Kayik p.o.v
The day mother arrived, I had gone to the market with my hand, Zillow and light rain had kept us longer than expected. We had gotten everything we needed but by the time we got home, mother was furious and Feria was on her knees.
I dare not interrupt mother when she punishes a slave even though the slave is my dear Dina, so I left the gruesome scene for the comfort of my room. I took a quick shower to pass the punishment time and when I returning lunch was on the table.
"Mother, your are early" I say taking my seat at the head of the table. Even though I am the youngest, I sit at the head of the table cause this is my house, a rule widely known in quaris culture; the owner of the house always sits at the head of the table and other guest sit according to age from the right to the left. Mother takes the seat on my right while brother takes the one by my left. Sister isn't present, so I assume she is out or in her room.
"Yes we are and God be blessed he brought us here early, or I wouldn't have known how deprived my son is and how insolent you slave is, do you know what this house needs, it needs a woman's touch" , mother rants. I sigh and signal for the maids to start serving. With the food in front of us, mother pauses her rant to eat.
I drag lunch as much as possible cause I know what comes after. The talk, to he talk I have dreaded having since my little nice master incident, the reason why she made the long journey from Qing city all the way to xing on short notice, the reason why she wrote the letter, and the reason my uncles aren't here yet and the part of the letter I didn't inform feria . In one word;
Marriage.
For us quaristins, marriage is sacred and I mean even more sacred than it was during the rein of humans centuries ago, I'm talking about the kind of sacred where most people rather stay single than insult the institution of marriage.
Now, although one is allowed to marry and separate thrice, marriage is still one of the the most honoured ceremony, sitting second to the great ball,the ball that celebrate the winning back of earth by the quaristins and our victory over humans. The vows taken are held with so much respect one could that most consider it equal to a covenant with a god. And although some abuse it, most quaristins only marry once. We respect the sacred space called marriage and choose partners only after careful planning and thought.
And this is why I have to find a way to stop mother. Stop mother from making this decision for me like she always do. All my life, I had let mother make decisions for me especially when I was in a fix or some trouble, but this time was different. I couldn't just let mother have her way, if I do, she would never stop interfering and would take over my life and there is no way I'm letting that happen .
Mother drops her cutleries loudly catching both my and my brother's attention" Now that lunch is out of the way, son we need to talk" mother said facing me, she signals brother who silently slips out of the room leaving us alone together.
" Son, this house needs a woman" I sigh, she didn't even mince words this time, unlike in her letter. " I know mother and I am working towards it" I say playing safe, mother doesn't need to know I have no real plan about getting married any time soon.
" Son for how long do you expect me to wait, how long will you keep working on it, you need someone and so does this house and you need it now"
" Mother, I have this covered. I don't need you taking this decision for me also, marriage is a big deal and I want to take this decision on my own", mother's laughter interrupts me, "it's because of her, isn't it?"
I know who mother is talking about without her needing to say it and maybe she is right. Truthfully, no matter how much we try mother can not be deceived. She knows,she knows I let her have her own room,eat the food from my table,read books , she knows that maybe Like her...
But I'll be damned if I admit it myself.
" Mother, you can't blame her for everything, this is all me and me alone, not everything is about her mother, I want to choose my bride and that's it"
" So you are just going to ignore everything I am saying right?"
" No mother , all I am saying is I want to make the choice by myself, I don't need your help "
She sighed and I knew I had won," Fine but at least give Gestra a chance, she and your uncle arrives in two weeks, use this week's to clear your mind of all distractions and afterwards give her a chance, just two weeks to win your heart and if she doesn't, I'll let you be...for now"
Now it's my turn to sigh. I know mother won't give up until I give in, she's mother, she always gets her way. This is probably the best option as it is, it is still my choice in the end ,isn't it?