jenna ortega imagines

betrothed (j.o)

i was in a bad mood today as usual. i had just met with my eighth suitor for today. did it go well? no, it never does. most of the suitors i've met are either sexist assholes or they're know it alls.

"will you just choose one of these lovely gentlemen y/n?" my mother asks me with a sigh in her voice.

i had just turned sixteen and when one turns sixteen she is to be betrothed to a fine gentleman. i was not ecstatic about the rules, but what was i to do?

i walk to my room as my mom follows me, complaining about how i need to choose a suitor and get married already.

"mother, has it ever occurred to you that i simply do not find any of those men appealing?" i turn around and stare my mother down with annoyance in my voice.

she scoffs and crosses her arms. "i do not know what has gotten into you, but whatever it is, it needs to stop. you have a month to pick a suitor and if you do not, i will choose one for you."

i roll my eyes and run to my room, slamming the door shut. i hated the rules here and the people as well. i didn't even want to get married, i want to just live my life the way i want to.

how was i supposed to find a suitable suitor if every single man i have met makes me uncomfortable?

a week had went by and i had not found a suitor yet. around six men would come everyday, asking for my hand, but i would deny them.

i know i was doing my family a dishonor by doing so, but i was doing myself a dishonor by living a life i didn't want to live.

"the queen will be at the ball tonight y/n. word on the street is that the prince will make an appearance tonight. brenda will make sure to dress you up nicely for tonight. if you charm the prince enough, i'm sure he will take interest. imagine being married to a prince, y/n. how amazing would that be?"

my mom excitedly says as we sit down at the dining table. the prince had been away for almost three years. nobody knows why, but perhaps i would find out tonight.

the prince is certainly handsome from what i remember. maybe charming him wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.

-

"ms. y/n, is everything alright? you seem a bit quiet today." brenda, our house maid since i was born asks me as she brushes my hair.

"oh, yes, i'm just a little nervous for tonight is all." a sigh leaves my mouth as i start to think about the ball tonight.

brenda had always been a friend to me. i told her everything and not once did she ever judge me.
"won't the prince be there tonight? is that why you're nervous?"

"indeed, i'm just afraid he won't take any interest in me." i sadly say, my eyes looking down as brenda continues to brush my hair.

she stops and has me look into the mirror.
"now ms. y/n, you have at least six men come every single day to ask for your hand in marriage. you are a very beautiful young lady. in my opinion, the prince would be a fool to not take interest in you."

i look at brenda in the mirror and we both laugh. she always knew how to make one feel better about themselves.

after getting ready for the past three hours i was finally ready for the ball. our carriage had arrived and we were off to the queen's castle.

upon arriving it had seemed as though the entire colony was here tonight. ladies in their most elegant dresses and the men in their most finest suits.

my brother, ronald escorts me inside as our parents follow behind us. "you plan on talking to the prince tonight, sister?" ronald asks as a few girls walk by smiling at my older brother.