Chapter 10: Return to Palace

Me and Crown Prince hide for Qudu two years. For those two years, we live like husband and wife—peace for house, love dey flow.

We dey cook together, dey sing. For night, we dey talk dream, dey plan future. Na small heaven for us.

But we no be husband and wife, nor ordinary people.

Even as we dey act normal, heart dey fear. We sabi say danger fit show anytime.

He be Crown Prince of Garba, I be princess from two kingdoms.

Two people wey get blood for hand. Everybody dey look us. If we fall, kingdom go shake.

Because Oga suddenly fall sick, e call Crown Prince and Princess Halima make dem return capital sharp sharp.

Messenger come with horse, dey shout, "Chief dey sick! Come now now!" My heart sink, I know say wahala don land.

Chief don allow us two years, but e don tire.

Elders dey complain. People dey whisper say Crown Prince dey run from duty.

Commander of Royal Guard, Musa Ze, come carry us by himself, we no get choice.

Musa Ze na tall man, voice deep. E no dey smile. E enter Qudu like storm, no greet anybody, just talk, "Pack your load."

But as I see Commander Musa, I notice something wey shock me.

E tie one red tassel for sword. The pattern na only my mama dey use.

The tassel for Musa Ze sword na my mama handwork.

She get special stitch, e show for edge. Na sign for people wey sabi.

That style na only her dey do am; she teach me as pikin.

I remember night wey she teach me. She say, "If you sabi this stitch, you fit mend any wound." The memory sweet and bitter.

I just smile for mind; compound things don change for these two years.

I dey reason say e mean something, but I keep my mind quiet. Palace matter pass person power.

“Why you dey smile?”

Na Musa Junior ask, one of Crown Prince study mates, and Musa Ze only son.

E get sharp mouth, e dey always dey watch me. I dey like am small because e dey play, no dey serious like others.

I take him hand, write two words: “I’m sorry.”

I use finger write for him palm, soft. Na small sign of friendship.

“Why sorry?” Musa Junior ask.

E dey look me with big eye, dey wait for answer.

I just shake head, no wan tell am say e papa fit dey do something with my mama.

If I talk am, wahala go blow everywhere. Some secret better make e rest.

For motor, Fola carry me sit for him lap.

I dey look road, dey think of future. My mind dey heavy, but Fola dey hold me, dey whisper small joke.

“Wetin you tell Musa Junior?”

E dey curious, but no pressure me.

I smile, just relax for him body, enjoy am.

Na small peace I dey find. For Fola hand, I dey safe.

Fola always dey notice my mind, so e pat my back soft.

E dey watch my face, dey read my mind. Sometimes e go say, "Halima, you dey think too much. Make I help you carry am."

“Halima, no fear. I go protect you.”

Na oath. I hold am tight, I trust say e go try.

Back for capital, Crown Prince hide me for Eastern Quarters, no allow anybody see me.

E go tell maid, "No let anybody near this place." Even guards dey fear Fola now.

Outside, gist dey fly everywhere.

Palace dey hot. Small wind go blow, news go spread.