In front of the entrance gate to the chief's house:
Two guards stopped the grandfather and his eldest grandson, Marcus, from entering.
The first guard, in a firm voice: "You cannot enter!"
The grandfather spoke calmly and seriously, his voice low but strong: "Please tell the chief that we wish to meet him. We are from the Down family."
The first guard glanced quickly at them before responding coldly: "Wait here." He then entered, leaving the grandfather and Marcus under the scorching sun.
Under the oppressive heat, the two stood in silence. Marcus, sweat dripping from his brow, broke the silence with a hesitant voice: "Will… they let us in?"
The grandfather turned his eyes toward the closed gate with a steady gaze and said confidently, though his face was wrinkled from thought: "He must allow it. After all, he doesn't want us to cause trouble for his plan."
Marcus clenched his fist slowly, his eyes narrowing, filled with feelings of anxiety and anger, remembering his little sister, who was scared: "Sia… we must protect her."
Ten minutes later:
The guard returned, and the gate slowly opened before them. The guard gestured for them to enter: "The chief is free to see you."
They walked toward the gate with a determined expression, despite the heavy atmosphere surrounding them. They entered the large hall where the throne stood at the front of the room, surrounded by massive columns and illuminated by dim lights casting long shadows on the walls.
At the throne sat the chief, lounging on his chair adorned with beast furs. His purple eyes were sharp and bright, as if they were digging into their souls. He was fifty years old, his face marred by a prominent scar on the right side, which only added to his awe and danger.
The chief, in a sharp and intimidating voice: "Are you trying to defy me?!"
The atmosphere was thick with silence. Marcus felt a chill run down his spine, but the grandfather maintained his composure, swallowing hard and speaking firmly: "No, Chief. We would never dare. But sending an ordinary girl from a common family… won't that anger the people?"
The chief didn't blink; his gaze was as cold as ice, and he replied with contempt: "That thing…"
Marcus clenched his teeth tightly. How dare the chief speak of his sister as if she were worthless? But he had to remain silent; he knew the moment of confrontation had not yet come.
The chief continued in a dry tone: "She is still alive by my mercy, and she must obey my command."
The grandfather felt the air in the hall weigh heavily upon him, but he refused to yield. He raised his hands, pleading: "But, Chief, she hasn't received any training! Sending her to a foreign land… as the king's wife… this is unbelievable! How will she live there?"
Before the chief could respond harshly, his words were cut off by a sharp voice from behind them: "Will you shut up, old man?!"
The grandfather and Marcus quickly turned to see "The Wise Woman ama the great ," known for her extensive knowledge of magic and sorcery. The marks of age were evident on her face, but her strength remained present. She wore elaborate garments adorned with symbols etched on her cheeks, highlighting her status and the respect everyone had for her.
The chief, astonished: "What brings you here?!"
Ama the great bowed slightly, her stern gaze directed at the chief: "I came concerning the marriage matter. And to see those who dare to defy you."
She cast a sideways glance at the grandfather and Marcus, who fell silent under her words, then turned to them and spoke in a calm yet firm tone: "I ordered the chief to send that girl."
The grandfather and Marcus raised their heads in shock, staring at her with wide eyes.
The grandfather, his voice filled with astonishment: "But why?!"
The Wise Woman replied, in a calm tone that brooked no argument: "It's simple. I don't want the princess to be harmed."
Her words were like a sword piercing their hearts with her unapologetic bluntness.
Marcus, boiling with anger inside, could no longer remain silent, and shouted angrily: "How can you say that?! What do you mean by this?"
Ama the great turned toward the chief and spoke seriously: "The princess possesses great powers that have not been seen in women for a long time. Sending such a rare flower to wilt in a foreign land is unforgivable. She cannot be of use to strangers. Sending Sia is the only solution. After all, the rains no longer fall as they used to, and the drought will kill us."
The grandfather, speaking in a trembling voice as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard: "But… Sia… she is not qualified for such a great task. And as you said, if the princess is in danger, what about Sia?"
She replied in a serious tone, her eyes unyielding: "You know that this girl would not have survived without the chief's mercy. And that mercy was because of me, as I told him that a fake like her would one day serve her tribe. And this is her time."
Marcus felt anger rising within him. How could they decide his sister's fate like this? He looked at the chief, who was smiling wickedly.
The chief, with a smug smile: "Yes, this is her time to repay the mercy of her survival. That thing had no right to live at all. Just a worthless fake compared to the life of the princess."
Marcus could no longer bear it, so he screamed in anguish: "She's my sister!"
Everyone was shocked by his outburst, and the grandfather staggered back in disbelief, but he quickly grabbed Marcus, trying to calm him as he whispered: "Calm down!"
Marcus could not hide his anger, his voice trembling with emotion: "How can you say her life is worthless?! She never asked for those eyes or those powers!"
He remembered his little sister smiling kindly at him, and his eyes shook: "She means everything to us…"
The chief, with a voice filled with rage: "Guards! Take him to prison!"
The grandfather gasped as he shouted: "Marcus!!"
In the house at night:
Everyone was waiting for news, sitting silently with anxiety, the atmosphere was suffocating.
They heard the sound of the door opening.
They looked at the grandfather, who entered alone, his expression frustrated and sad.
The mother, questioning and looking at him: "Where is Marcus? What happened?"
The grandfather, his tone weary: "Marcus has been imprisoned as punishment." They were shocked to hear this.
The grandfather sat in the father's room and recounted what had happened.
So shocked that I couldn't even speak. The mother felt weak and exhausted as her other daughters held her, making her lie down.
I stared at those around me; everyone was in a pitiful state.
I gazed at my grandmother, trying to calm my father, who was about to go out to plead with the chief.
I stood in my place, watching the scene before me as if darkness surrounded me, staring at how the peace I had once known was no longer there. I felt a heavy weight in my chest, thinking: "Because I am a fake… all this is happening because of me. Everyone has suffered because of me."
As midnight approached:
When the children went to sleep, and my sisters returned to their homes, I lay silently in the bedroom next to Laura, who had covered herself to sleep, feeling heavy in my chest, wanting to rest a little.
I wondered to myself: "(Dear brother Marcus, is he okay? I hope he hasn't been harmed.)" Anxiety consumed me to the point that I couldn't close my eyes. "(I'll go ask about him.)"
I sat lightly on the edge of the bed so Laura wouldn't notice my absence beside her.
I stepped down from the bed quietly, and when I reached the lower stairs, I stopped to see a scene at the door that almost made my heart stop.
My grandfather and Damm had brought Marcus, my elder brother, supporting him as he couldn't move to the house.
I opened my eyes wide, gasping at the sight of him severely injured, as he could only stand with their support.
I slowly descended as if feeling the weight of every step, looking from behind the wall at them in the modest living room.
The mother cried bitterly, looking at her son's body covered in whip marks and torn clothes, drenched in blood: "Marcus!" And his wife, bringing water and medicine: "My dear!!"
Hiding, I watched from a distance. I saw the marks on his body, and the blood that was flowing from him.
A wave of horror surged inside me. I began to tremble, shaking from fear and guilt. "(He was whipped because of me.)"
I remained hidden, feeling scared to face everyone because I was the reason for everything that was happening.
Marcus lay on his stomach as he received treatment from my grandmother, who was the most experienced healer.
He spoke in a tired, pained voice: "I couldn't do anything. I couldn't bear what they said. They said her existence was a mistake… her life doesn't matter." He wanted to move out of anger but let out a groan of pain.
The grandmother held him firmly, saying: "Don't move!":
He continued, his eyes welling up as if he were about to cry, in a choked voice: "How can they say this about my sister? She is weak; father, she won't be able to live there."
The father, sitting close to his son, gripped Marcus's shoulder and said, feeling helpless, "Marcus… don't worry. You didn't do anything wrong. I'm the one who made a mistake… for being weak, powerless. That's why I decided I want to tell all of you something important.
They fell silent, listening to him as his eyes showed determination: Do you agree to escape with me?
Upon hearing this, my heart pounded fiercely, my eyes reddening as I listened to him continue from behind the wall: I know this is a difficult request, but I can't let them take Sia. We have endured their mistreatment of her long enough in the past, and now they want to send her to her death.
Everyone agreed in unison: "We will follow you."
I felt as if my heart was tightening, and warmth surrounded me (this isn't the time to feel this way, but I feel happy).
The mother took her husband's hand reassuringly, saying, "Wherever you go, I will go."
The grandfather and grandmother said, "Why should we stay here if you are leaving?"
Dam said seriously: then we need to think of a good plan for this! And secretly tell my other two sisters about it.
Behind the wall, I stood still, feeling my warm tears quietly streaming down, trying to stifle the sound of my sobs. "(I really love all of you. You are thinking of sacrificing yourselves for me. This makes me so happy, but I can't ask for something like this)."
I stepped away from the wall, walking down the stairs, returning to my room quietly, staring at Laura, who was sleeping on the bed.
I told myself: "(I appreciate their concern, but I won't allow them to be considered traitors and live as homeless people because of me)." I lay on the bed next to Laura, inching closer to her, and closed my eyes.
The next morning, I woke up in my bed, but I felt a heavier weight than any other day. I stared at the ceiling for a moment, recalling everything that had happened yesterday. I jumped out of bed, my hand clenching due to my heart beating so hard. (Am I ready to go to the chief's house?)
I looked at Laura, who was still asleep. (It's still early; everyone is still sleeping.)
When I went down the stairs, everything around me seemed like a slow-motion scene. I gazed at my spacious, simple, yet warm home. I hesitated with each step toward the door, every step felt like a heavy weight on my heart. (If I decide to go, will I ever return here?)
When I reached the door, I stood still for a moment, feeling as if the world around me was fading away. I took a deep breath as I recalled all the memories, all the laughter and moments I shared with my family. Then I remembered the injured Marcus and my father's decision to escape, and with greater courage, I opened the door and stepped outside.
Outside the house, it was still early; the others hadn't woken up yet. The sun had risen, but its light was cold, not warming me as usual. I walked hesitantly on the sand, heading toward the chief's palace. With every step closer, my heart beat faster. (Will I be able to face what will happen?)
When I reached the gate, I raised my gaze toward it and stood still for another moment, breathing to regain my composure. Then, in a moment of weakness and bravery, I stepped forward and spoke to the guards: Please tell the chief that Sia Dawun requests the honor of seeing him.
They looked at me silently, their eyes on my violet ones, knowing what I meant to the chief and that I was despised by him; this wasn't a hidden secret. However, one of the guards said: You know it's early.
I replied, trying to keep my nerves in check: He won't refuse to meet me.
He sighed and entered: then wait here.
Standing there, waiting for my entry permission to meet him, with every second and minute my heart raced faster, my anxiety and fear not diminishing. After ten minutes, the guard returned, saying: You can go in.
As I decided to enter, the guard warned me: His majesty hasn't been happy, so be careful.
Surprised, noticing the looks of pity from him , I smiled : Thank you for your warning.
I walked in with steady steps, thinking (True, everyone looks at me with pity, and some look at me as a fake; this is how I've lived since I understood the world around me).
I walked down the cold, long hallway until I reached his reception hall.
I saw him wearing his night robe, sitting in his chair. I greeted him, saying, "I'm here," in a steady voice, despite the tension I felt.
As I raised my gaze, I noticed the presence of ama the great .
Seeing her made my heart race, and my eyes trembled, clenching my attire tightly.
Standing before the chief and Ama the great , I heard the chief's cold, mocking voice: "You dare come before me knowing how much I despise seeing you and those eyes you don't deserve."
I felt a chill creeping down my spine from his tone and his piercing, hateful purple eyes. (I know this, but I must remain strong here, even if he hates me; he is in dire need of me now.)
Ama the great said sternly and firmly: "Calm down, Chief; after all, you will have to see her more in the future."
He gritted his teeth, unable to hide his annoyance and hatred for this matter.
She looked at Sia, stepping forward: "Speak. What brings you here at this early hour?"
Noticing her erect gaze on me: "I agree to the matter."
She said, astonished: "Oh, really? I thought you would say something else; I believed you came to beg not to be sent away ."
Feeling their cold gazes on me, I composed myself, saying: There's no escaping this; after all, it's a command from the Great Chief.
She said calmly, smiling: It seems you're better at thinking than your family, but—
She looked sharply at Sia: I don't think you came here just to say that, did you?
I swallowed hard, not daring to raise my gaze, knowing the chief hated looking at my face, especially my eyes: Yes, I have one condition to act as you wish without any problems: to act like a puppet.
The chief spoke with a sharp tone: "And what is that?"
I said confidently: "Do not harm my family. And never expel them from the tribe. As long as I sacrifice my life for the tribe, I want assurance that they remain here safely. They are the most important thing in my life, even more than myself and this tribe."
The chief, in a serious tone, said: "Then, I promise you this. After all, I appreciate your courage. I have always wondered when I would end your life, but the High Priestess was right… Today has come when I will benefit from you… you fake."
I bowed before him and said: "Thank you for your kindness." (He hates me with all his heart.)
Then I said quietly: "I, Sia Dawun, will fulfill my promise to the chief and go and become the wife of the King of Verdall."
As I left the chief's palace, I looked down at the ground silently, only to hear two voices calling my name: Sia!
I raised my gaze to see my grandfather and Dam waiting for me, smiling at them only.
Dam said, shocked, approaching her: "Don't tell me you…!"
I smiled at them and said: "I'm sorry."
They were stunned, understanding what I meant, and didn't utter a word.
We returned home in silence. I thought: "(They didn't say a word the whole way; they must be disappointed in me. I'm sorry, Grandfather; I'm sorry, Dam. But I'm not someone who sacrifices your safe lives for me. I have always loved staying with you, but it seems this won't last… I'm just a fake, and I must obey the chief's orders to protect you)."
At home, I told everyone about my decision. I said: "So, I ensured that you will never leave the tribe. You will be safe."
I looked at my father, who nervously and sadly said: "Why did you do this?!"
I answered him calmly, sitting: "Because I am like you… I will sacrifice myself for you. At least, I will be the only one sacrificing, not everyone."
Everyone was shocked by my words.
Dam stood in front of me, his face filled with sadness and anger, and said in a trembling voice: "Foolish girl… this will be difficult for you. Years may pass, and we won't see you, and you know no one accepts our tribe, the Mirage Tribe! They hate us… they will hurt you."
I smiled at him and said: "Dam, thank you for your concern, but I won't change my decision. You can call me foolish and stupid, but I will go to that place." I began to feel an overwhelming urge to cry. "(Damn! My voice is starting to break).
I said in a trembling voice, "But no matter what happens… even if we're far apart… you will always be my family, right?!"
The family began to feel that this was an inescapable reality. Some carried expressions of sadness and weakness, while others started to cry silently.
The mother, sitting beside Sia, began to cry, hugging her and saying, "Of course, no matter what happens, you are my daughter. I will always wait for you. I'm sorry… I'm sorry for not being able to protect you."
Feeling the warmth of my mother, I tightly grasped her dress and heard my father saying the same thing: "I'm sorry… I'm sorry."
Unable to bear what I was feeling, I said through my tears, "Why are you apologizing to me? You didn't do anything wrong. I really…"
In my heart, I thought,( I don't want this, but for their sake, I will sacrifice my heart and my body. These are the people who loved and protected me. I wanted to build a home here beside them, but in the end, the feeling that has haunted me since childhood… that I don't belong here… was true.)
I hugged my mother, surrendering to my emotions, and began to cry in her arms.
The next morning, early outside the house, I looked at my family gathered and behind me Guards from the chief's palace had come to take me: So, I will leave now.
The little twins were holding their mother's dress: "Where are you going, Aunt Sia?"
I smiled at them : i will be away so you two remember to behave ok ?
I patted their head and then turned around to leave
They looked at her as she walked away with the guards .