The Emperor Is Searching

"I saw the notice sign board hanging on that scarecrow and I took it down. It was an easy task and I know the late owner. 

He was such a good man, he always let me help him with the unwanted weeds and you know that made me feel special because he wouldn't employ or allow anyone assist him and when he died I thought papa was going to buy the farm but he didn't, says it's too expensive and then I heard that ugly, wicked mister was going to buy it and build a bear parlor on it, It made me sick for days but then Mr Dae-Du bought it and thanks almighty for that." 

Nena says as she shows the Emperor around after she'd trickily pulled him out of his bed. 

"I promised the boss I'd work hard and I mean it, but of course today is work free because of the new king coronation, but the boss ordered me to show you around, says it your first day as well and you know nothing about the farm ..well; she stopped and turned to look at him. 'I think we're done here." 

She made a move to leave but remembered something and stopped  before turning back to him. "You won't be coming to the coronation ceremony ..right?' she asked and without waiting for his response, she continued. "It'd be the best thing to do, believe me, you don't want to be around the girls here." She finished and as if that had already been decided, she took hold of his hand and began escorting him back to his house.

"I can escort you back to your home before leaving, it's no big deal." She said innocently when he stopped walking and began looking at her, a little smile on his lips.

The Emperor removed his hand from hers, touched her cheeks before saying. "I will meet you at the coronation ceremony, Nena." And then he left, leaving a bit hazed Nena staring at his disappearing figure.

After standing at one spot for a while, Nena walked home to prepare for the ceremony. 

Nena questioned herself numerous times why she's putting so much effort in what to wear, she never cared before so why now?.

"They're all going to look good." She answered her disturbing thoughts as she picked out a colourful waist bead and placed it on the burning bush print fabric she picked.

After dressing herself and feeling satisfied with the way she looks, she prayed the handsome man should notice and also prayed that Dele will keep his hands to himself and then she walked to their meetup location, which is the house of her closest friend, Efe. 

"We all prepared one or two things to say to you when you get here for making us wait this long, but I can see why." Yoe said as they begin heading to the palace. Luckily for Nena, Dele wasn't present and this means he's still at the palace.

Earlier that morning, the town crier announced all the young men of Altha to gather at the palace before daybreak, they're to assist with the preparation.

"You see what you've caused, you made us miss being seen by the handsome and rich men, they're all inside now!." Zuhn yells angrily, ready to fight Nena and if Efe hadn't come between them, she'd do it, not minding the crowd.

Efe moved Zuhn far away from Nena. "And you will lose any chance at finding one forever, if you don't stop now. They're all watching, their eyes are everywhere." She said hoping to make the hot tempered girl receive some sense.

Nammi tapped Zuhn on the shoulder to get her attention and when she did, she said. "See." pointing at the direction where some group of men are seated.

"Now gather around girls, I plan on going home tonight with new jewelry and lots of cowries."