99 nurse back to health

As I sat in the carriage to go home, Charles' words kept replaying in my mind. 'You love her, Cassius, talk to your parents before they choose someone else for you.' how absurd the whole idea was! I am just 17, it's 6 months left when I would be 18, father would not think about my marriage this early, right. 

I shook my head, to get the thought out of my head, but it kept on repeating till i reached home.

I walked to my parents' chamber, my mother was making a portrait there, she always did painting in her free time.

"Mother,"

"Oh, Cassius you are here. I was waiting for you." she replied, giving me a hug. 

"Is there something special occasion, mother?" i asked, as i could see the smile on her face.

"Yes, first tell me, how is my new portrait." she asked and i was surprised to see a young girl, around 13 or 14.

"Who is she, mother." I asked looking intently but no one clicked, i only know a young girl that was Ian's sister.