Claiming What is Rightfully Mine (Walter Deville)

Chapter 5

Colette turned to look at her father in shock. "You can't be serious about marrying me off to Lord DeVille. Please father don't subject me to a marriage I don't want."

"I'm sorry Colette. But Lord DeVille has made it quite clear that he is interested in becoming your husband. Who am I to deny the man what he wants," Lucas asked.

"It's quite easy actually. All you have to do is say no, or no thank you, or I politely decline your offer to take my daughter's hand in marriage. Anyone of those would do well. But you need to grow a backbone to stand up to Lord DeVille and tell him that you have no intention of marrying me off to him," Colette said. Colette then turned to her mother. "Can you please say something to father to knock some sense into him? Get him to see that something is a bit off putting about Lord DeVille. Surely, I can't be the only one who senses this. You have to knock some sense back into father,"

Lucia turned from her daughter to glance to her husband to say something, only to catch the dangerous glare of Lord Walter DeVille, which caused Lucia to turn back to her daughter. "Colette, your father is right in marrying you off to Lord DeVille. Lord DeVille will treat you right, and you won't ever struggle with money or want anything while you are in his care. Be grateful that Lord DeVille has chosen you to be his wife."

"May I be excused please," Colette asked.

"Of course, dear. I know you need time to process the change. You're going to become a DeVille, which becoming a lady has a lot of responsibilities," Lucas said.

"Thank you," Colette said before getting up and making her way out of the dining room.

"I say that the news went over quite well," Walter said. "Though I was a bit worried about your wife losing it, and telling your daughter she wouldn't have to go through with this arrangement that we all agreed on."

"There was no agreement made. You practically forced our hand to have us give you, our daughter. It hurts me to see that kind of betrayal in her eyes," Lucia said.

"Say what you will about me, but your daughter's fate is now sealed. Just accept that and accept the fact that there isn't a damn thing that you can do to change her fate now," Walter said in a bored tone.

"Excuse me gentlemen. I have suddenly lost my appetite. I also need some time and space to think about what I have done to my daughter," Lucia said before getting up and walking away from the two men.

"I apologize for my wife and daughter. Normally they don't react like they did. They usually go with whatever they are told to do. I don't understand why they are choosing to act this way tonight towards you of all people," Lucas said trying to keep his fear hidden from Walter.

"Have you been talking to them, telling them what I truly am? Because if they are acting this way towards me, then that could be it," Walter suggested growing annoyed with Lucas.

"I assure you my lord, they don't have a clue as to what you are, nor do they know the truth as to why you're really here," Lucas said unaware that his wife was hiding around the corner listening to the conversation that is taking place between the two men.

Oh my god. My husband bargained our daughter away to a damn monster. I have to get her out of here and quickly, Lucia thought to herself. Lucia quickly walked away, making her way to her daughter's room, where she found her daughter standing out on the balcony. Lucia quickly made her way out, closing the doors behind her in hopes of speaking to her daughter without Lord DeVille listening to what she was saying to her daughter.

Colette turned to face her mother as her mother closed the doors. "What are you doing out here? I thought you would be with father and Lord DeVille celebrating the arrangement that father made."

"Colette, I had nothing to do with that. Your father has kept secrets from me as well. I refuse to allow you to go through with this marriage, knowing the secrets that were kept from us my darling daughter. We have to get you out of this village, and out of this country for good. I have to keep you safe," Lucia said.

"What about you? I'm sure when father and Lord DeVille find out that you have helped me in escaping, they will do something to make you pay for ruining this arrangement. Mother you have to come along with me," Colette said.

"My darling daughter. It's my job as your mother to keep you safe. I failed to do that when your father made these ridiculous arrangements behind my back, and to act as though he didn't do so; it disappoints me. I have to stay here and be sure that Lord DeVille doesn't get his hands on you. I want you to promise me that any future descendants will never make their way back to this country, because if they do, they will be walking right into the arms of the monster who has created this living nightmare for you and the rest of our family. Promise me that you will keep our bloodline safe and not give this monster what he is looking for," Lucia begged her daughter in desperation.

"What is it that he's looking for," Colette asked.

"His wife who is prophesized to be by his side for all eternity, making him more powerful than he is. Much more powerful than if he were to take on three wives," Lucia replied. "Pack your most important possessions. But pack light. You have to be quick to leave the country."