Because once you became a maiden in the palace, your family would no longer know hunger for that year. In the kingdom of Ini South, there lived a king who never made a decision without consulting the spirits. When his son, Prince Shudobin, was ready for marriage, he went to consult the chief priest. The chief priest said, “The one the prince will marry is already in the palace. The gods have spoken.”
The king smiled. If she was in the palace of Obiago, that meant she must be their princess. But the gods did not mention her name. That same season, Amaka was chosen as one of the palace maids. The priestess chose her, but the princess was not around that day. When Princess Olama returned and saw Amaka, Amaka’s beauty threatened her.