Tales of Ardor

Chapter 1

"Ramona!"

"Yes!" The yell startled me and I jumped in my seat.

Ramona? Who was that?

"Your father has called your name several times now. What could you be thinking about?"

"Sorry Mother, just thinking about the opportunity to go to Enchantaria next year."

What? Am I speaking? And did I just call the woman across from me mother? I'm so confused.

The man next to her cleared his throat, "Yes well. It's for the best. Not only is this alliance and exchange program beneficial to the kingdom, it's good for you as well." The man's expression suddenly softened and despite my confusion, I felt a small part of me open up.

"If you find someone while you're there, we would have a valid reason to shut down Duke Menthus' son."

I felt a shiver go through me and sudden flashes of a boy with red hair and gray eyes constantly watching me. Making comments that were more than inappropriate, and forcing me to respond to him in social settings.

"I understand Father."

But I don't? Why am I suddenly speaking as if this is normal? And why did I see those memory flashes? Who am I?

"Ramona. I-we we love you and only want what's best for you. We don't want you to feel forced to fall in love... but if you make a close friend, maybe an arranged marriage between two kingdoms would work. Whatever happens though, we will make sure you never have to marry that boy."

Arms wrap around my shoulders, but they're my arms, and suddenly I'm thrown into another memory.

"You're avoiding me for nothing dear."

"Jackson, I have nothing to say to you. Please excuse me."

The taller boy rolled his eyes before grabbing my wrist and pinning me against the wall. He then leaned down so our faces were much too close. I clenched my teeth but glared up at him, I would not give him the satisfaction of turning away.

"You know princess, this game is getting tiring. You're already 17. You're lucky I'm even still interested, and we both know it's only a matter of time before our parents agree to an engagement. It's not like anyone else will try."

That's because your father has already threatened all the other noble houses with sons!

"Jackson, let me go. Or do you want to be charged with assaulting a princess? I don't think my parents would ever give my hand to a banished Duke's son." A small well of satisfaction filled me as I kept staring and watched as he sneered down at me before finally letting go.

"You think acting like this is cute. I assure you it's not. But I'll deal with it until we get married." He finally walked away and I slowly took a tense breath.

He was unbearable. I would rather die than marry him.

I let out a small gasp as I came back from the memory.

He's terrible, I will never marry him. But why did it all feel familiar but off? Like it was close to something I knew but still wrong somehow?

"Father, Mother, may I be excused?"

The two adults looked at me sadly, but the woman nodded. I dropped my arms before standing up and bowing before making my way out of the room. Which was large in itself, but as I traveled through the halls I couldn't help but admire everything around me. I still have no clue where I am but this castle looks amazing.