My mom brought me back to our house, wiped my body with a wet towel, and had me wear an especially beautiful dress. As she was combing my hair, I remembered the day when my older sister married.
Why did things turn out this way? I never imagined that the day my mom would dress me with such a sad feeling would come. Tears fell down, and the teardrops ruined my makeup. Every time, Mom would fix my makeup while apologizing to me. After the same thing repeated a couple of times, I realized that there was no escaping my situation.
「I'm sorry, Sokola. I wish we could've shown ourselves first in front of the noble, but…」
「There's nothing we can do, Mom.」
There was no way that was true! But, nothing would change even if I told her that.
「Oh, you look beautiful.」
Mom said as she displayed a proud smile. I wished I didn't look beautiful so that the noble wouldn't notice me. I wanted to roll over the fields and get myself covered in mud.
「...Sokola. Listen to your mother.」
「What?」
「You can tell the villagers how much you hate it, and you can even voice your dissatisfaction, but… You must never ever show that kind of attitude when the noble speaks to you.」
Mom said as though she was warning about my inattentive attitude. She tightly held my shoulders, and it felt painful.
「If you make him angry, he could easily destroy our village. If you were to make a mistake, even if he doesn't go as far as destroying our village, he might kill your mom and the others, and even your fiancé Rafen.」
「No way…」
If left with no other choice, I considered telling the noble that I already had a fiancé and then beg him to let me off. But, I never imagined that it would be a huge mistake and it might even involve Rafen. That thought sent chills down my spine, and I felt my chest tighten.
「That's why, Sokola, you can be angry to your mom as much as you like. You can even tell the village chief that you hate him. But, never ever show that kind of behavior in front of the noble. I want you to at least promise that to your mom.」
「Mom…」
I jumped on my mom's chest and cried. I wished mom would never finish fixing my makeup.
When we returned to the village chief's house, Mauve, Nasha, and Keiha were already there waiting. I was the last to return.
「Your slow.」
「I'm sorry. She's finished preparing herself.」
Mom lowered her head, but I wouldn't lower mine.
「Be respectful to the noble. Understand?」
「Yes.」
I made a promise with my mom, so I would keep my word. I hated it, but there was nothing I could do. In order to live in the village, I couldn't run away on my own.
We left the room with the village chief in front. The noble was apparently staying at the village's meeting place.
As I walked, I was fantasizing that Rafen would come to my aid. He would come here after hearing about my situation and take my hand away from the village. After being lucky enough to escape, we would build a happy family in a far-off land, together with each other. Then, we would have kids, and our family of two would have a new member.
「Everyone, keep quiet. I will go and talk to the noble of the matter about woman.」
My blissful fantasy instantly crumbled and disappeared along with the village chief's words.
When I noticed it, we'd already entered inside the meeting place building. We were placed inside a small room, and the village chief went off to the inner room.
「Hey, what does everyone think?」
I was unable to endure the strange silence and spoke.
Stay quiet Mauve sent me that kind of look, but I was really curious about their thoughts.
「I, I'm fine with it… Sokola doesn't seem to agree, though.」
「I don't mind sleeping with a noble.」
Keiha and Nasha spoke.
Their answers were completely different from what I had imagined.
「You've heard about it, right? My father and even my brother died in the war in Nambonan. My family would end up selling my little sister at this rate. But, the village chief said that he would take care of us if I become pregnant with the noble's child. That's why I'm glad to be here.」
I knew about Keiha's difficult family circumstances, but it seemed like they were really in a tough situation. She was probably not the only girl who thought the same. There might be many who would like to come here for the same reason. I wanted to change places with them…
「I, I want someone with magic power in the village. I've already given birth to a child, so there's no problem even if give birth to another one. I want a kind and strong boy, like Uncle Beard. I don't want to pass my days while worrying about the thieves and wolves anymore.」
Nasha had gotten married the year before the last, and she'd already given birth to a boy. I admired them for being an intimate couple, and yet… I somehow felt like my opinion of her was changing. Sleeping with a man other than your beloved, had it become such a trivial matter?
「How about you, Mauve?」
「Don't talk.」
Mauve said irritatingly.
As I continued looking at her, she let out a short breath, and while annoyed she spoke.
「I'm married, yes, but it's not like I married that man because I like him. My parents decided it on their own. Rather than sleeping with a man I don't like, doing it with a noble is much better since I would be able to give birth to a child with magic power.」
Mauve was a newlywed, but their husband and wife relationship wasn't good. They were always fighting. There was a rumor amongst the young girls that Mauve was in love with a man from another village. That was why there was a huge commotion back when her parents forced her to marry a man in our village.
「If I become pregnant with the noble's child, I wouldn't have to sleep with that man until I give birth. Perhaps the noble might even take me away from here if he took a liking to me. It's the perfect chance to leave this awful village.」
After she uttered that with contempt, Mauve kept silent.
She must be thinking about the boy from another village. If that was the case, then I'm sure she also didn't want to sleep with that noble. I'm sure that was the case, that was what I wanted to believe.
「I've somehow managed to obtain his permission. Start preparing, everyone. We'll enter the room.」
Seeing the village chief showed up in a hurry, I closed my eyes and calmed my heart.
Please don't pick me.
Please don't pick me.
Please don't pick me.
Rafen…..
As the door to the large meeting room opened, the room was bright. A strange round thing similar to the moon was hovering and illuminating the room.
Surrounded by the knights, a boy around my age was sitting. His clothing was brimming with embroidery, a sturdy-looking leather boots, a mantle which obviously looked expensive, and flawless skin as well as a beautiful blue hair. He was playing with a beautiful gemstone, without even bothering to look at us. He seemed to be telling that commoners like us weren't worthy of his glance.
….. So this was a noble.
「Sokola…! What are you doing! Your impolite!」
Everyone was already kneeling on the floor.
I hurriedly kneeled.
The village chief immediately apologized for my impoliteness and took a deep apologizing posture.
「You shall be forgiven.」
「Yes!」
He forgave the village chief and my impolite behavior without really looking at us. I was glad.
「So, um, these are the girl's I have mentioned earlier…」
「I don't need a woman. Leave.」
He said as though the village chief was nothing in his eyes. He didn't even glance at him. His tone gave me the shivers, and I felt like I understood why Mom feared nobles.
The village chief stammered, and he looked like he was trying to think of a way. I only remained silent.
「Then, how about a tea…? The girls in the village can make a delicious tea.」
The noble revealed a slight reaction as he remained silent, and he turned his eyes to the village chief. That reminds me, he came to this village to buy tea leaves. Perhaps he might lose his interest in us if he could enjoy a tea.
「Hm?」
His gaze moved from the village chief towards my direction, and then he looked at me, and our eyes somehow met each other. Thinking that it would be rude to avert my eyes, I stayed still. I felt like he was observing me.
「That girl.」
「She's named Sokola. I wonder if she's to your liking? If I could have the permission, I'll have her prepare a tea…?」
The village chief took the opportunity and began to sell me.
I'm scared! I'm scared! I'm scared!
He was younger than Rafen, but why was he so scary? I felt like my back was drenched.
「I don't need a tea.」
Hearing his words, I patted my chest in relief. However, his words didn't end there.
「Leave that girl behind, and get out.」
I blanked out.
Unconsciously, my hands were wandering about, seeking help. But, Rafen wasn't here to gently hold my hands.
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