The Promises We Make- Uhtred of Bebbanburg

Chapter One

The day my engagement was agreed upon, was the day my life changed. I was going to be the wife of Edward and the next queen of Wessex. My father, the Duke of Normandy, couldn't be more happy. I, however, felt conflicted.

Being the age of twenty, I was nearly considered to be too old for marriage in society standards. But when King Alfred was looking for a potential foreign match for his son, my father wasted no time to put my name forward. Luckily for him, God had answered his prayers while he ignored mine.

I've never had the intention to marry. I know what it can do to people. My fathers marriages being an example.

My mother, Judith, is the second wife to the duke. His first wife died during the birth of my brother, Leon, and my fathers long awaited heir. Hearing stories of how she had tried so hard for a son after many miscarriages, made me terrified of what was expected of me. Rumours say the duke was to blame for her death, but I place the blame on society for expecting to much from women.

A knock on my chamber door brought me back from my thoughts. Celine, my lady-in-waiting and close friend, entered holding a silk green dress.

"Sorry to disturb you my lady. The Duchess has gifted you another dress." I rolled my eyes and huffed in annoyance.

Celine has been with me since the tender age of fourteen when my governess thought it was an appropriate time to have a personal maid. This was because most noble women would be married off by fifteen and would need someone to help with their womanly duties. But Celine had always been more then 'just a maid'. Only two years older than myself, she had been my support from the beginning. We had always confided in each other with our secrets and fears. Not once had she judged me or treated me differently because of my status, and for that, she is my dearest friend.

"How many dresses does one person need?" I asked while taking the embroidered dress from Celine's grasp, throwing it in the corner of my room. It landed on top of the pile of other dresses my father had decided I would need for Wessex.

"I could dress the whole of Normandy at this point. Including the men!"

Celine let out a loud snort which made us both laugh for a few moments before she resumed her chores of sorting through my belongings.

Becoming board of choosing what to take to Wessex, I threw myself on my bed, back first, spreading all my limbs out across my mattress.

How unladylike of me.

I stayed like this a few moments longer just staring at the ceiling, before closing my eyes to think.

"I wonder what Prince Edward is like?" I thought aloud purposely, wanting to know what Celine's opinions were. "I've heard him to be handsome but nothing of his personality. He could be the worst person ever to exist. Or the most boring." I breathed out a sigh.

"I pray he is loving and kind to you my lady." Celine spoke sincerely. "And I pray that you have a long and happy marriage."

"Whether a person is kind or loving in a marriage does not matter for people like me." I said, now sitting up and leaning on both my arms for support.

"My duty is to produce heirs. Sons to be more specific. He could do what he wants with me after that. Send me to a nunnery or have me killed, if childbirth had not already taken me." I started to pick at my nails.

I was startled by the light touch I felt on my arm. Celine had moved beside me. I was too distracted with these thoughts that I hadn't realised what was going on around me.

"Please, do not think like that my lady" she spoke softly, but with a slight stern undertone. "You do not know him and yet you make him out to be the devil"

Reaching out for her hand, I pulled her to my bed so that she was now sitting beside me.

"I hate to admit it but I am scared. Normandy is my home and now I am forced to leave it forever." I looked down at my hands for a few seconds before Celine lifted my head to face her.

"My lady, my mother told me home is where you make it. Whether it's in Normandy, Wessex or even a pig pen. Home is not a place, it's a feeling."

"Sometimes Celine, you make it very difficult for me to disagree with you." I smirked.

Maybe she was right. I do not hold the best memories within these walls but it can be different in Wessex.

Celine had walked away, somewhat looking proud for what she had achieved from her smug smile she proudly showed off.

"Now," Celine chimed while placing both her hands on her hips. Whenever she did that, she became more serious. "Come and help me pick out some dresses to pack for Wessex. You leave tomorrow and you haven't chosen what you want packed away my lady."

"Do I have to?" I whined, fluttering my eyelashes and pouting. A part of me slightly hoping Celine would just pick whatever dress would be suitable for England without my input.

"Yes." A deep, male voice answered. It was the same voice that sent fear through my body since I was a child. I froze, not moving an inch until he demanded that I remove myself from the comfort of my bed. I hastily stood to meet my fathers dark, soulless eyes.

At the corner of my eye, Celine moved against the wall furthest away from the duke and dropped her head as a sign of respect. Standard protocol for servants.

"Father. I did not hear you enter." My voice breaking with every word I spoke.

"Clearly." He angrily replied. I noticed his eyes wondering over the barely filled chests and his face changed.

"Leave." The duke demanded Celine without even looking at her. She practically ran out the door. I do not blame her, knowing myself, I would do the exact same if I was in her position. But now, I was left alone with my father. Something I have tried to avoid for most of my life. He slowly closed the door behind him, still staring at me intensely. I hate it when he does that. It makes it hard to not show any emotion in front of him.

He took his time to reach me, building up unnecessary tension from what he was about to do. He stood there, towering over me by a few inches.

The next thing I knew, I was laying on the cold stone floor, holding my burning cheek. The stinging sensation made my eyes water as my mind tried to catch up on what just happened.

He had hit me. Sadly, it wasn't the first time. But they were becoming more frequent the older I got.

My father does nothing else but stare at me. At his unwanted daughter. His eyes wondered around my face. I knew what he was looking for. Tears. But I refuse to give him the satisfaction of breaking me.

The familiar taste of metal began to take over my senses. I must of bit my cheek and caused it to bleed.

The duke crouched down, steadying at my level. Looking closely, he had not aged well. Wrinkles covered his face and large patches of grey became more noticeable through his dark brown beard. You would of thought him ancient.

"That was a warning." He whispered, pointing his boney finger at me. "If you embarrass me or the family in front of the king, you will wish you was never born. Do you understand?"

I couldn't bring myself to speak, so I nodded my head, hopping that would be enough. However, that did not please him.

"That's not an answer. Do you understand!?" He shouted. His deep voice ringing in my ears.

"Y-yes father." I choked.

"Good." He said while smiling. My father then removed a small linen cloth from his sleeve and threw it on the floor beside me.

"For the blood." He calmly said, motioning to the side of my mouth. That's when I noticed the blood had been dripping on my hand.

Before leaving my chamber, he called out for Celine. "Lady Delphine is not to leave this room until she is packed and ready for tonight's celebrations."

"Yes my lord." Celine answered without looking up. The dukes heavy footsteps echoed along the castle hall until it could no longer be heard. That is when Celine knew it was safe to rush to my side. Taking a hold of my arm, she pulled me up using most of her strength. She began to look at me with sad, sympathetic eyes.

"Normandy I will miss. My father... not so much."