Regal and captivating - that's how people see me. Small and fragile, that's how mother sees me. But I am just me - a princess born into the royal family of the Obi's, in the eastern part of Nigeria, the giant of Africa.

There is no fancy princess story, or a damsel in distress story. And, no, I'm not going to be shipped off to marry a Prince I'm betrothed to. I'm just a spoilt brat, like father says. I am just a girl who has been given everything; all my needs catered for.

New year's eve is like a routine to me. My family would always host a grand party for the crème of the Nigerian Society. I've become so accustomed to it and at the same time bored. It's become as routine as eating everyday is to me.

I've always wanted to rebel, to show my subjects that I can be a rebellious twenty - first century Igbo princess. But I've never done it. Never had the courage to do so. Heck, I'm just a fourteen year old girl!

Legs crossed, orange juice in hand, I watch through the huge mirror as my mom's personal stylist frets over my outfit for the party. Her tall, curvy frame appears in and out of my line of vision, picking up clothes that I can't keep track of. A little bit over an hour later, I can't be too sure, I must have lost track of time, she picks up a red dress with too much shiny embroideries and a shimmering neckline. She calls it the perfect dress, then she begins to work on my hair.

"Ada sit tight," she says, her hands working fast in an attempt to curb my wild kinky curls. To me, the mass of black hair is both a blessing and a curse.

She finally manages to pack it into an up - do and leaves me to get ready.

The remaining part of the day goes by in a blur and then the night arrives. People are littered around my Dad's palace. The ball room with strange traditional décors hold humans with proud outfits and raised chins. Food at strategic corners. The servants must have outdone themselves with the various delicacies present. I catch sight of the bowl of African salad and lick my lips. That'll be my first catch.

I swiftly greet as much people as I can, my smile-till-your-cheeks-hurt mode is on.

"My daughter, how are you?" Is thrown my way as I weave through the bustling crowd. I've become everyone's daughter today. I don't complain. It's a common term used to address teen girls by adults.

"Nne, Kedu?" An old lady that looks like she's put on too much make - up says to me, patting my back in a motherly way as I squat a little. A sign of respect in the Igbo land. As I stand closer to her, I can smell the perfume she put on and it almost chokes me.

"Odinma," I reply her because she insists I speak to her in my Igbo dialect. Slipping away from her proves hard as she engages me in a conversation about her son in the university.

After a long while, with all the noise and the crowd, I slip away from the ball room to the private garden at the back of the living quarters of the huge palace.

Sipping on my glass of non - alcoholic wine that my mom had forced into my hands, insisting that all fourteen year old's love it, I stand still and let the cool breeze wash over me. It's the dry season in Nigeria and I can't help but feel my lips getting chappy, even after all the layers of lip balm I applied before the party. But I don't mind. I don't mind the cool air that brings shivers to my skin. Neither do I mind the goosebumps forming on my bare arm. At least the place is cool and serene. I can breath freely here. I can be good old Ada here. No princess title. No pressure. Just me and nature.

When the clock strikes twelve, I can hear cheers from the ball room. My Dad's voice is booming from the speakers.

"To a prosperous year of peace and a successful election!" I hear him say.

"Cheers!" I raise my glass to the air with my lips twisted into what can be called a smile.

Just before I step back inside in order to not be missed, I whisper to myself. A wish only I can know. A wish I dare not tell to a soul.

"This New year, I want to find myself."

Author's Note:

This chapter was a bit hard to write. But I did it! I want non - Nigerian's to be enlightened on the rich culture of Nigeria through the mind of a somewhat naive teen girl. Hope you liked it!