After that day, it seemed there was no longer trouble for Kassa from the other kids. There was a downside, though. It seemed like she would rather spend time with the other kids than me, so I saw much less to her. When I arrived back from the dungeon, she was always playing with the other kids, and if I called her she would simply wave and continue playing. She also often didn’t return until after dark, having already eaten at somebody else’s place. I know I have only known her for a few months, but it still makes me feel somewhat lonely.

My newfound time, as we only go to the dungeon every other day now, is funneled into Dixy, much to her enjoyment. She also soothed the lonely feeling that assailed me, when Kassa clearly wasn’t that interested in spending time with me.

On the other hand, plenty of people were interested in spending time with me. Many people offer me goods and services on a daily basis. It is actually kind of nice. I remember learning a little about monarchs and European struggles for the throne. I had thought it was stupid. It sounded stressful to be king, and I was pretty content with my life. But in this world, where there often is too little, having people clean my house, offer me delicious food, make clothes for me etc. is a huge boon to my standard of living. I feel like I finally understand that struggle of power a little.

The people giving me these things are also getting a little on my nerves though. Especially Yasia’s father. Barely a day goes by without him speaking praise about his daughter to me, coming to visit me with her in tow and offering her delicious food. I still accept it though. It is good food, after all.

Yasia herself doesn’t appear to be entirely on-board with the whole process either. She often just ends up looking down or away, when we are in the same room. She speaks in low mutters and I feel like I have barely gotten to know her, except through her father’s praises.

I feel like he has ticked every box of what people here consider female virtues. Cooking, cleaning, good with children, beautiful (the boys pine after her, allegedly), soft spoken, obedient, sewing etc. etc. I believed him at first, but I feel like he is piling up too much for it to be useful.

A few months of these routines in, I catch sight of a horrible scene. Kassa was being carried around by two boys that seemed a little older than her, until one of them tripped. It appears Kassa got hurt in the fall, and her action thereafter was to stand up and kick the boy who tripped immediately. The other kids just watched the scene going on. I glanced around to the other adults and they seemed to purposefully ignore it.

What happened? How is this allowed? The realization dawned on me slowly. I was probably at fault for this. Having taken up a high status in the village, and made sure Kassa received a princess-like one too. I was mad. Mad at myself and mad at Kassa.

“Kassa!” I shouted as I approached. All of the kids flinched under my shout. I must sound mad.

“What the hell is this!?” I crouch down to the boy and help him up.

“But.. I…” Kassa stammers.

“Not here, come with me!” I say as I grab her wrist. I can feel all the eyes upon me.

“No! No! I didn’t do anything!” She protests.

“It makes no sense to lie when I just saw it!”

Her protest became increasingly meager as I dragged her to our house.

“Now explain to me! Why the hell did you kick that boy!?”

Kassa looks down. “It’s his fault. He didn’t carry me properly. I got hurt! Shouldn’t you be mad at him!?” She started crying as she built up volume in her excuses. “Why me? Didn’t you say you would always be on my side?!”

It tugged at my heart a little and pulled me out of my rage. But I steeled myself. She can’t keep treating people like this. I have a tough time of thinking of what to say.

“Kassa, why did that boy carry you around?” I ask her.

“I told him to…”

“And why did he do as you said?”

“I’m the leader!” She seems almost proud.

“Do you remember when we first came here? And you had cried? What happened then?” I ask. She averted her face once again.

“They didn’t want to play with me. Said I was ugly and weird. And that I would make them ugly and weird.”

“Did that hurt?” I ask her.

I could see the realization dawn on her and she quickly became even more meager.

“It did…”

“Now, was it okay to hurt you?” She looks a little confused before shaking her head.

“Then was it okay for you to hurt him?” She stills stays quiet, but shakes her head once again.

“Good that you know that. Listen, people shouldn’t be mean to each other, even if you are the leader” I caress her head a little.

“Then, you won’t hit me?” Did she have some experience being schooled earlier?

“Oh no, but I can’t exactly let you go without punishment.” Confusion washes over her.

“The rest of the week, you are spending all the time between noon and dinner with me and Dixy, and we will teach you how to read!” Color drains from her face as if I had just made a severe threat.

“We will start immediately, now, come!” I say, grabbing the bag with Dixy in it, and carrying Kassa out of the village.

Under much protest, many hours of reading practice commenced over the next week. Though Kassa clearly thought it unpleasant, I actually enjoyed spending the time with her again. With this, she hopefully won’t get too cocky with the authority I lent her.