Chosen by the Tsar

The Contract

     Tsar Petriv sent a guard to our house just a few hours later. My father had just arrived home and was completely taken aback by the guard at the door. As soon as the door was ajar, the guard let himself in. It was The same guard who had held my wrists so tightly and lifted me up off the ground, I believe his name was Rastam. As he walked past me he gave me the slightest wink. When Rastam reached my father he handed him a paper and simply said, “A contract from the Tsar.  I will return tomorrow.”   With that, he turned on his heals and exited just as quickly as he had entered.  Without a word, my father scanned the contract as the guard closed the door. His eyes widened and his body seemed to melt. He slowly sat down at the table and then finally spoke. “The contract is for Kaylis.”  Wait, what?! The contract was for ME?!

     The  contract stated I was to become a chamber maid and companion for the Tsar’s daughter, the Grand Duchess Palona, for the next FOUR YEARS! 

     We were all beyond confused! My father and mother began demanding information. My sister and I both started talking at the same time, trying to describe the incidents that played out earlier in the day.  I was an entanglement of excitement and desperation as I replayed the events. My emotions poured out of me all at once as  I tried to describe how he laughed, how he touched my hand, wiped the tears away from my cheek, and then how he stared at me for what felt like forever.  

     When Belis and I were done talking, the room was silent.  None of us were speaking but it was clear we were all thinking the same thing. Palace and royal servants were usually chosen from families with long histories of service.  They were trained from very young ages on what to do and how to serve. What could he possibly want with a 14 year old girl whom had absolutely no training? 

     “Isn’t it obvious?” a strong, stern voice in the corner broke the silence. It was Midas, Marcov’s dad. He and Marcov were standing in the dark corner like statues. It was obvious Marcov had gone straight  home after the incident with the Tsar, told his father exactly what had happened, and they came here together.  You  could tell we were all equally shocked by his presence, as none of us had even noticed them come in.  Midas and Marcov were at our home often but never once had I remembered him just letting himself in.  As I studied his face I tried to remember a time when I’d ever seen him look so serious. Compared to his usual smile, the look on his face scared me.

    Belis broke the silence when she finally asked, “What’s obvious?”

    With sad eyes, Midas looked down at Belis and forced a little smile. He seem to appreciate how naive her question was and be saddened by it at the same time. He then turned his eyes to me. “Kaylis has been chosen by the Tsar.”

    My mother gasped and without saying another word turned to my father.  He wrapped his arm around her, still clutching the contract. She was trying to hold back tears, but I was still unsure why. My father motioned for Midas to come with him into the bedroom. My mother also followed. She didn’t take her tear filled eyes off of me as she slowly closed the door between us.  

    Marcov and I sat in silence the entire time.  We were both trying to listen to the voices on the other side of the door. Unfortunately, our parents were speaking so quietly we could barely here them at all. Belis continued to ask questions of which neither of us had the answers. Over an hour passed before they emerged from the room again.

     Midas gave me gentle a hug as walked past.  “Show them what a wonderful young lady looks like,” he whispered in my ear.  When he let go he held me at arm’s length and looked me in the eyes.  He was smiling again as he winked at me  but I could see tears building in his eyes. He then glanced over to Marcov and nodded in my direction for Marcov to do the same.

      Marcov wrapped his arms around me and  squeezed tighter than he ever had before. He didn’t seem to want to let go. Eventually, I felt Midas pull him away.  Marcov desperately called to me as they walked out the door, “Write  to me, so I know where to write to you!”  With that, the door closed and they were gone.

    My father called to me and we all went into the bedroom, leaving Belis in the room by herself. He explained to me that serving the Tsar and his family was an honor. The verbiage of the contract was, of course, written to sound voluntary, but we all knew no one refused a Tsar. I would, therefore, be leaving tomorrow when the guard returned!

     Father continued to explain the details of the contract to me. During my service, I would receive room, board, a royal wardrobe, and a pristine education (girls aren’t formally educated beyond basic reading and writing skills).  I would live in the palace and would not be allowed to return home unless explicitly given advanced permission by the Tsar.  In return, my father would receive a salary each year almost equivalent to 10 years what he made as a street merchant. In just four years he’d have 40 years worth of savings! I couldn’t believe my service and  companionship to the Duchess was worth that much.  

    Mother had been completely silent while Father was explaining everything that was written IN  the contract. He asked me if I understood everything that he had said. When I said I did, he looked at my mother, nodded, and left the room.  Mother then began to explain everything that WASN’T in the contract.  Holding back tears, she forced a smiled and wiped away the smudge of dirt from my cheek. “Even the dirt on your face and torn dress you wear could not hide your beauty from him.” Her smile melted away as she explained to me the ways of men and how I must protect myself.  There were laws that would protect me, even against the Tsar, and I needed to know them ALL.  The contract was binding and could not be refused but nothing was required of me  other than my service and companionship to the Duchess.  She made it very clear, I was not FOR the Tsar! 

     I didn’t even pretend to sleep that night.  How could I knowing that Rastam was coming for me tomorrow? I just kept playing the incident in the street over and over in my mind. Then I kept replaying my mother’s warnings. By tomorrow night I would be in the palace, with a monster who wanted me for his own and no parents to protect me,