It was in many ways an usual day for King James. The maids were surrounding him to help with every possible task. He barely moved a finger while he was getting cleaned, dressed and fed. The sun was warming his castle but his wife was warming his heart when she gently kissed him as she brought him a glass with a greenish liquid. He returned the gesture with a smile and glowing blue eyes. ‘Your beauty continues to amaze and bewitch me, Ella.’ His fingers moved to her fair skin and then caressed her blond hair. Their affection toward each other was evident. The maids would often long for a touch like this while they envied the queen. However, the king only felt this affection for his wife. This was one of the very few good qualities he possessed.

‘My lord, I would, with your permission, like to express my concern about a matter.’

James smiled to his wife as he was quite aware that her politeness was nothing but a sort of mockery of other people’s marriage, which was characterized by a superior man and inferior woman. ‘My Queen, you can talk to me about anything without concern.’ He took her in his arms, a cue for the maids to leave.

‘I am worried about the stranger that will invade our home. She is from a strange land. Their behaviour shows their awful nature, and one of them is to live among us. Some witches say that women from Jinnah are nothing but temptation for noble men. We have three sons, my king; would it really be wise to invite a temptation from a country where ill-nature rules?’

‘My Queen, our sons are stronger than that. She will have no impact on them. I am sure of that.’

‘I do not doubt our sons, but I am concern about what kind of means she is able to use.’

‘Nothing of great use against our sons’ He replied as he planted a kiss on her lips. ‘I promise’, He ended as he took one step away and placed her hand around his. In harmony they walked out of their room. As they walked down the large stair, the figures of their three sons appeared. They all had inherited their father’s blue eyes and darker hair. However, their father often proudly announced that they had inherited their mother’s beautiful fair skin, which was fairer and more attractive than any other’s. In addition to their appealing looks, their body were muscular as they trained every day with swords, armours and other weapons.

The oldest, Ian, watched his younger brothers as they fought with swords to humour themselves. The second oldest, Michael, smiled and laughed as he attacked the youngest son, Ryan. As he stepped forward and blocked Ryan’s attack, Michael grinned: ‘give up, baby brother; you know I will win this.’

Ryan returned the grin as he defended himself from Michael’s strike: ‘Are you trying to convince me or yourself, brother.’ The games continued until Ian noticed his parent’s presence. With a brief call he stopped his brothers’ game and turned their attention toward their parents. His father watched his oldest son with affection as he had demonstrated his respect for them. James hugged each son in chronological order and asked them to join him in their fruitful garden. Their castle was bigger than their needs. The large rooms and beautiful decoration clearly showed that they were people of good and expensive test, but the best example of the castle’s charm was the garden, which was carefully taken care of by the queen.

When everyone had taken seats, James explained that he had a serious matter to discuss. The sons exchanged a worried look but the queen calmed them with a caring smile. The king continued, ‘Recently, I send a message to King Jekram from Jinnah. I asked him to show goodwill toward our kingdom by giving up his most precious property. Our kingdom is big and powerful, but it is important to make sure that it will stay so. Therefore, I thought that it would be best to remind our overseas neighbours that we do still exist. King Jekram’s answer arrived yesterday. He is giving up his dearest property. She is giving up his child. He is giving up his daughter to show that they want nothing but peace. Tomorrow by sunrise, his daughter, Macy Rose, will arrive to our land to become our servant.’

There was a loud silence between them. There was happiness and worry in that moment as they all thought that their country might be polluted with appearance of this foreign, but there was happiness because it was conformed that their kingdom was still feared. After the three sons had exchanged a look, Ian spoke to express his concern: ‘father, would be wise to have a foreign so close to ourselves. Those people are nothing but savages that knows nothing about good manners, virtues and behaviour. Perhaps, we could place the daughter of Jekram somewhere else.’

‘It is our duty to teach this savage. She must be taught to become civilized, and to leave her among the less wise would be a mistake. I desire her to be close to us and see the best example civilization.’

‘Women from Jinnah are nothing compared to our women. They have loose moral and constantly tries to tempt noble men.’ Ian insisted.

‘I trust you to show her that noble men cannot be tempted.’ James’ smile was arrogant, proud and wicked at the same time.

‘I don’t mind a woman with loose moral.’ The youngest interrupted with a mischievous smirk. The king could do not help himself from smiling.

‘It is because you don’t care about moral.’ Michael replied with a grin.

‘That is a valid point.’ Their laughs were loud and deep. It reached beyond the walls and warned the citizen of Rawa about death. 

2: Chapter 2

What am I suppose to tell

The winds, the birds, the waves?

How can I curse the people I love

When they have sent me to hell with their blessings?

How can I love them,

When they parted me from my home

To a destination beyond my thoughts?

Soon I will forget; the little girl wearing

A red dress, a gift of love without condition.

I will be a homeless soul, longing to belong;

But how can I belong with no home,

How can I have home when I cannot belong.

I ask you today with a begging heart:

Show me home where a dispossessed spirit

Can rest the crushed pieces of its mind.

Show me where my thorns was rest from their

Stinging purpose.

Show me where my leafs can bury themselves, when they

Have been expelled from the stem.

Show me where the flower bud can give birth

To a stillborn flower.

Tell me, tell me

Where there is peace for a shattered rose?

 

The pen was putted down with slow and gentle movements. There was only a silence in the small cabin of the ship, where her father had captured her with a promise of loyalty toward her land. She remembered. Her father had entered the room with King James’ orders and with apologizing eyes as he said with warm and cold words that he had no greater property than his oldest child. ‘Forgive me, my child; but we cannot afford a war or even a conflict with the kingdom Rawa. I must think as a king before I think as a father.’ She was convinced that her father had no heart. Had she not begged him to have mercy? Had she not fallen on her knees and cried to her eyes could take no more? And had he not ignored her? She refused to believe that a father with a heart would never have been able to stand against the cries of his child.

‘Land is close.’ A voice interrupted her thoughts. She did not bother to break the silence and merely nodded. However when she felt that the messenger had not left, she turned around faced him with watery eyes. ‘Why are you still here?’ She asked calmly. Her accent clearly indicated that she did not speak this language usually. However, she managed to sound elegant anyway. The accent suited her brown skin and curious brown eyes. It complemented her long, dark hair, which was always tied in a braid and decorated with small blue flowers that had a yellow middle. Daniel Konlin was almost the exact opposite. He had light brown hair but fair skin and piercing blue eyes that managed to expressed his curiosity. He tried to speak, and even opened his mouth several time, but it appeared that the words were stuck in his throat. In the long journey from Jinnah to Rawa, he had tried many time to speak to her but never really managed to speak from his heart. He had been kind but his gaze had framed her in her skin. He had been afraid of her or perhaps afraid of saying the wrong things.

‘Is something wrong, young Konlin?’ Macy Rose accent always, it seemed, filled her words with concern.

‘I have been wondering.’ His voice was weak and uncertain like a thin, stiff branch that was destined to break.

‘What have you been wondering about?’ She tilted her head to one side while her gaze inquired, but her voice was mild and wise as if she knew his thoughts.

‘Why did your father sell you?’ A mild voice filled with confusion.

‘There is a quite simple answer to that.’ She smiled sadly and a tear finally escaped. ‘I do not have a father.’

Was it possible to say anything else after this answer? If it was, Daniel Konlin was not the right man to say it. He did stare at Macy for a long time before hefinally walked away, dragging his heavy feet after him. Another tears escaped to accompany a brief and sad laugh, and Macy looked at her paper again, where the words had merely become fixed patterns upon the whiteness. She grabbed the pen again and calmly wrote an ending at the bottom of the page

What an irony father; while you have sold me to death, my carrier feels the remorse that you should have.

The ship was truly near the shore. Macy could hear strange sounds. She dared to walk to the deck and through the thick fog and little distance she could see moving shadows and figures on land. The closer they came to the shore, the more faces and figures appeared. When the ship had reached it, Marcy’s heart was beating faster and louder than ever. She had never seen so many people in one place before. It was like the sound of beehive. They all appeared to be a big crowd of running animals. They were nothing but shadows dancing and chasing. Her eyes widened with fear but she was stubborn enough to keep her expressions cold and calm. As she walked down the ship, they made way for her but their eyes trapped her. Her sight was blocked by the fair skins, but their sight remained on hers as they captured her in that image. She was a colour among those without colours. Her colour defined her. She was a stranger, a savage and human-like figure. She felt how they all turn the key to lock that image in their heads.

Three royal figures stood at the end of the long passage that the many people had created for her. Her eyes were fixed on them despite all the pair of eyes that were fixed on her. She walked toward them with determined and accusing steps but when she stood before them, she merely bowed in polite manner. However, no one could claim that she was trying to deceive them as her expressions clearly showed her real emotions. Her lowered gaze, hasty breathing and down-turned mouth showed anger, distress and to some extent death. James and Ella were polite enough to return it, but Ian merely stared at her without even moving a finger. Michael was rather bored by the formality and good manners, but he was still fascinated by the unusual sight in front of him, and thus his gaze never removed from her. Was it just her different skin or was there also something else? Her hair was both loose and tied. Her garments were both covering and exposing. While the queen wore an elegant dress that covered her entire body in a large fabric, Macy wore a simple, thin and long dress. However, the queen’s bosom was more exposed as Macy’s dress covered her bosom well but exposed her shoulder. While the queen’s figure was covered by an artificial figure made by the corset and big torso, Macy’s figure appeared to be more natural. Indeed there was something exotic and unique about Macy in the kingdom of Rawa. There was no one like her in the land, and her appearance was filled with contradiction.

While Ian was rude and Michael was careless, Ryan managed to not forget or neglect his manners. He bowed his head slightly to show good manners but also to show superiority. However, his interest in Macy was the most dangerous. Macy was not unaware of it. There glimpse in his eyes which could not be mistaken by a woman. It framed her differently but not more approvingly. The king ordered the large group people to return to their work and homes. Slowly, the masses of curiosity faded, and Macy was kindly instructed to enter the large castle, which was beautifully built near the sea, standing like a woman longing to find the cure for her pain.

3: Chapter 3

The castle, which was built with reddish stone and had a quite round shape form outside, was more elegant inside. The white walls suited the brown furniture and brown framed around the windows. The entrance was quite short and narrow if one compared to the other rooms but the room which came after was so large that Macy could imagine that there room for anything else. It was decorated with so much furniture and yet it could seem empty sometimes. Swords, shields and armours lay in one corner near the fireplace, which was so large that any person could merely walk in there. There were shelves with many books, and in front of them were four large chairs. Near the window, which revealed a beautiful garden, was another large chair. Nonetheless, in the middle was a large dining table made out of elegant wood. It was gathering room for the entire family, which held all their interest and desires.

An aged maid with fair skin, blue eyes, and golden hair was waiting in this hall. ‘This is Stella. She is our oldest and most loyal maid. She will be helping you with your work until you can do it by yourself.’ James smiled as if he had not said anything offending at all. Macy was never sure about her role in Rawa but she had expected to worth less than a servant. However, she felt both relieved and disappointed. She wondered what it mean to be servant in Rawa as she knew that in Jinnah, it could mean more than she liked. Stella bowed and nodded politely, which Macy returned without hesitation.

‘Your belongings are brought to your room, and you may rest until dinner is served. Today, you can rest and eat with us, and then you can begin to work tomorrow.’ King James barely looked at Macy when he spoke. His eyes were directed toward the room as if he was admiring it himself. She felt offended but truly she was exhausted. She did not even answer, but it appeared that the king did not mind. Her silence was viewed as a mean of interiors. ‘You can leave now. Stella will show you your room.’ Stella was obeyed quickly to the indirect orders and walked in front of Macy and without gesturing her to follow. Nevertheless, Macy did follow her, and she was led toward the stairs.

Despite the exhaustion and almost eventless occurrence, Macy was in chaotic state. Of course, the words had never left her. They were hiding in some corner, peeking at her, knowing that she knew that they were watching. Of course, she had never forgotten the haunting expression in the eyes of her father when he preached about her duties as a daughter and princess. Of course, she had not forgotten the mission given by the king of Jinnah. It was all too clear in her mind to forget.

‘Forgive me, my child; but we cannot afford a war or even a conflict with the kingdom Rawa. I must think as a king before I think as a father.’ She was sometimes bitterly amused when thought about these words. The words appeared to change meaning every time. Those had been the kindest the words in their last conversation. She could not accept his excuse.

‘Is that all I am? A property?’ She narrowed her eyes in disbelief and spoke with voice which balanced between anger and sorrow.

‘Of course, you are a woman.’ King Jekram replied as if it answered the question.

‘They are asking for property, father. Not for a human life.’

‘You know our situation. The gold and wealth of this kingdom is not mine to give. It is already too little. We are already poorer than we should be. How can I give them the last of us?’

‘How can you give them my life? It is not for you to live.’

‘You are my daughter!’ He answered angrily.

‘What does that mean? That you can give my life away? That you throw in the arms of death like you did with my mother?’

‘The alternative was worse than death!’

‘The alternative was to live.’

‘There were only male healers. Would you rather have a man touch your mother?’

‘I would rather have my mother alive than to live with that whore you call your wife.’

Without regard, he slapped her and yelled, ‘she is your mother! Respect her!’

‘Just because you dress her in fancy clothing, she does not become my mother. She is nothing but a toy for your lust.’

He grabbed her by the neck and squeezed so it would hurt but not strangle her. ‘You will be sent to Rawa. You will fulfil your duty as a princess. And when you are alone, you will take your own life before they can disgrace you.’

Macy eyes widened and tears fell down, ‘you send me to a place worse than death, and yet, you demand me to die for you.’

‘They will make you the object of their pleasure. I will not allow that.’

‘It is not possible father, because I am already the slave of your sickness.’

 

The sound of the door awoke her curiosity. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. It was not a room for maids, or at least it wouldn’t be in Jinnah. It was big, comfortable and elegant, and there was a beautiful view to the sea. She wondered if life would be worth living anymore. She wondered if her life had any purpose anymore. The waves were calling for her but her steps wouldn’t allow her to end what had not begun yet. ‘Madam Rose, you should get ready for dinner.’ Stella voice was quite warm despite her expressionless face. There was something about those words that concerned her. The word madam appeared to be too graceful for her new status. Stella left, and Macy considered her choices again, and then wondered if she really did have any choice at all.

Her dress was red, her hair was tied in a ponytail but her expressions had not changed at all. The royal family was gathered at the other end of the table. There was silence, and Macy enjoyed it. Food arrived, and they slowly began to eat. Her manners were calm. The fork touched her lips gently like a lover’s first kiss. Her hands caressed the knife like a mother caressing a child. Macy was aware of the gaze of her companions so she turned her eyes toward them but only locked her eyes with Ian. Her brown eyes were not like those one would find in his land. Her eyes and gaze were beyond his knowledge. In his eyes she saw amazement. Something in her manners had disturbed him. His blue eyes were charming to her, but they were so blue that they reminded her of the sea that had parted her from home, so she looked at her food again. Macy swallowed nervously but stubbornly she kept her expressions unaffected. She was elegant, gentle and caring. She was exotic. She was as she had been for King Jekram; an object.