Three Weeks

Florence had a bad feeling. She could not even remember the last time her mother had invited her for tea. She took another sip of the hot liquid and swallowed while eyeing Lina.

Her mother was quiet, which made it even more awkward. Florence would have preferred to hear about the reason for the invitation right away, but that was not her mother's way of doing things. She liked to take her time, slowly tormenting the other person until she was satisfied.

Lina placed the teacup on the saucer, and for a brief moment, Florence thought she was going to speak. But she did not. She just stared out of the window.

Florence took a silent deep breath to calm herself. She hated it. She could be doing so many things, things that were more important than just sitting there and waiting for her mother to decide to talk.

'Hell, scrubbing the floors would be better than this.' Not that Florence had ever scrubbed floors in her life.

Long minutes passed in an excruciating silence. The tea had gotten cold, but Lina had sent the maids away, so there was no one around to brew a fresh pot. Her eyes finally fell on her daughter's face, making Florence straighten her back immediately.

"Your birthday is in a few weeks," Lina uttered. It was not a question, nor was it an invitation to elaborate on the topic. She was just stating a fact.

"It is, indeed."

"You are going to be one and twenty," the older woman said.

Florence's fingers fidgeted in her lap. She could guess where the conversation was going. Her mother had not brought up the subject in some time, so Florence hadn't thought about it lately.

She gulped. "That is correct, Mother."

"I will organize the most lavish party for your birthday, and we will invite everyone who's anyone."

"I would rather just have a few friends attend."

"Of course you would, but that is not how we are going to find you a husband." Lina pressed her lips into a thin line to show her discontent. "And you will need to make an effort."

"Mother, we have spoken about this before. I do not wish to marry without love."

"Do you fancy someone, Florence?"

Florence's cheeks burned. "No, Mother, I do not." Her answer was clipped.

"Well then, it is alright for your mother to find a husband for you."

"Mother, I–"

"It will require great effort," Lina interrupted. "Since you have nothing to offer. But thankfully, the family business is flourishing."

Florence just stared at her mother with parted lips. 'Nothing to offer?'

"It is thanks to your brother's hard work evidently. Every gentleman wants to get close to Richard, and what better way than marrying his only sister?"

Florence could not say a thing. Her mother had always been condescending when speaking to her. She saw her as a disappointment. Lina had always felt that she had failed when she gave birth to a daughter who had no magic, even though both she and her late husband were nobles and had powers.

"Of course," Lina continued. "I will choose a great man of noble blood, with a good title, and who can use magic. We can pray the Gods that his blood would give somewhat of a chance to your children. You of all people know the struggle of not having magic."

A crease formed between Florence's brows. 'Is she serious? Can she hear herself?' She was getting angry. Her whole life she had been looked down upon because she could not use magic.

'Of course I know the struggle. You have made sure that I did, every chance you got.'

"You should have been the one to marry the Duke of Salicera. Instead, he was snatched by a lowly commoner."

"Mother, Magnolia is my friend."

"Yes, yes. Only you could befriend the woman who stole your future."

Florence pinched the bridge of her nose while taking a deep breath. She could feel her stomach starting to burn from her acid reflux.

"Mother, you know that there was nothing between the duke and me, we barely even spoke when we crossed paths at events. Magnolia did not 'steal' anything. I do not wish to be stuck in a loveless marriage." Florence's fists clenched her skirt. "One and twenty is not old. I believe I have time to meet the man I would want to marry. I hope you will let it happen naturally, Mother. There is no need to go through all this."

Lina was silent for a while. "You have three weeks," she finally said.

"Three weeks?" Florence was confused.

'Three weeks for what?'

"Yes, three weeks. You have until your birthday ball to find your future husband. If you do not, you will marry whoever I choose."

"Mother, that is mad. How am I supposed to meet someone and fall in love with him in three weeks?"

Lina did not answer. She did not look at her daughter either. She had used the gesture countless times before; it meant that she had said the last of it and would not discuss the matter any further.

Florence wanted to continue the conversation, to try to convince her, but she knew there was no point. Her mother was more stubborn than a mule. She pushed to her feet and looked at Lina one last time.

"I will take my leave, then."

'Three weeks.'

Florence knew that her mother gave her impossible odds. There were very few events between then and her birthday ball. So, meeting people was very limited. Especially new people.

They also lived so far away from the capital. As a result, the chance of going to an opera or any entertainment was non-existent. Three weeks were not enough to do anything, and her mother knew it.

'The outcome will be marrying someone of Mother's choosing.' The thought made Florence's skin crawl.

"No, I have to at least try," she mumbled and halted. "I have to think of something."

"My lady? Are you alright?" Florence's lady's maid looked worried. "Why are you standing in the middle of the hallway?"

"Oh Rilla, great timing. I need your help."

"Of course, my lady. What is it?"

"Come with me, we have things to do."