Cry me crimson tears

What now?

Angry I storm off, leaving my mother in the garden.

"Pandora!", I hear Angelique yelling after me, but I run straight past her to the gates. I run past the guards at the castle gates onto the road. I just want to get as far away from the castle as possible. 

I don't want to marry him, I don't want to go to the ball, I just want to be taken seriously. And yes, I know, running away like a child probably won't help, but it's all can do right now. No one is listening and they all just want to make me do what they want.

I keep running until I spot a farmer on a cart. Stopping him, I ask where he's going. The old man says he's headed into town. "Can I get a ride?" "Sure, hop on", he says. I hike up my skirts and climb onto his cart, relieved he didn't ask any more questions. I don't know what I'm gonna do once I'm actually in town, but the ride will give me some time to think and figure out a plan.

After about fifteen minutes of riding in complete silence, I still don't have a clue what I'm gonna do. I sigh deeply and the farmer turns to me. "Are you ok?", he asks. "Yeah, I just have a lot going on right now", I say dismissively. I don't really want to talk to him, but can't stop the words coming out. "I feel like everybody ignores me and just wants me to bend to their will. My parents want me to marry someone I hate, they don't listen to what I want. They want me to be invisible, while I want to be seen. And God, I hate the man they picked out for me. He is my worst enemy...", I gasp, letting it all spill out. The old man looks at me sideways and smiles. "There really is a storm going on in your head right now, isn't there?" I nod, sighing and letting my shoulders hang. "Any advice?", I ask. He chuckles and says: "Have you tried talking to the man you're supposed to marry? Maybe he isn't as bad as you think. When did you speak to him last?"

I look at him, thinking back to the last time I spoke to Belial. "I think it's been almost 10 years. I was thirteen and he must have been about sixteen. He loved pushing my buttons and pulling pranks on me. He really got under my skin. It was funny either, he just wanted to see me suffer." 
The farmer laughs: "Are you sure he wasn't just a sixteen year old being annoying? Why are you so sure he hates you?" "He always talked down to me and made me feel small, I can't imagine him having changed that much. He also always agreed with his father about the position a woman is supposed to hold in society. Which is probably why my parents like him so much. He'll 'keep me in check', according to them", I scuff. Before we can finish our conversation and he can give me any more advice, we arrive in town and he tells me to get off the cart. The farmer all of sudden has an angry look on his face, as he shoves me off and turns the cart away. 

I stand, a bit startled, and look around the bustling town center. I have never actually been here by myself and don't know where anything is. I just turn to the nearest tavern and walk in. Thank God I have some coins in my pocket, so I can pay for a drink and a meal. 

As I walk in, I see that the tavern is filled. There is only one place to sit left, across a very handsome man, wearing a hood. I slowly wander over to his table, asking: "Do you mind if I sit down?" He just gives me a little wave, telling me to sit down. 

As I sit down, he looks up, giving me a better look at his face. Wait, I know that face! As he looks into my eyes, I see the recognition in his too. I just sat down in front of my arch-nemesis, or fiancé, depending on who you ask. "Belial", I sigh, and put my hands in my head.

Hi, my name is Lotte, I hope you liked this chapter! 

.