Chapter 2
1137 Words
"I can't believe you," my mother spits dragging me by the top of my arm.
"I should've known something was up with that boy," my father says as we walk back up the
cobblestone streets of the slum area until we can get back to the middle-class village.
After recognizing them from where I peeked out from under Ari's arm, I immediately begged
him to take off without me.
My parents are strict and there's no escaping their wrath. Not for me anyway, but I convinced my
friend to run just in time.
Unfortunately, they recognized him almost instantly.
"Do you see what he's done Luca? Do you?! He's convinced you to sneak out of your own
bedroom in the middle of the night, made you break the law-"
"He didn't make me!" I say trying to defend my friend.
"It was just harmless fun," I say in an effort to make them understand.
"Don't tell me you two have never danced before."
My mother turns to look at me with an ugly twisted face of fury.
"No! We haven't! It's illegal and you know better! No dancing, no kissing, no intercourse before
the claiming! The rules are very clear and you are lucky we're the ones that caught you!"
I turn my eyes downcast and continue walking at an increased pace while my father grumbles
darkly to no one in particular.
"I'll take care of that bastard boy..."
My muscles tense hearing him say that. Many villagers call Ari that behind his back. No one
knows who his real father is, but his mother and step father ended up killing each other after his
mother revealed that Ari wasn't a legitimate child.
He's raised himself well with the help of kind strangers, but I always assumed his need to spend
time with me rooted from how lonely he must always be.
I know he's excited to join the king's guard because he'll finally have some form of family and he
can take a wife.
As far as I know, that's All he's ever wanted.
I just hope he makes it through the night okay. At least he doesn't have parents to punish him.
•••
The next morning
I wash up quickly and dress in a casual white corset dress
My dark black hair tumbles over my shoulders in waves that match the ruffles on my dress and I
can't help but wish my hair was light.
Every other girl in the village has blonde or very light brown hair. Neither of my parents have
black hair, so I'm not sure where it comes from.
I notice many men have dark black hair. There's Ari, many nobleman, a few soldiers, though rare
and even the kings for the past three generations have had black hair.
Never a female though. Not until me. This resulted in many girls pulling up my skirts because
they were convinced I was a boy.
As a result, my parents hide me away in the house. I'm sure they're ashamed of me, but there's no
way to know for sure. I wouldn't risk asking because their tempers are harsh.
Speaking of, I have avoided going downstairs for nearly an hour now.
I'm not sure how to face my angry parents. They don't understand, so I assume they'll continue to
lecture me. I'm not worried about that though. I'm worried about Ari.
When will I be able to see him again?
Walking downstairs, I seem to have I trusted on my father's discussion with a guest. At least until
recognition goes off in my head.
"Father?" I try to ask respectfully, despite my panicked undertone.
He makes a Stern face at me and comes to wrap a tight arm around me, keeping my hands
pressed closely to my sides.
"You're filing a crime report?" The man in Black asks pulling out a pen and a notepad.
I shake my head quickly, but my father slaps his hand over my mouth before I can speak.
Where is my mother?!
I struggle against the grip I'm stuck in, but it does no good as I only get pinched harshly.
"Yes. There's a boy that runs around these streets and he's been stalking my daughter for quite
some time now. Just last night he forced her to sneak out and go into the woods with him. By the
time we found Luca, she was dancing with him and my wife and I think it's best for everyone if
this boy is taken off the streets."
The mediator raises a brow as he writes and nods once before ripping off the top page and
putting his notepad back in his chest pocket.
"We'll do what we can about this boy. For now, this is a customized involuntary crown involved
emancipation notice. Your daughter will be needing to come with me now."
My eyes go wide and my mouth finally has room to drop open as my father's hand leaves my
face suddenly.
"What do you mean?" He asks stonily.
The mediator holds a hand out towards me which I refuse to take.
"You said your daughter was part of the party that was dancing. I'll need to take her to the king,
not only for questioning, but also for an overall rule. He'll determine her fate."
I shake my head quickly and snap my head to father accusingly.
"What have you done?" I snap with disgust as the stranger’s hand grabs me unexpectedly.
I yell for my mother as my father watches my get dragged out of our home with a pale and guilty
face.
How could he do this!
I'm yanked into a moving carriage before realizing this is happening. There's no way out.
The mediator watches as if he expects me to attack or try to jump out, but I'm not an i***t.
My selfish father called the mediator or Ari and I for dancing. How could I have expected less?
Realizing the only thing I can do is wait before my sentence and trial, I lean my head against the
carriage wall and look out the window glumly.
People watch from their homes or from the farthest part of the street they can stand.
Some use me as an example as they point and talk to their children, while other give me pitiful
looks.
Though it's not until we come to the end of the street that my head perks up and my gaze turns
sad seeing the familiar short black hair of my friend.
Ari watches with horror as recognition crosses his features.
Though he stands helplessly, he doesn't walk after the carriage. He doesn't wave. He does
nothing.
The man I thought would claim me sees me off to my doom where I’ll be thrown in front of the
wolves.
- Writer
