Call Me Mary Elizabeth

Prologue

Prologue

I UNTANGLED the lace and slid the dress out of my body while letting out a sigh of relief. The night is still young but I'm already home after hearing the news that's spreading out like a wildfire in the night market.

I hid behind the pile of fabrics in one of the market stalls, trying to escape a woman. She's been following me ever since I set foot on the bazaar and it's bothering me. I peeked through the pile of clothings only to see two men who seems to be having a serious conversation.

"Shush, we must stay alert. Mary Elizabeth comes here every two nights, at the first sight of the moon. She will be here any moment now," said the man who sells cheap and old pieces of fabric which he likes to call dresses.

"What is it about her? Is she so important that the king himself is looking for her?" The bearded man asked in confusion.

"Lower your voice, you fool!" The vendor lowered his head and whispered. "I heard that he wants the lady to be his concubine. Our wish will be granted if we gifted the beauty to him."

"Any wish?" A sly grin appeared on their lips.

"Any wish," he confirmed.

I gasped at the sudden news and hid behind the pile of fabric. My sudden breath caused them to look around, searching for the origin of the sound. I immediately ducked and covered my mouth, stopping myself from making any more noise.

"Have you seen Mary Elizabeth? I saw her roaming around earlier and I meant to ask her about the king," a woman appeared out of nowhere, stealing their attention. She was the one who's been following me.

"No, we have not. We didn't even know she's already here!" The vendor and his bearded companion rushed outside, giving me time to escape.

Thank heavens!

I walked briskly, avoiding the people - everyone - who might recognize me. What was that all about? Why does the king want me to be his concubine? I walked faster than I already was, catching my breath.

"No! I saw her walking at the direction of your stall with my very own two eyes! You must be hiding her from us, seizing the opportunity to have your own wish granted!" Someone yelled which I suspect to be the lady from before.

"I should've already seen her if she went near my stall! I wouldn't mistake that hair and green eyes of hers for anyone else's! Besides, doesn't everyone want to capture that beauty and make their wish come true?" The vendor hissed, annoyed at the accusations thrown at him.

"I do not believe you," the woman gritted her teeth, eyes gleaming with anger and greed. "Everyone, to his stall!" She shouted. In the blink of an eye, everyone started running at the direction of the vendor's stall.

He and the bearded man, outnumbered, were dragged along with the raging and curious people.

Look at what you've done, king. Granting someone's wish, eh? You should've just given rations to the poor and lowered the taxes so people won't be so worked up.

I carefully walked out of the night bazaar and allowed myself to get swallowed by the sea of thoughts flooding in my mind.

I guess nothing's going to be the same anymore.