Lady Violet: The Tales of a Runaway Pirate Book 1

Chapter 3

As I was helped into the nightgown I wore for bed, my eyes focused on nothing in particular, words stayed stuck in my throat, and I couldn't tell what I was thinking about. The only bit of the conversation still played in my head as I was dressed. I still couldn't understand why my father would use me as a bargaining chip without asking. Actually I could. I was just a disappointment of a child to him and a lady. I had no rights here.

The sound of the door opening and shutting filtered through my ears. A robe was being pulled over my shoulders and the sound of the door filtered through my ears once more. I looked up, finding my brother's face in the mirror. "Vi. Are you... No, I know that you're not alright." He said softly, laying a hand on my shoulder as he stepped closer.

I shook my head, brushing his hand from my shoulder. "How could I have known that I was going to be married off to that guest of theirs? You at least get to choose who you wish to marry, while I am going to be stuck in one that is worthless. Just a reward of a partnership between our father and that man." I was already crouched at my bed, pulling the dress I had worn the night before out. My robe was already on the floor as I laid the dress on the bed. "Turn around."

Evin obliged my request, facing the door. "If you are planning on leaving, Vi, you know that father will follow you. He will look for you to fulfill his part of the agreement." He sighed softly. "I would help you to run away. In a heartbeat, but you're still my sister. No matter the situation, we will handle it together. Just like we have always done." He was tugging at his own collar as he waited for me to change.

I was sure that his head was burning with my gaze as I finished dressing. "I have no plan of running away just yet, brother. I am just going to the town for the night. You wish to join me? Throw your caution to the wind and come with me." Once I was finished, I crouched to receive the small purse I usually carried around with me. "Maybe you'll find your sense of freedom while dancing in the taverns or meeting the young ladies."

As soon as I heard his soft sigh, I knew that my brother would be going along with me. I was more excited about that than I was about the possibility of meeting Dorian again. My brother rarely left the house. He would only leave on the days where father would take him somewhere or the balls. Those were things that were forced upon him and not of his own volition.

I was always getting my way with Evin. Almost because he seemed to believe that I wasn't able to be treated the way that he was and felt bad for me. Not that I cared as much as he did. It wasn't the issue that really concerned me anymore. The issue that concerned me now was if I could actually get away from this marriage that was being forced upon me. I wondered how long I would actually have to put up the facade of being a noble's daughter.

The last thing that I had wanted was to have to continue to put up the good nobleman's daughter. The perfect face and small talk. I was hardly able to keep up with them at this point. All that mattered now was just working towards finding some way to get out of the dreaded marriage,while keeping the agreement in tack.

I grabbed Evin's hand, mainly because he rarely snuck out and I had a feeling that he would end up attracting more attention while we tried to sneak out. Not that it was his fault. The only thing he usually did against our parent's wishes was to teach me how to wield a sword. Other than that, he was usually the good one. I didn't mind being considered the rebellious one when I was able to get very little freedom.

The halls were almost completely empty as we snuck through them. The shadows at this time were our friends. We have many times tried to sneak through before as a pair and one wrong move, or mistiming had ended up with myself grounded and Evin just slapped on the hand a little bit. It made me more determined to learn the schedules of the knights within the halls and the mansion itself. I was determined to make sure that I could make it out of the mansion at any time that I desired to be out.

As Evin and I continued through the halls, we spoke in hushed whispers about the marriage prospect. About how he was trying to find ways to equalize us in our home life. Though I would most likely be gone within the next eight months. I never wished to dash my brother's hope or his dreams, but there are times when it was called for. Times when we both needed to see the reality of the life that we had to live.

"Do you truly believe that we would be able to live as equals in this lifetime, Evin? I mean, I am just but a woman and women need not do anything that would garner unnecessary attention. At least that is what I have been told by mother." His eyes never left me as I led the way towards the path, one that was very easily hidden from the main path to the town. "I do hope that you do see the fact that in this time, I am really only supposed to be used as a bargaining chip. Not that it is what either of us really wants for me. I do greatly appreciate your support and your help on this."

Evin looked at me softly as if he knew how I was feeling about what was upcoming. Though it was easy to discern what I was feeling as a newly betrothed woman and having the last bit of freedom taken away from me. From that moment until we reached the lively tavern, with its worn down boards, we were silent.

I sidestepped as the door flung open and a set of burly sort of men started walking out of the tavern. They were holding onto each other, laughing and swaying as they attempted to sing some song they had heard once. Though the words were not understandable due to the slurring of their voices. Stepping through the door, I was looking towards the middle of the tavern where men stepped to some beat, mostly over their own feet. I was hoping that maybe the man I had met before would be here again. Hoping to see those deep sinking eyes once again. A release from the future that I would be facing soon.

Evin stood close behind me as he stepped into the tavern. It wasn't as full as it had been the last night, but he almost seemed to be watching my flank. If only he had known how many times I had snuck out like this before. "Brother, I would suggest taking a step back from me." As I turned my head to look back at him, I almost collided with his chest. "We can take a seat at one of the empty tables over on the side." A general hand wave towards the outerwall guided his head.

At least until he took my hand and dragged me towards the first empty table he saw. "Do you truly fraternize here, Vi? This... seems like a battlefield. More than even our own home." Evin looked at me, his eyes wide, his lip pulled by his teeth.

"This is less of a battlefield than you think. No extra underlying meaning of words. More, this place is here for fun. Only fun."

He narrowed his eyes for a quick moment before starting to open his mouth. "Have you... Do I need to be worried about any future marriage prospects coming from here? Father would kill you if he knew that you came here and if you ended u[ with a child."

It was a quick gasp as I realized his words and lowered my voice, my hands clenching into fists on the table. "Never ask a woman about her virtue, but if you must know, I have only ever danced with a man." I had never wished to tell my brother this, or discuss it for any reason. I was about to continue on until a man in the doorway caught my eye as I caught his. My heart skipped for a moment as a grin spread across his face and made his way towards me.

"Violet. I was hoping to see you again." His voice soft as he held his hand out for me to take. "I hope, I can steal you from your companion for a dance or two again. As long as you remember me from last night."