To Be A Queen✔️

Chapter 21

Olanna's POV

"I still can't believe you agreed to this" Nneka said as she eyes every maiden that stepped into the throne grounds. Most of them were dressed so inappropriately. Showcasing their goods. One had to adjust her wrapper multiple times because her breasts almost fell out from it. Some wore exorbitant wrappers with multiple beads. Few wore decently but expensive wrappers.

The King has ordered that every maiden old enough to be married was to come to the palace today for the bridal selection.

I watched them as most of them struggle to get in line. I noticed one who just came and marched to the front row to stand, pushing the others with her buttocks. Nneka burst into fits of laughter when few maidens fell from the push while others struggle to stand on their feet as they push forward.

"They are not sure if they will make it to the final selections and they are already fighting" Nnenna said with wide eyes. Nneka was still laughing. "Am sure if the know what he is really like they won't even be here" Nneka said as she sniffed.

"Why are we still standing here?" Nnenna asked still looking at the chaos. I was yet to make my appearance. We were standing at the other end behind a transparent cloth. "Watching" I answered her.

I noticed a maiden and her clique of friends at a corner looking at every one like they were ants under their sandals. One stood out amongst them. She must be the leader of the clique. She was dressed in flamboyant clothing made with intricate designs and beautiful beads to match. She stood straight and tall like she knew she will win. She was beautiful as well with lighter complexion.

My gaze moved from her after assessing her. My gaze fell on another maiden one nobody seems to notice. It wasn't like she was not beautiful, instead it seems she doesn't want to be seen. She didn't dress to impress and this caught my attention. She was wearing a simple but beautiful wrapper and just one bead on her neck. She made a simple hair style and had no beauty markings on her body. I would have thought that she might be from a low class to not have more beads. But one look at her hands I halted my thoughts. They looked like they knew no hardship. My eyes trailed to her face and skin and I smiled. It was surprising to see a maiden who was not interested to be a wife to the King. She looked so bored as she watched the fight like she could be anywhere but here.

"Olanna, if you are not comfortable with this you can tell the King to appoint someone else you know" I heard Nnenna said. I looked at her like she had grown two heads. "Why would I do that?" She frowned. "Aren't you uneasy about this? I mean you have being standing here..." "I told you, I am watching" I told her raising one brow at her. "Lesson 1: before you engage yourself in anything you must watch and observe before approaching" I said without looking at them. "Hmmm" Nnenna and Nneka said simultaneously. "Well I think I have watched enough." I told them as I made my appearance with my friends in tow.

The uninterested maiden was the first to notice my presence. She stood straight immediately and bent her head. I pretended like I didn't notice until I took my seat beside the King's seat.
When I looked up every where was quiet and they were all bowing. I observed them quietly. I noticed the leader of the little clique standing upright watching me like a hawk.

I noticed one of her friends tug on her cloth but she slapped her hand away without breaking eye contact. I noticed my friends at the corner of my eye all alert like they were waiting for me to order them to pounce on her.

But I tilted my head and gave her one of my 'venomous smiles' as my friends call it. She gulped and bowed immediately. "You may rise"
They all did. When the 'clique leader' raised her head her eyes didn't meet mine. Good.