15 Family Issues

I approached the cold iron gates of the manor perimeter. Such a plain entrance for such an extravagant man…but it was built to fool thieves into coming through the path of most resistance.

On duty was simply two guardsmen. They recognised my appearance through the mud and came up to bring me through the gate.

"Lady Azraea." one of them said. "What happened to you?"

"It's nothing." I replied to him. "I just tripped in the mud. Now take me to him. I know he's waiting for something."

The man stayed silent before nodding and bringing me into the manor entryway. There, I took off my cloak and was about to take my scabbard off. But then I remembered.

"Lady Azraea." the guard piped up again. "I don't think you should meet with your father until you've washed off, and gotten a change of clothes."

The first thing I noticed about the manor entrance. It was strangely empty. Not even the maids were running around the building. He must have a guest. Not that it matters to me. I'll likely be going back to that god-forsaken room again.

"Fine…" I began to walk into the corridor, leaving muddy steps on the velvet red carpet. "Tell him I'm here."

The guards nodded and went off down the opposite corridor before they vanished from sight around the corner. I went off to wash myself off. I was absolutely caked in mud…this is going to take a while to get off.

.

.

After about an hour of scrubbing hard, I managed to get every last scrap of dirt off of me. It felt…refreshing. It's been a while since I had a proper bath that didn't use the well water. Though, I guess this all came at a price didn't it? Will I ever see what's outside again?

Either way, I dried myself off and changed into another dress of mine. It was exactly the same dress but a little longer. With that I took one last look at the corridors as I walked down toward a large wooden door.

From behind it I heard voices. One was unmistakable. A deep yet smooth voice that demanded the attention of any that heard it. The voice that I heard when I first came into this world. It's burned into my mind. I'll never forget his voice.

There was another this time however. It was a young voice, soft but undeniably boyish. It carried some noble flair to it. From the sound of his accent…I think he was a Wolftanian. So Father has a guest. I put my ear to the wooden door. I could make out what they were saying thanks to my improved senses.

"So she'll be here soon?" the young voice asked rather excitedly.

"Yes." Father replied to him. "She'll be here any minute now. Have another drink while you wait if you wish."

What were they talking about? Were they talking about me? I kept listening in.

"So then." Father continued. "What made you decide? There was a far better candidate for you to choose."

"Sir." the voice replied. "You shouldn't say things like that. I do not think a father should talk of his children in such a manner. Not to overstep my boundaries."

So they ARE talking about me. What could this be about? I guess there's only one way to find out…

CREAK

The large door groaned and creaked as I pushed it open. Behind it was my father. A rather average looking man with greying hair that he brushed aside in a parting. With a thick greying beard that covered the entire lower half of his face and made his icy blue eyes stand out. There was a scar that marked his face all the way down, going across his left eye.

Beside him was a young boy with almost black hair and a grin on his face. He looked rather handsome by most standards. I could feel his lupine yellow eyes fall on me as I entered. He smiled at me with shining white teeth. I could tell from the badge on his coat that he was a noble.

"Ah." Father called. "Here she is at last. Fredrick. I'd like you to meet my daughter, Azraea."

The man, Fredrick, bowed politely and looked at me.

"A pleasure to meet you, Lady Azraea." he said in a most kind tone. I simply ignored the gesture and walked forward until I was only a few feet away from the throne.

"Why did you call me here?" I glared at Father. "It isn't like you to summon me. Not like you at all."

I held no kindness or mercy in my words. He doesn't deserve it. He's nothing but a wolf that preys on others to live. He used my mother in the same way and discarded her when he was finished. For that alone I won't forgive him.

"Now what kind of way is that to talk to your own father?" he replied, with a smug grin on his face. He knew I couldn't rebel against him so easily. Not yet anyway.

Fredrick simply watched us both. I think he was staring at my hair.

"Just tell me why I'm here." I answered.

"It seems your time has come, dear daughter." Father said. "This is Lord Fredrick of Dornhaus. He has graciously decided that he wishes to be wed to you, and thus seal relations with our kingdom."

"What!?" I burst out. "Where's my say in this!"

"Azraea." Father glared at me with a piercing stare that made me stand back in place. "This marriage is important for us to make our small kingdom of Steunvik known. In addition we will also be allied with one of the strongest nations in the world. Do you not see the weight of this choice?"

"Sir?" Fredrick interjected and raised his hand. Father looked at him.

"Yes, Lord Fredrick?" Father replied.

"If I might say." Fredrick started. "I think that a decision of this kind of gravity should not be forced upon Lady Azraea. If that happens, she may come to hate you and I no matter what we try."

I was surprised. Normally the nobility are supreme, and don't allow anything to not go their way. Could it be because he's young? He seems naive enough for it. Father sighed and rested back in his throne.

"What is your suggestion, Lord Fredrick?" he answered.

"I believe that I should stay here for a few weeks, or perhaps some months." Fredrick responded. "That would allow sufficient time for us to perhaps persuade her to do this of her own volition. The last thing I would want is for her to hate me."

"Ah yes." Father replied. "I almost forgot that Wolftanian nobles carried a strict code of honour. So what you say is that you wish to court her?"

"That is correct." Fredrick replied. Father let out a small sigh.

"Very well." he said. "I will allow you this time. After all, the bond between Wolftan and Steunvik is at stake here. I will prepare you a room to stay in."

Father then looked back at me.

"And I expect you to stay here." he said. "No running off again."

Well. This isn't what I hoped for. But at least I have a chance to revert this now.

"Fine." I replied with a sigh. "I won't run off again. But I expect free reign around the manor from now on."

Father seemed to give me a dirty look before he replied.

"Very well." he answered.

If I'm going to be made to stay here, I won't sit around in a room all the time. Maybe this won't be so bad. Though I detest being under the same roof as that man. I already miss Keita and Rissa.

I nodded before returning to my room. Down the corridor and up the stairs. It was left exactly how I left it in. A small room with little presents stacked up on the shelves. Books about adventurers and daring journeys.

I sighed as I laid down on my bed. That was when I got a weird feeling.

It feels strange…like that void of loneliness in my heart only grew larger. I wonder.

What could it mean?

Then again. There's been a few things that I couldn't explain too well. Saving Keita that day. Sparing Rissa from the prisons…even when I picked him up when I first saw him. Have they really become so dear to me..?

I want to go back.

With another sigh I looked out of the window. Watching the bullets of rain beat against the glass hard. My eyes began to feel heavy.

I kept watching the rain as my eyes closed and I drifted to sleep.

My vision went to black as the sounds of rain went quiet.