The Sparrow

Tɯσ

Following a fitful night's rest and a rushed morning where her mother and lady's maid fussed over her ensuring she was wearing one of the finest dresses she owned and looked presentable, Scarlette was finally sitting in the arranged carriage that would take her to what would most likely become her new home. It had been a week since the arranged marriage had been finalised and she had spent that week packing what she would need into travel cases and trying not to think of the inevitable future. Now as the carriage rumbled along the road, she picked at a loose thread on the deep blue silk of her dress and glanced out the window.

"Are you nervous, Scarlette?" the woman sitting beside her - her lady maid who would be accompanying her as a friendly and familiar face - asked, tilting her head at Scarlette.

She offered a shrug and tried her best to smile but it was weak and almost faltered. "I suppose you could say I'm somewhat nervous, Livia. It will be fine though, I'm fine. This is all quite well and fine. If I am to let it get to me then I will only be conceding defeat and giving my father the satisfaction of seeing me slip into despair. As long as I keep a positive mind about it, he won't win."

"That is quite the admirable stance to take on all of this, I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to be in your position," Livia murmured, clasping her hands together in her lap. Then a smile of her own spread, far easier than the one Scarlette had tried. "It surely can't be all that bad though? I mean, yes you have never met him, and you have no idea what he'll be like but with how you look right now, any man would be crazy to turn you away."

"Ah yes, because a woman's worth is based purely in their appearance. You'd think sorcerers of all people would be able to see beyond what a person looks like and treat us as equals. Some days it almost seems as if they're more prone to acts of bigotry than the mortals," Scarlette sighed, brushing a loose curl away from her face. Maybe one day in the future she would finally find the freedom she so desired but for now, she would have to continue to battle the opposition presented to her.

Giving her a pointed look, Livia reached over to adjust the locks of hair around Scarlette's face better. "You know that's not what I meant. You're certainly more than your appearance but you try telling that to any male around here. All they see is female and then we're ridden off as a mere item. That doesn't change the fact you have looks if you actually try and have a keen mind too."

"If you're trying to flatter me into thinking this is the best choice for myself in life it isn't going to work," she rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to the window leading to the passing scenery outside the carriage. It didn't feel like they had been on the road for very long but a glance at the pocket watch Aloysius had given her as a parting gift showed it had already been two hours. Unless there were any interruptions, based on the estimate he had given her, it would only be another hour of travel and they would finally reach their destination. And another hour before the inevitable was finally realised.

With a small 'hmpft' sound, the lady maid fell silent and looked out the other window. She knew Scarlette well enough at this point to know whatever else she could say would fall on deaf ears. Once she had made up her mind, it was always very difficult to sway her into deciding otherwise. Livia wondered how the people in their new home would handle that. She just hoped it didn't have any negative consequences on her friend.

For the rest of the journey, little conversation was exchanged, not even as the carriage rolled from dirt to cobblestones or as the scenery rapidly changed from trees to widely spread ornate buildings. This town was comparably larger than what either of them were used to and Scarlette couldn't help but feel a sense of silent awe as she watched the structures pass by. It was going to take a while to get used to this if she would ever be allowed to venture into the town. She hoped she'd be able to; she didn't do well with being cooped up in one place for too long.