“Lisette, you must stop doing this,” Mother snaps, blocking the door.

I adjust the hood that covers my hair, making sure the jagged cut I’ve just ‘perfected’ is entirely obscured. “I can’t.”

“You absolutely can.”

“Please, Mother! I’m being careful.”

“You’ll be caught. I can’t let you be caught, Lisette.”

She’s worried about us all, though. It’s her safety, and mine, and that of my siblings, ...

“What are you doing here girl? You know that only men get to listen to the Council.” An old man said as he shoved Jenfer out of the doorway.

Jenfer was so annoyed. She had spent more time than most of those men in that room reading the laws and studying how to make the kingdom better. And in secret too! Women weren’t allowed to learn how to read or write, but Jenfer learned.

And she wanted to ...

Sylvia checked over her shoulder, holding her hood over her silver hair to keep it from gleaming in the moonlight and revealing her. Certain no one was following, she entered the darkness of the underpass of the bride above her. The beams supporting were old, weathered and cracked in a few places. She pressed forward even once the light of the street was absorbed by the shadows of the tunnel. Havi...

Regina held her sister in her arms. Nina was only eighteen and now she’d never see nineteen. Her eyes stared blankly at the grey sky. The other girls had huddled around them, forming a shield of sorts.

“I warned her. I told her to step away from the horse. She didn’t listen.” The voice was self-assured. Regina could hear the justification in his voice. “The little wench got what she deserved.”

“...

I stood near the edge as it called to me. It longed for me to jump.

What if I did? Would the world really miss me?

“Yes.” A deep, power holding voice spoke from behind me. I slowly turned around only to lock eyes with a beaten, ragged girl.

“What?” I breathed out. “You. Will. Be. Missed.” I look away scoffing.

“How so?!” I asked more sternly, feeling the rage start to boil up in me.

“You feel li...

After the long, uncomfortable dinner had commenced, I was excused back to my room for the rest of the evening. I was truly thankful that the servants were the ones to clean up after everyone's mess, and not me. I climbed up the winding staircase, nearly taking two steps at a time, as I tried to escape the continuing argument between the grown business men. Unfortunately, the women, like my mother,...

I crack my knuckles.

“You know that’s damaging to the bones, right?”

I pass an exasperated look to Right. She always did this. When you crack your knuckles she says this, when you rub your temples, she says pressing too hard causes brain damage.

Manner comes in. “Today’s the perfect day,” she says.

“Great!” I smile.

All our names are like this—Righteous, Manner, Humble, Modest, Gentle, et...

“Women not allowed”, A large sing held the words in front of the large mansion hosting the event. I walked past while controlling the rising anger, calming myself down with a few deep breaths and a brief pep talk. It’s unfair how we have no control, we have hardly have any rights which means we can’t do a thing.

Women can’t:

- Have a say in important matters

...

Miranda sat quietly in her chair, silent, as the law mandated (no woman is to talk unless spoken to). Her brother engaged in a political debate, and she internally sighed with longing for the ability to express an opinion, especially one that meant something. But society was completely against women, with their only purpose was to marry, have children, and care for the house. When her family was d...

Edna. A name. My name. A name that would someday be known. Praised with victorious flare. Or spat upon with the utmost distain. Only one of those will be the outcome. The latter preferred.

Selma and I were to meet this evening. At the lamppost by the river. Before sunset so as not to cause suspicion.

It’s getting dusky. Being allowed past dark is not permitted; for anyone of the female gender.

S...