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984 Words
I stood in front of the mirror in the middle of the room, staring at my reflection. The beautiful violet dress fit my figure perfectly. It was both romantic and sexy, perfect for the occasion. Today was our engagement.
When Charles came to meet my father to announce that he wanted me for his daughter-in-law, I was excited. I've liked Zander for a long time, but I never thought he would agree to an arranged marriage. I myself was against arranged marriages, but in this case, given that this is a man I like and is known to the family, I was tempted to agree. More surprising was his consent.
Honestly, I thought he liked Claire. He had always been cold and distant with me. But I know I seemed cold too. In time, I realized I had made a mistake by not finding time for my peers at Albertine. I was always busy studying and working. I tried to help at the mansion too. Gradually I distanced myself and for the people in the town it seemed that I do not want to communicate with them. I hear what they are saying, they call me mincing and cold. My desire to exceed my father's expectations turned against me. There is no going back though. One can't change people opinions so easily.
I looked at my reflection once again. My hair was pulled in a high bun by our Linda. Only she knew how much I liked Zander and how much this engagement meant to me.
After making sure I looked good, I headed for the door. Everyone should be down now. I smiled excitedly, feeling my hands tremble slightly. Given that I didn't spend any time in the company of Zander and his friends, I felt a little nervous.
Going down the stairs to the great hall, I began to calm down. After all, in order for this engagement to take place, he agreed, which means he likes me, even though we didn't know each other well. Apparently he is not one of the people who considers me a bad person.
I could tell I definitely liked him. Tall, athletic, charming, with piercing green eyes. Known for his honesty and his fairness, everyone respected him. When he and his friends used to visit Claire in our home, I often watched them through the window. He had a charming smile, but he rarely laughed. Mainly since his parents disappeared about three years ago.
I shook off my thoughts, standing in front of the hall's door. Everything will be fine. It may be a settled marriage, but we still had been asked and we both agree. I took a deep breath and opened the door and entered.
I looked around the room and I was startled to see only Charles, Zander's uncle, my sister Claire, who looked at me with a confused smile on her face and Linda. I stopped and stared at Charles. Years ago, he often came to our mansion as a close friend of my father's. Since I loved spending my little free time with them, we became close and for me he was like part of the family. "What's going on? Where's Zander?"
He looked at me embarrassed, I could see the anger in his eyes, his expression was serious. "He refused." I was stunned.
I raised my brows. "What do you mean? Why would he firstly agree and then..."
"He never agreed!" I looked at Claire for a second. I was still processing what she just said. She tried to look serious, but I could see a smile cracking. I knew she wasn't doing it on purpose. I looked back at Charles.
"Didn't you asked him, just like you asked me?" I still had hope that all of it was a misunderstanding. The guilt on his face told me it wasn't. "But why would you do that?"
He ran a hand over his face. "I thought he respected me more, that he trusted me more..." When I understood what he meant by those words, I was speechless and froze in terror. I looked at him with silent reproach, and my face betrayed the humiliation I felt.
"When did you asked him?" I asked quietly. I felt guilt. I knew what was happening, but he didn't. I grabed my head with my two hands and again I felt the embarrassment. I was put in a very unpleasent situation. What If he thought I was aware he wasn't even asked? What If he thought that I was expecting the engagement would took place, regardless of his opinion?
"I told him a week ago. We argue for a while, but in the end I thought he would think about it. For the past few days he didn't said anything, when I brought the subject and when I asked him again, he just looked at me and didn't said anything. I took it for agreement. I'm sorry, It's my fault. I just really think that you're perfect for each other and If he wasn't so stubborn..."
My face got rigid. "He knew about it days ago, he knew he wasn't coming and he didn't said a word?" I was furious. I was positive he did this on purpose. I turned to face Claire and asked in a dangerously calm voice. "Did he do it on purpose?"
This time her face was serious and she seemed even a little scared, when finally she simply said yes.
I heard Charles gasping, but I was too furious to care for his reactions. I turned around and went straight to my bedroom. I took the first bottom and top I saw from the wardrobe and put them on. I went to the stables and didn't even greet Colt, I just took the reins from his hands and got on Peyton.
I had something to say to this bastard.
- Writer
