11/18/2025
The Princess Who Pretended to Be a Maid to Find True Love
Episode 1: The Hidden Crown of Princess Amara
I was born with everything most girls prayed forâwealth, beauty, respect, and power. My name is Princess Amara, the only daughter of King Obieze of Umuako kingdom. From birth, people bowed when they saw me. Servants rushed to do my bidding, and no one dared to question my words. But what is the use of a crown if it cages your heart?
All my life, I was surrounded by men who only wanted me because of my fatherâs throne. Some came with sweet words, others with gifts, but I could see the greed in their eyes. None of them loved me for who I was. I wanted to be loved as Amaraâthe womanânot as Princess Amara, the royal daughter of Umuako.
It all began one rainy afternoon when I overheard two of the palace maids whispering near the kitchen.
âHave you heard? The young carpenter from the next village built the Kingâs new chair. Heâs so humble and hardworking,â one of them said.
Something about that wordâhumbleâhit my chest deeply. I was tired of prideful men who only dressed in royal robes but had empty hearts. That night, I made a decision that changed my destiny forever.
I decided to leave the palace and live among common people. I wanted to see the world from their eyes, to understand what love truly meant.
The next morning, I stood before my mirror. I took off my golden earrings, removed the beaded crown on my head, and packed my long hair into a simple scarf. I wore one of the maidâs faded wrappers and rubbed ashes on my face to hide my fair skin. I looked at myself and almost didnât recognize the reflection. The Princess of Umuako had become a poor maid.
With the help of Nwakaego, my childhood nurse, I sneaked out of the palace through the old goat path that led to the marketplace. My heart raced as I walked, feeling both fear and freedom at the same time.
By evening, I found myself in a small village called Obele. The place was peaceful, surrounded by tall palm trees and the sweet smell of roasted corn. I met Mama Ifeoma, an old woman who owned a food stall near the village square. She looked at me with suspicion when I begged her for work.
âWho are you, my daughter? You donât look like someone from this village,â she asked.
âIâm Amara,â I replied softly. âMy parents are gone. I need work to survive.â
She studied me for a moment, then nodded slowly. âAlright. You can help me serve food. But I pay small-small, o. No palace money here.â
Her words almost made me laugh. If only she knew that the âmaidâ before her was a princess with more gold than she could ever imagine. But I stayed humble, nodding my head. That night, I slept on a bamboo mat beside her kitchen. The ground was hard, but my heart was light.
Days turned into weeks. I woke early every morning to fetch water, wash plates, and serve customers. The people liked me because I never complained. Some called me âthe quiet one,â others said I was too fine to be a maid. I ignored them all.
One afternoon, while I was sweeping in front of the stall, a young man walked by. He wore a simple shirt and had sweat glistening on his forehead. He was tall, with dark skin and eyes that carried both sadness and strength.
âGood afternoon,â he greeted politely.
âGood afternoon, sir,â I replied shyly.
He smiled. âDonât call me sir. My name is Chuka.â
That name would later change my life.
Chuka was the village carpenter. He often came to fix Mama Ifeomaâs broken tables or chairs. Sometimes, he stayed to eat after work. He was respectful, hardworking, and spoke with wisdom beyond his years. Every time he talked, my heart listened closely. Unlike the princes and suitors I knew, he didnât boast about himself. He didnât know I was a princess, and that was exactly how I wanted it.
We became friends. He told me stories about his late mother and how he was saving money to build her a proper grave. I told him I was an orphan searching for peace. He never pitied me, and I liked that. He treated me like a human being, not a princess or a helpless girl.
One evening, the moon was full, and we sat under a mango tree after closing Mama Ifeomaâs stall. The night air was cool, filled with the sound of crickets.
âAmara,â he said softly. âYou are different. You donât talk much, but when you smile, the world feels lighter. I donât have much, but I wish I could make you happy every day.â
My heart pounded so hard I thought he could hear it. That was the first time anyone had spoken to me like thatâwith honesty, not greed.
But love is never that simple.
The next week, the King sent soldiers across neighboring villages. My father had fallen sick, and word spread that the Princess had gone missing. The royal guards came to Obele searching for clues. They moved from house to house, shouting my name.
That evening, Chuka and I were washing plates when we heard the sound of horses.
âEveryone come out!â one of the guards commanded. âThe missing Princess of Umuako is believed to be in this village!â
Fear gripped my heart. If they found me, my secret would be over. The love I was beginning to build would crumble before my eyes.
Chuka looked at me, confused by my trembling hands.
âAmara, whatâs wrong?â he asked.
Before I could answer, one of the guardsâ torches shone directly on my face. The ashes on my skin had faded from sweat, and my real complexion was visible. The guardâs eyes widened in shock.
âItâs her! The Princess!â he shouted.
The villagers gasped. Mama Ifeoma dropped her pot. Chuka stepped back, his mouth open in disbelief.
âYou⌠youâre a Princess?â he whispered.
Tears filled my eyes. âChuka, please listen. I only wanted to find someone who could love me for meânot for my crown.â
But he didnât answer. His eyes turned cold, filled with pain and betrayal.
The guards dragged me away from the village that night. I cried all the way back to the palace, my heart breaking with every step. I had found loveâbut lost it in the same breath.
Would Chuka ever forgive me for lying to him?
Would my fatherâs kingdom ever accept the kind of love I desired?
Or had I just destroyed the only true connection I ever had?
Find out in Episode 2 here right Now belowđ:
https://storytera.com/stories/114/episodes/11402 đş
Episode 3 is also here:
https://storytera.com/stories/114/episodes/11403 đş
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NOTE TO READERS:
use the links above to read episode 2 to 3.
This is just episode 1 out of the full 3 Episodes. All episodes are available for free on StoryTera