Ada continue to sing as bathed with the warm water Nikita had prepared. So Ikenna was in love with another, she wondered why any girl in their right mind would love the prince let alone dare to be loved back in return. She was glad that this cage of a marriage would offer her the ability to take care of Ebuka and the other children (The orphans).
She dressed up and came into the house wearing the blue garments Nikita had laid out for her. On her neck rested the royal beads which were now to remain on her body as long as she lived in the palace.
Ikenna stared at her for a moment and wondered what would have been the case if he were not in love with another. He suddenly stood and said 'I will go for some hunting now, and come back for you later she we can see the king and queen together he said
When he walked out of the room, Ada waited for some moments and called Nikita, who stood outside her door.
Please lead me to the cooking houseI must make my self useful Ada said. She would put to good use all the secret recipes her mother taught her over the years
Nikita's eyes widened, but you are the princess your majes.....Ada and you cannot be seen in the kitchen among servants. Ada looked at Nikita and walked out of the room trying to remember where the room was from yesterday's tour. Nikita hurriedly followed her hoping she would not lose her job soon.
Ada came out of the hut and looked at the whole palace for the first time in daylight. The king's court faced the palace entrance, and around the court house were massive grand building for the king and queen, the kitchen, servants, the one she had slept in and one more she was not shown the previous day.
What is that grand building for? She asked Nikita who had now caught up with her.
That used to be the prince's house before yesterday Nikita replied
Ada turned and enter the large kitchen there were maids moving everywhere but suddenly stopped what they were doing to bow and curtsy.
Who is the head cook here? She asked, and a short round woman approach her immediately hairs stuck out of the back of the woman's white scarf.
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My name is Ugomma your majesty i am the head cook. What can we do for you?'
Ada looked at her and smile.Touching her shoulders she said 'Ugomma, I wish to prepare the meal for the king and queen this morning. Do you have yams and fresh vegetables? Ugomma was dumbfounded for a moment.
She had never seen a royal enter the kitchen before, demanding to prepare a meal yet she knew better than to go against royal orders. This new princess was a strange one.
We will make everything ready your majesty the head cook replied. Ada asked for a change of clothes and immediately started working plucking the vegetables. From the corner of her eyes she could see that they stole looks at her.
The kitchen was big with several storage rooms and lots of windows for air. There were five maid servants who worked quietly and only spoke when she asked them questions about themselves. Ugomma and had five children, and was a widow. Ugochi and ifeoma, her daughters also worked in the royal kitchen. Chidinma was the daughter of the village best palm wine tapper that even the king love his wine. The fifth cook, Cheeks did not say much about herself. They all seemed exhausted from preparing for the previous night festivities.
In few minutes, Ada knew where every item she needed was and got it herself. They watched her every move, some with wonder and others with suspicion Ada had feeling Uche disliked her.
She continue to cut the vegetables into tiny pieces while Ifeoma put the yams on the fire. Uche followed all her instructions but never smiled at her or laughed at any of her jokes.