A New Year Gathering (2)
“Have you heard of the incident that occurred in the Compound of the Royal Secretariat?” Efemuaye Iwaka Efemini, the proud son of the Minister of Finance, changed the subject, turning his clear blue eyes from Princess Ada to address their friends.
As he spoke, he stroked the flaxen mustache he had begun to grow. The results of which he was very pleased with, Princess Ada knew, because he thought it made him look manlier and more respectable, which, she could not deny, it did. But it also made him more cavalier. “A Maiden and an officer of the Palace Guard were apprehended in the Department of Records of Xxene’s House of Nobles in the darkest hours of night.”
“Oh?” Ejaita bounced in his chair as he turned to Efemuaye, a ribald grin on his lips. “Do tell, Efe! Were they caught in the act?”
Asa and Ewoma giggled, fanning themselves, and Emuvoke frowned at Ejaita from where he sat by the twins. “Comport yourself, Jaita,” he admonished. “There are ladies present.”
“Even if they were desperate for a little dalliance, they might have chosen some place that would not get them killed,” Ufuoma chuckled from beside Oyoyovwi.
Efemuaye, who sat on Ufuoma’s other side, shook his head. “They were not. As you know, Ovye issued an edict of amnesty three weeks ago. They were pardoned under that order. An amazing stroke of luck, I would say.”
“But that is strange,” Asa remarked. “The edict, I mean.”
“Yes,” Ewoma concurred. “An edict to welcome an auspicious year is usually issued at the first of the year, not so far into the first month. I wonder what delayed Ovye’s order.”
“It is all the same since it was still in the first month,” Oyoyovwi stated. “It is Ovye’s intentions that matter and not the timing.” Ufuoma lightly poked Oyoyovwi, and the others gave her teasing looks. Abashed, she lowered her eyes. “I do not speak in Ovye’s defense. It is simply what I believe.”
“Prince Etegah, do you know why the edict was delayed?” Ejaita asked, turning to the prince.
He only scowled and Efemuaye scoffed at Ejaita, “You waste your breath, Jaita. You know Prince Etegah never reveals anything concerning Ovye to us.”
“What of you, Voke?” Ufuoma asked. “Among us, you are the only one who works in the Royal Secretariat and closest with Ovye.”
Emuvoke shrugged. “How am I to fathom what goes through an Orodje’s mind?” He paused. “As for the Maiden and officer, innocent play is hardly reason to be executed.”
“Yes,” said Ewoma, “except it may not have been innocent at all. And there are better places for such play other than where confidential records are kept.”
“I cannot believe anyone in their right mind would choose the Department of Records of Xxene’s House of Nobles as their prime location for a tryst. There must be more to it.” Princess Ada eyed Emuvoke. “This matter concerns the Royal Secretariat, so I doubt you simply let it pass you by without inspection, Voke. Even if you cannot disclose the details, you might at least divulge the names of the culprits.”
Emuvoke remained silent until Ewoma reached over to touch his arm, her eyes entreating. Impelled by the gaze of his fiancé, he cleared his throat. “Well, I was curious to know who was so bold to trespass the department and snuck a look at the case reports. The officer of the Palace Guard is one Mudiaga Beliko Onanojah.”
“Onanojah? I have never heard of this clan,” said Ejaita, curiously.
Efemuaye derided, “He must be rubbish from some lesser caste.”
“The Onanojah of the Beliko Tribe are Ehwoéki,” Emuvoke confirmed.
“Ehwoéki!” Ejaita jumped from his chair in disbelief. He raved, his headcloth unfurling further, “Merely a peon, yet he not only trespassed the Royal Secretariat, but dared to reach above his station to sully a Maiden? The cad! The man is either a fearless scoundrel or peerless idiot!” He spun on Emuvoke, “And you tell me he was allowed to live?”
“You are too rash in your judgement, Jaita,” Emuvoke said. “There was no proof of the deed your words suggest.”
Ejaita challenged indignantly, “When a man and woman in heat are left alone in a dark chamber, is there need for proof?”
“Ejaita!” Prince Etegah’s voice was cold, his dark brown eyes harsh with warning. “I believe Voke already cautioned you regarding your conduct. Or do mine and Ada’s presence here mean nothing to you?”
Ejaita shrunk at the prince’s glare. He bowed in a low digwe. “Forgive me, my prince. The disrespect was unintentional—you know I tend to get carried away. Princess Ada, please be at peace.”
Princess Ada waved a dismissive hand. “Jaita, sit down. Who here does not know your character? Etegah, please do not ruin the mood with that scowl of yours.” She faced Emuvoke. “Go on, Voke. Tell us, who was the Maiden?”
There was an awkward silence in which Ejaita quietly backed into his seat, then Emuvoke responded, “It was recorded that she is an Agaenaye of the Bureau of Court Affairs by the name Emeravwe.”
The name took Princess Ada by surprise, and she turned to Prince Etegah, whose jaw clenched, his brow lowering sharply.
“And what clan does she belong to?” Asa asked.
“I was able to scan the officer’s files with the Palace Guard to discover his background, but those of Maidens’ are kept in the Maidens’ Compound, which I have no access to,” Emuvoke replied.
Princess Ada pressed him, “A Maiden of the Bureau of Court Affairs? And her name is Emeravwe? You are certain?”
“Yes.”
“You know of her?” Ufuoma asked.
Princess Ada looked uneasily from Prince Etegah to Oyoyovwi. “Well…”
“His Royal Majesty Ovye enters!” a voice bellowed, calling the guests and attendants around the pavilion to attention.
The chatter and laughter suddenly ceased, the music and performers’ capering on the stage immediately cut short. Princess Ada, Prince Etegah, and their friends rushed to the entrance of the pavilion to greet the king, the crowd falling to their knees as Eunuch Iroro and Eunuch Edewor pulled apart the golden mosquito nets for him to pass through.
“Umogu!” all saluted as one, their heads bowed and hands cupped before them.
Aslan was dressed simply in a deep purple garment and golden headcloth interwoven with black pearls. White pearl ear studs adorned his ear lobes and his lustrous copper locks hung loose down his back. On his right index finger was his golden, bejeweled, full-finger ring.
“Kada,” he answered the crowd. “You may all rise.” They stood but made no other move. “We recalled that Princess Ada and Prince Etegah were hosting a gathering tonight and wished to greet their guests. We hope they have been agreeable hosts.” The crowd remained silent, so he allowed, “You may speak freely,” and they responded eagerly, remarking at how they were honored by the grace of his presence and yes, of course, Their Highnesses were impeccable hosts! They grew silent again, and Aslan smiled cordially, “We are glad to hear it.”
Asa stepped forward, bending to one knee in a low butu. “Asa Imodu Mitaire petitions to address Orodje Uvo.”
Turning to her, Aslan nodded. “Onótu Mitaire’s daughter. Rise. You may speak.”
Asa rose, beaming, “It is rare for those such as myself, who are not part of the court, to be able to gaze upon Ovye’s royal visage. And it seems Ovye is in good spirits tonight, so I daresay I am doubly honored to have the privilege to share this moment with him! I might die now without regrets!”
Princess Ada rolled her eyes at Asa’s flattery. She tended to ramble whenever she was nervous or flustered. As she studied her Sovereign Brother, though, she saw Asa had a point. His smile was not the usual polite one he presented, but warm, and he wore his hair loose, which was something she knew he did only when he felt at ease.
Princess Ada stepped forward. “Since Sovereign Brother is in such good spirits, would he care to join us?”
Aslan raised a hand. “We must decline, for your guests would surely be burdened.” He looked meaningfully at her. “But though we deny this offer, there is another which you made that we shall accept.”
Princess Ada blinked in wonder, then gasped, remembering their conversation the night she forced her way through his palace. She clapped her hands in excitement. “Does Sovereign Brother mean…!”
“Yes. We shall discuss the details later.” He turned to leave, addressing the guests, “We pray you enjoy the remainder of the night.”
Eunuch Iroro announced, “Ovye departs!”
The crowd bent to their knees once more, uttering in unison, “May Ovye go in peace!”
Prince Etegah squinted with suspicion at Princess Ada as they rose. “What is this offer you made to Ovye?”
She sprung to her feet, exclaiming, “Something wickedly delightful, I assure you!”
Finally, there would be some worthy entertainment in the palace! She grabbed a goblet of wine off the platter a nearby Eunuch held, signaling for the Eunuch to alert the guests.
As the Eunuch called for attention, she turned to Oyoyovwi. “You will forgive me, Yoyovwi, for you, too, have a brother whom you adore, so you must understand.” She bounded to a chair and alighted with another Eunuch’s help, then raised her glass. “A toast!” she proposed. She looked to Prince Etegah and Oyoyovwi, an impish grin possessing her lips and setting sparks in her amber eyes. “To forbidden love!”