Sandonnia Book 1 - The Crowned Prince

CHAPTER 4 - Riviera Mansion

Having any sort of romantic relations before marriage was prohibited by law. The law was in place as a means of population control. After Eukatia invaded a neighbouring country, Sandonnia, it automatically took over its gold, platinum, diamond, gemstone and mineral mines. It also took up some of its culture. Sandonnia had a rich, vibrant culture. The gemstones and minerals still today had a huge input into the majority of Eukatia's earnings. After Eukatia won the war, there was an influx of immigration to the now rich and powerful country. The Relationship & Children Law had to be put into place to stop the country from becoming overcrowded. After marriage, each couple could have up to two children. Arranged marriages were common. There was a clause in the law that prohibited forced marriages but a lot of people seemed to forget about that clause. The punishment for breaking this law was death. Elites and the Royal family unfortunately were able to pay their way out of scandals. But Amy was of the common folk so she had to be careful.

The whole car ride was silent. The tension in the air was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Every now and then Amy would look at Ethan and wonder what he was thinking.

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Ethan stopped the car in front of the Riviera Mansion, got out and opened the door for Amy. Amy stepped out and looked at the very modern home in front of her. A valet wordlessly took Ethan's keys and took his car to park it. Ethan's Mansion was in the countryside of Riverbank. The Mansion was three-storeys high and had floor-to-ceiling high south-facing windows. There was a balcony going around the Mansion on the top floor. There was a chatter of people everywhere.

"This is so nice, airy and ... um open," Amy commented. "Wow."

"Shall we go in?" Ethan asked, smirking.

"Sure."

And they did. To be honest, Amy did feel out of place. She didn't know what to do or what to say, even how to walk or talk or sit or stand. It was like the Elites had a world of their own. The whole of the ECoE's employees were there and yet still the ballroom still seemed big. It wasn't like she was alone. But because she had walked in with Ethan, she was the talk for the whole evening. She needed a moment to herself so she excused herself and walked out into a flower garden nearby. She didn't notice Ethan also excusing himself and walking after her.

"Everything okay?" he asked when he reached her. "Are you not enjoying yourself?"

"I am ... I've never been at this sort of gathering before," Amy admitted. "It all a bit alien to me. I'm scared I might say something to embarrass you."

"Why would you think you would say something to embarrass me?" Ethan asked confused.

"If you haven't noticed, I walked in with you and now people think we're together," Amy sighed, "which you know is not true."

"It will be true, one day," Ethan said softly. "People will always talk. You need to get used to it, if you want to get ahead in life. Come, there are some very important people from Visor here. We need to take the next step by extending a contract."

That was exactly what they did.

Everything was going perfect until Delphine walked up to Amy. Amy tried to walk away but Delphine came right up to her and spilled her champagne on her dress.

"If I can't have him, neither can you, whore," Delphine whispered in Amy's ear.

Amy looked down at her dress in horror. That was a dry-clean only dress. And she actually really loved the dress.

Ethan saw Amy's dress get ruined by Delphine. "Shit," he muttered under his breath. Amy was already uncomfortable; he just wanted her to feel okay. And this was not okay. Before he could get a guard to escort Delphine out, she walked out of the ballroom herself. Ethan quickly walked over to Amy.