- I don't know if the girl knows or not, but you will never guess who attacked him!
- Well tell me! Who?
- They told me that Olimáchos had a thing with Lykrevia Troizena, and that Lykrevia's father was very upset about it and beat him up. Badly. Some say he might not survive, but I'm sure they're exaggerating.
- Lykrevia's father did that? Aranare? Amunet's husband?
- Yes! Can you believe it?
- Holy Astanna! Who would have thought ... I'm shocked...
- The situation for Mpatíni will be even more difficult now that her brother can't protect her. Even if it's temporary. At the moment he can't even stand on his feet they say. And if he dies...
- Oh no! This is terrible news! Well that's it. I can't let this happen. The girl will move in here. As Teo's wife to be.
- Are you sure Noor? People might talk.
- Oh, I'm sure they will. People will always talk. In the past it used to be me they were talking about. And Mpatíni doesn't deserve it, she is a nice girl and didn't do nothing wrong. Eira, will you support me? Will you stand by me? And Teo and his wife?
- Of course Noor. Always. You are my sister. And I feel for the girl as well, I never understood why people were so mean to her.
- I can always count on you Eira. Thank you. And now we will have a wedding to plan, I guess! I bet you didn't see that coming when you came over for a tea and a chat!
- I sure didn't haha!
It was Teo that got to brake the news to Mpatíni, both the good news and the bad news. The circumstances may not have been ideal, but the young couple were very happy to be able to tie the knot.
Just a few months later they got married. Spring was on it's way, but it was still cold when the young couple had a simple home marriage. Mpatíni was looking very pretty (but a bit cold) in a dress Noor and Eira had remade from one of Simadhne's dresses, and with a beautiful braid made by Areth and Bansabira.
It was of course unusual to have a wedding at this time of the year, and there were not many guests outside the family. Mpatínis brother was still not well after the fight with Aranare, but was helped, or should we say carried, to the house to be able to attend.
Kyria Figaleía had politely declined at first, but changed her mind when Noor and Eira hinted that they soon would have to discuss the marriages for three young ladies: Areth, Khará and Bansabira. The presence of Kyria Figaleía was very important, especially for the bride, because no one could turn the tide of public opinion like Kyria Figaleía.
It was a smart move, and a successful one. When the summer came, nobody talked about Mpatíni anymore. Despite of (or perhaps precisely because of) the fact that her brother Olimáchos never recovered from his injuries after his unpleasant encounter with Aranare. A few weeks after his sister's wedding his condition worsened, and he past away. And fingers pointed at Aranare.
Everyone was sure that Aranare had killed him, but there was no way to prove it. Nevertheless, he had to pay a heavy price. It turned out that Lykrevia secretly had married Olimáchos and she was also with child. Now she refused to have anything to do with her father, and survived by picking fruit and olives around Manthos, as her husband had previously done. Evil tongues meant she was also becoming a bit insane, but, you know, people have always had something to say about single mothers.
Anyway, on this winter night, after Mpatíni and Teo's wedding, it was all peace and happiness. And maybe, (well we don't know this for sure, but we can speculate, right?) just maybe, the foundation for a new generation of Asijakas were laid, just this night.
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[End of chapter 10]
Truly, I appreciate so much all the likes and comments on my story so far. It does mean a lot, and I am very grateful. 💕
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