Ada woke up with a jolt and looked at herself, she knew perfectly well where she had laid down last night.
I must have slept off she thought as she saw herself still in the clothes from the previous day. She looked outside observing that it was still dawn she picked up her night wrapper and went to the adjoining room to change then she returned back to the bed but could not find sleep after several minutes.
Ikenna wondered why Ada was restless at this hour of the morning. He could not sleep but needed the quietness of the morning to think and further his plans. He had been thinking of his life and marital situation when Ada got up and now he could not concentrate any longer.
Woman will you get some sleep? Ikenna asked in a loud voice.
Ada was surprised that Ikenna was awake. I am just a bit restless, she said in a trembling voice. Why did he act like an animal sometimes?
A part of Ikenna felt bad for dealing with her brashly. He thought of how different the princess was when she was with him in the room. Whenever she was with the king and queen she was bold, confident with a touch of shyness that was sweet yet not timid. However when she was alone with him she shuddered at every careless brush from his body and turned her face away when he looked at her.
He saw how she laughed with Ugomma the head cook, he watched how she bonded with the kitchen servants, even how she conversed with his mother. The whole palace had fallen in love with her even Eze (the prince personal guard) once described her as a ray sunshine in the palace. A part of him wanted her to be free with him, wanted her to laugh with him and treat like she would to at least one of the kitchen servants. Right now he was a mud statue to her, not to be spoken to except on rare on rare occasions. He wondered how Ogechi his love would fare as a princess in the palace.
What disturbs you Ada? He asked
Ada was quiet for a moment. "Nothing my lord.
Please call me Ikenna. "Responded
I am fine just a bit tired she replied
My grandfather used to say when the mind is restless the body is equally restless. So what troubles your mind, Ada? Is it your lover? Ikenna asked.
Lover? Ada questioned in return.
The prince turned to faced her. When we got married you told me you were in love with another remember?
Ada remembered and quickly saved herself. Oh, that! He is very fine, taste replied. The children gave her a reason to wake up every morning and continue with her charade.
Ikenna wondered why she hesitated before answering him, almost like she could not remember telling him about a lover. He felt a twinge of jealousy he could not explain. He hardly understood the relationship between his lover and himself, but he loved her for her beauty and poise. If money he gave her on an almost daily basis made her happy so be it. The prince wondered what was going on in the mind of his wife.
What ever it is that disturbs you may the gods give you peace he said finally, closing his eyes and allowing his worry to drift with the ache in his bones.
Ada wanted to ask him about his lover but could not bring herself to do it. "Sleep well she replied in whisper.
Ada woke up late in the morning and quickly got up to take her bath. Nikita came in to inform her that the prince had been summoned by the king to go on an errand to another village in a matter that required the attendance of a royal member of Afudo.
He should have at least told me before he left she thought and then quickly corrected herself. Ikenna was her make believe husband they were not married heart and soul.
Ada went over her normal duties in the kitchen and the bond between her and the girls grew stronger Chidinma adored her ; Ifeoma never stopped giggling when she was around and ugochi was still careful around her but laughed and joked from time to time.
*******
Uche hated Ada more everyday she could not stand her holier than thou, sickly sweet attitude. The other girls loved the princess and ignored Uche attempt at changing their perspective. She had always been alone at home and In the palace. Most people hated her because of her family. Her mother constantly fought other women at the village market and gained a reputation for being a trouble maker. Sometimes the woman took it out on Uche until dmshe decided to be a trouble maker since her mother had tagged the family so.
Uche had to indulge her sister's ambition in order to gain her family's acceptance. If she did otherwise she would become the enemy of the household. Now Ogechi (prince mistress)the devil was resuming in the palace today. There was a plan to get Ada out of the way. A part of her felt sorry for the princess, a feeling her mother would call weakness. If she was ever to make anything of her life I Afudo, she had to be strong and ruthless. Ada would get what she deserved, she thought, and smiled to herself.
During breakfast one day, Ada noticed the queen had a new maid. She remembered seeing that face somewhere before, but couldn't remember where or when. She asked Nikita if she knew anything about her. Nikita wondered what she should tell the princess about the new maid.
Her name is Ogechi. She stopped working for months ago but is back in the palace Nikita replied.
Ada still had a feeling that she had seen her before now, so she pressed Nikita for more. What else do you know about her? She asked.
I ..... know nothing, your highness Nikita was scared of hurting Ada with what was no longer a palace secret. Everyone apart from the king and queen knew about Ikenna's affair with Ogechi. If Ada was ever going to find out, Nikita did not want to be the one to tell.