The Ruthless Kings Replacement Queen

Chapter Two - The Uncles Request.

Chapter Two – The Uncles Request

Esperanza’s Point of view.

I am just finishing off sweeping the floors of my Uncle Morton small home. We live simply, our home is a small log built cabin, on the very outskirts of our small village.  Our home is modest consisting of a small living space, large cushions on the floor act as seats, a curtain separates the living area from our sleeping arrangements, on the right hand side is my room, the thick drapes between the living room, and my Uncles sleeping area gives me some privacy.  My bed is a mattress made with fresh hay and straw, with one small cushion as a pillow, and a single sheet and blanket to cover myself.  I own only two dresses, both a pale cream colour with white pinafore over the top, to help keep the dust and dirt from my clothes, my feet are bare, unable to afford footwear.  In the living area we have a small stove, where I cook the meals for my Uncle and myself, with just one pan.  Although Uncle Morton and I live in relative poverty, I live in peace and happiness, and I am very thankful, because I am an orphan and things could be so much worse.

My parents were killed in the great up rising 15 years ago, fighting for our King Xavier IV, he was just a child when he took over the throne from his father, only twelve years old.  My uncle had also fought and had gained favour with the palace but had refused the wealth that was offered for his service. His belief that he should not be paid for killing his fellow man was respected by all who know him and that he fought for the child king because it was the right thing to do, not for reward. The Uprising happened when I was just three years old, and my Mothers brother took pity on me, not wishing for me to perish, or end up in the hands of the more despicable wealthy families that seek to abuse children forcing them into slave labour, or worse, sending them to become part of the various leaders’ harems to be used as s****l objects by the rich.

I had heard only whispers of what happens in those places, and having no mother to guide me in the duties of becoming a wife, I had little knowledge of the things they discussed.  What I had heard filled me with fear, that a man would join with a woman in that way. I am forever in my Uncles debt that he saved me from that kind of life. 

A broken piece of reflective glass was pinned on the wall, acting as a looking glass.  I did not spend long looking at my appearance, only to tie back my long chestnut brown hair into the nape of my neck, to keep it from falling over my face as I did my daily tasks around our home. I knew I was of olive skin, but my face seemed a shade lighter than my body from what I could see of my reflection, my eyes where large, almost too large for my small face, and the colour seemed to match my hair, being brown. Some of the villages, said I was a beauty, but would not be desired by wealthy men because I was overly thin due to living with very little nourishment.  I would eat only once per day, wealthy men preferred the company of ladies with ample curves, their larger stomachs, and female areas was testament to their own riches, a statement that they could afford to feed their wife, or concubines. I had noted in the small amount of time I had met with the village leaders, that appearances were everything. The more riches they had the more power they received, it seemed to be the sole purpose of their existence. They were of course mimicking the behaviour of our King, trying to gain even just an ounce of favour with him.

Personally, I believed the Leaders, and our King where spoilt men, with no regard for others, although to say this to any person would result in my head being removed from my body, so I kept my opinions to myself, and concentrated my mind on my daily chores, helping my uncle, whom I loved and would be forever grateful to.

I turned my attention to our food for the day, pealing a potato, then chopping up some leeks we had grown in our small vegetable plot at the rear of our home. I added some salt, just a pinch, as it was an expensive luxury, but made so much difference to the flavour of the bland food I had available with which to feed us. I placed the ingredients into our pan with some fresh water from the stream and placed on the fire that burned within the stove which also acted as our source of heat.

I waited for the food to begin to cook, and for my uncle to return from his daily prayers.  Our religion is important to us, but we are in a minority here, most people have given up on the ideals of the old writings, preferring to live in accordance to their own selfish desires, however Uncle Morton was devout, to our Eloah faith.

Some of the village children were running down our little pathway that led to the main village, playing tag. 

“Your It” a little girl shouted as she tapped a small boy on his shoulder then ran away giggling and laughing.

It was good to watch the children, all carefree and happy, and I wished with all my heart that one day I could be a mother.  However, I did not fully understand the process of how that would indeed happen, but suspect it had something to do with the conjoining between a man and a woman, and that act sounded horrific. So although I look fondly at the children, I am glad no village boy has claimed me to be his wife, and that my Uncle keeps me safe here at the cabin, preferring to go into the village or even a near by town himself so that I do not attract any unwanted attentions.

The bubbling sound from the pan echoed, and the smell of the cooking potatoes and leeks filled our cabin, my stomach growled such was my hunger, and I was pleased to see the familiar frame of my loving Uncle in the distance as he turned onto our pathway, heading home. I entered the Cabin, and served the soup into the two small bowls we possessed, we would drink this direct as we had no spoons, just one large ladle with which I would serve the hot thick liquid.

“Esperanza my child, come sit with me” Uncle Morton requested, as I handed him his daily food.

I smiled and nodded, but noticed something seemed not as usual, his face was pale, and he looked deep in thought.

I took my place beside him, and waited for my Uncle to say grace before eating.

Uncle Morton lowered his head in prayer.

“Great and Mighty Eloah, we thank you for your abundant blessings, may this food you have provided, strengthen us and bring nourishment, to help us do your will here on earth”

I nodded my agreement in the prayer, and we both began to drink the soup in silence, enjoying the taste, and the feeling of the warm thick liquid as it filled our empty stomachs.

Uncle Morton kept sighing as if in some distress, and I wondered what could be concerning him.

“Uncle, you seem troubled, is there anything I can do to help you with your concerns” I asked.

My Uncle looked at me, a tear in his eyes as he gave me a small nod.

“My child, I have a request for you, one I never would have wanted to ask of you, but I feel it is important”

I look into the brown eyes of my Uncle and wait for more information. What ever his request I would of course obey him, he was my only family, and had shown me nothing but kindness and love.

“It has come to the attention of the villagers, that his majesty the King has disposed of the Queen Valarie, she had refused a royal command and therefore was punished with her life” I gasped in shock, that this woman who many believed was the only person on earth who had gain true favour with our King had been disposed of so easily.

“There is a royal decree, stating that the king wishes for 3 young virgins from our village to be taken to the palace where they will enter into six months of beautifying, the one who the King demes worthy will become his replacement queen, others who have met with his approval will join the royal harem and those that were not satisfactory will be returned un touched to their families with payment for there time”

I looked on as my Uncle lowered his head and sighed again, before he looked up into my eyes.

“My child, during my prayers, I believe you must go and present yourself at the palace gates as a young virgin, and present yourself to the king as his potential queen at the allotted time.”

I looked on in horror, as I felt my world crash around my feet, I would never deny my Uncle any other request, but this, I cannot do this, I am no beauty, I have no curves to satisfy the king, and I no nothing of how to please a man.

“Uncle, you know I will never disobey you, but please I beg of you reconsider your request” I cried.

Uncle Morton sighed,

“I am sorry my child, I require you to present yourself at the palace gates first thing tomorrow morning before the c**k crows”