Chapter 6: Palace Grief, A Small Kindness

Serious crowd waka in and out.

Palace hall full, servants running, chiefs shouting, voices blending. Camphor and sweat thick for air. Drummers outside slowed, all compound tense.

The fine boy stood alone, sadness heavy on him.

His eyes dull, lips tight, hands clasped behind. No one near him, servants scared to disturb. That kind of loneliness make person wan cry for another.

I struggled from mama hand, ran to him, held his hand, "You wan make my mama hug you? If she hug you, you no go sad again."

I squeezed his hand, fingers warm but shaking. My offer felt bold, like I dey give him secret weapon against sadness. He just stared at ground, lips pressed, then shook my hand off, ran into the hall.

I watched him disappear, small ache in my chest, like when Guanguan hide from me and I no fit find her.

I look mama, she smiled, patted my head, "E dey alright."

Her touch soft, kiss on my forehead. "Na small thing, my baby. E go better."

Guanguan copied mama, patted my head, "E dey alright."

She grinned, trying to be big sister. The three of us stood, small island in sea of confusion.