Chapter 8: Arrangements and Ambitions

Eldest Sister stay palace one year; next year, dem arrange Second Sister marriage. When golden scent leaf flower, mama hold Second Sister hand, talk gentle, "Obi family no too get big name, but dem get military record, their name clean—dem no go treat you bad."

For our place, military record dey important. Mama dey try comfort her, but I fit see say Halima want bigger thing. Everybody dey count gain, dey hope say time fit change plan.

Cavalry Commandant title sound like big man, but na empty name. Second Sister face change, her smile vanish. She burst out, "Na Consort Amara plan this one?"

Her voice loud, face red. Everybody freeze. To mention consort name for parlour fit cause wahala, but Halima no care—her own pain too much.

Mama reply strong, "Consort Amara dey palace—wetin concern her for this one?"

Mama voice sharp like blade. If you hear am, you go know say she no dey play. Everybody keep quiet, even wall dey listen.

"So… papa change him mind? Wetin of Prince Umuola…"

Halima still dey beg, but mama eye cold. For Okoye family, once mama shut door, matter don end.

Mama eye cold. "Wetin concern Prince Umuola? Since Okoye family don get consort, we suppose avoid suspicion."

She arrange her wrapper, lean back for chair. Her face dey strong, no pity for voice. Halima look down, her own hope dey break.