1/5 - You are Gifted the Weapon that will save Everything (part 2)

A maid was sent to bring out the pen knife, and I was made to hold it, made to hear that horrible screeching in my ears again. Louder, angry that I had been avoiding it, angry that I had been trying to get rid of it.

“Well? What does it say?” My mother was reasonably worried for the wrong reasons. Everyone knows you must sacrifice something important to you, and the most important thing to me should be being a good wife (at least in the eyes of my family)

I wonder if I'm lying. If I say that I'll lose the ability to have children, that I'll lose my beauty, that I'll lose something that'll make me a bad wife, they won't make me do it.

“What do you lose for it?” Gregory asked.

“The ability of words.” The words fall out of my mouth before I can do anything, the knife forcing me to speak out of my own volition. “No speaking, no writing, no reading. Nothing to do with words.”

There is a plan to lie, fitting I suppose since the knife wishes to rob me of my words.

“Oh…” My mother is quiet, joy spreading across her face and she and my father exchange relieved glances.

“Well I suppose that isn't too terrible.” Samuel sighs, going back to his dinner as if it were nothing.

Though I suppose to them it is nothing. Quality of life hadn't mattered much to them anyways. As long as I can marry it would all be fine.

A few days passed and my regular routine was interrupted as my mother and father had me sit down, Gregory already awaiting us in my fathers study.

“So dear, we have wonderful news!” My mother smiles widely.

“Your marriage with the DUke of the East has been moved up, the two of you will be wed by the end of next week after which you will immediately set out to deal with the threat before going to live with your new husband.”

“It'll be a quick courthouse wedding, nothing like we've planned… But we’ll have a big ceremony after this whole ordeal is over with, around the time we originally planned for your wedding!”

I stayed silent. I knew this was going to happen. My marriage to the duke of the East was a big deal for my parents. I don't know what the Family of the East is getting out of it, but my parents were getting their nobility back. I would be the highest ranking duchess, THE lady of the kingdom besides the princesses or the queen, and they would be my proud and rich parents.

I said nothing, Gregory said nothing, and my mother and father chittered away and made plans around us.

___________________________________________________________________

The carriage ride is long, and horrid. Hopefully the weather will be better on the return trip. I would hate for my bride to feel ill on her way to our home for the first time.

The duke of the east waa riding in a carriage to the capital city, where his bride awaited him. The wedding had been moved up, which was fine, a few plans had to be advanced but he was more than eager to finally marry her.

He had only been waiting ages for this day, and he was more than fine with making some rushed changes in his schedule if it meant it would come any sooner.

Gregory had assured me that all had been handled on his end. The matter of the chosen weapon appearing to her was a mute point, it wouldn't matter in the end anyways. As Long as he pulls through on his end of the bargain all will be well.

“Oh he's here!” My mother was frantic and excited as she all but burst into my room. The weather outside reflected my mood, a mournful grey and downpouring rain. I thank the clouds for at least trying to delay the inevitable.

I had been all dolled up, dressed in a simple blueish white dress with lace and a pale blue ribbon around my waist. A blue and silver veil, for those were the colors of my soon-to-be husband's house, was being fixed into my hair, and the pale sapphire and pearl jewelry set he sent ahead as a gift for me sat against my collar bones and heavy on my wrist and finger.

I suppose it's better than what my mother had planned originally for my wedding outfit. The amount of lace in the drawings of it seemed enough to drown a small city.

I was grabbed and pulled along the hallways, to be brought to the family study, when the officiant my father and Samuel waited for me, so I waited with them for my husband.

However as we were coming down the stairs the maid opened the front door.

“Greetings my lord, the lady of the house will be right with you. But please, come in out of the weather for now.”

She curtsied and stepped aside to let him in, and I saw a man far older than I had expected standing in the doorway.

“This is the Astor house then?” he sounded gruff and he looked even worse.

“Ah, Sir Hassick.” Gregory had come into the hall, “The duke is with you i hope?” He joked, i've never heard him joke before.

“Yes. Though I'm afraid there's been a… change in plans.” Sir Hassick looked concerned between him and my mother, “as I wrote to you about. I'm afraid his lordship has passed away rather suddenly. Bear attack while out hunting.”

My mother froze on the stairs, I felt elated though I know i shouldnt at a man's needless death.

“Hassick step aside and at least let me in. Getting drenched before my wedding is far from ideal.”

I feel crushed.

Sir Hassick quickly steps aside, revealing a much younger man (boy? He seems around my age) who quickly enters our home with Hassick right behind him.

“Yes, I just read the letter. I'm afraid I haven't had a chance to inform my mother yet. Shall we head to the sitting room for a moment?”

Gregory leads Sir Hassisk and this younger man to the sitting room, coming back shortly to escort our parents there. Not a second later Sir HAssick emerges and brings me into the room by my arm.

“I insist she is present for this, she is to be my wife after all.” The younger man is glaring daggers at my parents, and motions for Hassisk to bring me to the senate is on, sitting me down next to him.

I stare straight ahead, at Gregory who is standing behind the couch my parents are sitting on.

“My Older brother passed away quite suddenly, as Sir Gregory was explaining to you. In his stead my father has sent me, to keep the arrangement that was made between our families. I will marry Miss…” He turns towards me, I do not look at him still staring at Gregory who is looking far too pleased with himself. (is that a bruise along his shirt collar?)

“Faeryn!” My mother's scolding brought me out of my daze and I quickly glanced between her and then took my first look at my new husband.

“Oh… My apologies. It's just quite a bit to process so suddenly. I'm very sorry for your loss.” My voice is barely a whisper and I know. Every lesson of prosperity is slipping from me.

“I understand. You were engaged to him for your whole life. I know the change is sudden but I can assure you that I will do the proper thing and marry you in his place, and I will take care of you as he would have.” The young duke nods firmly and then turns back to my parents. “I understand that you may wish for some time, however I would like this done as soon as possible. My brother was made aware that the chosen weapon was passed to her, which is why the wedding date has been moved up. The sooner we are wed the sooner the kingdom is not at risk. As the Duke of the East it is my duty to ensure the kingdom’s safety, I'm sure you understand.”