SKINNY LOVE | ❝I tell my love to wreck it all. Cut out all the ropes and let me fall❞
BLACK PANTHER | T'CHALLA UDAKU
A HERO OF HEROES BOOK
Cover by: voidkhaleesi
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2006
"T'CHALLA, IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO STOP STARING AT MY DAUGHTER, I'D LIKE TO GET BACK TO OUR LESSON."
Elewa couldn't help but roll his eyes as the Prince of Wakanda turned back to him, humming softly, clearly having not paid any attention to what he said, chin propped up under his hand. A man of nineteen—still a boy, really—he still hadn't grown out of his distaste for lessons on diplomacy and what it took to be a king. From what the older man had noticed, the prince was more inclined towards science, though being a warrior was second best, yet more of a requirement than anything.
Smiling sheepishly, T'Challa went back to reading over his notes, giving Elewa time to look over towards his daughter, smiling fondly.
Zarina was bent over her textbooks, biting her pen as her eyes scoured over the words. Devouring more like, what with the eagerness she used to flip the pages, so invested in her reading she didn't even notice the attention she was receiving from the prince.
"I hope you are not avoiding telling her your feelings because of me," Elewa said to the prince, noticing that he was, once again, staring at her, work forgotten. His words, of course, had captured his attention and the older man couldn't help but laugh.
"I-I don't—" T'Challa tried to say, but stopped when his tutor held up a hand, stopping him.
Leaning forward with a kind, but firm smile, Elewa spoke, "Don't think I haven't noticed. I have watched you two for years, and I am no stranger to love. If you care for her, you should let her know. The ancestors know I will not stop you."
T'Challa swallowed thickly, looking back over to Zarina who glanced up briefly, smiling and waving before going back to reading. Elewa watched as the boy smiled back, just staring for a moment before remembering himself.
"I can't ruin this," he said, and Elewa just scoffed, waving his hand flippantly, shocking the prince with his informal actions.
"You're young," the man exclaimed, "You cannot let fear control you, that is for us old men to experience. I would say make mistakes, but I know that this will not be one of them. I know my daughter and I know you. Go and be happy."
T'Challa looked at his tutor for a moment before looking towards the man's daughter, then back to him. He had always viewed the man as a source of wisdom and knowledge, never once saying something to lead T'Challa astray, always knowing what was a best. How would this time be different? There were many reasons, but all of them seemed futile at that moment.
"I have your blessing?" he asked.
Elewa smiled. "You have had it since the moment you met, as she has had the blessing of both your mother and father." At T'Challa's still expectant expression, he laughed.
"Yes."
º º º
Zarina was wandering around the palace gardens, a book in hand. She found the garden calming and beautiful, though it was not as large as other parts of the palace. She was not allowed in the grove of the heart shaped herb, so this was the next best thing, and she was more than happy to be there, having been granted access by the king and queen just a few years before.
