( The missing princess began the main topic of discussion among the villagers ).
Josephine: You won't believe what I heard.
Daniella: What did you hear?
Josephine: The princess is missing.
Daniella: Is that what you heard?
Josephine: ( Surprised ) Yesss.
Daniella: I thought you wanted to say something better.
Josephine: I don't understand.
Daniella: The missing princess has been the talk of town since some days past.
Josephine: But how did it happen?
Daniella: I don't know all I heard was that she was not only missing, she and her belongings were found missing.
Josephine: Are you thinking the way I am.
Daniella: That she ran away?
Josephine: Exactly.
Daniella: That's what everyone has been saying.
Josephine: But why?
Daniella: That's what i am puzzled about.
Josephine: A princess with everything she needs.
Daniella: Don't forget she is the only child that means she would surely get everything she wants very quick.
Josephine: I wonder how the King and Queen would be feeling right now.
Daniella: See Josephine enough of talking I have chores to do at home.
Josephine: That's true let's hurry before my mother starts to complain.
Daniella: Am sure she will because we have wasted a lot of time gisting.
Josephine: I don't pray so ( They began to hurry home ).
( In Tom's parent chamber ).
Tom's mother: ( Hurries into the chamber ).
Tom's father: What's the problem?
Tom's mother: On my way back from my friend's chamber I saw the neighboring village guards.
Princess Rose: ( Panics ) What do they want here?
Tom: Calm down my love.
Tom's mother: They said they are in search of our wife and asked if I knew her whereabout.
Princess Rose: Aaah so what do we do?
Tom: My love calm down, mother.
Tom's mother: Yes.
Tom: Are they coming this way?
Tom's mother: Am sure they will because they said they are going round the village.
Vivian: Brother that means we have to act fast.
Tom's father: So what do we do?
Tom: I don't know am confused.
Princess Rose: My love they must not find me.
Tom: Never mind they won't.
Vivian: I have a suggestion.
Tom's father: Go on.
Vivian: What if I and our wife goes into my room and when they knock I would simply reply am having my quiet time and I will bluntly refuse to open the door.
Tom's mother: That's my daughter.
Tom: That's good.
Princess Rose: Are you sure it will work?
Tom: Yes it will my love.
( A knock is heard on the Tom's chamber ).
Tom's father: Yes who is there?
Guards leader: King Bill guards.
Tom's father: ( Opens the door ) Yes how may I help you?
Guards leader: We were given approval from your King to search the whole villagers chambers in which is included.
Tom's father: Why?
Guards leader: In search of our princess.
Tom's father: Okay come in.
Guards leader: ( The guards walk in ) Good afternoon woman.
Tom's mother: Afternoon.
Guards leader: What of Tom?
Tom's mother: He went out to buy some things.
Tom's father: You can begin your search.
( Few minutes later ).
Guards leader: ( Knocks the room door ).
Tom: Who's there?
Guards leader: King Bill guards, I want to check this room.
Vivian: Am busy I can't open the door.
Guard leader: That's not a reason kindly open the door.
Vivian: Am having my quiet time.
Guards leader: Are you sure?
Vivian: Yes I am.
Guards leader: ( Walks away ).
( Few minutes later ).
Tom's mother: ( Knocks the door ).
Vivian: Who's there?
Tom's mother: It's me come out they have gone.
Princess Rose: ( Sighs ) Aaah I was really scared, thank God you stayed with me.
Tom: Of course you don't expect me to leave my woman alone.
( In King Bill's Palace ).
Guards: ( Walks in ) Your Majesty ( They all knelt down ).
King: Rise up, Any news.
Guards leader: ( They all obey the king ) No news your Majesty.
Queen: Aaah,aaah am finished Rose, Rose where are you!
Guards leader: Never mind your highness we will find her.
Queen: ( Sobs ) When, when?
King: Are you sure you don't have any news for us?
Guards leader: No news your Majesty.
King: ( Suddenly remembers something ) Wait did you see Tom?
Guards leader: No your Majesty.
King: What of his parents?
Guards leader: We saw them your Majesty.
King: So where was he?
Guards leader: They said he went to buy some things.
King: That young man may know something about my daughter's whereabout.
Queen: Did you check their chambers?
Guards leader: Yes your highness.
Queen: Every corner?
Guards leader: Yes your highness except a room.
Queen: Why?
Guards leader: His sister said she was having her quiet time.
King: I don't trust that young man I know he will know something about my daughter's whereabout.
Queen: You would have to recheck their chambers.
King: Yes you have to.
Guards leader: Okay your Majesty.
( In Tom's parent chamber ).
Princess Rose: My love what is your next plan?
Tom: About what?
Princess Rose: About our relocation.
Chinedu: Am still planning ( Vivian walks in ) Welcome where is papa and mama?
Vivian: As we finished from the farm they went to the market to know the prices of the foodstuffs so that they can sell theirs also at the same price.
Tom: Are the yam and other foodstuff already mature?
Vivian: Yes, do you know what brother.
Tom: What?
Vivian: We have missed your hardworking spirit on the farm.
Tom: ( Smiles ) I ought to follow you but you know I can't leave my woman.
Vivian: I know, Sister Rose.
Princess Rose: Yes.
Vivian: You look so beautiful today what's the secret?
Princess Rose: Your brother is the secret that's why am advising you to also get a husband.
Vivian: Don't worry I would soon introduce my husband to you.
Tom: We would be expecting you.
Vivian: I pray I see a husband like my brother.
Princess Rose: Are you jealous?
Vivian: More than jealous.
Tom: ( Laughs ) So you are jealous of me.
Vivian: ( Laughs ) I think so, well enjoy yourselves ( Walks into her room ).
Princess Rose: Your sister is very friendly.
Tom: Not only my sister all of us.
Princess Rose: ( Smiles ) Yes that's true.
( The next day, in Tom's room ).
Tom: Good morning my love.
Princess Rose: Morning love.
Tom: Did you sleep well?
Princess Rose: Yes I did, ( Notices Tom's worried face ) my love hope no problem?
Tom: No, why do you ask?
Princess Rose: Your look shows you are worried.
Tom: Never mind am not.
Princess Rose: Are you hiding something from me?
Tom: My love ( Holds her hand ) am I really a man?
Princess Rose: ( Takes away her hand surprisingly ) What type of question is that ( Stops for a while ) Yes my love you are a man, you are not just a man but five friendly, hardworking and honest men put together.
Tom : ( Smiles ) You always make me smile.
Princess Rose: Because you are my happiness.
Tom: ( Smiles ) You are the best woman I have ever known.
Princess Rose: But why did you ask such question?
Tom: I was just thinking about the two of us, we have been in my parent chamber for almost a month instead of being in our own chamber and to even worsen the case I don't know what next to do.
Princess Rose: Never mind God will do it for us.
Tom: Maybe we should just go to another village and see whether something could happen and I still even have little amount with me.
Princess Rose: Okay anything you say I agree to it.
Tom: That's why I love you.
Princess Rose: Thank you my love ( Holds his hand ) And I love you more.
( The next day in Tom's parent chamber ).
Tom: Papa and Mama.
Tom's parent: Yes.
Tom: I want to inform you that I and my wife would soon go to start a new journey in life.
Tom's mother: That's good so what is your plan?
Tom: I have little money with me and also my handwork and am sure with that we can start a good life.
Tom's father: That's good no problem.
Vivian: Brother Tom and Sister Rose am really going to miss you two but I know you would come to visit us frequently.
Princess Rose: Of course but next time I come I don't want to see you single Oooh ( They all laughed ).
Tom's father: So when are you leaving?
Tom: Few days to now.
Tom's father: Okay, may the lord be with you.
All: Amen ( The prayer continues for few minutes ).
Tom's father: When you two are going remind me to get you some foodstuffs.
Tom: That's not necessary.
Tom's mother: No, it's very necessary.
Tom: Okay if you insist.
Tom's father: Vivian what are you cooking?
Vivian: Yam and Stew.
Princess Rose: One of my best food.
Tom's father: Tom you can see your wife is the same with my wife.
Tom: That's true one of mama's best food is also yam and stew.
Tom's mother: Don't mind them my wife it's responsible women that that likes yam and stew.
Vivian: That's true ooo one of my best food is also yam and stew.
Tom: Hmmm I can see ( They all laughed ).
( In Tom's parent chamber ) ( In the afternoon the family just finished taking lunch and settled down to talk when suddenly a knock is heard at the door ).
Tom's mother: Who could that be?
Tom's father: Vivian answer the person at the door.
Vivian: Who's there?
Guards leader: King Bill guards.
( Everyone looks surprised ).
Princess Rose: ( Whispers ) Aaah what do I do now?
Tom: Calm down, calm down.
Tom's mother: Run out through the back door and stay in the store and don't forget to lock it.
Tom: Okay ( They both stood up and ran to the backyard ).
Guards leader: Young lady are you still there?
Vivian: Yes I am, I just went to inform my parent if they were expecting you so they could know that you have already arrived.
Guards leader: No they are not expecting us, we were sent by King Bill.
Vivian: So how may I help you.
Guards leader: We were sent to recheck your chambers in search of the princess.
Vivian: But you checked the other time at least the princess is not a broom or pin.
Guards leader: Can you just open the door for us to come in.
Vivian: ( Opens the door ) Please don't scatter our chamber.
Guards leader: We won't.
( Few minutes later, the guards had checked everywhere but could not find the princess ).
Guards leader: Where are your parent?
Vivian: Didn't you see them in their room.
Guards leader: Oooh that's true but I wanted to discuss something with them.
Vivian: Didn't you see they are sleeping?
Guards leader: Where is your brother?
Vivian: I don't know.
Guards leader: What do you mean.
Vivian: Since your king doesn't want him to marry his daughter so he travelled to find a good wife.
Guards leader: He travelled
Vivian: Yes he did.
Guards leader: Are you sure?
Vivoan: Do you know him more than me.
Guards leader: No problem.
Vivian: You can take your leave now.
Guards leader: Guards please excuse us ( The guards moved out ) Why is a beautiful girl like you so rude.
Vivian: ( Laughs ) Am I supposed to say thank you or something else.
Guards leader: My eye are on you.
Vivian: Get out.
Guards leader: ( Walks out ) ( They all come out from their room and hiding place ).
Vivian: Papa and mama how do you know he wanted to discuss something with you two?
Tom's father: Never mind you are still a child.
Tom's mother: What were you and him discussing I was just hearing you two voice.
Vivian: Never mind mother he was just blabbing.
( The day finally came for Tom and his wife to leave the house ).
Tom's father: Have you packed all you need?
Tom: Yes Papa.
Tom's mother: My wife be a good woman to your husband oooo.
Princess Rose: Yes ma.
Tom's mother: Remember to always be a loving and submissive wife.
Princess Rose: Yes ma.
Tom's mother: You shall be fruitful.
Princess Rose: Amen mama.
Tom's mother: So when are we going to see you again?
Tom: Don't worry mama very soon.
Tom's mother: May you go in, peace.
Tom and princess Rose: Amen.
Tom's mother: Any time you come to visit us may you come with great good things.
Tom and princess Rose: Amen.
Tom's mother: You will come back with wealth, fame and other good things of life.
Tom and princess Rose: Amen.
Tom's mother: My husband do you have anything to say?
Tom's father: You have said it all my wife. ( Sighs ) My son and daughter when you find out there is nowhere to stay please you are always welcome here but that won't happen God will make you find a place not only a place but the right place.
Tom and princess Rose: Amen.
Vivian: Am going to miss you two ooo.
Tom: Don't worry we will come visiting once in a while.
( In Okechi village, Tom and princess Rose are walking towards the king palace after being directed by a indigene ).
Tom: Good morning your Majesty.
King: Good morning and how may I help you?
Tom: We would love to settle down in this village.
King: And what village are you from?
Tom: Bill village.
King: That's a bit far from here.
Tom: Yes your Majesty.
King: Is she your sister?
Tom: No your Majesty she is my wife.
King: Are you two married?
Tom: Eeem.....
Princess Rose: Yes your Majesty we are.
King: So you haven't answered my question how may I help you?
Tom: Your Majesty we would be so glad if you can grant us this request.
King: Am listening.
Tom: Your Majesty we don't have any place to stay so we thought that we could stay in the palace for some days.
King: Alright no problem.
Tom and princess Rose: Thank you your Majesty.
King: Guard take our visitors to the guest room ( To Tom ) i will get to know you both better tomorrow.
Tom: Okay your Majesty ( They were both to the guest room ).
( The next day in the palace guest room ).
Princess Rose: Thank God we eventually started a new journey.
Tom: Yes thank God and also the king.
Princess Rose: That's true.
Tom: Because if not for the king where do we stay.
Princess Rose: But you know you also need to act fast before a week so we can get a place of our own.
Tom: Never mind God will provide ( A knock is heard on the door ) Who's that?
Guard: Good morning it's a guard the king said he wants to speak with you.
Tom: Which one of us?
Guard: You.
Tom: ( Few minutes later, opens the door ) Let's go. ( In the King's chamber ) Good morning your Majesty.
King: Good morning have your sit.
Tom: ( Sits down ) Thank you your Majesty.
King: So what's your name and what do you do for a living?
Tom: My name is Chinedu and I am a woodcutter.
King: ( Surprised ) Wow! that's interesting.
Tom: Thank you your Majesty.
King: You are really God sent.
Tom: What do you mean your highness?
King: This village is in great need of a woodcutter so now you would be given a chamber and other necessary things.
Tom: ( Happy ) Aaaah thank you your Majesty.
King: So you will become my woodcutter and never mind you can work for other people also.
Tom: ( Very happy ) Thank you your Majesty.
( Few months later, Tom had become a very wealthy and popular woodcutter. One fateful day he and his wife both shared good news ).
Tom: ( Walks in ) My love!
Princess Rose: Yes ( Comes in from the kitchen ).
Tom: You won't believe what happened.
Princess Rose: What happened?
Tom: I just got a chieftaincy title.
Princess Rose: Wow that's good.
Tom: And guess what they gave me.
Princess Rose: What?
Tom: The king right hand man.
Princess Rose: Thanks to God well I also have a good news for you.
Tom: What is the good news?
Princess Rose: I went to the mid wife this morning and I explained how I felt to her....
Tom: So?
Princess Rose: She said am pregnant.
Tom: ( Jumps up ) Really thank God a baby boy or girl?
Princess Rose: My love I just pregnant so we can't know yet.
Tom: I want a baby girl.
Princess Rose: No a baby boy like you.
Tom: No a baby girl like you.
Princess Rose: That would run away from her parent?
Tom: No she won't.
Princess Rose: Whatever I want a baby boy.
Tom: No a baby girl.
( Few months later in Tom's chamber ).
Tom: ( Walks in and notices his wife mood ) My love is anything wrong?
Princess Rose: My love.
Tom: Yes.
Princess Rose: Am missing my parent.
Tom: ( Sighs ).
Princess Rose: I can't imagine how I would feel if my own daughter runs away.
Tom: My love don't worry I would strategize when to visit them.
Princess Rose: There is no need for that.
Tom: Why?
Princess Rose: Have already done that.
Tom: Okay am listening.
Princess Rose: You know we haven't done our wedding ceremony.
Tom: Yes.
Princess Rose: So when I give birth to my babies....
Tom: Babies?
Princess Rose: ( Smiles ) I went to the mid wife this morning and she said I have two babies in my womb.
Tom: ( Happy ) Two girls right?
Princess Rose: No different gender.
Tom: God actually answered both of us prayer.
Princess Rose: Okay, okay upcoming father can I present my plan.
Tom: Go on my love.
Princess Rose: Am thinking why don't we do our wedding ceremony at my father's palace.
Tom: Hmmm a good strategy from my beautiful woman ( They both chuckled ).
( Few days after princess Rose had put to bed, Tom family came for the naming preparation and ceremony ).
Vivian: This babies are so beautiful.
Tom's mother: Don't worry you would soon have yours.
Vivian: Amen ooo.
Tom: Aaaa when did you marry?
Tom's mother: Very soon you would attend her wedding ceremony.
Princess Rose: ( Smiles ) Really Vivian.
Vivian: Yes ooo.
Princess Rose: So who's the lucky man?
Vivian: Not a guard anymore he is now a fabric maker and he is really catching up.
Princess Rose: What's his name?
Vivian: Eem....
Princess Rose: Do I know him?
Vivian: Yes.
Princess Rose: My or your village?
Vivian: Your village.
Princess Rose: His name?
Vivian: John.
Princess Rose: John the guard leader?
Vivian: Yes.
Princess Rose: So he is now a fabric maker.
Vivian: Yes.
Princess Rose: Well he is a nice and hardworking man.
Vivian: I know my husband.
Princess Rose: ( Laughs ) Alright I wish you best of luck.
Vivian: Thank you sister.
( Few months later, the Tom's family visited king Bill palace ).
Guard: Your highness, your highness!
King: What is it?
Guard: I just saw princess Adachi.
Queen: ( Stands up quickly ) Where, where?
( Princess Rose and Tom's family walks in ).
Queen: ( Runs to meet her ) My daughter aaah thank you God.
Princess Rose: I have realised what I did was wrong though it eventually gave me a good ending ( Sighs ) I ran away with Tom.
King: But why?
Princess Rose: You two didn't want me to be with him so I ran away with him to his parent chamber.
Queen: But the guards came to their chambers twice and didn't see you.
Princess Rose: ( Chuckles ) Yes they did but let's forget about that and I wouldn't be here today if not for my babies.
Queen: You have given birth?
Princess Rose: Yes, I thought of how I would feel if my daughter ran away.
Queen: My daughter I really missed you.
Princess Rose: I don't know whether to say I miss you or not but all the same we give thanks to God.
Tom: Hmmm, your highness we have planned to celebrate our wedding ceremony and your Majesty I would pay the bride price you asked for few Years back which includes ten bags of rice, beans and cassava, a dozen of cow, goat and pig and also a million naira.
King: You still remember everything.
Princess Rose: That's because my love is not a dullard ( They all laughed ).
( And they lived fulfilling all day long ).