CRUEL KING

Life returns to normal

Chapter 6: Life returns to normal

It had been two days since their father's funeral, and neither Dalia nor Anisha had been able to sleep or rest afterwards.

As adults would have done, they had faced the difficult moment of a loved one's funeral.

In front of their father's friends and neighbors, they kept a certain composure.

Only crying softly when things got too hard, and not forgetting to thank everyone appropriately for coming and supporting them.

At the same time, their somewhat aloof attitude wasn't hard to play, as if they didn't yet realize what had happened.

Rio had offered to let them live with him and his wife, but the girls declined. They had a roof over their heads and, by working hard, they'd be able to support themselves.

Dali would look after the house and vegetable garden, and Anisha would take over the family business.

She knew how to swim, she had the equipment, all she had to do was dive and do as well as her father.

_ I'll sell your catch on the stalls, Dali told her as they sat in front of the fireplace, discussing their future.

_ That's too much work for you, said Ani, pouring her a cup of tea. I can take care of it.

_ Don't forget you can't just wander off," reminded her sister, her big blue eyes wide. If you draw attention to yourself, you could be in serious trouble.

She couldn't contradict her, only that she too, wasn't exactly safe from danger.

_ I'd ask Rio to sell them for us in that case. In exchange, I'd offer him some of my catch.

_ You know he'd do it even without that.

It was true, only she didn't want to depend on anyone, and any service we did for her would be for wages.

_ Yes, but I prefer it that way. As Father used to say, it's never a good idea to burden others with your problems.

Dalia looked at her with concern.

Ani understood her fears and questions, and as if to reassure her of the futur, she smiled gently...

Tidying up her father's belongings, Anisha tried to reflect on his words. Clear words, but above all very sensible.

It wasn't right for them to be left alone without a male presence.

They were orphans and lived away from it all, so if someone wanted to get at her, there was nothing easier.

Forcing herself to take on a husband was repugnant to her, but she had to consider the option, for her sister's sake.

_ Have you fallen on your head? Dalia asked when she told her of her plan. Why would you want to marry someone other than Lori? He's a prince, I tell you.

_ Come down to earth, she reasoned again. Considering that the boy is Lori, his future and his marriage are already mapped out. His family must surely have arranged for him to marry someone of the same rank as himself.

_ That's not how it works these days!

_ Believe me, if he were to bring home an villager, ethnically different woman, his family would never accept it.

Dali sighed before bowing his head in resignation.

_ I just can't imagine you with one of the village boys.

_ We'll do our best.

_ But for whom? If you're doing this to protect me, I'd rather you stopped.

_ I'm not doing it for you, the girl assured him, rising from her chair so that her sister wouldn't see the lie on her face.

_ If only I could get back to the palace, Dalia continued, I'd go and ask Lori what he thinks of all this...

Anisha had to build up a solid dowry before she could talk to Rio, who would become her guardian and marry her off. Otherwise, there was no guarantee she'd find someone.

She wasn't hideous in her genre, but she was well aware that she was far from being to the taste of the island's boys.

They had very definite ideas about beauty. And if you weren't a typical local girl, you didn't stand a chance of being looked at. And even less chance of getting married.

_ I'll start diving tomorrow, she said to Ani as she sat down to dinner in the only living space on the first floor.

_ You don't have to start again so soon, we've still got plenty to spare.

_ I'm not going to wait until we run out of something to go out and work. Besides, the sooner we get used to our new surroundings, the sooner we'll gone forward...

Dalia lowered her head, her face defeated.

_ I don't think we'll ever get used to it... Just as we never got used to Mom's absence...

_ You're right, sighed Ani, lowering her head in turn. We'll never be able to pretend that their absences are normal. But we can show them that we can manage and that we're worthy of everything they've taught us...

_ You're right, supported Dali, who understood that in the words she spoke there was above all a desire to encourage herself. We'll be worthy of them...