When The Heart Already Given Up

Chapter 3: The Debt Paid in Marriage

I've been crying ever since the day my father announced that I will be marrying someone as a payment for their debt.

"Lady Caecilian, everything is going to be okay. You need to be strong." Said Anna while patting my back.

"Anna, what did I do to deserve this kind of treatment?"

Crying.

"My Lady....."

"I did everything for them to love me.

Sob. sob. sob.

No matter what they asked of me I did it for the hopes that they will accept me in this house and feel the warmth of having a family. I sacrifice so much just for them to give me a little bit of their affection. But what did I get in return...

"Lady......"

"They're going to throw me away."

Sob. sob. sob.

"It's okay, my lady hush now. Be strong. I'm always here for you."

"Lady Caecilian, the Count is waiting for you in his office." The butler said, without even knocking on my door. He just barged in, he doesn't even have a bit of respect for me as a daughter of this house.

"Okay I'm going." I said to him,

"Lady Caecilian is here. Count Horace." The butler announces.

"Good morning father and ..."

Black hair, blue eyes, Reinhart.... What is he doing here? I was quite shocked to see him today. It's been a month since the last time I saw him.

Thump. My heart flutters.

"Sit down, Caecilian."

"Duke Haze, this is my daughter Caecilian. She's the one you're going to marry."

Huh?! Did I hear it right? My father wants me to marry Reinhart. My heart skipped a beat. I'm a little relieved that now I know who I am arranged to be married to. I'm a little happy to know that it was with him.

"I see, do you think it's enough to just let me marry your daughter? To pay off all your debt to me." Reinhart said.

Father flinched, "Of course we will also give you the north mine." Father said, while trying to smile to hide his embarrassment.

"Okay. It's a deal then." Duke Haze nodded in agreement.

"The wedding will take place next week. As per our agreement." Father assured him.

"Hmm. Okay. See you then to our wedding, Lady Caecilian." As he glanced at me with a cold stare.

I bowed my head so low to avoid meeting his eyes. After he left. I ran to my room and started to cry. As I remember the gold gazed he gave me when he left. I thought that he was a nice person but he was the same with my father and brother. 'I am not enough for payment', I scoffed. As I remember what he said. I even developed a feeling for him. Was I really hungry for love to fall in love so easily to someone I only met and talked to once. I feel so stupid right now.

Knock. Knock.

"I brought some tea." I wiped my tears and faced Anna.

"Anna, do you think that I will find someone who would care and love me? I've been miserable all my life. Do I really deserve this?" My tears can help but fall again.

Anna hugged me, "My lady you deserve all good things in this world."