This boy should be in school,” she said quietly, more to herself than to anyone else.
Tony shifted on his feet. Nah glanced at him. For once, he was not joking.
The queen continued, “He runs messages, carries trays, listens where he should not listen, and grows up in the middle of palace trouble.
This is not a life for a child.” Tony looked down. But there was no answer to that either, because everyone knew she was right.
The palace used Tony, fed him, yes, sheltered him, yes, but no one had truly taken charge of him.
He was there, but he was floating like a child the world had forgotten to claim.
Queen Beatatrice looked back at Nenah. Be careful with the food. I will. And from now on, the queen added, her voice firming up.
We will not bring just anybody into this palace to cook for us. Nina paused.
The queen’s face hardened. What happened yesterday must never happen again. Later that evening, after eating, the little nenina managed to prepare.
King Daniel sat in silence for a long time. Then he finally said, “No more female cooks.”
Queen Beatatrice looked at him. I agree. The king leaned back in his chair. >> The next person who enters the kitchen must be watched from the beginning.
We must know where the person comes from, who trained him, who knows him, and what kind of life he has lived.
>> The king nodded slowly. Then he said the thing that surprised them all. This time I want a man.
Sandra looked up. Linda frowned. Rita blinked. Nah stopped in the doorway. A male cook?
Linda asked. Yes, the king said. Queen Beatatrice did not argue. After what Martha had done, fear had changed the rules.
Nobody said it out loud, but everybody felt it. This palace was no longer just a royal home.
It was a house full of hidden pain, wounded pride, and secrets that had slept for too long.
And now, another stranger was about to enter it. 3 days after Martha was taken away, the palace gates opened for a new visitor.
It was late morning. The sun was high, and the compound felt quieter than usual, as if the house was still waiting for trouble to show itself again.
A black car stopped in front of the main building. One of the guards moved toward it at once.
Then the back door opened and an older man stepped out first. It was Chief Felix Okoro.
Chief Felix was one of King Daniel’s trusted men. He was a wealthy elder, careful with his words and known for bringing only serious matters to the palace.
If he had come in person, then the king knew whatever he brought was worth seeing.
Behind him, another figure stepped out of the car. Tony, who had been sweeping one side of the front steps in a lazy way, stopped at once.
The young man who came down from the car looked too fine to be a palace cook.
He was tall, broad in the shoulders, and naturally handsome in a quiet way. But his clothes were simple.
His shirt looked clean but cheap. His trousers were plain. His sandals were dusty from use.
He carried no air of class around him. If anything, he looked like a village boy who had tried his best to appear neat before entering a place above him.
Still, Tony narrowed his eyes. “H,” he muttered to himself. “This one is too fresh.”
The young man lifted a small bag from the back seat and followed Chief Felix inside.
Tony dropped the broom and hurried after them. Inside the sitting hall, King Daniel and Queen Beatatrice were already waiting.
The daughters were there, too. Sandra sat upright with the kind of face that made it clear she was not ready to be impressed.
Linda looked curious. Rita looked bored. Nah stood near one side of the room, silent and watchful.
“Chief Felix greeted the king and bowed his head slightly.” “Your majesty,” he said. “I have brought the young man I spoke to you about.”
The king looked at the stranger. “Chief Felix turned. His name is Benjamin Okoro.” The young man bowed quickly.
Good morning, your majesty. Good morning, my queen. His voice sounded respectful, but his words came out a little rough.
Not rude, just unpolished. Chief Felix continued, “He is from a good family, but life has not been easy for him.
He cooks very well. I have tasted his food myself.” Queen Beatatrice studied Ben from head to toe.
Can he be trusted? Chief Felix answered without delay. As much as anyone can be trusted before they are tested.
The king grunted softly. That was fair enough. Then Chief Felix added, >> “There is one thing the palace should know.
Benjamin Okoro has a hearing problem. He hears, but not always at once. If someone speaks softly, he may miss.
>> He may miss it. That changed the room at once.” Sandra frowned. Linda exchanged a quick look with Rita.
Rita let out a small laugh before she could stop herself. The king looked at Ben.
Can you hear me now? Ben lifted his head. Yes, your majesty. I hear you.
Chief Felix nodded. When spoken too clearly, he responds. But sometimes you may need to raise your voice.
Tony had slipped into the room by then, pretending to dust a table near the wall.
He stared openly at Ben. Then he whispered to himself, “Handsome like this and cook again?
This one did not come here for food alone. Nah heard him and shot him a warning look.
Tony looked away quickly, but he kept watching Ben. The king stood. If you can do your work well and keep your hands clean, you may stay.
Ben bowed again. Thank you, your majesty. Queen Beatatrice asked one more question. Can you cook all kinds of meals?
Ben nodded. Yes, my queen. Soup, stew, rice, swallow, breakfast, juice. I can do many things.
His answer sounded simple, awkward, too. The words came out with none of the smoothness expected in a palace.
It sounded more like he had learned by doing than by training. Sandre folded her arms.
This was the person who had been brought to replace Martha, a half-deaf village boy.
Chief Felix turned to leave, but before he did, he spoke quietly to Ben. Do your work well.
Do not disappoint me. I will not, Ben said. But as he said it, his eyes moved once around the room.
Quickly, carefully. He did not stare long enough for anyone to notice properly, but he saw enough.
The king, proud, wounded, still angry from betrayal. The queen, careful, suspicious, tired. Sandra, proud and sharp.
Linda, soft-looking, but proud, too. Rita, restless and quick to mock. Nina, the only one not laughing.
Ben lowered his eyes again. He looked simple, but his mind was working. Ben had barely been shown the kitchen when Tony appeared beside the doorway.
Tony leaned against the frame like he owned the place. “You don’t look like cook,” he said.
Ben looked at him. “What do I look like?” Tony shrugged like trouble. Ben almost smiled, but the smile did not fully come.
“Are you the owner of this kitchen?” He asked. Tony grinned. No, but I know this palace passed some people.
Ben picked up a tray and began setting things down where they belonged. Then know your way and leave me to work.
Tony moved closer instead. I am warning you, he said in a lower voice. These people will smile today and bite tomorrow.
Ben kept arranging the kitchen. Tony went on and the princesses. Tony, it was Nina.
Tony jumped back. Nah stepped into the kitchen. What are you doing here? Nothing. You’re disturbing him already.
Tony pointed at Ben. I’m only helping him know that this palace is not normal.
Leave. Tony looked at Ben once more. Just remember what I said. You look too handsome to just be a cook.
People like you come for more. Nah gave him a harder look this time. Tony ran off.
Nina let out a breath, then turned to Ben. Don’t mind him. He talks too much.
Ben nodded. I can see that. It was the first normal exchange anyone in that house had given him.
Nah noticed his bag still by the door. Your room will be prepared soon. Thank you.
She looked at him for a moment, then said, “If you don’t hear someone the first time, just ask again.
Don’t stand there looking confused. It will make things worse. Ben gave a small nod.
I understand. Then Nah left too. Ben watched her go. The youngest one, he thought, different from the others.
The trouble truly began when the older sisters came to see him in the kitchen together.
Sandra entered first, Linda after her, and Rita last. They looked around as if they were inspecting a market stall.
So this is the new cook, Sandra said. Ben turned. “Good afternoon, my princess.” He had heard her, but he answered a little late.
Sandra noticed, her lips curved coldly. “He really cannot hear well.” Linda laughed. “Look at him.”
Rita stepped closer. “Are you sure you’re here to cook?” Ben looked at her. “Yes, my princess.”
“What?” I said, “Yes, my princess.” Rita laughed again. Why does he sound like that?
Sandra folded her arms tighter. What is your name? Ben looked from one face to another as if trying to catch who had spoken first.
Linda shook her head. See, he does not even know who is talking. Sandra repeated herself louder this time.
Your name? Benjamin, he said. Benjamin Okoro. Rita glanced at his face again and smirked.
And they brought this one to us like a gift. Sandra<unk>’s eyes were harder. Listen to me.
In this palace, when you are spoken to, answer fast. We are not your mates.
Yes, my princess. Linda laughed at the tone of his voice. Why is he talking like a child?
Ben said nothing. Sandra moved closer. Are you dumb, too, or only death? Before he could answer, Nenah came into the kitchen.
That is enough, she said quietly. The three older sisters turned. Sandra looked annoyed. We are talking to the cook.
You have seen him, Nina replied. Let him work. Rita rolled her eyes. You are already defending him.
Nina ignored the question. Mother asked for lunch to be ready on time. That was enough to make them leave, but not before Sandra gave Ben one last long look that held only one thing.
Contempt. From that day, the palace daughters made life difficult for him. Not all at once, little by little.
Sandra was the worst at first. She spoke to him as if his hearing problem meant he had no sense.
She repeated things in a cutting voice and enjoyed making him feel slow. Linda treated him like a joke.
She laughed at his words, laughed at his face, laughed when he paused before answering.
Rita was the quickest to anger. She snapped over small things and acted as if he had offended her just by existing.
Only Nah spoke to him with some level of respect. Not warmth, not softness, just simple respect.
That difference did not escape Ben. Neither did anything else. He noticed how Sandra wanted control in every room she entered.
He noticed how Linda liked to mock first and think later. He noticed how Rita was loud because she did not know how to carry quiet strength.
And he noticed how Nina did not join them when they went too far. But his observations did not save him from their behavior.
The first slap came on the fourth day. Sandra had asked him a question while he was carrying a tray from the kitchen.
He had not heard her. She called again and before he could turn fully, her hand landed across his face.
