Chapter 275
In the center of the garden stood a stone fountain, its waters murmuring softly as they cascaded into a clear, shallow pool. The air was filled with the sweet perfume of roses, lilies, and jasmine, mingling with the earthy scent of the soil and the crisp freshness of the leaves. On the walls of this garden was an inbuilt statue of Ikenga, the god of nature and curses.
Nwadiebube’s smile grew as he took in the sight. This was a place he had nurtured himself, each flower a testament to his love for the beauty and peace that the garden offered. Here, he was not just a king burdened by the weight of his crown but a man who found solace in the simple act of tending to his garden.
Looking up at the glass ceiling above the garden, revealing the deep night sky, Nwadiebube said to his sister, who was watering a flower, "I am scared, sister."
The princess’s hand paused for a moment, but she silently continued what she was doing as she asked, "Scared of what?"
Taking a deep breath, the king spoke. "Scared of not being known, of being forgotten—only to be momentarily brought up in conversations before being forgotten again.
"Watching Father die and mourning him, only for the people to forget him and what he did because I came up and did better than he did. I wonder how many, like you, still think of Father the way you do.
"Being a king and a father wasn’t enough for him to be remembered as great. The only great thing to his name is that he is the founder of this great, standing kingdom."
Princess Nwadimma continued to water the flowers, her movements slow and deliberate, as if each drop of water held a piece of the conversation. The soft murmur of the fountain filled the silence between them, a soothing counterpoint to the weight of her brother’s words.
"Brother," she began after a moment, her voice gentle, "greatness is not measured solely by how long people remember your name. It’s measured by the legacy you leave behind, by the lives you’ve touched, and by the principles you’ve upheld."