Happy family

CHAPTER 21

OMPHILE – POV

Sleep was impossible.

No matter how many times I turned, fluffed the pillows, or closed my eyes, the soft sounds drifting through the palace walls refused to let me rest. I sighed, rolling onto my back, staring at the ceiling.

"Olerato," I muttered to myself. "Must you announce happiness like this?"

With a quiet laugh and a shake of my head, I slipped out of bed, wrapped a light throw around my shoulders, and headed downstairs. The palace felt different at night—vast, echoing, calm in a way that made you aware of your own footsteps and thoughts. I stepped outside to the veranda, breathing in the cool night air, letting the silence settle my restless mind.

I leaned against the railing, staring out into the darkness, when I heard footsteps behind me.

I jumped.

My heart nearly escaped my chest as I turned around—

And froze.

Andile.

Shirtless.

The soft light from inside caught every line of muscle, every tattoo etched across his chest and arms like they told stories I suddenly wanted to read very slowly. My mouth went dry. Without thinking, I licked my lips.

Damn.

He noticed.

A slow smile spread across his face, confident, dangerous.

"Yoh," he said lazily. "Did I scare you, mama?"

I exhaled sharply, pretending to recover. "You almost gave me a heart attack," I said. "People usually wear shirts when walking around at night."

He chuckled, stepping closer. "Couldn't sleep either. This house is too quiet… or too loud, depending."

I groaned. "Don't remind me."

That made him laugh properly now, deep and warm. "So you heard it too?"

"Unfortunately," I replied. "I came out here for peace, not reminders that my sister is living her best life."

He leaned against the railing beside me, close—but not touching. "You don't like noise, mama?"

I glanced at him sideways. "Careful. I bite."

His eyes darkened slightly. "I like danger."

We stood there for a moment, the silence charged now, different. I could feel his presence like heat against my skin.

"You look good tonight," he said softly. "Even half-asleep."

I scoffed. "Flattery won't work on me."

"Who said I was flattering?" he replied. "I'm stating facts."

I turned to face him fully. "Andile, you don't even know me like that."

He shrugged, his gaze steady. "I know enough to know you're not easy. And I like that."

My heartbeat picked up. "You call everyone mama like this?"

He smiled, stepping closer, lowering his voice. "Only the ones who make me forget where I am."

I swallowed.

"This is a palace," I said weakly. "People have eyes."

"And ears," he added. "Yet here we are."

He reached out, his fingers brushing my wrist lightly, testing. I didn't pull away.

"Tell me to stop," he murmured.

I looked up at him, searching his face. "And if I don't?"

His thumb traced slow circles on my skin. "Then I'll assume you want what I want."

"And what is that?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my cheek. "To see if this tension is real."

Before my mind could catch up, he kissed me.

Not rushed. Not careless.

A slow, deliberate kiss that made my knees weak and my thoughts scatter. I responded instinctively, my hand gripping his arm, feeling the strength there. The world narrowed to just us—the night, the palace, the electricity between two people who knew this was dangerous and didn't care.

When he finally pulled back, his forehead rested against mine.

"You taste like trouble," he whispered.

I laughed softly, breathless. "You started this."

He smiled. "And I'm not done."

Somewhere inside the palace, a door creaked.

Reality returned.

He stepped back slightly, still smiling. "Goodnight, mama."

I watched him walk away, heart racing, knowing one thing for sure—

Sleep was definitely not coming now.

OLERATO – POV

My body felt heavy when morning came.

Very heavy.

I barely slept, my muscles aching in that sweet, exhausting way that only comes from a night spent tangled in someone you love. I washed my face slowly, staring at my reflection, my lips still swollen, my eyes tired but glowing. I threw on yesterday's clothes without caring much—comfort over effort today.

As I walked downstairs, voices and laughter drifted up to meet me.

Breakfast was already in full swing.

Everyone sat around the long table, plates filled, tea steaming, the morning light pouring through the wide windows. The moment I stepped in, heads turned.

And then—

The teasing began.

"Ahhh," Sbu said loudly, leaning back in his chair. "So this is the reason nobody slept."

Laughter erupted instantly.

I groaned, covering my face. "Please don't start."

The Queen smiled knowingly, shaking her head. "This house has thick walls, but joy has a way of traveling."

The King cleared his throat, trying—and failing—to look serious. "Next time, my daughter," he said calmly, "remember you are not alone in a palace."

Everyone burst out laughing again.

I felt my cheeks burn. "I'm really sorry," I said sincerely. "I didn't mean to disturb anyone."

Emihle leaned forward, grinning. "Sorry? You sounded very… confident."

Onthatile nearly choked on her juice.

Khayelihle reached for my hand under the table, squeezing it gently. I sat down next to him, leaning slightly into his shoulder, completely unashamed despite the teasing.

He smiled softly at me. "Good morning, love."

"Morning," I whispered back, trying not to smile too much.

That's when I noticed it.

Andile and Omphile.

They weren't talking much—but they didn't need to. Every few seconds, their eyes met. Lingering glances. Quick smiles. Awkward looks away. Then back again.

I hid my smile behind my cup.

The King noticed too.

"Andile," he said casually, "you seem distracted this morning."

Andile straightened immediately. "No, Nkosi. I'm listening."

Omphile lifted her cup calmly, pretending nothing was happening, but her ears were bright red.

Emihle smirked. "Sure you are."

Segametsi laughed openly now. "You two should just sit next to each other and stop pretending."

Andile cleared his throat. "I wouldn't mind."

Omphile shot him a look. "You're very bold for someone who doesn't know me."

He smiled. "I'm willing to learn."

The Queen raised an eyebrow but said nothing—just observed.

I leaned closer to Khaya and whispered, "I think I'm not the only one who kept people awake last night."

He chuckled softly. "Looks like the palace is full of secrets."

I rested my head briefly against his shoulder, feeling safe, grounded, loved.

As breakfast continued, the teasing softened into warmth. This wasn't judgment. It was family. Noise, laughter, shared embarrassment and affection wrapped together.

And for the first time in a long while, I didn't feel like an outsider at the table.

I felt like I belonged.