30 day challenge-Day 6, part 2.
Axandra chose to go to a marketplace that always made her favorite treats. She was extremely upset and didn’t understand why her brother would even bother with commoners. “What brings you to our humble abode, your highness?” a young man said. “I wanted to be by myself, without my procession or maids. This place as always had my favorite fruits and sweets. Tell me…do commoners usually allow their wives, mothers and daughters more liberties?” Axandra asked curiously.
“No,but things are changing. At least, I believe they are. My father lets my mother and sister speak and they can both read and write. They’re not allowed to forget that they’re women,but I believe that everyone should make their own way. After all…look at you. You’ve earned everyone’s admiration because you speak to us, you’re confident and you voice your opinions. You aren’t crude, nor do you call attention to yourself,” he noted.
“I know my place,but I grew up observing my father and all the adults around me. I asked them to pass on their wisdom, wanted to learn how to be my best and make sure that I could somehow support proper improvements. I’ll never tolerate servants being rude to me or anyone else, but it’s important to know what’s going on around me. Did you all make candied cherries?” she asked.
“We did. How many did you want?” he asked. “Four. I’m in a foul mood and I want something pleasant for tomorrow,” she said as she pulled out money from her pouch. “It’s free. The pleasure of having a conversation with you is worth it,” he said with a smile. “Is it? I don’t speak freely the way I used to,” Axandra said with a smile. He was handsome and for a merchant, he was well-spoken.
“Why? Didn’t you marry the general recently?” the boy asked. “Why do you think I’m here? I was courted by some of the most power men in the vicinity,but I was given away to a soldier who happened to win my brother’s favor. He has no manners, he’s filthy,he learned how to read to impress me,he has no knowledge of how politics work and he makes me miserable. I saw my brother with a servant earlier and she had quite a mouth. I wasn’t even speaking to her, but it doesn’t matter. She won’t get reprimanded, simply because my brother is enchanted by her looks,” Axandra grumbled.
“Come sit by me. It doesn’t sound as if the general truly appreciates the gift he’s been given. If you were my wife, I’d treat you like my equal. I don’t like the way things are, you know. There’s so much that could be done, but everything is stagnant. Unfortunately, no one cares what I think. I read too many books, I have fanciful notions and I can’t help anyone,” the boy said. “What’s your name?” Axandra asked.
“It’s Anirudh, your highness. My father was an executioner until now and my mother isn’t from around here. We see things differently than traditional members of society do,” he explained. “Such as? Why did your father lose his job? Perhaps we can see to that,” she said with a smile. “He couldn’t take it anymore. He had to execute an innocent young girl for a measly crime, all so an example could be set. Now, my sister has been kidnapped. She was to be married by now and they murdered my friend, all because he tried to protect her. He didn’t attack them, he simply paid for trying to keep her from being herded like a sheep. She’ll probably be someone’s plaything,” Anirudh said bitterly.
“That…that’s horrible. What did the girl do? Why kind of example was it even supposed to set? They can’t just do what they want and you should have told the king.” Axandra wanted to assure him,but his sister was probably going to get raped. “The king? Don’t make me laugh. He has better things to do and he caters to the nobles. As long as the merchants provide useful goods, they don’t need to be regulated. A slave is a slave and making the wrong people angry comes with a cost,” Anirudh said, an edge in his voice.
“Then that’s one of the first things that needs to get changed. The king has been good to me,but he’s dying. When my brother is in charge, he’ll address things like this. They have no right to do whatever they want and I want to know what example needs to involve a young girl. It’s funny…you’re a merchant, but you’re still a thousand times smarter than my husband. He actually told me that he doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, aside from my brother,” Axandra said as she ate her fruit. Anirudh seemed like a bright young man and his brother-in-law’s family deserved compensation.
“Life can teach you many valuable lessons, but being a soldier means obeying commands from authority figures. You don’t need to think for yourself, think about what you’re doing and why and all that matters is serving your country and your king. Perhaps its fanciful, but my books made me realize that no one’s perfect. Everyone has flaws, even the Elders. I suppose it’s not them as much as the priests, but who are we truly serving? What are we praying for? Where are our answers? Even the devout still get spit on and rejected by the ones they turn to and depend on. My sister is one of the most clever women I know. I’ve never judged her by her gender,” Anirudh said as he pulled out a book. “Here. It’s yours,” he said as he handed it to her.
“First sweets and now books? I can’t possibly accept this,” Axandra said. “Then consider it a loan. The next time you see me in the marketplace, return it. I think you’ll feel better once you realize that your life can have worth and meaning. You’re a remarkable woman, your highness. Don’t let your husband or anyone else take that knowledge from you,” Anirudh said before he got up.
“I won’t,” she said as she formed a faint smile. He was extremely charming and for a merchant, he was remarkably intelligent and well-read. Axandra wanted a different life that involved a husband who could actually carry a conversation with her, had manners and common sense. If Tavi were more like Anirudh, they could have a happy marriage.