Janjaweed

Mabel could not help but reminiscence on how lucky King Korah of Ashravati Kingdom was. He was blessed with a rich land, beautiful people who always obeyed his orders. Also, he was blessed with a beautiful wife and a charming, talented daughter. "Wow! My Princess, your paintings are very good!" Mabel, the princess' most trusted maid announced to the princess. The princess smiled and continued her painting. Judging by the smile on the princess’ face, Mabel knew the princess was in a good mood. “Your husband is going to be so lucky to have a woman like you" she added. However, this statement didn't sit well with the princess as she slowly dropped her painting brush. Mabel noticed the princess’ action and quickly changed the topic. Of course, Princess Marissa was not the type of woman who would be excited about marriage but on the contrary, she detested marriage so much, all thanks to her father. "What do you intend to name this artwork?" Mabel quickly asked, still maintaining the smile on her face. "Woes of a princess" The princess smiled sorrowfully as she placed her hand on her laps, staring at her painting absentmindedly. "A child is summoned to the earth, not on his will Choices of his identity lie not in his hand A child is considered lucky when she is a princess If only they knew the woes behind the word 'princess' Then they would rather sympathize than rejoice with her Cause a princess has no right or choice of her own She has no life of her own but lives for her people She turns a sacrificial lamb, not on her own accord But to live her life for people who live their lives the way they want Royalty, what an irony! How unlucky is a woman born to a royal family cause she dies the very moment she is born" Princess Marissa sighed as she walked up to the window, slowly treading the ground like it was going to break. Mabel was lost for words. She understood what the princess was going through but she was just a common maid and could not do anything to help the princess. Her eyes were glued to the princess as the princess walked to the window. Just then, a knock disrupted the silent, melancholic atmosphere. Marissa as well as Mabel, turned in shock as no one had expected the knock at that moment. Marissa nodded in approval for Mabel to get the door as she anticipated who it was. As soon as Mabel got to the door, a maid walked in. She had come to relay a message. "Princess Marissa, the king asked to see you" She bowed her head as she relayed the message "He is in the garden". “Okay, tell him I shall join him soon” Marissa ordered. “Yes, my lady” The maid bowed as she walked out. “Let’s go” Marissa instructed Mabel, making her way out of the room. Mabel nodded as she followed the princess and tried to keep up pace with her. A lot of thoughts clouded Marissa’s heart and clouded her mind as she walked towards his father. Of course, she knew what her father wanted to say, that was not the first time he was going to call her for such meetings in the cool of the evening when the cool breeze was at its peak. That was not the first nor was it going to be the last time he was going to call her for such a conversation. History was going to repeat itself. Marisa sighed as she tried to clear her thoughts. “There he is” Mabel called Marissa’s attention to the king who was at a corner of the garden, sitting quietly like he was reminiscing on life and what he wanted in life. He closed his eyes as he embraced and inhaled the cool breeze of that evening. Marissa halted as she looked at her father from a distance. He was an art of perfection. She admired everything about him and even aimed to be like him when she grows up. He was such a strong man and a strong king. He ruled the kingdom like he was born for it and it was quite difficult for anyone not to like him. What would it be like to rule like him? She really wanted to but her hope was dashed and again, he had summoned her to remind her of her dashed dreams. “Oh Marissa, I see you are here, why are you still standing there?” he questioned with a smile, as he turned to behold her, calling her out of her reverie. “Come here quickly” In response, she smiled as she walked towards him. "Father". “Come, sit by my side” He signaled to her as she walked towards him. “Good evening, your highness” Mabel greeted, bowing her head and in a way, informing him of her presence. “Mabel! I believe your day is going well, how are you doing? I believe you are great” He smiled at Mabel as he ensured Marisa had her seat by his side. “Yes, I am” Mabel responded as she turned to leave, giving them the privacy they would need. “No, you do not need to leave. You can stay” The king informed Mabel. “You are like a mother to Marissa so I think there is nothing to hide”, Mabel smiled in response as she stayed. Indeed, they had the mother and daughter bond, even closer to Mabel than she was to her mother. The Queen, Marissa’s mother had always tried to keep Mabel away from Marissa but the King always intervened in a way as Marissa was fond of Mabel. The closeness was just too much. Marissa was nervous. Although she knew what her father wanted to say, she was still nervous. "Marissa,” He started gently. “You are aware that you are the prestige of this kingdom, the pride of this house. This kingdom lies on your shoulder.” He paused to ensure his words sank into her mind. “You are a woman and I know you are aware you are going to be getting married soon" He paused again. Marissa nodded in response, knowing exactly where the conversation was heading. "You can't just get married to anyone neither can you just get married to any prince therefore, I have sent a proposal to all the kings whose sons I find worthy to be your husband, to take the prestige of this house as a bride. Tomorrow, twelve princes would be coming to seek your hand in marriage. You have the choice to choose whichever one you find worthy amongst them" He smiled at her. "What if I don't find anyone worthy, father?" "Oh, I arranged for that” He crossed his leg and adjusted himself well on the chair. “The day after tomorrow, seven other princes will be coming for your hand in marriage. Go prepare yourself for their arrival" “But father, I do not want to get married to a prince who is being forced to get married to me, I do not want to get married yet, I want to succeed you” She pleaded. “We talked about this numerous times and I already told you it cannot be done. A woman can never be the heir. It has never happened. History does not have much in the record” He answered defiantly. “We can create our history, we can create our record. Things that had once happened made them history. If people have not dared to do it, it would never be what we call history today” She tried to persuade him. “Yes, I am going to get married but I do not want to marry now and when I get married, I want to get married to a man who has his mind and can make his own decision, not a prince who is being dictated to. Have you imagined how it would be if a prince who has no mind of his own and is being dictated to on what to do, rules this kingdom?” “Stop it, Marissa. A woman will never succeed me, not now, not ever. Get rid of that thought and focus on how you are going to choose a suitable suitor.” He stood up in anger and turned his back to her. Mabel listened to the conversation as she bowed her head. There was nothing she could do or say after all. “But…” “Enough!” He yelled out in anger as he turned to her, his eyes speaking a lot of things. Fear gripped Marisa as she looked into his eyes. "Yes, father" She bowed and left quietly, walking to her room and holding the tears, threatening to fall off her face. Mabel hurried after her as she did not know the best words to say at that moment. She wished she knew what to do or say. Hurriedly, she flung the door to her room open and fell to the floor, on purpose. "Mabel......" She cried. "My princess" Mabel tried to raise her. "What's the gain of being a princess?" She questioned rhetorically. "You get all you need and want but at the end of it all, you trade your eternity for the gain of the kingdom. What a world!" She smiled sorrowfully. "My princess, you might be lucky to find your husband amongst them" Mabel tried to console her. "What if I don't?" She looked up at Mabel. Mabel was speechless, she didn't know what to say. "Then I am going to spend my eternity with a stranger" She scoffed. "I'm so sorry" Mabel held Marissa's head to her chest, consoling her. It broke Mabel’s heart to see Marissa cry but there was nothing she could do. Of course, she could not tell the king not to let Marisa get married. She sighed as she wiped off the little teardrop that fell from her eyes. Seeing Mabel in pain was breaking her heart. She had been taking care of the child ever since she was born. Just then, another knock interrupted them. “My lady, dinner is served and the King and Queen have been expecting you. They ask to see you” The maid who had placed a knock on the door informed. “Tell them I am not hungry” She answered angrily as she wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes. “But…” “Leave!” She yelled at the maid. The maid shrieked in fear as she hurriedly walked out of the room. “Marissa, starving yourself will not do anything, you should go for dinner” Mabel advised. “I am not hungry” She answered defiantly, just then, her stomach rumbled, contradicting her statement. “Your stomach says otherwise” Mabel crossed her arms. “Whatever. I am not going to eat anything tonight. I would rather starve to death than..” Just then, the door flung open, with the Queen walking in angrily. “What do you think you are doing, young lady?” The Queen, Queen Adrianna questioned, staring at Marissa who was still glued to Mabel. Mabel shook in fear. Suddenly, Queen Adrianna hurriedly walked to Marissa, pulling her away and aiming for Mabel. What was she doing? Then Marissa sighted it, she was with a knife, hidden in her sleeve. “Mother!” Marissa called out as her whole body was paralyzed with fear.