Three | Twelve Days
The moon indeed was listening.
"You seem cheerful today, young lady." The Lord commented, wiping his mouth gently with a serviette.
Slightly embarrassed, Miya slowed down, cutting her steak with a silver table knife like she had all the time in the world. Half of the meat was already in her mouth anyway.
She chewed her food and it took a while before she found her voice. "I've finally figured out a way to spin around without stepping on my tutor's foot," she said.
Her father looked pleased while her mother, seated across her, raised a knowing brow.
Really? Was what she really wanted to say but instead, "I'm happy to hear that, my daughter. When I was your age, I was the best in our class." She smiled and sipped her tea.
"Well, I'm glad you're starting to enjoy becoming a proper lady. For a time there, I thought you're happy because the visit was cancelled." The Lord said before drinking from his glass.
Miya bit her lower lip, trying to hold in her amusement. She had spent many nights praying for a miracle and that morning, when she heard the news that the planned visit of the prince of Moniya had been cancelled, she was so overjoyed she aced the dance class to her tutor's surprise. Moma's superstitions may had sound absurd but at least she was right about the moon.
"I haven't seen you that happy in a while. That tutor deserves a little reward. Maybe five pouches of silver will do." The Lord reached out for his wife's hand. They smiled at each other.
"You're just too busy to notice, father." Miya said without looking at the man who had no idea how she truly felt.
"I am and I'm sorry. Our land is going through a lot recently." He said, removing his hand from Miya's mother to finish his wine.
Miya was chewing a chunk of potato when her father spoke again, "There was an emergency in the capital so they postponed the visit. But, the engagement, you and the prince's engagement, will push through at the end of the month."
Miya coughed, choking. She scurried for a glass of water and drank it down, her eyes watery.
"Are you alright?" Her mother asked. She nodded.
Her mother turned to the Lord and said "Engagement at the end of the month? That's eleven, no-- twelve days, twelve days from now."
"Yes. And we have great plans for--" The Lord explained but Miya cut him off.
"But father!" She exclaimed, slamming the glass on the table, eyes watery now for another reason. "We haven't even met yet! I can't believe you're going to marry me off a stranger!" Miya hissed.
"Miya," her mother warned.
She ignored her. "Why father? Why, am I just a piece of land to you? Something you can share to your noble friends!" She stood up this time, gritting her teeth.
The Lord of Moonoberland rose from his seat and slammed both of his hands on the table. The impact had all the plates and glasses on the table broken like they were smashed on the wall one by one.
The Lord's eyes glowed like pearls. It was impossible not to tremble.
"How dare you! You ungrateful child!" He growled and a frightening sunset-like aura appeared, enveloping his body.
Miya shivered a little while her mother was stunned, speechless on her seat.
"I am not a child anymore!" She screamed, her insides shaking.
There was silence as both father and daughter held their gazes together. Miya gave up at last.
"Please, father." She lowered her voice upon seeing her mother's frightened expression.
"Enough! You will be engaged to Prince Lancelot at the end of this month. End of discussion." He told her and turned to his wife. "Talk to your daughter, woman!" The Lord said before turning his back and storming out of the hall.
Hearing the command, the Lady of Moonoberland instantly remembered how to move. But when she turned her head to where her daughter was, Miya was already gone.