Chapter 4: Akio and Azyrana’s wedding – The present day; Azrya's Chamber

Azrya's memory fluttered back to the moments before the wedding, when her father had surprisingly come to her chambers to speak with her, before the wedding. It was the first time he had ever stepped foot in her room and she was sure it couldn't mean anything good for her.

"Leave us."

Duke Boswell commanded, and the seamstress who was fitting Azrya's wedding dress on her as well as her maids hurriedly scurried out the room.

Azrya stood still, eyes down on the floor, as even jut looking her father in the eye could enrage him.

She gasped and coughed as the Duke stood in front of her, landing a remorseless punch in her stomach. Putting on a brave face she stood upright, this time glaring at her father. What was the point in appearing meek and timid before him when soon she would no longer belong to him, the thought giving her some courage.

"Insolent, wretched child!" Her father said punching her again, this time knocking her onto the ground in her white dress.

"You're luck today is your wedding day, that's the only reason I'm sparing your face. But as for the rest of your worthless body," her father cruelly growled, "I could care less about." He said while kicking her while she was on the floor.

Azrya's eyes began to water, but she refused to give her father the satisfaction of her tears.

"You and that lowborn, imposter were quite the handful yesterday weren't you." He said looking down in disgust at Azrya.

"I may not be able to do anything about him, since the darned bastard has the King's favour but don't think that makes you exempt."

Her father then crouched down, picking her up by the neck of her dress and shaking her yelling,

"No matter who you marry or where you go, remember you will always be my property" and he threw her back down onto the ground.

Azrya could feel the anger and hate rising up inside her and she shot a fierce glare in his direction.

"Remember, if you step out of line or bring shame to the family name, you will be punished. Just because you have gained your freedom from me doesn't mean that your sisters have."

His tone turned icy and menacing as he smirked and said,

"The youngest is such a sweet thing isn't she, I've seen you playing with her in the palace gardens. It would be such a shame if anything were to happen to her." Her father sneered.

Azrya knew this was not an empty threat and that her father was more than capable of committing despicable, insidious acts, even if it was towards his own child.

"Be a good wife to that brute or you will not be the only one to suffer," The duke threatened, and at that, he left the room.

The maids re-entered and upon seeing Azrya and the floor quickly rushed to her side, picking her off the floor and fixing her up.

No one would even be able to tell what had just happened.

Glumly, Azrya stared at her reflection in the looking glass in her white gown and burst out into tears. She was sure that this would be the worst day of her life.