CHAPTER ONE

The sound from the daily ritual of the cocks woke me up from my deep slumber, turning reluctantly on my small mat I notice the uneven steps from passerbys who seem to be going about with their business. With a sigh, I tried to have a little more sleep but hastily stood up at the remembrance of my early morning fetching of water. With an unsteady movement, I walked towards the backyard as I picked up the jerrycan and a piece of wrapper and left the compound.

"Adaure" I shouted as I stood under an udara tree near my friend's house. She hastily rushed towards me with her jerrycan and a piece of wrapper as though she has been waiting for me.

"Otutu oma" she greeted with a deep smile as we head towards the public tap which was built by the king of the village. 

Being the first village to ever have the privilege of owning a tap, Umuire has turned out to be the most popular and developed kingdom as people from far and near kingdoms always come to the village to fetch water. The tap water is seen as one of the greatest source of healthy water in the kingdom and also the neighbouring kingdoms as such the queue is usually much.

"Have you heard?" Adaure asked all of a sudden as we entered the lane that leads directly to the tap.

"What gossip do you have this time?" I asked as she faked an angry face and walked ahead of me.

"Adaure wait" I shouted as I ran after her "okay what news do you have?" I asked with a smile.

"Nothing, I don't think you need my gossip" she said with a smirk on her face.

"I'm sorry nah, can't you forgive for once?" I said with a smile as she finally smiled.

"I heard the palace needs additional maids and the selection will be on the next eke market day, I can't wait to be one of the Royal palace maid, I hope you know what that means?" Adaure asked as I stared at her in confusion.

"But why will the palace need more maid when there are over thirty maids serving there already beside how sure are you about this news of yours" I said with hands akimbo.

"I overheard my father saying it after he returned from the palace yesterday, I also heard the prince is coming back from overseas so many changes will be made while expecting his arrival" she said as I almost choked with the chewing stick I was battling with.

"You mean the prince is about to come back?" I asked as Adaure stared irritated at my question.

"I just said that now. By the way, I won't miss the selection on eke day, imagine me being a palace maid" Adaure said proudly.

"I pray to be selected too" I said as Adaure suddenly stopped walking and stared at me with a smirk on her face.

"I thought you wouldn't be interested" 

"I need that job more than you and you know that so why wouldn't I be interested?" I asked as Adaure rolled her eyes without saying a word.

The news of the maid selection was the topic of interest at the tap as many maidens were already bragging of being one of the Royal palace maid, I mean who couldn't dream of such a respected job since Royal servants literally act like royals and are previledged to eat, bath and enjoy conducive environment like the Royal family, some Royal servants even goes to the extent of sending Royal food remnants to their families and these foods looks far better than what the villagers feed on, their families are always the first to gain from any gift from the king.

As I head towards the little hut where I and my mother lives in, I couldn't stop thinking about the Royal servants selection, being an only child who lives with her poor mother, I knew getting a job at the palace will not only help me but will also help me take care of my poor mother.

               ****************

The busy compound clearly indicated that a ceremony was about to take place, the maids run hecter scatter in other to put things in place as the guards stood at different angles of the palace ready to strike at any evil penetrator. 

"I can't wait to welcome the new maids, the more maids we have, the lesser the duties" Ngozi said excitedly to her fellow maid as they were busy with the dishes.

"I always knew you are lazy, more reason why you anticipates more maids" Calista chipped in attracting laughter from the other maids in the kitchen.

The sudden presence of the head maid in the kitchen made everywhere silent. The head maid, a woman in her late fifties stood at the entrance of the kitchen as she watch everyone busy with their works, she nodded her head in satisfaction as she gently left the kitchen giving the maids the room to return to their earlier discussion.

        *****************************

Mma hastily dressed up in the best cloth she ever had as her mother came into the little room unnoticed.

"Ah Mma you always look good in anything you wear" her mother said taking her unaware.

"Mama, you almost scared me, when did you get here?" She asked as she bent down to buckle her sandals.

"A moment ago. Take it easy with those sandals you know are are almost weak and might spoil if you are not careful" her mother reminded her as she smiled.

"Mama you don't have to worry, I promise when I become the palace maid, I will get as many sandals and I won't have to wear only one sandals all the time" she said.

"You talk as if you are really sure you will get picked" her mother emphasized.

"Mother, I'm being positive and I have faith that I will be picked" Mma said as she strengthen her gown.

"I wish you luck my daughter, go and come back with good news" her mother said as she patted her back.

"Thank you Mama, I shall be on my way now" Mma said as she left the room.

             **********************

The sound emiting from the drums filled the compound as people troop into the compound for the anticipated event. The king often laughs with his elders as they are being entertained by the popular Ekeoha dancers.

"I feel like I don't belong here, this is the first time I am stepping my feet into the palace, I don't think I can work here" I voiced out my worry to Adaure as I stared at the village maidens that also came for the selection. They were nicely dressed and mainly daughters of the king's cabinet men and from a reputable recognized home, I felt odd as I looked at my old dress and sandals.

"You worry too much Mma, you can't loose hope now, you are doing this for your mother okay, look none of all these maidens deserve this work more than you do so I'm sure God will put smile on your face today" Adaure said giving Mma a glint of hope.

They were interupted by the voice of the palace head maid.

"Alright girls, your selection starts now, just come with me" she said as she walked majestically while the maidens followed her.

"I feel tensed" Mma told Adaure when she came out from the inner chamber where they were being questioned.

"What happened in there?" Adaure asked curiously.

" I was asked a couple of questions and I answered" Mma replied as Adaure nodded while rubbing her palms together, from her countenance one could tell she was almost sweating. 

                **************

The maidens discussed about their experience during the selection while waiting for the final announcement. The room suddenly became silent at the entrance of the head maid.

There was tension as the head maid started calling out the names while looking at a piece of paper on her hands. Adaure shouted with joy at the mention of her name as Mma hugged her still praying to be next.

The troubled heart of Mma almost made her cry while in anticipation of her name.

"Obi Mma" she felt like being in a dream when her name was called as she suddenly shouted in joy while running towards Adaure.

"Yes we made it, we did it" Adaure shouted as they hugged each other.

"Congratulations to all of you and even to those who were not lucky enough to be selected, you all can now go home and return on Monday to the palace" the head maid said as she hastily left the room leaving the winners to celebrate their victory.