this choice would unravel a chain of events leading to unforeseen consequences.
On the day the Prince came with the divorce papers, Reni fell sick. Just when he was about to sign it, she fainted. She was rushed to the hospital but friends of the Prince who came with him, advised him to ensure she signs even in the hospital bed.To them, she was faking it. The Doctor collected blood samples to run a test and he also tried to stabilize her.
In time, Reni regained her strength and signed the divorce papers.
As the prince and his friends were leaving the room, the Doctor came in and announced " Congratulations your highness, your wife is two weeks pregnant.
He was shocked. He loved her for five years, he endured, why can't he wait a little longer. Now, he has set the love of his life free.
As he turned to his wife to embrace her, the wife refuted and asked him not to touch her. Reni got better a few days later and moved out of his house. The Prince begged but all felled on deaf ears.
The Prince spent some weeks mourning over his stupidity. After about six months, he decided to go and beg the lady, Reni if they could start all over again and date again. It was then he found out that Reni was getting married to the Doctor.
Reni had gone back to the hospital and requested for an abortion. But the Doctor declined, instead, he fell in love with Reni. Upon finding out, the prince became indignant and reported to his father the king. The Doctor and Reni were banished. They were both happy to begin the journey . The Prince threathened to come after them and take his child back. Words has it that he finally got married to one of the other four maidens but did not find peace.
This is my participation in @hivelearners contest on story telling. It is a fiction story. Thanks for stopping by.
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