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I'm to be married off.
I've always known this day would come. From the moment she first stepped foot in this house, she's been all too eager to see me gone. Now, It appears she'll finally get her way.
The weighty silence is broken by Cyprian pushing his chair away from the table. The wood scraping against the floor, causing me to wince as I glance at him. His eyes flash with anger, his lip curled up in disgust as he stands and storms out of the room.
Unable to stop myself, I let out a snort. Shouldn't I be the one doing the storming out of here?
"Have you nothing to say about this good news?" Merelda asks, as if her youngest son didn't just throw a fit of his own.
I take a moment to collect my thoughts before meeting her gaze.
"What does my father think of this?"
"He's elated, of course," Merelda says, leaning back in her chair as she sips from her glass. "We agreed to it last night. It's something I've been working tirelessly toward, and he was thrilled to know I've finally found you a suitable match."
I stare at her as her smile only seems to grow wider. The timing of all this doesn't sit right with me. Surely, Father would have mentioned something long before now. Even if it was simply to let me know that they were looking.
Now, he's far too ill to confirm that any of this is even true. If this is what he wants for me, what he thinks is best for me, then I won't question their decision ... but I need to hear it from his lips.
Not Merelda's.
"Who?" I ask, though I'm almost too afraid to put a name to my future husband. Afraid that learning it might make this all too real. "Who have you matched me with?"
"Lord Payne."
Merelda's smile is as cold as it is cruel.
I open my mouth to say something, but no words come. Closing my mouth, I swallow past the lump quickly forming in my throat even as her eyes flash in victory.
"When?" I ask, the word barely a squeak.
"You're to be wed as soon as we can reach an agreement on your dowry."
6
Hazel
Istare at Merelda for a long moment as I try to process everything she's just told me.
Lord Payne is at least my father's age, if not several years older. I've seen him around town, his eyes always trailing after the young maidens as they go about their days.
If the rumors I've heard to be even somewhat believed, his behavior behind closed doors would make even the most hardened of men shudder.
And this is the man Merelda and Father mean to marry me to?
"No," I say quietly, startling myself. "I will not marry him."
Amadeus lets out an amused snort at this, suddenly reminding me that he's still sitting with us. I shoot a glare his way as I shove my chair back.
Unlike Cyprian's dramatic exit, mine is far more awkward as my skirts get caught in the legs of the chair, nearly causing me to trip as I rise to my feet. I'm too slow as I try to make a speedy exit, and Merelda is quicker on her feet.
Blocking my exit, her face twists as she approaches me.
"You will do exactly as I tell you, girl," she hisses, her hand connecting with my cheek before I have a chance to move.
Her eyes flash as she glares down at me, waiting for my reaction. With a stinging cheek, tears flood my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I will not give her the satisfaction of knowing the depth of the pain she's caused me.
"You should thank me," Merelda says, straightening. "I could have matched with someone far worse. At least Lord Payne is wealthy enough to care for you ... at least until he grows bored."
