[I changed this chapter!]
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Tria's POV
"Tria," my father said, his voice stern and his face tight with anger, "The time has come. You will marry Lord Alastor. It's what we agreed to with his family, and it's what's best for our future. This alliance will keep us safe and strong."
My heart sank. I knew this day would come, but hearing it out loud felt like a punch to the gut. Tears welled up in my eyes. "Pa, I can't. I can't marry him. I love Demetrius. We promised each other. Please, don't make me do this."
"Don't be foolish, Tria!" My dad roared, his voice shaking with fury. "Love is a silly thing, a distraction. It can't keep a family safe, it can't build a strong future. You need to understand that you have responsibilities. You have no choice, Tria. You will marry Lord Alastor. It's your duty."
"But Pa," I pleaded, my voice trembling, "I can't live a lie! I can't betray my heart, my love for Demetrius! What about our promise? What about our dreams?"
My father's face hardened. "Promises are easy to break, Tria. Dreams fade away. You need to put your family first, not your own desires. The Alastors are powerful, and their help is important for our survival. You can't throw away our future for a silly crush."
"But Pa," I cried, "I can't live a lie! I can't betray my heart, my love for Demetrius! What about our promise? What about our dreams?"
"Tria," my father said, his voice softer now, but still firm, "This is not about what you want. It's about what's best for our family. We need the Alastors. You understand that, don't you?"
I could feel the tears streaming down my face as I listened to my father's harsh words. My heart felt like it was ripping in two. "Yes, I understand," I whispered, my voice choked with sorrow. "But what about me? What about what I want?"
"This isn't about what you want, Tria," my father repeated firmly. "It's about what's best for us all. The Alastors are a powerful and influential family. This marriage will bring us allies and protection. It's our future."
I turned to my mother, my heart filled with a mixture of relief and hope. "Pa wants me to marry Lord Alastor," I sobbed.
"He wants me to betray my love for Demetrius."
My mother's eyes widened with surprise, and she turned to my father, her expression stern. "Is this true, dear?"
My heart sank as I saw my mother's expression harden. "Yes, it's true," my father answered firmly. "The marriage with Lord Alastor will bring our family allies and security. It's what's best for us."
My mother nodded, her face grave. "I agree," she said slowly.
"Tria, you must understand that this marriage is not about what you want. It's about what's best for our family."
I felt my anger and frustration reaching a boiling point. I looked at my parents, my eyes filled with anguish and hurt.
"You don't understand," I cried.
"You don't understand what it's like to have your heart torn in two! You don't understand what it's like to be forced to choose between your duty and your love!"
My father's face was stern and unmoving, but I saw a flicker of sympathy in my mother's eyes. "Tria," she said tentatively, "We do understand, but-"
"No, you don't!" I shouted, my voice cracking with emotion.
"You think you do, but you don't! You think I can just forget about Demetrius, my love, my heart. You think I can just pretend that all our promises and dreams mean nothing. But I can't!"
