Chapter 3

Freymount, the Kingdom of Wuthia, 1125

Mabel Laenas

It’s been hours since Richard left for a piss, leaving me to watch and handle our goods solo. Probably out there fucking who-knows-whose-wife. But that’s Richard for you. Let it be known that he is not a creature without habit and nature. Even if those said habits and nature often lead him to an impasse with our father. I could picture Father rubbing his temples and clutching his fist when he learns of Richard’s deviant acts. Some days I think Father would rather wish Richard weren’t his son, that slanders the Laenas family name.

That’s why I try to be the prodigal daughter to father – doing what I am told and bringing no ill to the Laenas family. It’s probably why my father has granted me his permission to marry whoever I so choose. The prospect of marrying someone of my choice was the greatest act of power that a young woman could ever hear, especially if your family runs and owns an adequate farm, and not that much of a recognizable status.

Still, I see myself as luckier than most. I recently heard that one of my friends was married off to a merchant in Brailcliff. Twice her age, but he had considerable wealth and fortune, with three shops of his already opened and running exceptionally well. Her father quickly saw an opportunity and took it before any other father could acquire a proposal. I never see her much anymore. She never visits, but I did hear from Lady Restal, owner of the local clothing shop, that she was thriving in Brailcliff and was expected to be a mother in the foreseeable months.

Motherhood.

The true effect of any marriage.

I’m not objecting to the distaste of motherhood. I was raised by a wonderful mother who taught me everything a young woman should ever know in this life. Yet, the anchorage it brings to one’s own life does raise many white flags to it.

I am a young woman. The ripening age of eighteen and, if not to pride myself, not a bad looking woman at that. Especially with these nice, round bosoms that I clearly inherited from my mother. They came in at a very early age, around the time I turned fourteen. Mother gave me some of her clothes to help support them, which eases the burden of carrying them around. This, however, only brought much attention towards me as they set up and all to see, especially to the young (and sometimes older) men in the town.

From that day forward, I became a sociable wonder to most. Most boys tried to charm me with praises and even gifts, all to drop my walls and let them feel upon my breasts. I resisted their attempts at clumsy seduction, of course. I was too clever to fall for such attempts; even at a young age, I outsmarted them and maintained my maidenhood till this day. In fact, after I passed the age of marriage, at sixteen, the boys, now men of their own, started to send me marriage proposals. Including our neighbor’s son, Anton.

So far, I have refused, and my parents supported my decisions, keeping to their promise of allowing me to marry whoever I see fit.

Now that I was considered an adult, I had responsibilities on the farm and to myself to consider. I wasn’t going to be dependent on a man to provide for me, even though it might be less challenging if he did; I was determined to be an independent woman and create a future for myself. Despite Anton’s restless attempts at my hands in marriage. He was a strong man, a year older and already taking over much of his father’s farm. They had a lot of fields compared to ours and were prosperous. Every farmgirl and town maid wanted to be Anton’s bride. They gave me glares every time I rejected his proposals.