The Ganut

Episode 31: Do it for him.

Mary arrived home after the tournament and took over taking care of Kamal. Melva could therefore go to the dispensary to work. Once there, she was assigned the task of watching over a seriously injured man who had just been knighted. She was ordered not to take her eyes off him.

The next day, Garuk got up early to go to the workshop. He had decided to cut a gift and give it to Makissi after the play. Rad, who arrived shortly after, was surprised to see his apprentice already there so early.

On the way home, Hughes spoke to his father about his discussion with the two princes who remained at the palace. They had spoken to him at length about their father's plans and also about their brother who was on a mission in Sifane. Hughes also had the opportunity to meet the distinguished guests who were present at the meeting.

Melva had finished her shift and was back home. Mary could finally go to the workshop. Once there, Michel approached her, greeted her and suggested that she go to dinner with him in a tavern near Garchik. He gave her the address and almost begged her to accept. She hesitated but eventually gave in. The appointment was then set. He also let her know that the boss wanted to see her in his office. She was very surprised by Michel's proposal. Would he have considered her congratulations as bad signals ? Anyway, she went to the boss's office and was surprised by the person she saw in the boss office. Jerel's mother had come to ask permission to borrow Mary for the whole day. She even had to pay a substantial amount for it. The boss would have already accepted for free since the request came from a noblewoman. But with the extra money, he was about to beg Mary to follow him. Mary refused at first and returned to her work table. Sandrine followed her and begged her to please take this free leave. When she saw Sandrine's eyes, she considered the possibility that this could really be important. She accepted, took her bag then followed Sandrine out of the store.

- Can I at least know the reason for this unexpected visit ?

- I wanted to take this opportunity to apologize for the way I treated you last time.

- Are you here of your own free will at least? I know it was Jerel who sent you.

- No, dear. Believe me, he didn't send me.

- So what do we do ?

- I wanted to spend time with you and get to know you.

- Serious ? (she said with a sarcastic tone)

- Yes, and I know the perfect activity for that.

She went with Mary to a luxury designer she knew to give her a makeover. They got into Sandrine's carriage and chatted during the journey. Sandrine asked Mary for her opinion on the red armband she was wearing. She wanted to know more about the origin and purpose of this movement. Mary explained to her at length everything she wanted to know. She was surprised to see a working-class woman have so much savvy and personality. She understood what her son had seen that was special about the young lady. Once they arrived, Mary was captivated by the beauty of the workshop. It was much more modern and there was ready-to-wear. Mary didn't really understand the fact that several outfits of the same model were sewn without them belonging to a client.

- Whose outfits are these ? They look similar, don't they ? But I have the impression that the sizes are different.

- These are ladies' ready-to-wear pieces.

- Of the ... ?

- Ready to wear. You can try them out in the voting booths at the back of the store. You will be able to see which ones are your size.

There was a beautiful purple dress that Mary could not resist. She took the dress and went to try it on. She came back to show it to Sandrine after putting it on. She was splendid ! Lovely as if the dress had been made for her. Sandrine was speechless. She let slip compliments on Mary's beauty. The latter was surprised by the compliments coming from Sandrine. These compliments had just broken the ice between the two ladies. Sandrine chose a ton of clothes that she asked Mary to try on. They retained around ten items of clothing which they took with them in the carriage. On the way, Mary opened up a little more to Sandrine. She spoke to her briefly about her life with her late husband then about her sister, her sons then her love at first sight with Jerel. Her eyes lit up when she talked about him. Sandrine realized that the lady was wonderful and that she really loved her son. This made the situation even more unbearable for her. How could she tell Mary that all this was only intended to prepare her for tea where she would have to play a role ?

Arriving at the Fizi house, Sandrine took all her courage and revealed the truth to Mary. Outraged, disappointed, Mary felt ridiculous for having believed for a single second in the old lady's decency. Furious, she headed for the exit, then she heard:

- What would you have done if it was a question of saving the reputation of Garuk or Kamal? Believe me, it disgusts me to the highest degree to do this but if I do this, it is to protect my son and you too for that matter. Because after this tea, they will stop snooping into your life. We'll give them something to snack on, so they don't ruin your love. Please help me. Even if you don't do it for me, do it for him.

Mary turned around, took one of the dresses and entered the Fizi house. Before entering, she said to the mother "don't think that I forgive you because I have changed my mind". She returned to the house and was shown the room where she had to change. On her way, she saw Jerel sitting relaxed in one of the armchairs. Her gaze met his then she threw him in the face with an angry look: "Pff... What wouldn't I do for you!? Sorcerer ! ". She left in front of him and entered the room. He didn't understand what she had said or even why she had said it. But her words had stolen a smile from him and he continued reading his book with a smile on his face.