Lidiya never thought her life would lead her here-to a marriage with a man she barely knew in the remote village of Roxana. But as a poor farmer's daughter, her fate was never truly hers to choose. She hadn't imagined her wedding night would be one...
As the sun crept over the horizon, Lidiya found herself stepping into a world she had never imagined—an entirely different universe from the quiet, oppressive life she had led in the village. The palace city was alive, a chaotic whirlwind of people and sounds. The streets teemed with vendors selling exotic animals, dancers swaying in rhythm to street musicians, and merchants peddling strange and colorful wares. The air was thick with the smell of incense, food, and something she couldn’t quite place—something foreign, yet tantalizing.
Lidiya had never seen such a place. Women walked around in extravagant clothing, some wearing almost nothing at all, their bodies moving seductively as they enticed men and women alike. Astrologers lined the streets, offering fortunes for the right price, while witches whispered promises of spells and potions in hushed, knowing voices. Men barked over the sounds of the crowd, trying to sell everything from weapons to exotic beasts.
It was overwhelming.
Her heart raced as she pushed her way through the crowd, her eyes darting around for any sign of the palace, but it was too far. Towering above the city, the palace was surrounded by guards, and she had no idea how she’d get close without being noticed. How do I even get inside? The enormity of her task hit her like a stone.
Lidiya needed to rethink her plan.
As she watched the women making money in the streets—performing, selling, or charming their way through life—a flicker of determination lit inside her. She couldn’t get to the queen as a mere peasant. She needed to blend in, to find a way to survive first. Changing her disguise once more, she shed her male garb, returning to her original appearance. The men looked at her with curiosity now, and she noticed. Their lingering stares felt unsettling, but they made her aware of the power she had yet to harness.
I can use this, she thought.
Her eyes scanned the street until they landed on a tavern—a bar crowded with men and women alike, loud with laughter, drinking, and dancing. This was the kind of place that would offer her a quick job. She steeled herself and pushed open the door, walking straight up to one of the dancers.
The woman, draped in red silk with dark kohl-rimmed eyes, looked Lidiya up and down, unimpressed. “What do you want, girl?” she asked, her voice low, filled with an unspoken command.
Lidiya straightened her back. “I need a job,” she replied, her voice soft but steady.
The dancer raised an eyebrow. “You? You don’t look like you could handle the kind of men who come in here. Do you even know how to dance?”
Lidiya shook her head. “No, I… I don’t dance, but I can learn.”
The woman sneered. “Learning isn’t good enough. You’ve got to already know. This place will eat you alive if you’re not strong enough.” She turned her back on Lidiya, dismissing her. “Go home, girl. This isn’t the place for someone like you.”
Humiliation burned Lidiya’s cheeks, but she didn’t leave. She waited outside the bar for hours, watching the streets turn dark as the night set in. She watched people come and go, growing more and more hopeless with every passing moment. But just when she was about to give up, the dancer emerged from the bar, her face softened as she saw Lidiya sitting there.
“Still here?” the woman asked, her voice lacking the sharpness it had earlier. She paused, then sighed. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble, you know that?”
Lidiya lowered her head, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. “I have nowhere else to go.”
The dancer's eyes softened with sympathy. “What’s your name?”
“Lidiya,” she whispered.
“I’m Rexine,” the woman said, her lips curving into a small smile. “Come with me. You can’t stay out here. I’ve seen girls like you get eaten alive by the city. You’re too innocent for this place. It’ll break you.”
Rexine led her through the winding streets, back to her small apartment. The warmth of her hospitality was a welcome relief to Lidiya, who hadn’t felt safe in so long. As they sat down to eat, Rexine eyed her closely. “So, you’re not a dancer,” she said. “What can you do?”
Lidiya hesitated, embarrassed. “I can sing… I used to sing as a child.”
Rexine’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Sing? Let’s hear it, then.”
Nervous, Lidiya closed her eyes and let out a soft hum, her voice slowly building. Her song filled the room, soft and haunting, yet powerful. It was like magic—a voice that could touch the deepest parts of one’s soul. When she finished, there was silence. Rexine stared at her in awe.
“Well, damn…” Rexine said, her eyes wide. “You’ve got something, girl. The men in that bar would pay good money to hear a voice like that.”
A spark of hope flickered in Lidiya’s chest.
“You really think so?”
Rexine nodded. “I can get you a spot singing in the bar, but you’re going to have to toughen up. This world is cruel, and the men who come to these places aren’t looking for just music. You’ve got to stand your ground and not let them break you.”
Lidiya agreed, but as the days passed and she began singing at the bar, she found herself more uncomfortable than she’d imagined. The men’s leering eyes and crude remarks felt suffocating. But she kept singing, her voice growing stronger each night, gaining more confidence. Each time she thought of Zindane’s cruel words, accusing her of being unworthy, she smirked inwardly.
What would he think if he saw me now?
The new Lidiya. Self-made and gorgeous
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