"Come in."
Chicha kept her back to the door as she continued to braid her long, luscious hair before tucking it into her signature updo. In fact, not many people knew she had long hair, as the style she chose to keep it in was the same style that her mother used. Her customary green headband was sewn by her mother, and although it was ratty and worn, she never went without it.
Her father walked in the room slowly.
"It was nice of them to give you a room to yourself," he commented as he observed the modest surroundings.
"I wish you would sleep here instead of on the floor in the living room," Chicha protested, and faced Micos, attempting to give him a harsh look. "You know how much pain your back has endured."
Her father waved off her comment and sat at the foot of her bed. "You realize how happy your mother would be, now that you know the man you will marry. He will take excellent care of you and you will live the life I dreamed for you," her father said, and motioned for Chicha to sit down next to him.
"I have nothing in common with him," Chicha protested, and noticed that she was starting to cry. "I will miss you so much."
"My dear Chicha," Micos sighed and reached over to wipe a tear, "You are the closest remembrance I have to your wonderful mother. I will miss you more than you can imagine, but this is what is best for you."
"I understand," was all Chicha could say, and put her hand over her father's. "I understand."
Her father kissed her on the cheek and left the room. Just as Chicha got up from her bed she heard the door open again.
"Did you forget something, Fath-" she began, only to see that it was Sumac at the door. "I didn't realize that knocking was a custom only in my village."
Sumac laughed loudly at her comment. "Oh Chicha, we will be getting to know each other soon enough, I think it's perfectly acceptable to have an air of openness. Should I be cautious of what you might be doing behind closed doors in my house?" he asked, then raised an eyebrow.
"Not at all," she remarked, and made way to her bed. "If you would please excuse my exhaustion I think I'm going to go to sleep now."
As she walked past him to get to the bed Sumac suddenly reached out and placed a forceful hand on her shoulder. "Why are you so distant with me?" he growled.
"Forgive me if I'm a little fatigued after hiking for four days. Next time I will ask for permission to go to sleep," Chicha said, and gave him an appalled look.
"People will see your defiance and question my authority at the emperor's palace," he admonished, and narrowed his eyes at her. "Your attractiveness will be the envy of all men, and I can see that you have enough wit and charm to entertain even the largest dinner party. But if you refuse to be submissive to me then I highly doubt that you will enjoy the life of luxury I have planned for us."
"Is that what my life will be like with you? A timid housewife who tends to your drunken dinner guests and stays cooped up in the city all day long? Lucky for me I will be rewarded with jewels and fine silks and your stamp of approval," Chicha spat out, and moved past him. "I would like to rest now."
Sumac gave her a menacing glare. "Women would envy the opportunity I have given you. I suggest you be a little more grateful," he said, adding a bite to each word.
He slammed the door behind him, almost blowing out the candle due to sheer force. With this, Chicha sank into her bed and wept until sleep came upon her.