The food for the party was set. When they got to the main kitchen, Ara saw more workers running up and down to put things in place. Everyone faced their individual task that they all didn't utter a word until there was a need to ask questions. The chef Ara saw in the kitchen were talented and focused. She knew the chef that will be working for the king can't be nothing less than the best.
They were skilled, educated, and outspoken. She knew they had to be because the King of Lagos was known to brag about his workers being educated and extremely good. Ara could feel few eyes watching her, but no one made a move to her because they were all busy. And they knew what await them if anyone was reported to the first Queen for making useless conversations. They were all being careful because they knew among them were spies reporting whatever happens to the first Queen.
They packed the food after it was done and set it all on the long table covered in a golden lace table cloth. White glass plates with a little bit of design at the tip in gold colour was arranged on the table according to seats present round the table, with long glass cups sitting like Giants on the table beside each plate.
Everything Ara saw was beautiful. It wasn't as if she had never seen or met rich people before, but living with them was different. To Ara, they spent lavishly. Ara could bet that everything that was prepared would eventually be wasted because it was more than enough. She couldn't go on counting the different meals that were prepared and set on the table because it was too much.
Just because Princess Lagbaja can't eat this, they prepared another thing different from the first meal. Because Prince Temedo does not like Apple juice, they made Mango and pineapple juice. Because the first Queen liked eating her salad with baked beans, and Prince B liked eating his salad without baked beans, or because Princess A liked eating hers with milk and preferred the tiny tiny ones, they prepared different types and made plenty food available.
When they all eventually left and was told to go prepare and get set for the party which was starting in the next one hour, Ara took that opportunity to eat because she was extremely famished and tired. She couldn't wait for the whole day to end so she could retire to her room and finally put the day behind her.
In thirty minutes, they were all set and came out. Ara decided to ask the question bothering her mind before finally facing everyone that night. She walked into the kitchen and found the person she was looking for. She settled beside her and turned to her. "Grace, I've been meaning to ask you. How many children does the king have?" Ara asked. "I don't think I'm ready to get lost in that dining tonight cause..."
Grace started laughing before Ara could finish. "Babe, I understand you. You really need an answer to that question," she said. "I'm sure you are tired of hearing first Prince, second Prince, third Prince and all of a sudden, the fifth Prince just appeared from nowhere, gbam!"
This time, both Ara and Grace broke into a loud laughter. Ara was starting to like Grace more. It was as if she could read her mind. "You just said my mind."
Grace understood Ara a lot. She also went through the same confusion when she started working in the palace. The moment Ara walked in, she liked her for her calmness and was glad to realize she was becoming free with her, hoping they would be good friends if Ara does not change her attitude soon. It was always a character issue for almost everyone working in the palace. Acting nice when they just came and suddenly turned into something else. Florence for example.' Grace thought. They both started well as good friends when she just came in until she was starting to give her an attitude. Grace hope Ara wouldn't be that way.
She began. "Just like Sewa told me when I first came in, the king got married to the first Queen at first, and today remains his favourite. Queen Adetutu waited for so long before she finally got pregnant, but to people's disappointment, she gave birth to a girl instead of a boy they were all anticipating for."
To people's disappointment, Ara thought. Is a girl-child not a child?
Grace continued. "Because of that, they told the king he needed to marry someone who will bear him a boy child. That was how the second Queen came in. She's the second Prince mother, who till today is hated by the first Queen. And I guess the feeling is mutual, but not everyone knows that because they have to act like they are happy together. Ahh! My eyes have seen ehhn!" Grace sighed, shook her head and continued. "Immediately the second Queen got married to the king, she became pregnant. But unknown to them, the first Queen was pregnant too. Eventually, the first Queen gave birth to a prince first, who is now called the First Prince. A week later, the second Queen now gave birth to the second Prince you and I now work for.
That's Prince Adedamire popularly known as the mute, yet dangerous, stingy and fastest living palace assassin." Grace said the last part in a whisper.
This time, only Ara burst out laughing. The name was funny to her. "What type of name is that? Fastest living palace assassin. And is he really that stingy? Does he knows about that name you guys gave him?"
"Ehnn!" Grace almost shouted, raising her two hands up before bringing it down to seal her lips.
Ara got that. The second Prince does not know about his name yet. Grace took the opportunity to reach for the fridge close to them in the kitchen and brought out a bottle of water which was cold. She lifted the bottle up, tilted her head back, letting Ara watched how the water went down her throat before putting the bottle down.
"As I was saying..." Grace stopped and closed the bottle in her hand, keeping Ara waiting for the interesting part of the gist. "So," Grace started again. "When the first Queen was going to give birth again, she gave birth to a girl, followed by another girl again. While the Second Queen gave birth to the third Prince, known as Prince Adedamola. Then another Prince who mysteriously died after some days. Because of that, the second Queen said she was done giving birth. During those years, the first Queen gave birth again and finally gave birth to the fourth Prince."
"Whao!" Ara whispered a little bit loud. "But there is the fifth Prince?" She asked. "And I'm yet to see the first Prince and the fourth Prince."
"You will see the First Prince tonight," Grace responded. "But the fourth Prince is not back from school yet. He attend the same school with the fifth Prince. You should know the popular Crown school here in Lagos right?"
Ara nodded. Who does not know the expensive and one of the most popular schools commonly and passionately talked about with their prestige university. Now she understood why the fifth Prince was a little bit pompous and extremely bold while talking to her. The students have certain kind of charisma in them. Ara knew the king would definitely afford sending his children there and it was expected of the royals to attend the best of the best.
"But the fifth Prince is back?" Ara asked.
"Yes. That's because Prince Goriola is in ss1 while the fourth Prince is in ss3."
Oh! Ara understood. The fourth Prince had to stay behind because of his waec exams. "So, that means the second Queen gave birth to a Prince again." Ara guessed knowing she had not heard of any third Queen from anywhere.
Grace nodded in reply before speaking up."Two years after the fourth Prince was born, Prince Goriola was given birth to. The fourth Prince is sixteen while Prince Goriola is thirteen. But," Grace spoilt her mouth as if what she was about to say made her feel nauseous, but she went on. "Only God knows who the fourth Prince resembles because he's very---"
"Very what! Are you kidding me!" Florence who somehow appeared in the kitchen washed them up with her dirty looks especially Ara who she couldn't stand staring at. "Don't tell me you are here gossipping with this thing while everyone is already heading to the dinning hall." Then she eyed Ara. "I knew you were one lazy brat who will go about hiding instead of working."
Ara didn't utter a word, but the stare she was giving Florence made Florence wince and even become more threatened. Ara noticed that Florence had changed. She had packed her braids into a different style, applying little make up to her face that made her beauty more appreciative. When Ara first saw her, she wasn't looking ugly naturally, but her beauty could not find expression because her character had blocked all chances for people seeing that.
Florence couldn't keep silent. "But why are you staring at me like a witch?"
The last word got Ara really angry but....
"I guess you must be tired of working in the palace now that you are allergic to a witch stare."
Grace almost burst into a laughter but kept her head down at the voice that spoke up for Ara.
"I'm sorry sir." Florence immediately apologize. "I was just scolding her,,,I mean them, them sir. The both of them for useless talks. I know how much you don't like your workers gossipping about."
Prince Ire and Ara's eyes met for the third time. She quickly looked away but he didn't. He ignored Florence totally and walked up to the fridge to get what he came to the kitchen for. He took a bottle of cold water and left the kitchen without any more word.
Florence finally raised her head, eyeing Ara especially with all the strength in her before hissing and walking out of the kitchen. Grace burst out laughing, releasing all the laughter she had inside of her before giving the confused Ara a genuine smile. "First time he ever cared about what his workers talked about. But sincerely, if your witch stare could scare Florence that way, please give her more of it."
Ara finally laughed. "Grace, you are indeed something else."
Both of them smiled together and headead towards the dinning hall. Grace took every step to carry out a normal routine, while Ara took her heavy steps to face the real people that held the four corners of the palace.