"Alex, how many times do I have to remind you not to create trouble for others? Now look, another person has come to complain about you.
How long will you continue this childish behavior? You are already 14 years old, grow up."
"Mum, please stop yelling at me. It's not my fault, you know. Her child started it first and called me a woman and a weakling.
Which I'm not.
I only showed him that I am stronger than him. That was all."
"You little... Alex, please, I'm begging you, stay away from trouble, alright? Even if they trouble you, come home and tell me about it. I can deal with it.
Fighting does not solve issues; it only makes them worse. Not all people you trouble will just let it go, especially the nobles.
Stay away from them and stay away from trouble. Do you understand?"
"Yes, ma."
...
This was not the first time Joyce had this conversation with her son, who never seemed to listen.
She was exhausted from trying to solve the problems he always brought with him. But he was her son, so she had to protect him.
Their family had been struggling for a long time, regressing from their noble lineage. They were trying to keep up appearances, but it seemed impossible as time went by.
Her husband suffered the most, facing constant criticism everywhere he went. It was so extreme that people even refused to sell them goods. This was an order given by the nobles.
She was really tired but had to keep living and trying hard for her son's sake.
She knew how they bullied him, and she was doing her best to help him.
But it felt like an uphill battle, and she feared for his future.
She just wanted him to understand that fighting back wasn't the answer and that he needed to stay out of trouble to protect both himself and their fragile family.
Joyce went into the kitchen to prepare something before her husband came back. She moved automatically, her mind full of worries.
The clinking of pots and the hiss of the stove were familiar, helping her stay focused, but her heart was heavy.
As she chopped vegetables, she thought about the struggles their family faced. Once respected by the nobles, they were now shunned.
Her husband, once a proud man, now bore the weight of their downfall, and it hurt her to see him so worn out.
The smell of cooking filled the kitchen, and Joyce took a deep breath to steady her emotions.
She had to be strong for her husband and for Alex. She hoped Alex would understand the importance of staying out of trouble.
As she stirred the pot, the front door creaked open. She heard the familiar footsteps of her husband returning home.
Joyce quickly wiped her hands and went to greet him, forcing a smile despite her worries.
"Welcome home," she said softly, reaching out to take his coat. Her husband, looking more tired than usual, managed a weak smile.
"Thank you, Joyce," he replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "How was your day?"
"It was alright," she lied, not wanting to burden him with the latest incident involving Alex. "I've made your favorite stew. Why don't you sit down and relax? Dinner will be ready soon."
He nodded, grateful for her efforts. As he settled into his chair, Joyce returned to the kitchen, still thinking about Alex and their uncertain future.
She prayed silently for strength and guidance, hoping they would find a way to overcome the growing challenges.
In the dining room, Alex quietly set the table, sensing the tension. He knew he had caused more trouble and felt guilty. He wanted to make things right but didn't know how.
As they sat down for dinner, the small family shared a meal, each lost in their own thoughts. Joyce looked around the table at her husband and son, feeling a mix of love and despair.
They had to find a way to survive this storm for their family's sake and for Alex, who still had so much to learn.
As Joyce and her husband John prepared for bed, he began to explain the problems and how the nobles were getting more out of line.
"Joyce, it's getting worse," he sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "The nobles are doing everything they can to push us out.
Today, I went to the market, and not a single vendor would sell to me. They said they had orders from above."
Joyce frowned, feeling the weight of his words. "That's terrible. How are we supposed to survive if they cut off our supplies?"
"That's not all," John continued, rubbing his temples. "They're spreading rumors about us, saying we're cursed or that we've brought this misfortune upon ourselves. Even our old friends are starting to avoid us."
Joyce's heart sank. "It's unfair. We've done nothing wrong. How can they be so cruel?"
"They're trying to break us, to make us leave the town entirely.
Today, I overheard some of them talking about seizing our property.
If they succeed, we'll have nowhere to go."
Joyce felt a surge of anger mixed with fear. "We can't let them do this. We have to fight back somehow."
"I've been thinking the same," John replied. "But we have to be careful. If we openly defy them, they'll make our lives even more unbearable.
We need a plan, something that can turn the tide in our favor without drawing too much attention."
Joyce nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. "What about our allies? Surely there are still people who support us, even if they're too afraid to show it openly."
"Perhaps," he said, "but we need to find them and rally them quietly. We can't afford to make any mistakes."
They sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on them. Finally, Joyce spoke, her voice filled with determination. "We'll find a way. For Alex's sake, and for our future, we have to."
John squeezed her hand, grateful for her strength. "Yes, we will. We'll take it one step at a time.
Tomorrow, I'll start talking to those I trust, see if there's any way we can get supplies without going through the market.
And you... stay close to Alex. Make sure he understands the seriousness of the situation and doesn't cause trouble.
We can't give the nobles any more reasons to go after us openly."
Joyce nodded. "I will. We'll get through this, together."
As they lay down to sleep, Joyce's mind continued to race, but she felt a small spark of hope.
They had each other, and as long as they stood united, there was still a chance to reclaim their lives from the nobles' grasp.