Choosing Theo: The Clecanian Series Book 1 Victoria Aveline (the giving tree read aloud TXT) 📖

“Every being on this planet is entitled to medical care and food. They don’t cost money. If you don’t have enough money to buy a house, then you live with other males in housing that’s provided until you make enough money. You’d never purchase something you didn’t have the money for.”

Asivva’s response gave Jade more questions than answers. “So, the quality of food doesn’t matter? Really good rare things and very common poor-tasting things are free? What about school and retirement?”

“It seems like this could go on forever.” Asivva shook her head. “Let me try and explain what money is used for. Maybe that’ll help.

“In our culture, the money you earn throughout your life represents your drive and hard work. That money is used to provide additional comforts to yourself and your family. If you decided to not make any money, you’d still live very comfortably and be taken care of until you died, but you wouldn’t be eligible to have a wife because you didn’t express a great enough drive to do so. You could still have a romantic relationship with whomever you wished, and children if you were so blessed.

“Food, shelter, and medical care are all rights each being living on Clecania is entitled to. A female and a family, however, is a blessing, and you must work hard and contribute to society to show that you deserve such a blessing. Basic needs are provided for by our government. Additional comforts such as a house, designer clothing and specialty foods are all things you can pay for.”

A world like that would be wonderful. “What about the people who inherit money and houses?”

Again, with a confused look, Asivva said, “There is no inheritance. Whatever money or property is left when you die is given to the government. All children begin with the same opportunities.”

Asivva leaned forward, interest showing in her eyes. “On Earth, do you inherit your parent’s money? How do you make sure wealthy individuals don’t just go on being wealthy without doing any hard work?”

“Well…” Jade couldn’t think of an answer. Wasn’t that one of the biggest problems on Earth? Financial inequality? If all the things needed to survive were free and you weren’t able to pass on the money you made when you died, would people be as ruthless as they were? Greed would still be present, but the next generation would have to start from scratch and earn their money.

Throwing her hands up, Jade said, “You win. What you’re saying makes sense. I’m sorry. Eventually I’ll learn not to assume something is wrong before understanding it.”

Asivva leaned back, looking smug. “The goal of the males on this planet is to make enough money to attract a wife. If he gets a wife, then he’ll want to make sure to spend any money he’s made on her. Ensuring her every desire is met and she’s happy. It proves to her that he’s capable of doing the same for a child.”

Jade tried to keep any judgement from her voice when she said, “Does that feel unfair to men? Do women work and earn money too, or do they just use their husband’s money?”

Sadness flashed over Asivva’s face. “Our world is in distress. Females are the key to ensuring we don’t go extinct. A female can work if she wants, but she’d be looked down on for it if she didn’t also get married. In order to continue our species, we marry and have children. Then we move on and leave them behind in order to marry again and have more children.

“A Clecanian female gives up her children and any male she loves for our survival. Material possessions provided by our husbands can’t fill the hole that’s left, but it can help.”

Jade realized this culture she’d been thrown into seemed on the surface to have archaic views of a woman’s place in life, but as she learned more, she found this world was dominated by women. Everything they did was designed to keep their race from going extinct, not to force women into unhappy marriages.

The women on this planet were more honorable than any she’d ever met. They chose the good of their people over their own happiness. Jade felt tears welling in her eyes. Strength. She’d always admired strength, especially in women.

“I’m so sorry, Asivva,” she whispered. “Do you have children?”

Asivva smiled sadly. “Yes, two. They live with their fathers.”

“Can you go see them?”

“I could, but I fear that would hurt more. You may think the females here are callous and we are. We must be so. If I were to go and see my children, I don’t know that I’d be able to leave. If every female did that, we’d end up extinct. What kind of world would I be leaving for my boys?”

Asivva had been staring off into the distance but turned her attention to Jade. “Husbandry school, clothes, jewels, even a separate bedroom.” She gestured around. “Are all to meant to ease our suffering and keep us from becoming too attached while also giving males the opportunity to prove they’ve worked hard enough to raise a child alone.”

Jade wiped a stray tear that had fallen down her cheek. Asivva was always so patient and kind. To know the pain she had inside made Jade’s heart hurt.

Originally, she’d thought the women of this world heartless. They’d shunned Theo because of his appearance and seemed to only care about material possessions or what their husband could do for them, but she now understood they had to be that way. With everything they’d given up—the comfort of a permanent home, a partner to love, and children to raise—they’d earned the right to be as callous, vain, and as downright bitchy as they wanted to be.

Distancing yourself from everybody so you couldn’t be hurt was exactly what Jade had been doing since her aunt had passed away. Being cold was a good way to protect yourself, but it was also very lonely.

Taking a deep breath, Asivva said, “Do