Audrey

"In that case stay. I would love for you to stay. But I can not promise to be a gentleman this time." He said with a smirk on his face. He started removing his shirt. My eyes widened. I can not stay here. I quickly got off the bed and wore my overcoat. Then I sprinted towards my room.

A hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me in a hallway which was dark. I jerked my hand free from them. "Shh! It's us." I heard Sidney's voice. "Why did you enter that room?" I heard Camilla saying. I turned to her. The darkness was not as blinding as it would have been in a total dark hallway. The light from the other hallway gave us some light. That means anyone could see them from a distance.

"Follow me!" I took them to a room. It was a small guest room. Made for children. The natural beige color of the wall could be visible from a few candles on the night stand. "What were you saying?" I asked my friends. Camilla crossed her arms over her chest and said, "Why did you enter that room? A prince was waiting for you at the end of the hallway. You gave us the keys to the last room." She finished. So he was not the man that they had picked for me. Though he was handsome as hell.

"You said you would only kiss him but you..." Sidney trailed off. Then her eyes fell on my dress. "I- I thought that he was the man you guys have picked." They both shook their heads. Oh god! That means I fucked it all up on my own. "Fuck! I did it all. I almost compromised the only man I wanted to run away from." "That you did." Camilla said, nodding. Sidney also nodded in agreement.

"Can you believe what he told me?" I asked them. Tears came to my eyes after thinking of what he promised. "Shh! Stop it. First, wear some decent clothes and go to the library. We will talk later. This is a matter of urgency. Go." Sidney said while pushing me out of the room.

"Oh I pity her!" I heard Sidney say and Camilla joining, "Me too dear. me too." Then I made my way to my room. I wanted to cry but would it help? Nope. So fuck it. I need a plan. Now that he is here. He would not back away. I will make him back away. I will scare him. I will have to do everything that a good man hates. A gentleman hates. I quickly wore the dress which I was wearing for the ball. Then I made my way to the library.

When I reached the door, I could make out some voices, one was my father and the other was clearly Jacob. "She is unique. Unlike anyone I have ever met. The freedom that she deserves. I assure you, it will be hers." "I trust you. If it was not for me having a good image of your father. I would have never replied to your letter of a wife for an heir." What? For an heir? Was he selling me now? I could feel my blood boiling. I opened the door. I saw father was sitting on his chair and Jacob stood beside the table with one hand supporting his weight. His shirt was changed and had a few buttons opened. I reached them.

"Heir! So you are selling me to this man. This is not an arranged marriage but an alliance. What are you gaining from him? A man who would rule your kingdom. Because you see me unfit for the role. I wish you would have never given me this freedom so that I would have never been able to dream this big." Tears were running down my face. I faced Jacob. "As for you, I will not marry you. I am not a property to be handed to anyone. I am a human with..." "With their own feelings and opinions. Who said I will be ruling your kingdom? Did he say that? Because I did not agree to it. Madam, your kingdom is yours and mine is mine. I do not want any right on your land. What I want is an heir for my own." I looked him in the eye to see if his words had any truth to them.

"I don't believe you. Is that all you care about? An heir? Then go fuck an whore. I am not a thing but a human..." "Watch your tongue young lady." Father said. My eyes darted to him. "Yeah! My words. Of course they would sting because they are the truth. I am not going to marry him." I said. "Shut up, Audrey." I heard her voice and turned. She was walking towards me in quick strides. I don't give a damn what she has to say now. What they were doing was unacceptable.

"You will come with me and announce the wedding. Did you have any idea how hard it was for us to find a man to marry you? Nobody will marry you, he is willing. We gave you so many chances Audrey. Do not make us sell our own kingdom out just because our daughter is out of our hands. For once, for once do the right thing. Is that too much for your parents to ask of you? Do you think any man from out there would marry you? Name just one." She finished, her eyes were red in anger or perhaps she was crying.

"That's what I thought. Now let's go out and announce this betrothal and the ball will be in the next three days." "But isnt..." She put her hand up. "You would have thought about it before climbing in his chambers at night. God knows how far you both have gotten. It is but just for you to get married quickly before you start showing. Now lets go." She said and took me by my arm and led me out of the library.