The key

A forced Marriage

It seems like only yesterday I was jumping puddles and scraping my knees without a care in the world. And now, I look in the mirror, as I cinch my dress tighter. I was getting married today. I brushed my hair back and sighed. I looked out my window, past silken drapes, upon my surroundings. The green, lush forest beckoned me. I gently placed the veil upon my head, trying to forget the horrors that lied behind this oak door. But the clinking of wine glasses and merry laughter of guests brought me back to reality. My marriage, my prison, my fate. We were a wealthy family, but  my husband-to-be's family was wealthier. Mother pushed me to marry Julius, as he was very handsome. His father owned an architectural company, and his mother was a talented seamstress who sewed gowns for royal women and suits for royal men. They both make a healthy income, which explains julius's ego.
My hands were shaking and it was almost impossible to pull my hair tight enough.
It was time to face my inevitable providence. I glared at my hand, soon to have a silver ring upon it,and sighed. The doorknob squeaked as I opened the door, as if it felt my pain. "Beatrice! You're going to be late for your own wedding!" My mother called from below the spiral staircase. " coming mother!" I shouted back. I wish that I could tell her how I felt. How I wanted to escape my "destiny".  I slipped my feet into a pair of black heels. They were soft. My feet haven't seen a good adventure in a long time. I ran down the stairs, in a feverish haze. The ballroom doors burst open as two well dressed butlers hustled me behind the white curtain. I could see my mother and father, so proud. So proud I was pretty enough to marry a Rich boy. A boy with millions of dollars and a company in his fragile, spoiled hands. It was time. I walked down the isle. My husband-to-be smiled as the officiant read the vows. I smiled weakly back. I don't hate Julius, but I do not love him either. Wright estate has always been my home. Before I could even realize what was happening, an expensive silver ring sat upon my finger. The diamond in the middle glittered like the stars in the galaxy. I couldn't take this anymore. Expensive diamonds, forced marriages, even grandmother came to watch. Watch me sell my soul for money and a pretty husband. I wanted to marry for love, and I wanted to marry at an older age! I was treated like an object my entire life, one you could simply trade away to the wealthiest man in town. I could've gotten away with not being able to read, as most women now are illiterate.  I could not feel joy in one of the most joyous moments of most other womens lives. The dim, candle lit isle seemed to be closing in as the wedding wrapped up. We ate, we danced,we drank, up until the midnight hour. Then the guests we're finally going back to their own homes. Many wedding gifts sat upon the table in fancy wrapping paper topped with poofy bows. I had no interest in those as much as I did grandmother's gift. She handed it to me with a smile. Her eyes looked like they held the secrets to the world. I took the present from grandmother, showing her I was grateful by bowing politely. One must always respect elders. The paper it was wrapped in was white adorned with little golden swans. The smooth, almost silky, bow was white with gold trim. "I'm rather tired," I yawned. " I should be heading to my sleeping quarters now, mother," she nodded in reply. " Goodnight grandmother," I whispered. She smiled at me once again. I burst through the doors On my way back to my room. Breezing past eager guests asking about the wedding and how it felt to finally have true love. Little did they know. Finally, the familiar fragrance of lavender and perfume wafted through the crack of the door. I couldn't believe it. I was a married woman. I undid the bun placed at the top of my head. It came out in a frizzy mess. I then uncinched my dress and began to slip on my nightgown. I was so eager to see what grandmother had given me. I combed through my hair with my fingers. " Why did mother make me marry this man?"I sighed. I sat down upon my bed to unwrap the many wedding gifts from the equally wealthy guests. The first gift was a dress, pink satin with a white ribbon. The second gift was a hair pin, for my long, and thick hair. I couldn't stand the suspense anymore, I gently removed the paper from the gift.
It was a book! A journal to be precise.