Next, Albert took my hands and guided me to the seat beside his. The gesture reminded me of the years I spent sitting next to Papa, and a feeling of déjà vu swept over me. I couldn’t help but wonder how this memorable day would have been different if my life had taken another path. Had my betrothed been Okem, I would no doubt be looking at a completely different sea of faces, beaming with joy and laughter. Friends, family, and neighbors with no other motive than to have a good time would have filled the seats. The pomp and pageantry would be at a bare minimum, and there would be no politics, no hierarchy, and no us and them.
“Ona, Ona,” I felt someone calling and forcing me out of my reverie.
Albert was smiling down at me. Squeezing my hand firmly, he whispered, “My Queen.”
I blinked and looked at him inquisitively. Calling me by my future title had startled me and reminded me of what I was destined to do; to marry Albert and be his Queen. He chuckled at my reaction.
“You better get used to it, my darling,” he said before I could respond.
“Ye—yes,” I stuttered.
I loved Albert for what he was, prim and proper and almost impenetrable, and he loved me—although more than I loved him. He worshipped the ground I walked on and was always at my beck and call. He bought me gifts almost daily. But he was rich so buying gifts for me didn’t require any sacrifice on his part. He didn’t get additional points for that. For all his other qualities, he was perfect for me as my grandmother had insinuated. I hoped and prayed as I sat next to him that Okem would soon become a passing memory. A dream. One filled with enough hope to help me achieve the balance I so desperately sought.
The ceremony continued with eating and dancing. Albert and I performed our first dance amidst cheers from the crowd. Wads of money in different currencies were sprayed all over us by the guests as we entertained them with our unrehearsed dance moves. The staff assigned to pick up the cash tripped over each other as the pieces flew in every direction while the guests tried to outdo one another in their display of riches. It was hard for me to imagine how the actual wedding would be if the engagement ceremony alone could garner such attention. I knew it was a big deal to be affianced to the future King, but there was no way I could have anticipated the grandeur and glory with which the ceremony was carried out.
It was long past midnight before the last guest left. I remained in our home in Ntebe, where I was expected to live until after our wedding in two months. Albert couldn’t wait. His excitement was unmistakable at the ceremony. He told anyone who cared to listen how eager he was for me to become his wife and move in with him.
Though we didn’t live together, we began to spend more time together and got closer in subsequent weeks. I visited Ide more often but never spent the night there except during important occasions—weddings or cultural celebrations. In those instances, a separate room, decorated as fit for a princess, was always reserved for me.
* * *
I relaxed into my new routine with Albert, although I still thought about Okem once in a while. One Saturday morning after Albert came to visit me in Ntebe, I casually brought up the subject of Okem as we stood side-by-side on the porch.
“I wonder what became of Okem. He just disappeared into thin air, and no one has seen him since then.”
Albert crossed his hands and leaned back against the post.
“I sent a delegate to search for him some time ago,” he said after a moment’s pause.
“Really? When? I didn’t know that.” I said excitedly, making a slight half-turn to look at him.
For a moment, his gaze strolled absently over my face before he asked, “Why does that excite you so much?”
“I don’t know,” I said, slightly embarrassed. “I just didn’t think you cared what happened to him.”
“He was like your best friend. Why shouldn’t I care?”
“Well, thank you,” I responded, despite sensing a dose of sarcasm from him.
“You’re welcome.”
“Any word at all from your search?” I asked, trying my best to remain composed.
He was silent for a moment before frowning and shaking his head.
“No word,” he responded, returning to his original position.
* * *
I settled into my role as the future wife of the future King. As we prepared for our wedding, Albert’s team bore the brunt of the work. I helped as much as I could and even suggested for my grandmother’s address—my address—to be used for some of the correspondence just to spread the risk. RSVPs for some of his closest friends came to me. Together, Ifedi and I sorted through the mail daily, recorded the responses, and then handed them to him whenever he came by.
As the wedding drew closer, Albert showed himself to be a wonderful partner. Being so kind and considerate, he checked in every day to see how things were going, but my mind still wandered, as usual. If not on Okem or my adventures in Luenah, it was on the unending steps we needed to complete for the wedding. I caught Albert looking at me at times and shaking his head whenever I stepped into a reverie. I
