Rosetta had always been known as The Land of a Thousand Splendors, to a large extent because of its privileged landscape. The small realm flourished across a lush valley, surrounded by sharp mountains and rich soil. If you climbed the highest hill in the northern expanse, you could catch a glimpse of the open sea and the limpid sky above, forever spattered by numerous purple stars. The realm was also prosperous and peaceful. Most of its inhabitants felt proud of their roots and their society. Emily was not one of them. She had always dreamed of a life beyond those purplish horizons. Most importantly, she was born a woman, which entailed many particular hardships.
Just like every girl in Rosetta, Emily grew up in a community orphanage. The center consisted of cozy cabins, a common playground, a small school, busy kitchens and a farm. Emily had lived a happy childhood; she had been raised and taught by other kind-hearted women: mentors, cooks and all kinds of care providers. She spent most of her days learning about the sacred laws and Rosetta's history. She also took part in the orphanage's daily chores and played with her fellow sisters. That placid community of women was the only family she had ever known, and she felt genuinely grateful to share everything with them. However, she was never completely satisfied with her destiny. Deep inside, she intuited that Rosetta's peaceful way of life was supported by a complex scheme of lies.
Throughout her years in school, Emily learnt about what it meant to be a man or a woman in the Land of a Thousand Splendors. While the males had been blessed by the gods with strength, courage and intelligence, making them proper rulers, warriors, merchants and landowners, women were designated to play an entirely different role. They were created with the only purpose of serving men and bearing their children. Women could not own property, they could not make any important decisions in society, nor could they start a family of their own or launch businesses. In addition, since women were considered inferior beings, and therefore unable to experience pure love, marriage was only permitted between men.
All the girls in Rosetta would hear the same tales and norms every day, until it became natural to them. Some of them even embraced their condition and felt proud of the realm's prudent organization. Still, Emily always had the feeling that most of her teachers in the orphanage did not entirely believe or support such traditions. Whereas they simply repeated the same speech over and over again to maintain their social position. After all, they could be sentenced to death if they ever dared to contradict the religious council, the most prominent institution in the realm.
Despite having a rebellious, perceptive spirit, Emily managed to become an example of excellence in her community. She was a responsible student and a hardworking maiden. She did not mind helping her sisters out and taking part in every holiday event or collective gathering. She earned the trust and the respect of her teachers, and she hoped to become one of them in the future. Nevertheless, as soon as she turned eighteen, one of her biggest fears came true: she was chosen for entrustment; in other words, she was about to be bound to a master.
Emily was working in the barn early in the morning, feeding the horses and the calves, when she was addressed by the orphanage's inspector: the man in charge of the center. He would visit the facility every couple of days to verify that the girls had everything they needed and that the place was running smoothly. However, Emily knew his main duty consisted in supervising the tutors and making sure none of them went against the sacred teachings. His presence was always striking to most of the women there, since he was the only male they had ever seen. He wore a nappy beard and an elegant, silk robe, like most men from the religious council.
–Emily Ratzer, come here please.
–Yes, Sir.
Emily pushed her labor aside and approached the inspector diligently. For a single moment, she felt paralyzed by his unexpected call. After all, she had been reading and hiding forbidden books for a while now, and she was completely aware of the punishment she could face for it. Most of her samples spoke directly against the religious council and questioned Rosetta's traditions. Some others were less provocative in their statements, but they were still problematic to the public; for instance, those who described love and lust between men and women. Emily mustered up courage to stand in front of the inspector and bow to him. At first, she felt relieved to find a smile on his face. However, as soon as she saw the golden scepter in his hand, she knew exactly what was about to take place.
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–Good morning, dear maiden. I have great news for you. According to your teachers, you are one of the most laudable women in this community. The gods have blessed you with good health, strength and responsibility, remarkable traits for a female. We want you to acknowledge how valuable you are to our realm, and how your deeds please and make the religious council proud…
Every single entrustment speech was the same; Emily had learned to loathe their precision and hypocrisy. The religious council usually uplifted young girls with tender words, before sentencing them to a life of servitude.
–...Because of that, we have found the perfect match for your distinguished profile. You will be entrusted to a wealthy, highly respected family. Lord Leandre Beacon, a prominent landowner and honorific member of our religious council, just entered into the bonds of marriage with a prestigious merchant. They are requesting an impeccable maiden like yourself to join the workforce at their mansion and perhaps even bear their future heir. You can consider yourself lucky. While numerous women endure mistreatment and hard labor in the fields, you will have a comfortable life in their service. Congratulations.
Emily faked a smile, although her most vibrant hopes were shattering right in front of her. She would not be able to remain at the center and become a teacher, confounding her original plans. Instead, she was now forced to leave her sisters behind and devote her life to serving a family of aristocrats. Part of her wanted to believe in the inspector's words. She tried to convince herself that she was lucky, that her entrustment was a natural step in life, and she was blessed to find a noble master. Nevertheless, no matter how much she put her mind to it, she would always despise the contemptible stars that stole her liberty.
–Thank you for letting me know, Sir. When will the ceremony take place?
–In three days. I have already spoken to the principal. You have the rest of the week off to say goodbye to your sisters, plan a proper farewell and complete the mandatory rituals. And please, do not be nervous. I can assure you that your new family will give you a warm welcome.
The inspector handed her the golden scepter, muttering a prayer, and proceeded to walk away to resume his usual duties. Like every single teen in Rosetta, Emily knew all the necessary preparations before meeting her new masters. She felt so hurt inside, she was even tempted to throw the immaculate scepter into the hogs' filth.
*
Emily spent the next days in haste, busy with all the mandatory preparations. Firstly, the community threw a party for her, and she received many gifts from her sisters and teachers, including heart-felt letters, sweets and new garments. According to them, it was normal to feel flustered and nervous in such a significant transition; yet they guaranteed that the gods would bless her goodness with a favorable outcome. Emily was smitten by her fate. However, she had no choice but to cope with the norm. She went through the traditional rituals, including washing herself in fragrant water and milk, and requesting the gods' guidance in a collective ceremony. Only then was she allowed to present herself before her new masters.
The entrustment ceremony had a rigorous protocol. It always took place in the atrium, on the brink of dawn, in the presence of a scrivener and religious representative. Emily had never witnessed the ritual before; only the orphanage's principal was permitted to assist. Despite that, she knew every single line by heart. She walked in with a coy expression, wearing a plain white dress and abundant flowers in her hair. She discerned her masters right away: they looked exactly the way she had imagined, as every wealthy, prestigious Rosettan man was supposed to look: tall, well-built, covered in exquisite fur and fine jewelry. Both stared at her from head to toe, as the holy scepter was handed to them.
–Emily Ratzer.
–At your mercy.
She knelt before them and locked her gaze on the ground, flushing with embarrassment. Both men stood up and took turns to place the scepter over her head, expressing the corresponding litanies. They also lit up a few candles and placed a golden collar around Emily's neck. The center's inspector was the last one to speak, holding the scepter high towards the nascent sun. His grandiose speech slowly tore Emily's will to pieces.
–In the solemn presence of the gods and our honorable religious authorities, Lord Leandre Beacon and his husband, Lord Arthur Lasey, promise to take this fair maiden into custody, granting her the proper nourishment, protection, and religious education. In addition to their oath, Emily Ratzer, daughter of Rosetta, submits herself to this household and promises to serve, obey, and support her new masters untiringly for the rest of her days. Praise the gods!
–Praise the gods…