With him/her? NEVER!

The Blackwell nightmare

Barak

The ball finally ended and after our family bid goodbye to the Royals, I was obligated to kiss Nara's hand as a farewell. I looked into her mud brown eyes and still couldn't believe that this witch is my fiance. I hopped into our carriage and Elda joined me with Argus. Once the carriage headed home I couldn't hold my disgust any longer. I buried my face in my hands and leaned forward.

- Argus... Could you please do me a favor?

- What do you need Barak? - he asked and his deep voice was almost soothing. I looked into his eyes and smiled.

- Kill me please. - Elda suddenly slapped me so hard that my ears rang.

- Are you out of your f*****g mind? AND YOU PUT THAT DAGGER AWAY IMMEDIATELY! - she shouted at Argus who put his dagger away obediently. "I swear he is a domesticated wolf..."

- You have exactly one minute to explain yourself. - I sighed and prayed to the Gods that my sister could somehow help me escape.

- It's about the engagement.

- Elaborate. - she said in the same tone she talk with her subordinates and a shiver ran down my spine. Meanwhile Argus stared at her with adoration and that was even more bizarre than the original situation.

- I don't want to marry Lady Blackwell because I like someone else! - I spit it out. Elda looked at me for a few minutes and shrugged.

- Why haven't you asked for her hand? If there is a lady you like, you should've told to pur parents and send her an official engagement request.

- It's not that simple.

- Why? Are you in love with the Princess perhaps? - she asked mockingly and Argus poked her shoulder gently.

- I believe that's exactly the case love. - Elda's eyes widened.

- Oh my dear Lord help us!

- Even if I can't marry her highness, I don't want to marry Nara! - I whined.

- Barak, I'm so sorry, there's nothing we could do. It was his Majesty's decision to arrange your marriage with Lady Blackwell. Also, there is a pack between our families and the Royal family. None of Blackwell or Wolfie's descendants could marry anyone from the Royal family to maintain the peace. You either find a better partner and convince his majesty, or get used to your future wife.

- I don't understand why you dislike Lady Blackwell. - Argus said.

- She is a strong lady, intelligent as well and incredibly talented alchemist, maybe the best of her family.

- I know but she is so fake! She pretends to be a fine and cute lady, while her hands are full of callouses and injuries die to her crazy inventions. - Elda frowned at me and handed me her dagger.

- Push the gem. - she said and I did as she told. The dagger started emitting a small blue lightnings.

- What's this? - I've asked and she shrugged.

- One of your fiance's "crazy inventions". If you push the gem after you stabbed someone, thanks to the magic stone disguised as a decoration, it sends electricity into the opponent's body. They'll be knocked out, and if you stab someone into a vital organ and push this little cutie, well, you'll cook their organs! - she said and I released the gem handing her back the devilish weapon.

- That woman is insane. Don't tell me a sane and healthy woman would create something like this!!! - I said and imagined how many weird s**t could she be working on. That pen was also freaky.

- Anyway, she is a genius and as I told you, if you cannot find someone more suitable, you are stuck with her. - Elda said and she rested her head on Argus's chest. He wrapped his big arm around her shoulder behind her neck.

- Why don't you give her a chance to get to know her better? I know we all grew up knowing each other, sometimes more, sometimes less, but maybe she'll surprise you. - Argus said and I rolled my eyes.

- I know her like the back of my hand. There's no way on Earth that I'd ever like a woman who acts like a man most of her time. - Argus sighed and squeezed a bit Elda's shoulder.

- I didn't mean that way sis. - I said but it was late, I could tell from my sister's smile that I hurt her feelings.

- I'm sorry, I haven't thought before I talked. - she shrugged.

- No problem, I'm lucky that I found someone who can accept and love me the way I'm. I feel sorry for Nara, she is a lively and really kind young woman, but because of her duties and genius, she had no friends apart from the Princess.

- What do you mean? She is always away for parties and stuff like that. - I knew this because we ran into each other many times in the castle and she was always heading to some kind of gathering.

- She is her Highness's escort, Barak. She must follow her, but among the nobility, they call her by names and mock her. - Elda said.

- How do they call her?

- Crazy witch, oddball lady, The black sheep of high society, Blackwell's young master. Things like these. - Argus said and I felt a bit bad knowing that I also threw a few of these nicknames at her. But that won't change the fact that I didn't find her neither attractive as a woman, nor interesting.

- That's disgusting, but it won't change my feelings. She doesn't look like a lady most of the times! She can only thank herself those nicknames. Today also, I could see how much make up they put on her face to cover the dark circles under her eyes. Because of the state of her skin on her hands, she always wears gloves like an old madame...

- I told you all ypur options and shared my point of view of the situation. I'm not interested further is this discussion. - Elda said and the carriage stopped as we arrived home. She got out and with wide steps she headed to the castle. Argus, before following her turned to me and sighed.

- Barak, you're not a kid anymore, start to act like an adult and think before you speak. You can hurt someone without noticing it.

- I'll make this right with my sister tomorrow, I swear. - I said and Argus pat my shoulder.

- That's the least kiddo. Don't forget, I can always rule your Duchy with your sister if something happens to you. - his eyes sparkled dangerously and he technically ran after Elda. My knees shook while I got out of the carriage and I laughed at the situation I got into. "If only she wouldn't be born..." - i thought as I headed back to my room for some rest.