Arranged

1

Eloise could remember since the day she was born, she was promised to someone. She never knew who it was. But all of her childhood was leading up to the day that she would marry this man.

———

Eloise was in her father's war room. She liked to look at all of the figures. How each figure that resembled a soldier had a role. Something that she would never have.

In House Ordos, the Great House, that Eloise was a duchess of, she knew all of the Emperors daughters. Even hung out with them. She got so close to them that she hoped the Emperor daughters could try and change her fate. But it was no use.

Her thoughts were interrupted as her father walked in. He was a muscular man with a beard. His clothes practically screamed wealthy. He had his concubines waiting at the door for him. To everyone he was a scary and brutal dictator. To Eloise? He was the kindest man ever.

Her father had recently went on a journey for the Emperor. Her father was one of the Emperor's trusted friends. And there weren't many.

"My dearest, did you miss me?"

The old man asked as he smiled so gently. A smile only Eloise saw. His other smile was pure evil. But he didn't use it with Eloise. Ever.

"Yes father. I did. Who else am I to gossip with?"

Her father laughed. He walked towards her as he brought her to his embrace. They hugged as her father caressed her head.

Some say that her father was only gentle with her due to how much Eloise looked like her mother. Her mother that died in childbirth. Some doctors say that Eloise practically spilt her mother in two. Others say that her mother couldn't handle it as Eloise's twin brother was a big baby.

But Eloise's father never made Eloise feel bad about it. Instead he loved her more. And tried his best raising her. Even if that meant raising her to be someone's wife.

While the two continued to hug, her father spoke up.

"Sweet girl, the day has finally come."

Eloise felt her heart tighten. Her wedding date had been set. To say that Elosie wasn't thrilled is an understatement. She dreaded it. To be married to someone would mean to leave everything she's known behind.

"I see. How much longer till the date arrives?"

Eloise pulled away as she stared at her father. He gave her a kiss on the forehead.

"4 months."

Eloise gave her father a sweet smile. She played along to this plan. She knew it was better along than to give her father a hard time.

"I see. Have you told Eioke?"

Her brother.

"I have not, sweet girl."

Her father was a bit hesitant to tell Eloise's twin brother. As he was very protective and didn't even want her to get married as he knew it would end badly.

"I will tell him."

Eloise said with a bit of hesitation in her tone. Her father just nodded with a smile. Eloise never understood how much her father could care for her yet marry her to someone at such a young age.

Eloise took that as her sign to leave. She walked away as she felt her stomach twisted and turn. Once she was out of the room and in the hallway, she walked past her father's concubines. She didn't dare to look at them and they didn't look at her. It was a silent agreement. She knew that her father hated for her to stare at them. For they weren't worth her time. They kept their head down the entire time. Eloise could see from the corner of her eye that some of them were pregnant. It was no surprise.