The sun blazed mercilessly above, a molten eye in the sky, watching her every step. Heat coiled around Yuyu's body like an invisible shackle, the air thick and suffocating. Sweat traced slow paths down her back, soaking into the fabric of her dress, but she barely noticed. She had walked this road too many times to care.
Ozume Village loomed ahead, its market bustling with voices that blended into a chaotic hum. It was a place of wealth, where nobles spent without thought, where merchants haggled with desperation, and where the poor, like her, hoped for a few extra coins to take home. Her mother's crafts sold well here, and that was all that mattered.
But today, something was different.
The market was more crowded than usual, bodies pressed together, jostling for space. When Yuyu reached her usual selling spot, she found it overrun, every inch claimed by eager vendors and restless shoppers. Annoyance prickled in her chest. A crowd this large should have meant good business, but how could she sell when she didn't even have space to set down her basket?
Loud ululations pierced the air.
A surge of excitement rippled through the crowd, people pushing and shoving to see the commotion. Yuyu tried to hold her ground, but feet stomped over her, crushing her as she protected her mother's crafts from the careless heels. Pain shot through her fingers as someone's heavy foot landed on her hand.
A scream tore from her throat.
She yanked her injured hand back, cradling it against her chest, rage flaring white-hot inside her. Her eyes darted through the chaos until she spotted him, the man who had stomped on her hand. He was laughing, caught up in the excitement, utterly unaware of what he had done.
No.
Yuyu didn't let things go. She never had.
Without hesitation, she surged forward, shoving past bodies until she reached him. Before he could react, she grabbed his robe and yanked, sending him sprawling onto the dirt.
A collective gasp swept through the market.
The man blinked up at her in shock, dust clinging to his fine clothes. "Are you mad?!" he sputtered, his voice high with disbelief.
Yuyu didn't answer. She simply lifted her foot and pressed it against his throat.
For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes. He grabbed at her ankle, struggling beneath her, but Yuyu held firm. She didn't need words, her silence was punishment enough. Slowly, deliberately, she raised her injured hand, showing him the reddened skin where he had stomped.
Then she punched him.
A clean, sharp hit to the face.
His head snapped to the side, a bruise already blooming on his cheek. The murmurs in the crowd swelled, but Yuyu didn't care. She stepped back, dusted off her hands, and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Far across the market, a pair of eyes watched her closely
Later That Night
The scent of garlic and pepper filled the small rondavel, blending with the warmth of a home-cooked meal. Yuyu's mother sat by the bench, grinding spices together, humming softly. When Yuyu entered, she smiled.
"How did it go today?"
Yuyu held up the empty basket and the few coins she had earned.
Her mother's smile widened. "God is surely with us. Business has been good these days." She gestured to the steaming pot. "I made your favorite meal to celebrate your hard work."
Yuyu lowered herself onto the floor, stretching her aching limbs. The day had been long, but they had food, and that was enough.
"Did something interesting happen today?" her mother asked as they ate.
Yuyu shook her head.
There was no need to tell her about the fight at the market, her mother would only worry.
Her mother sighed, stirring her food absentmindedly. "The chief of Mandhara Village is searching for a wife again."
Yuyu's hand paused mid-air.
"He is moving from village to village," her mother continued, her voice edged with quiet anger. "They say he's cruel, that his wives suffer under him. If he picks a girl, there's no refusing."
Yuyu said nothing, but her mother's words settled heavily in her chest.
"Such men will pay for their sins," she muttered, finally taking a bite of her food.
Her mother gave a small, sad smile. "I hope so."
Just then, a familiar voice cut through the night.
"My people, my people!"
Yuyu and her mother turned as Seuzanne bustled into the rondavel, a basket of fruits in hand. She always dropped by unannounced, but they had grown used to her lively presence.
"You are back early," Yuyu's mother noted, dishing up a plate for her.
Seuzanne lowered herself onto the bench with a dramatic sigh. "I had to come back when I heard the chief of Mandhara is coming to our village. Word is, he already has his eye on someone."
A chill ran down Yuyu's spine.
"Our village?" her mother asked, gripping her spoon tighter.
Seuzanne nodded. "The chief has spoken to our village elders. They have agreed, he can take any girl he chooses."
Yuyu's fingers curled into fists.
She had heard stories of the chief. His cruelty. His wives that never spoke.
"You must stay out of sight this week," Seuzanne warned, looking directly at Yuyu. "If his eyes land on you, there's nothing anyone can do."
Yuyu clicked her tongue in irritation. "I can take care of myself."
Seuzanne shook her head. "Listen to me, child. That man doesn't ask. He takes."
She paused, lowering her voice.
"Oh, and one more thing."
Yuyu exhaled, tired of the warnings. "What now?"
Seuzanne leaned forward. "The chief was at Ozume Village today. He was buying gifts for his new bride when he saw something that caught his attention."
Yuyu's breath hitched.
"A girl." Seuzanne's eyes were sharp now. "A girl who beat up a man in the market."
Silence filled the room.
Yuyu's mother slowly turned to look at her.
Yuyu swallowed hard, her heart hammering.
Seuzanne continued, oblivious to Yuyu's rising panic. "They say he was intrigued. He asked about the girl."
Yuyu set her spoon down carefully, trying to ignore the creeping dread twisting in her stomach.
The chief had seen her.
And he was curious about her.