Recap: Galla’s father revealed that his proclamation is against the Jews in the kingdom. Jasmin asks Ava why her coloring differs so much from her aunt and cousins – a question that has always bothered Ava.
Later that night, Aunt Annabelle joined us for the late-night meal. My uncle had traveled to another kingdom on royal business.
Galla and her parents were talking about the pageant. My aunt listened with feigned interest, but I knew she didn’t plan to attend.
Should I go? Would it be disrespectful to my aunt? I hadn’t decided to change religions. Still, my aunt had taught me many things that resonated. I loved the calm of Shabbos. I felt a strong connection to the One – Hashem.
Yet, there was the pull of the pageant. Jasmin and I went every year: four days of dressing up, seeing the parade of beautiful robes. I loved all the colors and gowns. How could I not go?
After the meal, I noticed Aunt Annabelle signaling to my cousin, Mihran.
She rose. “Thank you all for coming. Please let us know if you need anything. Our bathhouse is available for your use in the back. It’s a lovely night for a stroll. Please excuse me. I have some pressing business to attend to.”
Nazanin and Omir bowed to my aunt and headed toward the door.
I assumed Galla would go with them.
I strode toward the library. I wanted to write more on my scroll before the sun was fully down. A poem was forming in my mind about choosing the right religion – the correct way of life. I didn’t want to lose the thought.
I was surprised when I opened the library door and saw my aunt in the corner of the room with her back to me. My cousin Mihran was seated next to her, and a rabbi was sitting across from them, speaking.
I was about to turn and leave when I heard the rabbi say, “Yes, a bris milah is the proper way for you to become Jewish, Mihran. I can perform it tomorrow when everyone is at the pageant. You must first pray and prepare yourself for this.”
“It is a big step,” Aunt Annabelle said. “How can we ensure that people won’t hear about it? A milah is a desecration of the body. A royal person doing this would be frowned upon. I fear people will be angry, and it could cause terrible strife in the kingdom.”
“I understand your concerns. Just know that Queen Helena, your royal aunt, allowed her sons to have a bris milah. That is what made them full-fledged Jews.”
“She lives in Jerusalem now. We are not in a Jewish place. True, there are Jews living in our kingdom, but they are a minority, and many ignorant people look down on them.” My aunt paced back and forth.
“I must pray and ask Hashem what to do,” she said. “I don’t want to endanger my sons, my dear daughter-in-law, or my niece, Ava.”
Mihran rose. “Mother, it is the only way to show Hashem we are committed. Surely, the One who created us will protect us if we follow His will.”
My aunt stopped pacing. “You are right, and you are brave, my son. Still, I must pray and think about this more deeply. Please come back tomorrow, Rabbi Ezra, and then we will have an answer.”
“Very well. The pageant is tomorrow, so I will bring my surgical instruments in case you and your son decide he is ready to enter the covenant of Abraham.”
My aunt escorted him toward the door. She saw me standing there.
“Ava!”
I bowed my head. “Please forgive me, Royal Aunt. I was on my way to work on a parchment in the library. I should not have listened in.”
“It’s all right, Ava. This decision will affect all of us. It’s just as well that you know about it.” She put her arm on my shoulder. “Dear Ava, what do you think we should do? I am so conflicted.”
I was honored that she would ask my opinion. “My first reaction is not to do it if it is dangerous. If people hear that Mihran desecrated his body and it will cause danger to him and our family, then perhaps it’s best not to do it.”
Mihran strode over. “Ava, I can’t be a full-fledged Jew unless I undergo this procedure. I want more than anything to submit to Hashem. I want to do His will.”
I saw the fire in my cousin’s eyes. There was no way he would not go through with it. I just prayed it would not bring us harm.
As I left the room, I saw – to my horror – that Galla was standing by the door, listening. The glint in her eyes told me that she had heard everything.
To be continued…
Susie Garber is the author of a newly released historical fiction novel, Captured (Menucha Publishers, 2025), as well as historical fiction novels Please Be Patient (Menucha, 2024), Flight of the Doves (Menucha, 2023), Please Be Polite (Menucha, 2022), A Bridge in Time (Menucha, 2021), Secrets in Disguise (Menucha, 2020), Denver Dreams, a novel (Jerusalem Publications, 2009), Memorable Characters…Magnificent Stories (Scholastic, 2002), Befriend (Menucha, 2013), The Road Less Traveled (Feldheim, 2015), fiction serials, and features in Binah Magazine and Binyan Magazine, and “Moon Song” in Binyan (2021–2022) and Alaskan Gold (2023–2024).
