The Empty Ones (Fantasy Romance)

36. Slippery

It's been almost a blue moon's turn since Salma returned.

Her husband, Sahib Yatir, governor of the province of Melh, is writing to her every day. She leaves most of the letters unopened and all of them unanswered.

It came to the fact that I am holding now a letter from him addressed to me. By the way Salma acted when she got here, one might think she is now in the depths of despair, but no, she is looking merrily at the clothes inside my clothing alcove.

"Zara, you need new clothes," she says.

"This wardrobe is full of clothes, Salma."

"Yes, but they aren't fit for the wife of the Emperor. When I got married, I had to buy everything. I came with nothing, and I had to put together my wardrobe. It's still the only good part of my marriage that I can buy whatever I want. Anyway. Whoever did that for you didn't have your best interest at heart."

Nah, I think they just didn't know me, but also didn't care too much.

"You need clothes that fit you and make you look your best."

"She is right. And she definitely knows how to dress," says Paisa. "Just let her buy things for you," she whispers. "She needs a purpose."

"But I don't know if Lady Nefri will prove. She never approves of anything."

"Zaretha, you are the wife of the Emperor, and she is a mere servant. You outrank her by a lot. The only thing you need to do is act the part," says Paisa.

"So, I may?" asks Salma expectantly. She seems so oddly happy I am not sure how to react. It feels like if I say no, her mood will trip, and I am afraid of that. I am afraid of that every day. Once or twice, she had really ugly crying fits, and I could barely calm her down. Otherwise, though,h she seems to be doing great if you ignore the fact that she never mentioned her husband or the baby she had recently.

"Alright." She leaps up enthusiastically.

"And jewellery. What you have is cheap."

"They look fine." As a child, since I never got out I rarely had the occasion to wear jewels. I don't really understand them. Sure they can make you look better but I never found them important.

"You know nothing. I will show you. Jewels are a status symbol and right now they show that you are naive and either poor or cheap," says Salma.

Her argumentation is so surprisingly solid. I hope that's a sign that her mind is getting better.

"Also teach her to do her hair," says Paisa and that earns her a frown from me.

"I will. Hara does a decent job, but it looks old-fashioned."

I take a deep breath. Am I really so hopeless?

"Salma, your husband wrote to me."

"Oh, this is beautiful," she states, looking at a dress.

"He said you don't answer his letters, and he is concerned. He sent you here because he thought you were dying. You have to answer him. The baby is also well."

Silence.

"He called him Yaz. They got him tested by the best tracer in the province, and he holds magic."

Her face finally turns to me.

"Salma, you have born a magic-bearing boy. This is the highest accomplishment there is for a wife."

"It's an ugly name," she says.

"You can tell him that, and I think he will change it," I say.

"Actually, I don't really care. I don't want to see any of them ever again."