Lucina wasn't heartless. She would never refer to herself as anything of the sort. She was simply reasonable. She had learned valuable lessons throughout her lifetime. Lessons that ought to be remembered
The first lesson she learned when she was fifteen: appearance was crucial to first encounters. And any following encounters. The only way people will ever see the best in you is if you look the best. People want to surround themselves with nice things. And Lucina learned at a young age that men expected her to be one of those things. That the only thing they ever saw and ever would see a woman was a pretty ornament on their arm and a necessary tool to give them heirs.
So she accepted it. Even once she was free of every man under the foolish notion that he owned any part of her was rightfully removed from her life, she took great effort to look perfect.
Never even a hair out of place.
She kept her wedding band. She wasn't married anymore, nor did she particularly care for her late husband, but the band was quite efficient at keeping most men a respectful distance away.
Most. Their were certain distasteful breed of men who seemed to be rather blind to those sorts of things. Men who were ignorant to the notion of 'no'.
"Ma'am?"
Lucina turned away from the mirror and towards the door.
The little girl, Jasna, stood in the doorway, rocking on her heels. She clutched something close to her chest.
Lucina smiled gently, "What is it, darling?"
Jasna hesitantly stepped into the room, "I made something for you."
"And what is that?" Lucina turned completely away from the mirror.
Jasna walked up to her slowly and held up a bracelet.
It was hardly a pretty thing. Much the opposite, really. The thread was frayed, the color that of pond scum. The beads were obviously handmade, crooked, chipped, and malformed.
Jasna looked at Lucina.
Lucina smiled, "It's lovely."
Jasna beamed, "Can I put it on for you?"
Lucina held her wrist out.
Jasna giggled, tying the bracelet around Lucina's wrist. "Thank you for saving my life."
Lucina froze when Jasna hugged her, her small arms barely reaching around her waist. Lucina eventually pat her back softly. "You're welcome, darling."
Jasna eventually let go and ran back towards the door, "I gotta go. My daddy's teaching me how to cook fish."
"Have fun."
Jasna ran out of the room.
Lucina eventually stood up and shut the door. She walked back and sat down in the stool in front of the mirror. She tucked a stray lock of hair away. She looked at the hideous bracelet tied on her wrist.
She always looked perfect.
She never had a hair out of place.
Lucina stood up and walked towards the door with a small smile.
Today could be the exception.
Comments (0)
See all