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Chapter Twelve.

But did it cater for the waltz...or the tango? I don't know. The racing sounds fun though. Maybe some food after too. A little picnic, with a beautiful scene...too expensive. I huff. That did sound good though. Too good. Maybe I can find a great racing place, plan a cheaper picnic.

Nyiso... maybe she can borrow me some cash.

That's a bad idea, especially with the odds.

Have him pay? For his own surprise picnic? Maybe not.

You know what. Let me just do this. I'll regret it later.

My phone starts ringing as I was about to book us up at the racing place.

"Mge?"
"Channel 3, now." She says and hangs up. I grab the remote from Khaya's lap and change the channel.

"I was still watching that." He whines.
"I'll give it back now now." I say as the content shows itself on my screen. I turn up the volume a little.

"...with the public responding better than what we expected them to, all due to an official statement published by the Prince, Bangizwe. This is all fro-..." I switch the channel back to Khaya's soccer match, not allowing the woman to report any further. Nyiso sends me screenshots of what she's just made me watch.

'Read those with caution.' Her caption read.

I head to my room, leaving Khaya.

"A statement by the communications secretary of Prince Bangizwe. Since an early age the Prince of Emashazini has been made aware that his life will always be in the limelight, receiving warmth from people all around."

I shake my head before reading further.

"The Prince is also very aware that there is awfully a lot of curiosity surrounding his private life which he does not appreciate , now more especially since someone he is close with has been harassed by the public and shamed on multiple occasions. Zanokuhle Dlamini had to endure reporters spreading pictures, invading her privacy and also not being granted the freedom to move as she pleased at her own place."

"The Prince is worried about the safety and wellbeing of Ms Dlamini. He is disheartened that there is only a certain amount of things he can do to aid in this situation. This is not a game. This is his and her life. This is not a plea for more unwanted attention. The Prince is issuing out this statement in the hopes that reporters will stop spreading inaccurate and fake news before this spirals into something worse." I read the last bit and let in some much needed air into my lungs.

'This is on the newspapers?' I text her.

'Yep.'

'How old is this?'

'Fairly fresh mge.'

I nod to myself and go dial Bangi's number. He answers almost immediately.

"I was about to call you."
"Well I beat you to it." I chuckle.
"I'm guessing you've seen the statement." Bangi says
"I have a fast friend."
"Now, I'm sure people will start backing off, and understand why you did what you did."
"Are you trying to make them give me my job back or something?"
"I'm trying to give you back a piece of your normality. I've completely ruined that for you."

I clear my throat.

"Uh, are you doing something tomorrow?"
"Like what?"
"Princey stuff, you know."

He chuckles. "Princey stuff...well I will be busy, but not the whole day. Why?"
"Good, how does 12h00 sound?"
"Sounds like you have something up your sleeves."
"Please put on something nice. Not too formal too. I don't want to get you expensive shirts dirty."
"What are you planning?"
"Just be ready. Chery and I will be there at 12." I hang up exactly after saying that.