THE CHOSEN CONSORT

It was a very sunny day, the flowers were brightly shining and birds were singing in harmony. Shecould have never imagined that this day would turn into a nightmare.

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As every morning, I was going to help my father in his chilli field. My father was already old so he couldn't take care of his field alone.

''It's okay April, you have done already much for today, go back home i will finish the rest'', said my father

''Oh no dad, if i stop you stop too,plus prisca and armin must have finished the household by now'' I said

I took the hoes and the machetes, I put them in the bag that was made of straw and i started to walk.

''So you're coming?'' I asked

''You are stubborn like your mother'', he said shaking his head and smiling

''Mum was not stubborn rather you are the stubborn ''. and we both start laughing, going home with that good mood.

We were a poor family. My parent could not provide for our happiness and theirs. I started to help my father on the field very young, mum fell ill she had plague, also called black dead. Not having enough money to treat her she died,even though i think that all the money of this world could not help and treat her, leaving my father, I and my sibling alone .

My father stops , i turned back to see why he stops and i notice that he was looking at the castle. We could Just see the flags from where we were because the forest was hiding the reste of the castle.

''Dad, one day i will give you this castle Life'' he smiled at me and ruffled my hair.

We finally arrive at home when we saw our wooden door totally smashes, we entered, things were upside down our small objects were broken. Prisca and armin were arranging the disorder.

''What happened?'' asked my father worry .

''These are the men of sir laurent who did that, they came to get you to repay your debt and since they did not see you they started destroying everything'' said armin slightly scared.

''Still this dog of sir laurent,yet we gave him some money last week. He think we are rolling on gold or what'' she said very annoyed.

''April help your brother and sister'', ordered her father.

She started to arranged the objects that was down,after they finished,they went to bed.

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It was about 10pm, when noise was heard by april's father and April herself, it was as if the noise was coming from the living room.

''Dad, what is making that noise?'' she asked worry.

''I don't know, the noise is coming from the leaving room'' he replied

They were walking with a candle, tip toe april holding her father dress from behind. They finally reached the living room and their eyes where widely open to what or who they saw.

It was sir laurent and his men .

Laurent was a man in his forties,slim in body with a mustache above his lips. He was known for his business which were rather shady, he was the most influential man in the village.

''Ascardin, I came to look for my money by myself'' he said calmly .

''What money? As far as i know we advanced you this money last week'' she said furiously .

''As you said, it was last week. I want the rest of my money now'' he said still having that calm voice.

''But you....''.

Ascardin interrupted his daughter

''Calm down April , he looked back at laurent and say, I do not have money now if you could come next week, i may have it''.

''No. I gave you enough time , for now am still calm do not get me angry''

''Please sir laurent''. he begged .

''If you don't have money you can still pay me diffrently''.

''And how?'' asked the man.

The calm expression on laurent face was replaced by a mischievous smirk and said.

''Give me your two daughters as wives''

''What!!! '' Exclamed both Ascardin and April they were doubtfounded.

Prisca and armin were woken up by the noise and was looking the scene.

''You cannot asked me such things''.

Ascardin almost cried

 ''Why not ? He smiled and continuos , April is already old to get marrried but I can manage meanwhile prisca is still young and fresh she will compensate the old age of her elder sister'' a pervert smile was seen on his lips .

''She is only 14, damn it'' ascardin said irritated

Ascardin began to cough very hard and hold his chest

''Are you ok daddy?'' April asked worry

'' I'm ok don't worry , he then turned back to laurent , sir laurent I am begging you, all but not my daughters'' he said begging

''Then give me my money''

''Next week'' he begged again

''I chatted enough''

Laurent ordered his men to embark Ascardin

''Let go my father!'' april shouted

''As long as he owed me, he will be my prisoner''. laurent said sternly and added '' let's go''

They went out of the house , the children followed them begging to leave their father but laurent act as nobody was talking to him.

Ascardin was not feeling well, his heart was becoming hard and fill heats. He had difficulties to breath and seeing the scene was not ameliorating the situation. He wanted to talk but his mouth was as if glued was on it and he fainted.

''Dad!!'' Cried the children

But the men pushed them away

''He is not well ,can't you see?'' April said

''And?'' laurent simply replied

The carriage finally left

Tears were falling from the children's eyes like a fountain. April recovered herself and wiped away her tears, she has to be strong for her siblings. She lifted up her siblings which were still on the ground and brought them to bed then she went to her own room.

She was determined to get her father out of that stupid man

''Tomorrow I will go and see sir laurent''

The next morning.The first roosters crowing was heard and April was already up , it was still slightly dark outside and a little of fog.

She arrived at laurent mansion

''Am looking for sir laurent'' she said irritated

''My lord is still sleeping'' the Butler said politely

''I do not care!! Where is that monster !! '' she shouted looking upstairs

''Keep your voice down miss'' He said politely

She walked toward the stairs but the butler block her

''You can not go up'' said the butler politely

''It is ok,allow her'' someone spoke

They turn to the voice,it was laurent. The butler allow April and left

''What is this morning visit worth to me?'' he asked with a smirk on his lips

''I want to see my father, how is he?''

''Still passed out'' he said calmly

''He need to see a doctor,free him''

''Only when he will refund my money, unless you came to accept my proposal of marrying you?'' he smiled

''Never!!''

''I am doing you a favor, girls of your age don't easily get married. You are aware that girls of 20 upward does not get married easily in this village ''

''I better stay single than to marry you''

Laurent face change to furious

''Then your father will die with the rats'' he said with a stern voice

''I am begging you,do not hurt him,give me a little time to get your money please'' she begged

Laurent stay calmed for a minute and spoke

''To show you that am not that bad, I am giving you 2 months to refund my money, if those 2 month passed I will take you and your sister as wives and your father will be my jack infact he will be my slave. Deal?''

April did not hesitate to accept maybe she did not realise what sir laurent just said, all she wanted was to get her father out of this place.

''Yes, deal.'' She replied immediately

Out of the mansion April then realise that she did an error accepting the deal. She had no idea where she could have that money in 2months.

Lost in her mind , she didn't realized that valets of the castle were passing with the carriage throwing papers . One of the paper fell on April's leg , she took the paper and read , a bright smile then appear on her lips.

''Yes!!here is a great idea''