Rarely does Berth ever wander around the house or even step out of her room. Always in her room, locked away, talking to herself, sewing up clothes.
Berth has been sewing clothes for as long as she can remember. It all started when she was a little girl; like any other young girl with dreams, she wanted to be whisked away by a knight in shiny armor or prince.
She would imagine herself dancing in a pretty dress; the dress should be breathtaking and stir envy. When she realized her father was a pauper and would never be able to afford any quality dress, she started sewing.
At first it was out of spite; other kids had good clothes, so why couldn't she also have a quality dress to boast of? Soon it changed to despair; she was poor, her father was a pauper, and she would never be able to wear a nice dress!
Finally it became a habit. Every time she dreamed of herself dancing with a prince, she would pick up her needles, search for tattered clothes in her broken drawer, and then begin to sew.
The outcome was always nice, and Micah would applaud her for her intricate style.
When Berth walked up to Marymanda dressed in one of her exquisite dresses styled to her taste with her very hands, it was simply too good to be true.
"My lady, how may I be of service to you?"
Marymanda said, bowing slightly. Berth was a duchess; it was only appropriate that her husband, Duke Dickson, was wealthy, although not an inch as wealthy as the king.
Therefore, she had a maid who could cater to her needs.
"I want to go out for a walk."
Berth said with a genuine countenance.
"Oh, is there anything you want? I can have them brought to you immediately."
Marymanda asked, peering at her mistress. She thought Berth had something in mind but didn't want to voice it out.
Berth sighed.
"Actually, there is something I need." She said, and Marymanda smiled knowingly.
"Name it, and I will have it brought to you right away." She said dutifully.
"I want to go out for a walk!
Berth irritatedly. She didn't like repeating herself twice.
Marymanda now completely understood the depth of Berth's sincerity.
"I will have a horse arranged."
She said she turned to leave, but Berth snapped,
"There will be no need for that. Didn't I just say I want to go out for a walk? Why then will I need a horse?"
She said that and then started walking away. Marymanda's face twitched; she feigned a smile on her wrinkled face.
"My lady, a horse will be safer. Master will not be happy to hear…"
"Are you serving your master or me?!
Berth stopped walking. She had anger issues, and this woman was bent on making them surface.
"I serve both of you."
Marymanda said, and Bett nodded curtly.
"Good. Now do as I say, and never you question my authority again."
"Understood."
Marymanda answered, her head hanging down helplessly.
Minutes later, Berth and Marymanda were seen walking down the streets of Decreash.
Berth's husband, Duke Dickson, has served Ragaleon for almost a year. He used to be an ordinary merchant; his rank rose after some months when his loyalty was discovered by the king.
The only reason Ragaleon had given Berth away to Dickson was because he trusted him a lot. He knew she would be in safe hands.
Berth allowed her gaze to wander around; she was amused at the things she saw.
At times she would divert, eyes wide in wonder. Marymanda struggled to keep up with her pace; she was an aged woman.
Stalls were lined up with different accessories, clothes of fine textures, and jewelry that shimmered under the sunlight.
Berth strolled from stall to stall; whatever she touched, Marymanda paid for it immediately.
"I want this, and that…also those."
Berth kept buying things, and the money was almost exhausted.
She finally strolled to a jewelry shop; her eyes caught a ring. It was silver with a spiral hook carved on the surface.
She turned to look at Marymanda.
"That ring, it would be nice on Dickson, wouldn't it?" She asked, still contemplating whether or not to buy it.
Marymanda smiled, then nodded her head in affirmation.
Berth saw the sweet look in Marymanda's eyes when she decided to buy Dickson a ring; she ignored it. She inched closer to the stall and then picked up the ring; she glared at it, scanning every part of it with scrutiny.
"How much is this?"
Marymanda was suddenly behind Berth; she conversed with the owner of the jewelry store, and soon they began to argue.
"10 capa coins? Make it eight."
Marymanda was bargaining with the owner of the jewelry store, and Berth was slowly losing her patience.
"It is one of a kind. The quality is superb; you won't find it lower than the price I have given you." The stall keeper, a red-haired lady, said.
Berth turned to look at Marymanda; she gave her a signal to just pay.
Marymanda sighed tiredly. She gently took Berth aside and then whispered words in her ears. Berth's face fell; her eyes darted to where the ring lay on a table for all to see. It was indeed one of a kind.
Berth walked up to the red-haired lady.
"I will buy the ring for twice the price, but only if you keep it aside from the rest. I will have my…" Berth wanted to say "servant," but instead,
"I will have my helper come and pick it up tomorrow."
Berth retorted, but the red-haired woman didn't seem interested.
"I do not keep my jewelry on credit. If you can't pay for it, simply don't buy it." She said rashly. Berth's face soured instantly; she was terribly annoyed but held back her anger.
She turned around to take her leave…when,
"She wants me to keep my jewelry, but she doesn't know how to keep her husband."
The remark was obviously made loud enough for Berth to hear.
Berth froze on the spot. She immediately turned around to lay curses on the lady.
"How dare you?"
Berth mused, taking a step closer.
The red-haired lady smiled triumphantly.
"Your husband is such a good man; I do not know why he wastes his time on a barren woman like you."
"Barren?"
Berth muttered under her breath as if to confirm what she had just heard. She became speechless afterwards. They had just called her barren, speaking it aloud with cruel boldness. The word clung to her like a curse.
Marymanda had to pull her away from the store; they were already beginning to cause a scene, and heads were turning towards their direction.
Marymanda escorted Berth home, and during the short walk, Berth was idle, her thoughts in a whirlwind.
Berth immediately made her way to her room and shut the door behind her when they arrived at the
Inside, the stillness of her room pressed upon her. She lowered herself on the edge of the bed, as though her strength had deserted her.
On the floor beside the bed, the brown basket of needles and some thread lay in wait.
Almost without thinking, she reached for them.She began to complete the sewing of a dress she had started days ago.
Her hands trembled at first, but soon the needles began to work together, weaving threads as if to cover the wound inside her.
The needles clicked softly in her hands, though her mind was far away.
Just then, the door opened and Marymanda, her faithful help, walked in with a practiced smile.
Draped over her arms were gowns of bright fabric, their hems and sleeves carefully stitched.
"My lady, look," Marymanda said with pride, unfolding the garments one by one.
"You made good choices; the embroidery of the dresses you picked is beautiful. The pattern…simply lovely.
Berth gave no mind to the things Marymanda was saying, her thoughts bound tightly to the word that had cut her to the bone only hours before.
"Barren!
Marymanda's voice faltered as silence thickened between them; the clothes still spread in her hands were waiting to be admired.
"My lady…" Marymanda wanted to say something but was interrupted.
"How long has this been going on, the rumors?"
Berth questioned calmly.
Marymanda's head hung shamefully; she had failed in her duties.
"It started only a few months ago; it is only mere gossip."
"Mere gossip?" Berth mimicked sarcastically and then scoffed.
"Is that the reason why you were so bent on not letting me take a walk outside?"
The realization suddenly hits Berth… painfully.
"I apologize for my incompetence."
Marymanda said, her gaze still lowered to the floor.
"I chose not to have a baby of my own; I am not barren. I am fully capable of bearing a child. It is simply outrageous to think that you knew such rumors were spreading about me and you said nothing?!
Berth was in agony.
"I was only trying to look out for you, my lady. I understand that you and Master are not on good terms…
"That is not for you to decide!
Berth screamed, rising up to her feet, throwing her hand in the air at the same time.
"It's not just my reputation on the line; my husband's reputation is also…." Berth suddenly paused.
If all this while such rumors have been spread…then definitely, Dickson was aware!
Berth raised her gaze, then shifted it towards Marymanda's direction. She locked gazes with her, gazing at her intensively as if to affirm her thoughts, and she wasn't disappointed.
"Master is also aware of the rumors."
Marymanda knew the truth was out; there was nothing more to hide. Berth felt her heart constrict with shame.
All along Dickson has been keeping such a bitter thing to himself.
Berth massaged her temples slowly. It wasn't entirely his fault, but…
"Why in the seven hells did he choose to keep silent? Just why!