Mary's Path

Life wasn’t great, Mary thought as she prepared the herbs and spices for the sauce that was going to accompany the fowl for lunch that the royal family had ordered to be served.

The cold spring had turned in to a cold summer. There was a food shortage as crops were failing or at least had a low yield. Even the castle had started to notice it. The latest catastrophe was the news that there were hardly any cherries this year.

That meant there could be no cherry preserves. The queen loved cherry preserves and at the news that their current stock would last until end of the year at best. She had a melt down and the castle hunkered down for her two-day spree of hitting maids, shouting at anyone that came close and breaking furniture and small objects.

To make things worse, the sickness was still ramped in the city. Each day broth news of more people getting sick. The people in the castle had become paranoid, and now days a small cough or sneeze could get you thrown out.

Zerden’s mother that were sometimes affected by severe headaches, was ordered by her husband to not leave their apartment. The only people that were allowed to visit was Zerden and Mary out of fear that other people would think she was ill.

Mary did her best to try and visit Anna as often as she could. But she still had the meeting with Zerden and lady Sarah that had increased both in frequency and length. They had also become more physical whit kisses being exchanged freely.

Mary hated every second of the time she spent with Zander and lady Sarah. Mary’s heart felt like a bloody, beat-up mess. She honestly didn’t think it would ever heal.

At least she had her every third Sunday when she got to see Erik. Most often they stood on either side of the gate, smiling, saying hi and then goodbye. But at least she knew he was all right and his family as well. That was at least something to cling to.

It was approaching her birthday again, she would soon be seventeen. Mary didn’t look forward to it. The food shortage meant no exuberance, not even something as small as a birthday feast would be wise.

Then there was the fact that Mary was acutely aware that a girl her age should be on her way to marriage, or maybe even be married. Not only was Mary not on her way to marriage, there wasn’t even anyone that was interested in her. She looked at the other girls around her age and they all had suitors.

Not that Mary felt ready for something like that. She still had not gotten over Zerden. But it looked like she would become an old spinstress.

No life wasn’t good at all Mary thought as she continued working. At least she was good at her work. Count your small blessings, she taught.

After lunch Mary headed up to visit Ana as it was her free afternoon. Anna brewed the tea and then they sat down to enjoy it and talk.

“Zerden finally told us about lady Sarah” Anna told Mary, both women knowing that Anna had known about the lady for almost a year.

“Yes, he told me you had her over for dinner the other night” Mary said, trying not to let her jealousy show. Anna couldn’t hide the expression of dissatisfaction that showed on her face.

“Yes, that was … interesting” she said to Marry that raised her eyebrow in a question.

“Lady Sarah didn’t seem to enjoy her surroundings whilst visiting and I think she didn’t really understand Ken’s position or rank. She didn’t offer him any respect or indication of his rank. You know how cranky my Ken can become” Anna said frowning.

Mary looked at her with horror. Not giving castellan the respect he deserved was unheard of and Mary didn’t want to think about being at the wrong end of him being cranky. On the other had she was secretly pleased that the dinner didn’t go perfectly.

“Zerden was a bit embarrassed about the whole thing. But at the same time, he didn’t correct her or help her to do the right thing. It was as if he just let her do what she wanted” Anna continued.

“That is usually the way it goes” Mary said before she could stop herself. Anna looked at her questioning.

Mary thought about all the hard words lady Sarah used to throw at Mary and the apologetic looks she would get from Zerden. But not once had he defended Mary or told the lady to stop.

“I just think he is so in love with her that it doesn’t occur to him to speak to her in a way that isn’t pleasing to her” Mary said, not wanting his mother to know how he had hurt Mary.

“That is no excuse. It’s an unkindness to let someone continue to do the wrong thing or repeat bad behaviour without correcting them. I don’t judge someone for not knowing all the social rules or for thinking that Ken is just an ordinary soldier. It’s not their fault they haven’t been taught the correct way.” Anna said.

“But if no one corrects them they will keep doing the wrong thing and eventually they will get a bad reputation and that will hurt them. No one wants to be known for being rude or offensive.” She continued.

“Zerden, by not teaching lady Sarah the correct way, is hurting her mor than he is helping her. Sometimes it’s important not to shy away from the hard topics” she finished, and Mary was amazed by what she had said. Mary had never thought about it from that point of view.

“I never saw it like that, but that sounds reasonable” she said, and Anna smiled.

“I speak from experience. My lovely husband may not be the light of social gatherings. But you should have seen him when we meet. He was ten times worse, in fact, he may be my greatest accomplishment” Anna said laughing.

“How did you meet?” Mary asked.

“Oh, it’s quite a story, I can’t believe I haven’t told you before.” Anna said, her eyes lightning up as she relived the memory.

“Please tell me, I think I need to hear this” Mary said whit a giggle.

“Alright, but you can’t let Ken know I told you. For some reason he finds it humiliating, I tell him it is just cute. But he is the way he is”

“I promise” Mary said, holding her right hand over her heart, making Anna laugh again.