Chapter 6: Changing Faces

Before, anytime I dey vex, I like waka for palace backyard.

But now, I no even want enter there at all.

Title na small thing—I fit bend. To call my own wife ‘Mother Queen’ no too hard. Na just to do as pikin suppose do.

But I discover say I no ever really know my Queen.

Queen real name na Morayo, pikin of late Chief Seyi—gentle, good, calm.

But my gentle Morayo, her best play now na to dey practice sword fight.

She dey call Seyi make dem spar together.

As I just step into her chamber, I dey hear the two of them dey fight.

E dey tire person.

The Queen dey enjoy. “After to pretend as gentle lady for so many years, I nearly suffocate. Now, I fit fight well, e sweet me!”

I dey suspect, if to say we send Chief Seyi go war that time, e for win something too?

Queen no just dey show her warrior side—her food taste don change too.

Before, she like soft food, now na oil and pepper full everywhere.

She carry big piece of spicy goat meat enter mouth. “See as I dey happy, at last I no gats chop those tasteless food the late Oba like.” She wink me. “Chima, you no fit handle pepper, abi?”

My spirit just fall.

She even give me one piece. “Chima, try am.”

I chop am. The pepper rush my head—exactly like the day Queen wipe my face for burial.

My tongue dey shout for help, but my pride no let me spit. I just dey smile, dey swallow am with small tears. I dey wonder how I go survive if she keep this style.