Mr. Okcoy remained calm.
I am at my duty post.
Princess deaf.
I am talking to you.
>> Cassie laughed without joy.
You listen, but you never learn here every day like an old tree and still nothing is done well in this palace.
Bella and Ella stood behind her.
They exchanged worried looks, but neither of them spoke.
Mr. Okoy said nothing.
That silence annoyed Cassie even more.
“Are you deaf?” she asked.
“I am talking to you.
I am listening, princess.
” “Listening?” Cassie stepped closer.
“You listen, but you never learn.
Lazy old man, useless man.
” Mr. Okcoy lowered his eyes.
An older man sitting under the shade near the ver rose slowly.
His name was Chief Lawrence Ezer, the king’s younger brother.
He had come to visit the king that morning and was still in the palace.
>> Cassie, that is enough.
He is old enough to be respected.
>> Who asked you? Who asked you? >> Chief Lawrence frowned.
I am only telling you to calm down.
You are telling me to calm down in my own palace? Cassie asked.
Please do not start with me today.
This is not how a princess should speak, Chief Lawrence said.
Cassie laughed bitterly.
And this is not how a jobless uncle should talk to me.
The compound became quiet.
Even Bella opened her mouth in shock.
Chief Lawrence stared at her.
What did you call me? Cassie folded her arms.
You heard me.
Jobless uncle.
Every time you sit around here like you own the place.
Please leave me alone.
Cassie.
Queen Esther’s voice came from the entrance.
The queen walked out quickly, her face tight with embarrassment.
She was a beautiful woman, but worry had started leaving marks around her eyes.
She loved Cassie deeply, but even she could see that her daughter was becoming harder to control.
>> “Cassie, stop this now.
” Queen Esther said, >> “Cassie, stop this now.
This is your uncle.
I do not care.
>> Everybody should stop acting as if I am a child.
This palace belongs to my father and after him, it belongs to me.
Nobody can control me here.
” Cassie, the queen warned softly.
>> No, mother.
I am tired of all of you.
This man keeps moving around like he is important.
He is not important.
He is a gateman.
>> Mr. Okcoy swallowed, but his face remained calm.
Amaka had been standing at the side entrance.
She had come out when she heard the noise.
She stood quietly watching everything with pain in her chest.
She wanted to speak.
She wanted to defend Mr. Okcoy.
But she knew Cassie.
The moment anyone opposed her, the matter would become worse.
So Amaka stayed still, holding the file she had brought home from work.
Mr. Aoy saw her and quickly looked away as if he did not want her to feel sorry for him.
That small action touched Amaka deeply.
Cassie’s friends were still silent.
Bella looked uncomfortable.
Ella pretended to check her phone, but her fingers were not moving.
Queen Esther placed a hand on Cassie’s arm.
>> Go inside.
Please not pull her arm away.
>> Then she walked back into the palace, her heels hitting the ground hard.
Bella and Ella followed her like frightened shadows.
Amaka remained where she was.
Queen Esther looked at Chief Lawrence with shame in her eyes.
>> I am sorry.
>> Chief Lawrence shook his head.
>> Girl will cause pain one day.
The queen did not answer.
Mr. Okcoy bent slightly.
>> Your majesty, I will return to my duty post.
>> Amaka finally spoke.
Mr. Okoy, I am sorry.
He looked at her and for a moment his tired face.
>> I will return to my duty post.
>> Mr. Okoyas, >> you have nothing to apologize for.
>> But Amaka knew that was not true.
Someone needed to apologize.
Someone needed to stop Cassie.
That evening, the family gathered for dinner.
King Victor was strong enough to come downstairs, though two palace aids had helped him to his chair.
He looked thinner than before, but his eyes were still sharp.
Queen Esther sat beside him.
Cassie sat with her phone beside her plate.
Amaka sat quietly opposite her.
Chief Lawrence was also there.
The servant served food in silence.
For a few minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Queen Esther smiled and looked at Cassie.
>> “My darling daughter, I am proud of you.
Very soon, everything your father built will rest in your hands.
” “Thank you, mother.
You are the crown princess.
” >> Cassie smiled as if she had been waiting for the praise.
>> “Thank you, mother.
” >> Queen Esther continued, >> “You are the crown princess.
>> You must start preparing your mind.
Leadership is not easy.
” King Victor slowly raised his eyes.
Leadership is not by mouth.
>> The table became quiet.
Cassie’s smile disappeared.
>> Father, what is that supposed to mean? >> It is work.
It is sacrifice.
It is not only title.
>> Know that >> King Victor turned to the reason the company is still respected.
>> So this is now a Maka.
I am saying the Amaka lowered her eyes.
She did not like being used as a reason for quarrel.
Cassie dropped her spoon.
So this is now about a marker.
I am saying the truth, the king replied.
Cassie looked at Amaka.
Are you happy now? Amaka sighed.
Cassie, please.
I did not say anything.
But you like pretending, Cassie said.
Quiet, innocent Amara, the hardworking daughter, the good one.
>> Are you happy now, >> Cassie? Queen Esther said, “Eat your food.
” >> Say anything.
>> No, mother.
Let us talk.
Everybody keeps acting as if I am useless.
>> Let us talk.
>> King Victor’s voice became firm.
You are not useless, but you are careless to them with your silence.
>> Cassie stared at him.
>> The king continued, “You spend company money without asking questions.
You travel whenever you like.
You insult workers.
You do not attend serious meetings, yet you call yourself CEO.
I am the CEO, Cassie said proudly.
King Victor looked at her for a long moment.
Then tell me what CEO means.
Cassie blinked.
What? Tell me.
The silence around the table became heavy.
Cassie looked away.
I do not have time for this nonsense.
Amaka closed her eyes briefly.
She felt embarrassed for her sister, but Cassie took the shame and turned it into anger.
“You think because you know books, you are better than me?” Cassie asked Amaka.
“No,” Amaka said softly.
“I do not think that.
” “Then why are you always acting like the company belongs to you?” Amaka looked at her calmly.
“I am only trying to protect what father built.
” Cassie laughed.
Protect from who? Amaka hesitated.
The king answered for her.
From you.
Cassie stood up at once.
Wow.
So that is what this family thinks of me.
King Victor’s face tightened.
Sit down.
No, I will not sit down.
If all of you do not want me here, I can leave.
I can go to a hotel.
I can leave this palace completely.
Queen Esther reached for her hand.
Cassie, nobody said you should leave.
Cassie pulled away.
Nobody can control me.
Not you.
Not father.
Not a marker.
Nobody.
King Victor looked tired, but his voice was full of sadness.
>> One day, Cassie, this behavior will destroy you.
>> Cassie laughed coldly.
>> It destroy me.
Cassie, wait.
>> She picked up her phone and walked out of the dining room.
Queen Esther called after her, but Cassie did not stop.
Amaka sat still, her food untouched.
She wanted to be angry, but all she felt was sadness.
The next morning, the palace woke up to another storm.
Cassie came out early, dressed to leave.
Her car was parked near the front of the compound.
It was clean, shining under the morning sun.
>> Mr. >> But Cassie walked around it once and screamed, >> “Mr. >> Princess, what is this?” “Your car.
” >> I told you to wash this car last night.
>> I washed it.
>> He looked at the car.
Your car, princess.
Do not insult me.
I told you to wash this car last night.
I washed it, he said gently.
Cassie slapped the bonnet with her palm.
You are calling me a liar.
No, princess.
I only said I washed it.
You washed it and it is still looking like this.
A Maka who was about to enter her car for work stopped and turned.
The car looked clean.
Even the tires were shining.
Cassie raised her hand as if to hit Mister Okoy, but Amaka rushed forward.
Cassie, stop.
Cassie turned slowly.
Excuse me.
Amaka stood between them.
The car is clean.
Cassie’s eyes narrowed.
So now you are his lawyer.
No, Amaka said, “I am only saying the truth.
The car is clean.
And even if it was dirty, washing your car is not his duty.
We have people assigned to that.
Cassie laughed in disbelief.
Can you hear yourself? You are defending this man again.
I am defending what is right.
Cassie stepped closer.
>> Hang on.
Between you and this old man.
What did you say? You heard me.
>> Cassie smiled cruy.
You heard me.
Queen Esther came out quickly, tying her wrapper as she walked.
>> What is happening again? Ask your perfect daughter.
She is defending the gate man like he’s her family.
Do not say shameful things just because you are angry.
No, mother.
>> Amaka’s voice shook, but she controlled it.
Do not say shameful things just because you are angry.
Cassie moved toward her, but Queen Esther held her back.
Enough, the queen said.
Cassie, enough.
Cassie struggled free.
No, mother.
Everybody in this palace thinks they can talk to me anyhow.
Queen Esther looked around and saw workers watching from a distance.
Her face burned with shame.
>> You are embarrassing yourself.
I am not going for.
Then maybe you should go back for treatment.
>> Treatment? >> No.
>> Cassie stared at her.
>> I am not going anywhere.
Then maybe you should go back for treatment.
Queen Esther said carefully.
You need help, Cassie.
Cassie’s face changed.
Treatment.
Calm down and listen to me.
No, you listen to me.
Cassie pointed at the palace.
This is my palace, my father’s palace, my future throne.
I am not leaving for abroad.
I am not going to any treatment center.
I am staying here.
Anyone who does not like it can leave.
Amaka looked at her sister and felt something break inside her.
This was no longer ordinary anger.
Cassie had started seeing everyone as an enemy, even her own sister.
Mr. Okoy quietly stepped back toward the gate, his face full of pain he refused to show.
Amaka watched him go.
She did not know why Cassie hated him so much.
She did not know why Mr. Aoy kept enduring it.
And she did not know that the quiet man at the gate was carrying the secret that would one day shake the whole family.
But from that morning, one thing became clear.
The fight inside the palace had only just begun.
That morning, after Cassie walked back into the palace, the compound remained quiet for a long time.
The workers did not talk loudly.
The guards avoided each other’s eyes.
Even the cleaners moved as if one wrong sound could bring Cassie back outside.
>> Amaka entered her car and left for work, but her heart was not settled.
She kept seeing Mr. Okoy’s face.
>> The man had stood there with so much shame in his eyes, yet he still said nothing.
He did not defend himself.
He did not even complain.
Amaka wondered what kind of pain could make a grown man accept such insult in silence.
Inside the palace, King Victor had seen enough.
He sat in his private sitting room wrapped in a thick robe, his breathing slow and heavy.
A small tray of medicine sat on the table beside him.
Queen Esther entered quietly, but he did not look at her at first.
For a moment, both of them stayed silent.
Then the king said.
Esther, what are we going to do about Cassie? The queen sighed.
Your majesty, please.
Not this morning.
When should we talk about it? He asked.
When she kills somebody, Queen Esther looked at him sharply.
God forbid.
Then stop defending her before it reaches that point.
She is your daughter.
She is also old enough to know right from wrong.
Queen Esther sat down opposite him.
Cassie is not a bad person.
She is only stubborn.
She needs patience.
The king gave a tired laugh, but there was no joy in it.
Patience? He asked.
Is that what you call this? Esther, your daughter went to my company last month and insulted senior staff in front of visitors.
Two weeks ago, she collected money without approval.
Before that, she sold one of my cars and could not even explain what she used the money for.
Queen Esther looked away.
The king continued, “She has wasted millions.
She has disgraced this family many times.
She insults elders.
She beats workers.
She smokes in my compound.
She moves with useless friends who clap for her foolishness.
And you sit here telling me she needs patience.
” Queen Esther’s face tightened.
You always talk about her as if she has no good side.
Show me the good side, Esther.
Let me see it.
She is still growing.
Cassie is not a baby.
She is my child.
She is our child, the king said.
But you have made her believe she owns the world.
Queen Esther’s eyes became wet, but her voice remained hard.
No, >> no.
What hurts you is that she is not like Amaka.
>> Do not bring Amaka into this.
>> I will bring her in because that is the problem in this family.
You love Amaka more.
You praise Amaka for everything.
>> Amaka works.
Amaka is wise.
A Maka is calm.
What about Cassie? Have you ever tried to understand her? The king stared at his wife.
Understand her? He repeated.
Do you understand the workers she beats? Do you understand the people she insults? Do you understand the company staff who are afraid to do their jobs because Cassie may storm in and scatter everything? Queen Esther stood up.
You are her father.
Correct her with love, not with hatred.
I do not hate Cassie.
You talk like you do.
The king’s voice dropped.
Esther, you are the one dividing this family.
You defend Cassie even when she is wrong.
You make Amaka look like an enemy because she is responsible.
One day, this thing you are feeding will grow teeth and bite all of us.
Queen Esther wiped her eyes quickly.
You always blame me.
Because you keep protecting madness.
The queen stepped back as if his words had hit her.
Your majesty, she said quietly.
Be careful how you speak to me.
King Victor looked away.
He was tired, too tired to fight, too tired to beg, too tired to watch his house break slowly.
But the breaking had already started.
2 days later, Cassie went to Royal Spring Water.
The workers knew from the sound of her heels that trouble had entered the building.
She walked straight into the accounts department with Bella and Ella behind her.
The manager, Mr. David Nanquo, stood up when she entered.
The accountant, Mr.s.
Grace Bellow, quickly closed the file she was checking.
>> Good morning, princess.
Mr. David said, >> Cassie dropped her handbag on his table.
I need 10 million naira transferred to my account now.
Mr. David blinked.
Princess, I am sorry, but we cannot process that without approval.
Cassie stared at him now from the board or from Princess Amaka.
The account is under review because of last month’s expenses.
>> Cassie laughed.
So, Amaka is now the owner of this company.
No, Princess, that is not what I said.
Mr.s.
Grace spoke gently.
Please understand, we are preparing for an audit.
If we remove such an amount now, it will create a problem.
Cassie turned to her.
Did I ask you to speak? Mr.s.
Grace became quiet.
Cassie picked up a glass paper weight from the table.
So, both of you have joined a marker to insult me.
Mr. David raised his hands.
Nobody is insulting you.
You refuse to give me my money.
It is company money, princess.
That sentence finished everything.
Lock us four.
>> Cassie threw the paper.
It missed Mr. David’s face by a small distance and hit the shelf behind him.
Files fell.
Mr.s.
Grace screamed.
>> Cassie moved around the table and slapped Mr. David.
Bella and Ella rushed forward, not sure whether to stop her or pull her back.
“You lowclass fool!” Cassie shouted.
“You people eat from my father’s hand and still have the courage to block me.
” Mr.s.
Grace tried to call security, but Cassie pushed her hand away.
In the struggle, Mr.s.
Grace fell against the side table and hurt her arm.
By the time the security men rushed in, the office was scattered.
Mr. David’s cheek was swollen.
Mr.s.
Grace was crying.
Cassie stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard, still angry.
When King Victor heard what happened, something in him went cold.
He did not shout.
>> “What have you done?” >> He only called the police.
Arrest her,” he said.
Queen Esther was not at the palace when they took Cassie away.
By the time she returned and heard what had happened, she almost lost her mind.
She stormed into the king’s sitting room with her wrapper loose around her waist.
“What have you done?” she asked.
The king was sitting with his eyes closed.
He opened them slowly.
“I did what a father should have done long ago.
You sent police to arrest your own daughter.
I sent police to arrest a woman who attacked my staff.
She is your heir.
She is a danger.
>> Victor, release my daughter.
>> Not until she apologizes to Mr. David and Mr.s.
Grace.
>> She will not do that.
>> Stay there.
>> You are doing this because of a marker.
>> Do not insult me with that nonsense.
>> Then she will stay there.
Queen Esther stared at him as if he had become a stranger.
You are doing this because of a marker, she said.
The king’s anger rose.
Do not insult me with that nonsense.
You want to break Cassie so a marker can rise.
I want Cassie to learn before it is too late.
She is the crown princess.
She is not above discipline.
>> If anything happens to my daughter in that police station.
>> I will never forgive you.
If Cassie refuses to change, life will teach her what we refuse.
>> King Victor leaned back, weak but firm.
If Cassie refuses to change, life will teach her what we refuse to teach her.
The queen left the room without another word.
That evening, the king looked for his royal crown.
He had an important meeting with some elders the next morning, and the crown was needed.
But when the palace aids opened the cabinet where it was usually kept, it was gone.
The king already knew who had taken it.
>> Call Esther.
Yes, your majesty.
>> But Queen Esther did not answer.
>> No answer.
>> The next morning, as the king prepared for his meeting, he entered his bedroom to rest for a few minutes.
Before he could come out, he heard the door lock from outside.
He went still.
Esther, he called.
No answer.
He moved slowly to the door and tried the handle.
It did not open.
Esther, still nothing.
His breathing became heavy.
He knocked on the door first gently, then harder.
Open this door.
One of the palace aids ran to call Queen Esther, but she had already left the palace.
When they called her phone, she answered only once.
“I will open that door when my daughter enters this palace,” she said.
Then she ended the call.
The king stood behind the locked door, sweating and shaking with anger.
His meeting was in less than 1 hour.
The elders were already on their way.
His blood pressure was rising and there was no spare key.
A Maka was called from the company.
>> “Father,” >> she rushed home, panic written all over her face.
“Father,” she shouted from outside the door.
“Are you okay?” “Your mother has lost her.
” >> “I am alive,” he replied, breathing hard.
“Your mother has lost her mind.
” Amaka called Queen Esther again and again.
At first, the queen did not pick.
Later she picked and spoke calmly.
“Tell your father to release Cassie.
” “Mother, please,” Amaka begged.
“This is not right.
He is sick.
Then he should do the right thing.
You locked your husband inside his room.
He locked my daughter in police custody.
” Amaka closed her eyes in pain.
“Mother Cassie hurt people.
She is my child and father is your husband.
Queen Esther became silent.
Amaka lowered her voice.
Please tell me where the key is.
Let him release Cassie first.
The call ended.
Inside the room, King Victor sat on the bed, weak and humiliated.
His hands were shaking when he picked up his phone and called the police officer in charge.
Release my daughter,” he said quietly.
The officer asked if he was sure.
The king closed his eyes.
“Yes, release her now.
” That day, Cassie returned to the palace smiling.
She had not learned anything.
Queen Esther had proved something dangerous.
She would protect Cassie even when Cassie was wrong.
And the king understood that his wife could go very far for that daughter.
The next day, Amaka returned to work with a heavy heart.
She was tired.
The company needed her attention, but her mind was still in the palace.
Her father was becoming weaker.
Her mother was becoming harder.
Cassie was becoming more dangerous.
Amaka sat in her office looking at a file she had not read for 10 minutes when Jenny entered.
Jenny was her personal assistant.
She was young, smart, and loyal.
She knew when to speak and when to keep quiet.
Ma, the young man for the operations interview is here today.
Yes, Ma.
His name is Chidio.
Let him in.
>> Amaka almost told Jenny to send him away.
She was not in the mood to meet anyone, but the operations department needed help and the company could not wait for her emotions.
Let him in, she said.
Jenny nodded and left.
A minute later, the door opened.
Chidi walked in.
Amaka looked up and her heart stopped for a second.
She knew that face.
A few days earlier, after a late meeting, some men had tried to attack her near her car.
It had happened so fast.
One had grabbed her bag.
Another tried to drag her back.
Before she could scream properly, a young man appeared from nowhere and fought them off.
He made sure she was safe, then disappeared before she could even thank him.
Well, she had searched for him.
Now he was standing in her office.
Cheddy looked humble and nervous.
He wore a simple shirt and trousers.
His shoes were clean but old.
He held a brown envelope with both hands.
>> “Good morning, Ma,” he said.
Amaka stood slowly.
“You.
” Chi looked confused.
“Ma, you are the man who saved me.
” His face changed.
“Oh, you remember me?” “Yes, Ma.
I remember.
Amaka smiled for the first time that day.
I looked for you.
I am sorry I left that day.
I did not want trouble.
You saved my life and you left without waiting for even a thank you.
Chidi lowered his head.
I am glad you are safe.
Amaka pointed to the chair.
Please sit.
He sat carefully as if the chair did not belong to him.
She collected his file and went through it.
He had studied business administration.
He had worked in two small companies before they closed down.
His experience was not big, but his record showed honesty and effort.
>> Why do you want this job? >> Chi looked at her directly.
I need work ma, but more than that, I want to build something.
I have been trying for a long time.
I am ready to learn and work hard.
Amaka watched him.
There was no pride in him, no fake confidence, no begging either, just honesty.
>> You know this job is not easy.
>> I know >> you will deal stuff, supply problems, movement records, and sometimes difficult people.
>> Can this company pressure? >> Pressure has many cousins.
>> I can handle pressure.
Amaka almost laughed.
In this company, pressure has many cousins.
Chi smiled a little.
That small smile made the room feel lighter.
Amaka closed the file.
>> You are qualified and I believe you can do the work.
>> Ma, >> you have the job.
>> Just you.
Just like that.
>> Yes, I am grateful.
You have the job.
Give you this job.
I’m not disabled.
>> He looked shocked.
>> Just like that.
