Audrey 

I was sitting in my room by the window, looking at the novel I was currently reading. Did love really exist in this world, or was it all a dream of a writer on a paper? Love! It was what I told my family that I was after. While seeing girls my age getting married to a very powerful kingdom, I wanted love. What a fool? It was clearly not for me. For every man eligible for me wanted to control me.

"Ew! Who loves cats? They can never be a pet. I love hunting and killing animals." Prince of Sandoze said to me, when they were strolling.

"If we were to marry, then you would not talk to any male and you would host balls, that's all what I want from you." Oh! Like I would let the prince of Tantaza control me.

"Addie! My dear, what are you thinking?" I blinked and looked at my mother. She was standing before me, looking stressed. I quickly closed my book which I clearly was not reading at that time. I set the book aside and let mother come and sit beside me on the couch near the window.

"Is something bothering you, mother?" I asked her, sensing something was off from her face. She looked like she wanted to say, but had no idea how to start. "It is just that I and your father were thinking how you were progressing with all the blind dates we have arranged for you." This topic had the ability to make me worry about my future. "Every prince you set me up with had the ability to control me, and our kingdom as well. Do you really want to give it to a random king? It is clear mother, that I can not find affection for any man, you and father had picked for me. Must I marry to rule? Can I not rule on my own?" Hearing me, mother sighed.

Sometimes, I wish I was a man, then they would not have been able to force me to marry to secure an alliance. "It is not about Eriella. It is about the scandal sheets, my dear. The way they speak of you, has unnerved us. Have you seen the new gossip sheet? Oh! The last ball you attended?" Her face went red. She was really stressing about some mere scandal sheets?

"Did you reject Prince Orilay?" Such a simple question, but I found it hard to answer. I remember what happened with him.

While walking in the gardens at night with Prince Orilay at the last ball, he gave me a flower plucking it from a nearby plant. "Let it be please, I do not like cut flowers." He then instead of handing me the flower threw it on the ground and pressed his shoes on it, crushing it. Then he faced me and said, "You would tell me what to do? Who the fuck do you think you are?" He said in an angry tone. He then slammed his lips on me, I kicked him in the shin and said, "Do not even dare to touch me. I am the princess of Eriella. A princess whom you would never marry."

Those were my last words to him. "I did!" I said plainly. "Addie, you are making me feel bad about giving you every bit of freedom you ever desired. We did everything you wanted from us. You wanted to have a voice. We let you say whatever and do whatever you please but this is getting out of control. How old are you? 23? I was married at 18 and had you at 23. Will you do as we see fit for you, my dear?" Mother asked while she turned to me, cupping my hands in hers. Her face was covered in tears.

"I am your mother. I can never wish anything bad for you. Your father and I have decided that it is time that we must arrange a marriage for you. Now, you, my dear, will obey your father and do as he asks of you." I took my hands out of her grasp. I let my eyes fall on anything that it could. It felt like she slapped me on my face. Yes, they never took away my freedom but what she is asking of me is absurd. My eyes were filled with tears. "How can you do that? Do you not wish well for me?" I asked softly. "Do you have any idea what every royal family is saying? That our kingdom will fall and it would be you, who will bring its downfall." Her mother stood and started walking towards the door. Slowly, tears started making their way down my face.

Before exiting, she turned and said, "This is our only wish for you and believe me Addie, it is, what is best for you." With that she shut the door, and I cried, turning to find my pillow to hug it.

***

After crying for some time, I decided that it was best, if I did not attend dinner with them. I needed some time to think. I knew that I couldn't persuade my mother, because she was a good manipulator. Trying to convince her would be very hard.

But I could convince my father!

I quickly got up from my bed and made my way towards the door. I knew where my father would be at this hour. I went to his study and knocked. "I know it's you, Addie. Come in." He said. When I entered the study, he was standing at the desk with a map spread on the table. He was examining it. His eyes did not leave the map as he said, "I expected you." He then gestured for me to sit.

"I know, you do not want this. Let me assure you, Addie, I do not want this for you too. But have you been reading the so-called ‘scandal sheets’?" He asked me, while he folded the map. Then he laid it on the table neatly. My hands started sweating. "Father, I think that you are under mother's influence, because I know you, you would never do this to me." His eyes were scanning my face. He then neutralized his face. Oh! How badly I wanted him to tell me that it was all mother's plan and he was at my side. He did not even say a word.

"Father, mother thinks that it is..." He put his hand up, silencing me. I lowered my gaze because I knew what was to come. A scolding. I was ready for his harsh words to come, instead he said. "Do you not have faith in your own father?" He asked me. "I never said that!" I said quickly. Feeling that I must explain, I said, "I love you father. I want to make you proud. Why must I marry? Why can I not rule our kingdom?" I asked him, although I knew his answer. "The suitors were picked for you by your mother. She did a great job of finding some excellent men. Now, what it feels like, is that you are playing with our hearts. It is very clear to us, Audrey, that you do not intend to marry at all. I, being your father, would not allow it."

I had no idea that he felt this way. I was speechless. I had no idea what to say. "It isn't that!" Was all I managed to let out. "Audrey, you will marry the man, I will pick for you. After all, I have already arranged it. He is ready, and he will come here for a ball next week. I will then announce your engagement." I felt my head start spinning. "I will not..." Before I could finish, he said, "Audrey, this time, your tricks would not work. He is looking for a wife. I will not take away the courting period from you, because it is very crucial for husband and wife to understand one another." He seemed so ready to get me married that I knew nothing could prevent it from happening. But there has to be a way.

"I am not that old." I said now tears were streaming down my face and my voice creaked. "Why are you both doing this to me? What have I done to you both? To have you work against my desires?" I said. "You speak of the desires of my child. Your desire can still be achieved. You will learn to love your husband. Do you not think that your desire is absurd at this point?" He looked away, not standing to see me cry so freely.

"If I did something wrong, forgive me. Please, do not do this to me." I pleaded with him. He faced me and said, "We are not doing anything bad to you. We love you and that's why we want what is best for you." He finished and focused his attention on his current papers.

I stood and made my way to the door. When I opened the door my father called, "Oh! Audrey, the man I have selected for you is King Jacob Donaldson of Randosa kingdom." He finished and I shut the door behind me.

King Jacob Donaldson? I never knew anything about him. I have never seen him at any balls as well. Who was he?