Open, close. Open, close. My eyes have been repeating this for the past five minutes, trying to focus. It has been two days since the incident at the market, but I am still recuperating. Penelope is hovering above my face. Her warm breath seeps into my pores. I open my eyes and Penelope smiles contently. “Wake up sleepy head; I have a secret to tell you.”

Penelope gets off my bed and as do I. I feel dizzy at first, but then I calm myself by taking deep breaths in. I undress from my nightgown and into my working clothes. I fashion my hair into a braid to keep it out of the way. I put my slipper-like shoes on my feet and open the door. Penelope is anxiously waiting on the opposite side for me. She grabs my hand impatiently and pulls me away from the room. The door closes by itself. “Come on, hurry.” I have never seen her smile so much.

Penelope keeps looking back and smiling at me as she guides me down the open passageways. We pass the barren trees surrounding the palace, sunlight shimmering off the lazy brooks leading to the river, and the wall that imprisons us here. Penelope abruptly turns into a secluded nook. She speaks in a low, excited whisper, “Look what Yuri gave me.”

My eyes follow hers down to her left hand. Wrapped around her finger is a simple silver band. I look back up, astonished. Penelope and Yuri have been in love for many years now. Yuri mainly works in the gardens, but they always seem to find time for each other. “Yuri asked you to marry him?”

“Yes! Is it not the greatest? He already asked my mother and she said yes. In two days we will be married so I will be old enough.”

“I am so happy for you. We must plan the details when we finish today. This must be the greatest week of your life! Today is your sixteenth birthday and then you will marry the love of your life in two days.” We hug for a while then we quickly resume our daily duties.

I start washing the windows and Penelope goes to the kitchen. I am left alone to collect my fractured thoughts. As I circle the windows with the soapy rag, I think, Penelope will be married in two days. My best friend will have a husband and then her own family. I never thought this day would come.

I begin to see my face reflecting in the clean window. I look past my reflection to the autumn’s morning. The sun is playing peek-a-boo behind scattered clouds. The grass remains green surrounding the palace. I envy the free birds singing in lesser numbers since it is so close to winter.

I focus on happier thoughts by washing the next window. Once again, I see my face reflecting in the window but also another face blurred by the soap. I turn my head around to see the girl from the market, Asta. The rest of my body follows my head. Her loose brown hair enhances the melancholy of her blue eyes. She is dressed in deep blue farming clothes, not yet covered with dirt. Her right arm is delicately placed across her torso, bangles covering her wrists. Surprised by her sudden appearance, I ask, “Asta, what are you doing here?”

In her melodious voice, she replies, “I wanted to give you this.” She stretches her left arm out. She opens her palm to show a couple leaves I do not recognize. “It will help you recover. My father grows only one seed every year and it produces ten leaves. There are five here, but it should be enough. If you take one every day, soak it in water, and drink it, your symptoms should be gone.” She pushes her hand closer to mine.

“Thank-you Asta, but why did you come all this way just to give me some leaves?”

“You and Penelope were generous to give me water when I could not leave my father’s tent, now I must repay you. And since you fell unconscious and then woke up, these leaves will help you with your symptoms that you have now.”

“How do you know these will help me?”

“My mother would get dizzy spells and headaches frequently. My father tried everything in his field unsuccessfully and finally tried this. She would drink it everyday and was well.”

“Thank-you Asta, and thank your father for me also. Since you have traveled so far this early, would you like to see Penelope? Penelope will be married within two days and would be happy to see you, maybe even invite you and your family to the wedding.”

Her eyes widen with her perfect smile. “I would be honored, but I must not stay long. My father expects me to return for today’s work.”

“I will swiftly take you to Penelope then.” I place the soapy rag in the soapy water and pat my hands dry on my apron all the while I am guiding Asta to the kitchen. I only hear the clinking of Asta’s bangles behind me as we make our way through the hallways to the kitchen door.

We open the door to find the chef busy making Queen Darya’s breakfast and taking no notice of us as we walk through. I spot Penelope in the corner day dreamily plucking a headless chicken to prepare for lunch. I tap Penelope out of her world to tell her about Asta. She diverts her glance to Asta, who is behind me, and smiles her greeting.

“Asta, has Lia told you the good news?”

“Yes, you are to be married soon. Congratulations.”

“Thank-you Asta. You and your family are invited to attend the ceremony. You are welcome any time.”

“Thank-you very much Penelope. My family and I would be honored to attend your wedding, but unfortunately, I must leave now. Here are your leaves, Lia.” She passes the five leaves form her hand to mine. She turns to make leave and flounces until she pauses at the door. Her lips part as if she is about to say something, but they close and her flouncing resumes. I turn to Penelope and say, “I better get back to work. I will see you later.”

I make my way back to the soapy rag and dirt-encrusted windows only to reverie about Penelope’s upcoming wedding. When I finally finished cleaning the windows, it is noon and I head to my room to take a small break before I start the laundry. As soon as I open the door slightly, I hear Rasha coughing. I open the door more so I can see her. She looks up at me, her hand covering her mouth.

“Rasha, are you alright?”

“I am fine, Lia. I just have a little cough and I came in here to take a nap; but I am finished taking my nap now, so I am going to serve Queen Darya her lunch.” She breaks into a coughing fit.

“I can serve Queen Darya’s lunch to her if you would like to rest longer.”

“I am fine, Lia. Just worry about your own chores, I am fully capable of doing my own. I will see you for dinner; we can discuss the plans for Penelope and Yuri’s wedding.” She smiles comfortingly and passes me as she goes to serve Queen Darya’s lunch. I sigh deeply and plop down on my bed.

“Penelope, you are absolutely gorgeous!” I gush.

“Thank you, Lia. Can you believe it? I am getting married to Yuri in less than an hour!” Penelope’s dirty blonde hair is flowing freely with intertwined jasmine. Her simple white gown trails behind her as graceful as she is. In her right hand is a bouquet mixture of gardenias for joy, lilacs for first love, and red tulips for declaration of love that Yuri freshly cut from the garden. Nothing could wipe off her smile as big as the crescent moon.

The woman is wearing a pure white gown with a crown of forget-me-nots and a bouquet of lilacs.

“Penelope,” Rasha starts, but then coughing interrupts, reeling me back to reality. Once she catches her breath she continues, “I wore this on my wedding day. I want you to have it.” She raises her right hand and opens her palm to reveal a ruby on a gold chain.

“Mother, it’s beautiful!”

“Your father gave it to me for commitment and peace in our marriage. He saved up for a year to give this to me.”

“I will keep this safe forever.” Penelope leans in to hug Rasha, but Rasha coughs again. “Mother, are you sure you do not want to rest?”

“I am fine. I do not want to miss my only daughter’s wedding. Now Yuri is waiting for you, Lia and I will leave now so the wedding can proceed.” Rasha grabs my arm and pulls me away from Penelope. We vanish from Penelope’s view in our room to the giant oak tree shading the river. Today is a beautiful day to get married. The winds have died down in the past few days, the clouds are away, and the sun is smiling greatly on the guests. I spot Yuri instantly with his big brown eyes, black hair, muscular arms, and wide smile. His forest green robes were custom made for him, as was Penelope’s dress.

I scan the small crowd for Asta, but Rasha calls my attention to toss the traditional peach blossoms for bridal hope. Penelope elegantly walks through the blossoms to Yuri with bare feet and the ruby delicately placed around her neck. Yuri takes her hand and pulls her close. I follow Rasha and sit on the soft grass with the other guests. My eyes focus on the exchanging of words between Penelope and Yuri. The ceremony is over and Penelope and Yuri share their first kiss as husband and wife. The guests applaud. Rasha stands to hug Yuri and kiss Penelope on her cheek.

An older man towards the front of the guests wipes away the single tear on his puffy cheeks. His eyes are slightly red and raw. He stands up, hobbles to the groom with a crooked stick for support, and gives him a great hug and then kisses the bride on the cheek. The newlyweds rush from the crowd to a giant willow tree near the river. The bride sits down next to her new husband and father and her dress spread out into a circle of white.

I shake my head and focus on Penelope and Yuri. They have moved to the banquet awaiting them on the bank of the river. The royal chef has a lamb rubbed with rosemary slowly turning over a spitting fire. Once they receive their portion of the rosemary lamb, the guests move to join them. Rasha and I receive our portion of the lamb and mixed vegetables and we retire with the newlyweds. They smile and laugh in unison as we make small talk. I look over the heads of the handful of guests for Asta without luck. I resume the conversation with Rasha, Penelope, and Yuri. I look over to Rasha, who is coughing violently, and ask, “Rasha, would you like to rest now? I will take you to our room.”

“No, I am fine, just a little cough that is…Oh no.” Her gaze changes to someone behind me. I turn around to see who it is. Rasha stands and I follow.

“My queen, please. We discussed this earlier.” Queen Darya continues walking towards us, wearing a crimson dress embroidered with gold and ruby red lips. Her long dark hair is pulled back into a thick braid and a gold tiara sits atop her head.

“I remember our agreement clearly, Rasha. I just came to wish the newlyweds good luck.” She turns to Penelope and Yuri, who are now standing along with Rasha and me. “Congratulations, my dear. So lucky to be married to this fine, young gardener.”

“Thank you, your highness,” Penelope says meekly. Penelope and Yuri bow in unison.

“I just thought it such a pity that you do not have much time left with him.” She places her right hand on Penelope’s left shoulder. Penelope glances at her hand and then back at Queen Darya.

“What do you mean, my queen?”

“He has not told you yet?” She chuckles.

Penelope turns to Yuri pleadingly. “What have you not told me, Yuri?”

“Nothing, Penelope. I have no about what she is talking about,” Yuri says truthfully. He looks worriedly at Penelope, grabs her waist and pulls her closer to him.

“Penelope, do not listen to his lies.” Queen Darya’s intent look on her face scares Penelope and even me. “All men do is lie to their wives.”

“Queen Darya, please…” Coughing interrupts Rasha.

“No Rasha. The girl is sixteen and married now, she ought to know the truth about men.” She turns to Penelope. Her voice escalates into yelling. The nearby guests turn to see what is happening. “He will break your heart and he won’t even care.” Tears start pouring out of her eyes, making them puffy and red.

“Queen Darya, please, not now. I will take you back to your room, to calm down. The doctor said…”

“I do not care what he has to say. I will only listen to one person, and that person is you, Rasha. And unless you want it to be, I will not do it.”

“I want you to go to your room. I want you to calm down and leave them alone,” Rasha orders coolly.

Queen Darya’s sapphire eyes look behind Rasha to the river. She turns from rage to extreme fear. “Why are you by the river, Rasha?” Her voice is small. Queen Darya starts backing up and Rasha comes to her and holds her, guiding her back to the palace. “The river is not safe, the river is not safe, the river is not safe, the river is not safe…” Queen Darya sobs until Rasha carries her back to the palace. I turn to ease Penelope, but she is buried in the comfort of Yuri’s arms. I hold myself instead.

The drama is over for now and so is the reception. I retire to my room, expecting to see Penelope sitting on her bed, waiting for me like always; alas, she is not there. She and Yuri have their own room now. Instead, I see an exhausted Rasha lying on her bed, eyes slowly drifting off to lingering dreams. I slip out off my green dress and unbind my hair from its holdings.

I situate my tattered nightgown, but just as I am about to blow out the candle, I see a sparkle in the corner of my eye underneath the dresser. I progress to uncover this little mystery. I crouch down on my knees so I can retrieve this glimmering object. Using my forefinger, I sweep the thing towards me. I walk back to my bed and slump to examine it. I recognize it instantly as my bracelet I received for my sixth birthday and lost during one of the beatings from Queen Darya. I close my eyes and bring both of my hands to my chest. I lie down and ebb my way under the blue and yellow quilt, clutching the bracelet. Rasha’s coughing disrupts me every few minutes. With my distressing thoughts of solitude, I silently cry until the serene blackness of sleep takes control.