Tangled By Fate

Catherine sneered. "Huh, because of you being the blessed child, people are going crazy, and you are doubting your worth? I'm sure your brain isn't worth much."

Veronica was embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I made a mistake. Acting humble like that makes me only a hypocrite. But still, I'm thinking, if I'm that worthy, why isn't anyone paying heed to my words?"

Catherine paused. "Huh? What do you mean?"

Veronica explained, "I mean, if I'm the blessed child, shouldn't people try to understand what I have to say? Think about the King. He kept pushing his words toward me. 

"He wasn't ready to listen to what I wanted. If I was the blessed child, shouldn't they at least try to understand what I want?" Veronica expressed her opinion.

Catherine listened to her and remarked, "Maybe because you know less than them?"

Veronica shook her head. "It's not just that. Well, whose fault is it that we know less than them? They were the ones who shut us from the world. And when they found out that I was the blessed child, they were ready to control me saying I was naive. 

"I'm not a doll that can be controlled. I am a human with my own feelings and desires. There are things I want to do and want to know. Why should I obediently listen to others?"

"Wow! Ver, you changed. Are you sure you were that girl who didn't want to get out of the temple wall for eighteen years? Unbelievable!"

Catherine was marveled by her way of thinking. This kind of transformation was a huge deal for her friend and she knew it.

Veronica felt dejected. "I know. That was stupid of me, I admit. I'm not sure now why I was so obedient and why I thought after eighteen I'm an adult. 

"You are an adult when you take responsibility for yourself and your actions. It looks like I wasn't an adult up until now."

"Don't feel bad. What's wrong with learning now? It's never too late." Catherine tried to comfort her. 

Veronica stated, "Sometimes, it is too late to change anything. That's why we need to change our ways of thinking.

"Such as?" Catherine became curious.

Veronica explained, "People in our kingdom are too restrictive and controlling. And we, women, are being looked down on by men. 

"I've learned it all in the past few months. And what's more, I've seen in many places that women were treated better than us in Utahill. That's when it hit me.

"Why are we being looked down on? Don't we worship a Goddess? Isn't she a woman? Those men who treat us like that, can they live a day without a woman in their lives? Can they cook, do laundry, or finish household chores?

"What about having sex and having children? What about raising children? Can they do all that? If they don't, if they depend on us so much, why do they treat us like slaves and not humans?

"Man and woman can't live without each other. Aren't they equal in terms? Then why is this discrimination?"

Catherine slapped the table. She was elevated. 

"Ver, I totally agree with you. Even in the temple, the Priests have more than the Nuns. Why can the Priests perform prayers but not the Nuns? They have equal status. Why can they go out more often but not the Nuns?

"I really had enough of that lifestyle. I cannot go back to that place. Now I'm here, working as much as I want. I'm wearing and eating whatever I want. There is no one to tell me off. Having freedom is so much fun. I cannot let go of that. 

"Even if I get married and have my responsibilities, I want to share the job with my husband. If we both work outside, we will work at home too. How come I work inside and outside and he can goof around with friends? That won't happen.

"If marriage means being a babysitter for my husband and taking all the burdens to myself, I'd rather stay single forever!"

Veronica couldn't agree more. "Yes, that's what we should do. We don't need to take a burden if that's what people will give us. If they can't live without us, they should give us that amount of respect."

After a pause, she added, "And, so it goes for cheating. You can't just eat my tofu and then put your eyes on someone else's body. That's unforgivable!"

"Yes, unforgivable!" Catherine shouted.

Fortunately, there weren't many guests in the area. Those who were having dinner gave the drunkards an odd look.

Later, Vincent came to find them since they were late. He was stunned when he saw the girls sleeping soundly in the restaurant. 

The girls finished their meals and drank ten glasses of beer. Placing their faces on the table, they went to dreamland. 

The waiter came to meet him when he was spotted. "Vincent, what should we do? We don't have female staff here to wake them up. Touching the guests is rude." The young boy looked troubled.

Vincent scratched his nose. "What else can we do? We need to wake them up." 

However, waking up two drunkards wasn't that easy. They kept mumbling and moving around. They frowned as they seemed bothered by the sound.

Later, not finding any other options, Vincent sprayed some water on their faces.

Only then, they opened their eyes. Veronica rubbed her eyes. She was still drowsy. "Did something happen?" she asked.

Vincent politely told her, "Yes, you need to move to your room. Will you be able to do that?"

"Oh." Veronica looked at Catherine whose eyes were still closed. She poked her friend and said, "Cathy, get up. We need to go to our room."

Catherine must be still dreaming, "No, not going. I'm not listening to others. I'll do whatever I please."

"Do that in your house. Not someone else's place. We are bothering people. Get up!" Veronica slurred as she reprimanded her friend.

Pursing her lips, Catherine opened her eyes and stood up. Two drunkards stumbled as they walked into each other's cottage. 

From behind, Vincent worriedly followed them until they went to their room.

For Veronica, she had no idea what was waiting for her.