One month had passed and Ikenna had not returned. Ogechi began to worry because she was not getting any money. Was he seeing someone in the other village? She left the queen's private quarters heading to the kitchen to torment the servants there for fun of it. It greatly relived her stress to see people tremble at the sound of her voice.
Ada was in the store room taking mental notes of what foodstuff they lacked, and Ugomma waited for her to decide what was for dinner. Ogechi's voice pierced her thoughts.
Where is that miserable woman who made the horrible breakfast this morning? Ugomma, where are you? Ugomma stood still as though in a trance. She could not believe the evil girl with poor home training was back. Ogechi was a higher ranked palace servant and could get her in trouble, so Ugomma remained quiet.
Who in this kitchen has the guts to call Ugomma miserable, eh? "Ada barked as she stomped out of the store room and enter the kitchen. Ogechi was shocked and confused to see the princess in the kitchen. The other girls had never heard the princess raise her voice were glad that Ogechi was the subject.
Your highness, I....'she said with a curtsy.
'Eish' Ada cut her off with a wave of the hand. I don't care who you are. You have no business here because you are not a kitchen servant. If you dare to insult Ugomma again, you will answer to me.
Ogechi was tongue tied. Ada noticed that she was beautiful and did not dress like the other servants. I was at the breakfast table, and the queen made pleasant comments about the meal. Now apologise to head cook Ugomma and be gone.
Ogechi looked at Ugomma trying to think of a way to apologise and still retain her dignity. I am sorry Ugomma she mumbled and walked out of the kitchen.
The girls giggled to themselves and even Uche smiled inside. She had never seen her sister that dumbstruck and tongue tied at the time.
Don't mind her, she will not do it again, Chidinma said.
Ugomma appreciate the princess actions. Ogechi deserved what she got. But she also knew Ogechi was a scheming girl. Everybody knew why she left the palace and Ugomma was surprised at her return. What was she after? Was not satisfied being the prince's mistress? Ugomma had come to see Ada as a daughter and was willing to take the risk of having a word with her.
Ada went back to the store room and continued her survey. She stopped to think for a moment about what just happened in the kitchen. Why would anyone be so cruel to Ugomma? The was lovely and hard working.
Your highness, Ugomma said as she stepped in the store room.
Ugomma I have told you not to call me that again. You are like a mother to please call me Ada.
What you did for me just now means a lot and I am very grateful. She took a deep and continued you must be careful Ada Ogechi is a very dangerous person. Promise me you will be careful child.
Ada nodded silently.
*****
Ogechi cursed the day Ada was selected in the village square. Damn the gods! As she stood outside the house in the evening thinking, her mother walked into the compound and saw her daughter's expression of anger.
What is the matter? She asked. She had never seen Ogechi cry before, she was a girl ruled by strength and not weakness like her sister Uche.
The princess has to go. She looked at her mother with a smile, she must pay for making me miserable. What should be done?
Her mother walked into the house and came out with a tightly wrapped leaf, Ogechi collected it and smiled at her mother soon her smile would burst into laughter. Be smart about it her mother said before going back inside the house.