Chapter 1: Messages from the Shadows

I nearly hand over the throne to my eldest prince when, from nowhere, strange messages just begin float for my front—

[This old king no get sense at all. He no even know say the main person don hate am reach bone. The day the main person enter throne, na that same day the king go kick bucket.]

[Who send am to go marry the main person’s first love? He sef no know say every night, as he dey sleep, na so the royal wife dey follow the main person do things for back room.]

[He don live too long—suppose don go since. With this kain brain, how e take become king? Make e just give up the throne, abeg, let better person take over.]

I no waste time. I just throw the abdication letter wey I just write inside charcoal fire for my room.

The fire dey burn, the light dey shine for my eye.

"Somebody, go bring the eldest prince come here. Tie am well."

As the charcoal dey crackle, I watch the paper curl and blacken, the smoke rising with a bitter smell like burnt ogbono. My heart dey beat like talking drum for festival. I fit feel as my ancestors dey look me from the wall, their faces for the family painting dey serious, as if dem dey judge my every move. Even the palace cat, Okon, wey dey always sleep for window, raise head look me, eyes red like ember. I just hiss, wipe sweat from my forehead, and brace myself for wetin dey come.