To Be A Queen✔️

Chapter 22

Olanna's POV

Days passed in a blur and the second day for the bridal selection came. Before I even finished dressing up a maid had come to tell me that some maidens were already at the throne grounds.

I had asked her to escort them to another side of the palace. I already had the maids arrange seats there since I knew that Edikan will be at the throne grounds with the Head families for his morning meetings and settlement of disputes if any.

I made sure to take my time so as to give the other maidens a chance to arrive. Before going to were I had asked the maid to escort them I stopped at the kitchen to make sure that every thing was in order. I had appointed Nneka and Nnenna to take care of the cooking for today.

Of course I had made the maidens to come early this morning without breakfast but I wouldn't want them to starve. When I made sure everything was in order I went to meet the maidens.

A good number of them were present say like more than 30 maidens. I noticed none of them were sitting despite the benches and chairs that was arranged before them. I simile as I take the seat meant for me.

They all hushed once they noticed me and bowed. Everyone bowed this time no exception. "You May rise" I said as I observed them.

I looked around and noticed four palace guards at each corner. Hmm. Edikan must have sent them. Were they here to spy on me? I waved the thought away. I couldn't care less.

"You may sit" I told them. Some maidens hurriedly sat on the benches close to were I was sitting. I noticed Ekemini as she walked majestically to one of the benches with her friends in tow. She was dressed in beautiful wrappers as usual.

Subconsciously my eyes searched for a particular maiden. It didn't take long before my eyes landed on her. She was not wearing anything flashy as usual but it was not as simple as the one she wore two days ago. Her hair was still the same as the other day.

I heard footsteps approaching towards us hurriedly. I saw ten maidens approaching. They were about sitting down when I stopped them. "You all are late" they all remained silent before one of them ran towards me and knelt down "Please forgive me your majesty it won't happen again" the others later joined her chorusing the same thing.

"Of course it won't happen again..." I paused and they held their breath. "...because you all are disqualified" the all cried out as one of the guards came to escort them off. "Oh and tell any other maiden that comes that she is disqualified as well" I told the guard and he bowed before leaving.

When their wailings died down I continued. "So who could remind me of the lesson that was thought the other day?" I asked. Half of the maidens raised their hands. But my eyes was on one particular maiden. "You" I pointed at the maiden I had in mind.

She turned, looked sideways and asked "Me?" I just kept looking at her like she was dumb. She finally stood up hesitantly after I gave no response. "Emm... I... emmm..." I heard some one snicker and the rest started laughing. "You don't remember?" I asked her and she nodded immediately. "What is your name and from which clan?" I asked her "Amaeka from the Ekpa clan" she answered.

"Do you take me for a fool Amaeka?" I asked and she frowned. "No my Queen" she said shaking her head. "Then why did you disobey me?" She gulped "You were disqualified two days ago after you fought with one of the maidens. I made it clear that you all were disqualified did I not? But here you are. Do you think I would not recognize you?!!" I boomed. She was already kneeling and shedding tears by the time I finished talking.

"Guards take her to the punishment grounds and leave her there until I know what to do with her." I told them as they dragged her out.

Everyone was silent after that. "If you think that I wouldn't know those that I have disqualified due to your numbers think again. Because the punishment for disobedience will not be worth disobeying me."