story_rosesa_1_1

Thank you so much, hanimefendi!

I still can't believe my lovely daughter would leave her old father like this. She won't even read my letters!

It's almost the day of the rainmaking ritual. I can't thank you enough for being willing to play the part of my daughter and help us complete it!

Don't mention it! I'm sure your daughter only left on a whim, and she'll come running back to her loving, wealthy father before you know it.

Incidentally, I'm not here for the reward or anything—I just couldn't bear to see such a kind father wasting away from sorrow.

Oh, you sweet, sweet girl!

I really hope you've had a good time staying at my palace these days. I must thank you again. Here, take the promised reward! And there will be more once the ritual is complete!

Oh, you're too kind! How could anyone hurt the feelings of a kind father like you?

(Look at this bag of cash! Now that's what I'm talking about! And he's paying this much up front?! <i>And</i> I get to live in a palace?! I've hit the jackpot!)

Please come with me, kind hanimefendi!

Sure, thanks!

Please, kind hanimefendi, no need to thank us! We are simply doing our duty.

(Whisper) Why would the lord ameer's daughter run from such a lavish life in the palace, surrounded by jewels and servants?

(Whisper) What kind of crazy person doesn't want the good life?

(Whisper) Well, whatever, more for me then!

The soft and comfy palanquin takes a few turns and stops in front of a luxurious mansion.

The servants carry Rose Salt down from her seat, and the lord ameer gives the orders for the gates to be opened.

Wow...

Fire burns in the fireplace of the grand hall, the flames flickering to the breeze of the servants' movements.

We can hold a ball here whenever you want.

A ball...

Gentle music fills the room. Rose Salt takes off her shoes before stepping on the carpet with her bare feet, taking in its softness.

Such good manners... So adorable... Just like our dear princess.

The lord ameer was crying just now when he told us to treat you as his own daughter.

We prepared all sorts of clothing because we didn't know what you liked, hanimefendi.

Every season, the lord ameer commands us to procure new clothes. Linen, satin, silk, cotton... dresses, pants, robes, anything you want, we have it.

Perhaps this gem-set frock, this pearly silk skirt, or this long plumed dress? If you prefer something other than dresses, we also have many other selections—

Oh, there's no need to choose, I like all of them!

(Choose? Why would I choose when it can all be mine?!)

Really? Oh, thank goodness... I can't believe you like everything I prepared!

We have also prepared a simple dinner for you. I apologize for how humble it is, as we were not expecting you to arrive today.

Rose Salt has to gulp, lest her saliva overflow from her mouth at the myriad elaborate dishes laid out on the table.

Oh my god, that's soooo kind of you. I'm really not a picky eater, you know. There isn't a single thing here that I don't like!

(Steak! Stew! Fruits! Fins! All mine!)

Night has fallen, and Rose Salt lies on a huge, soft feather bed, wearing a jewel-lined silk nightgown.

The white moonlight shines through the curtains, falling like water upon the marble floor.

A good life... a life of luxury... it's mine at last!

I'll never leave, no matter what!

NEVER!

A few days have passed. Rose Salt is enjoying everything that the lord ameer's palace has to offer.

Mm...

*Yawn* That was a great night's sleep!

Mm... I wonder what I should eat today...

Good morning, hanimefendi!

Would you like to have breakfast now? I've seen that you have a liking for meat, and have prepared it according to your tastes. Let me help you get washed, and then we will serve your meal.

Whoa!

Y-You guys were here all along?

Of course, hanimefendi! In order to help you adjust to life here, we have been monitoring your every move twenty-four hours a day. We are absolutely confident that we can provide the best possible care!

Twenty-four hours a day?!

Of course! We are ever so grateful that you have agreed to help us with the ritual. It is hard to find people as kind-hearted as you! We'll make sure that your time here is as comfortable as it can possibly be.

I... I want to get up...

Please, don't move! I'll do it!

The servant stops Rose Salt from getting up, places a pillow under her, wipes her face clean with a cloth dipped in rose essence, and changes her clothes into a casual house dress.

We can't possibly make our princess get up on her own!

I... I...?

Oh princess, you're so beautiful... According to our observations, you always wish to have breakfast as soon as you get up. Bring the table!

Huh? Wait...

Wow, this does look good...

Please, don't move! I'll do it!

Another servant stops Rose Salt from moving her hand, before cutting a piece of steak and bringing it to her mouth.

We can't possibly make our princess cut her own meat! Here, open your mouth, hanimefendi, ahhhh—

Ahhhh—

Er...

What is it, hanimefendi? Is it not to your taste?

(How old do they think I am, three? I don't need to be hand-fed!)

Oh, no, not at all, I love it!

But you hesitated! There must be a reason. Did I fail to adequately predict your tastes? Were you not satisfied with the steak's quality? Or was the seasoning not to your taste?

(Does nobody here think it's weird to be hand-feeding me?)

Of course not! I'm super satisfied with the food. It's just... I want to eat on my own!

B-But think of the toll on your delicate fingers! Ah, I know, I will wrap your utensils in silk ribbons, so that they will not harm your fine skin!

Here, I've wrapped them for you... are they too heavy? Do your wrists hurt? What about your fingers? Maybe I should feed you after all...

No, not at all, there's no need, no problem at all...

(Finshit! Just leave me alone!)

You must not exert yourself nor carry anything heavy! All you need to do is enjoy everything in perfect comfort!

It already pains me so much to see you eating by your own hands!

(Help!)

Oh, not at all!

Being able to help you all is already more than enough for me. I wouldn't want to be a burden to such kind people!

But please, let me eat on my own... That's what I'm used to...

I-I see... as you wish...

...(Chews with a forced smile)

(Please, stop giving me that doting look! I'm getting indigestion!)

Alright, I'm done!

Hanimefendi! How are your hands?

Were the dishes to your liking?

Absolutely! Thank you so much!

Now that I've eaten, I'd like to go for a walk, take a look around.

You would like to go out? Of course! Where to? The garden is beautiful, and we have all sorts of adorable pets to keep you company. Allow me to—

No, no, I know, you're here to make me happy, right?

Of course, hanimefendi!

Then do you know what would make me happiest?

Wh-What?

Let me explore the garden by myself! I'd be happiest if you're not on my tail!

Wh-What do you...

Like I said! I would be so very, very pleased if you didn't do that! So, please, absolutely do not follow me!

Finally, I can breathe! What is WRONG with those people? At least I've lost them, finally.

So, I get to enjoy this entire garden all to myself? Is this how the wealthy live?

Ah... This rocking chair feels so good. They even have a pavilion with ice to keep you cool, and delicious fresh fruit... but... but...

Why do I feel like I'm being watched?

Don't see anyone... Must be my imagination.

(Whisper) Success! She didn't see me.

Excellent. Report if the hanimefendi wants anything! And don't you dare let her spot you!

(Whisper) Roger!

Forget it. This is the perfect place for a nap...

Zzz... mm... Oh, the flowers are starting to making my nose itch... ah-choo!

(Whisper) The hanimefendi just sneezed! Repeat, the hanimefendi just sneezed!

Roger! I'll send a handkerchief this instant!

Squad Two & Three, cut the flowers around her. Do not disturb her or be seen!

Achoo!

Did I just hear something...? A bee, maybe?

This place is like heaven. There are butterflies, bees, fowlbeasts, and white clouds in the blue skies...

And a drone...

A drone?

A drone... carrying a handkerchief?!

Before Rose Salt can figure out why there is a drone, she hears the sound of scissors snipping.

A hand reaches out of the bushes to catch a rose before it hits the ground, then promptly disappears into the foliage.

Wh-What's that sound?

Snip! Snip! Snip!

Rose Salt looks around, but sees nothing. Somehow, the flowers keep disappearing one after another, even though there is no one else around.

(How could someone be that fast?! I've been picking pockets for who knows how long, but I can't even catch a glimpse!)

(Not in this shrub, or this one! Who is it? What are they doing?)

Snip!

The last flower disappears from plain sight. Yet as far as she can tell, she is the only one in the garden.

Rose Salt can't help but clench the handkerchief tight in her hand, and realizes that there is a slip of paper inside.

'I am not your servant, hanimefendi! Nor am I by your side! Please, cover your nose with this handkerchief to keep the pollen out!'

...AHHHH!!!

HELP—!!!

(Whisper) Phew... mission accomplished! The hanimefendi didn't see any of us!

(Whisper) Hey, what's going on? She just ran away screaming!

Oh no! We must not be doing a good enough job!

¡Dios mío! What the finshit is going on? Have they been watching me from the shadows all this time?!

They're loco! Should I just run away?

But the lord ameer is paying so much. So, so much. Not to mention the completion bonus, and all the luxury... I-I don't want to leave!

Damn it, damn it!

Oh, there you are, hanimefendi!

No! Leave me the hell alone!

Wh-What?

Er, what I meant to say is... I've realized that you've been following me in secret, and I'm NOT happy about it!

I'm going to take a bath now! Do NOT follow me this time!

How could this be...? Was it not enough? She is unhappy because we haven't shown her enough love!

Quick, we must do something... To make the hanimefendi truly enjoy her life here and feel our gratitude!

I'm really alone now? There's no one watching me?

Finshit. How long do I have to hide in here? Have they really left?

Damn it. I shouldn't let the private bath of the lord ameer's daughter go to waste! Fragrance oils, flower petals... if I'm here, I may as well enjoy it!

Fill up the tub... put in some oils and petals...

Huh?

Why is there a big hole on the floor of the bathroom?

A tunnel? Right in the middle of the princess's bathroom? And it wasn't sealed up?

Is there something down there?

The tunnel is so long... it's even got lighting... What's going on here?

Something's written on the wall. 'They love me so much. I can't take it anymore!' 'I don't want people watching my every move!' 'I have no freedom! I want to run away! I've had enough of this life!'

Were these left behind by the real daughter? I was wondering why she ran away from home... And now I know! I can't take it anymore either!

Hey, this tunnel leads outside!

Does this mean I can get out? Couldn't I just pretend to take bath all day and do what I want outside before coming back at night? That way, I could enjoy the good life and still get some me time!

Yeah... it's the perfect plan! This way!

I'm almost at the exit! I'm getting outta here!

Just a little bit further... a little further, and I'll be free at last!

Oh my...

Whoa! Who's there?!

It seems like we've made a good decision about keeping this tunnel the princess dug herself. You really are just like her, right down to how you try to run away while taking a bath!

AHHH! HELP—!!

Five days later

There you go, hanimefendi! Look how beautiful your skin has become now that you haven't had to lift a finger these past few days! Now, my heart can truly be at ease.

We've bathed you, powdered you, perfumed you, and put you in this beautiful dress. Now you're ready for the ritual!

All you need to do is to transfer water from the golden bowl to the golden basin using a willow branch. The more water you flick in, the more successful the ritual!

Okay...

(Finally! The finshit things I do for money! Let's get this over with and I'm outta here!)

You look so beautiful today, hanimefendi! Let's go to the ritual now!

Rose Salt lifts the hems of her long dress and walks on the feather-paved streets with shoes of silk.

The citizens gaze upon her with expectant eyes, hoping for the ritual to be a success.

As she struggles to breathe under five or six layers of clothing, the choking scent of the powders and perfumes, and the weight of the complex braids that took two hours to tie, she makes up her mind.

(Outside at last! It's now or never! I don't even care about that finshit completion bonus anymore!)

(Screw the ritual! I've got the money with me, so I'm making a run for it!)

Hanimefendi! Hanimefendi!

The ritual will go great with you!

(I'll smash the bowl, stir up the feathers as a distraction, and throw the dizzyleaf bundles on the torches... it's the perfect plan!)

Don't worry, hanimefendi, I'll carry you on my back if you're tired!

Is the golden bowl too heavy for you? I can carry it until we arrive.

Oh, sweet, sweet girl!

(Arrgghh! I don't wanna see these people ever again!)

(Now!)

Rose Salt finds an opportunity and pulls her elaborate dress off!

In her mind, she had pictured herself escaping with the same agility she is accustomed to, disappearing in the blink of an eye before anyone realizes what happened.

In reality, she trips over her silk shoes and the feathers on the ground. As feathers fly, the golden bowl and dizzyleaf bundles fly uncontrollably in every direction, while she herself falls flat on the ground.

...Oh no.

To her surprise, she hears nothing but cheers around her.

Hanimefendi! It's a miracle! A miracle!

The golden bowl fell right into the basin! Not a single drop was spilled! It's a divine miracle! All hail the hanimefendi!

All hail the hanimefendi!

Wh-What?

My sweet girl! I can't believe it...

Not only did you agree to help me, you performed the ritual so spectacularly! Please, accept these bags of gems as a token of my gratitude!

Oh, hanimefendi! The ritual has never been so successful! This is fantastic!

My eyes are filled with tears! Please, take my hand and I'll help you up! The palanquin is already here. We'll take you home and make dinner for you!

...No! NO!!

Rose Salt grabs the gems from the lord ameer and runs away screaming, not slowing down until she is at least a few hundred meters away.

Oh, my girl, why do you run away?

The ritual was a great success! Come back next year! I'd love to have you back!

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Two weeks later

I heard there are a few new stories in the latest edition of Sargonian Fables. The best is 'The Lord Ameer and His Daughters.'

It's about how both daughters of a lord ameer ran away from home, preferring the hard life outside.

Crazy, isn't it? Why would anyone just throw away a good life like that?

Absolutely. All those gems, gardens, clothes, the food... Who would run away from their own happiness?

It just doesn't make sense, right, Rose Salt?

Uh, yeah... whatever you say...