Marinetta (Test Reading)

Ultimatum

Dear Marie

Oh how I wish to be near you, to see your eyes, your smile. Oh how I wish I could hug you, touch you give you all the flowers your heart desires.

I hope you are fending of well. I heard that your father is getting married again. Is there any truth to this rumor?

War is going well. I am writing this in the medical tent due to a minor injury, so please dont worry. 

May I return to you as soon as the stars allow me to. Then we may finally be wed. I wish for nothing more than that.

Is there anything you'd like to tell me of? Your letters always fill my heart up with joy.

May this letter not be my last,

~G

Putting down this letter like so many times before I wipe away a tear. That was Gabriels last letter. He wrote it two years ago. The war is over but as I waited for his return he never came.

I am certain he is dead. Rotting of on the horrific scapes that the war left behind. It makes me sick to the stomach to think about it.

Father told me to move on. I am already twenty one and he says im running out of time to get a respectable suitor.

But I am not ready to move on. I never will be. It doesn't feel right to move on and live the lavish life I do while Gabriel has passed fightinf for my country, fighting for me.

A knock at my door interupt's my mercyless thoughts.

"You may come in." The houses butler Henry walks in. He is an old man and i'm sure death could consume him at any time. But his heart is kind and I wish nothing but the best for him.

"Miss, your father wants to have a word with you." Of course he does. My father always has something to complain about. Or mabye he's getting divorced again. This is his sixth marriage after all.

I walk down our grand stairs graced with gold. I never liked the gold, the jewlery, the luxury. Of course I am more than grateful to be blessed with such a life but it never gave me the thrill my siblings had.

I reach my fathers office and firmly knock three times. "Father it's me."

"You may enter." I open the door and everything seems to be in place. It can't be that bad. "You wanted to speak with me?"

"Indeed take a seat." He points to a chair opposide to him. As I sit down he offers me some tea. "It is more than time for you to find a spouse. This Gabriel boy is dead and he won't come back. You cannot have your life ruined by some boy."

I hate this conversation we have so often. "He wasn't some boy.."

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Thats what I thought of you. I will give you three choices regarding this matter and i'm being generous here. The first option is that I choose a man for you. The second is that I give you a line of respectable suitors to choose from. If none of those appeal to you you can find one of your own. A respectable one of course."

Is he seriously giving me an ultimatum? I am not going to get married to a man he chooses. "I will find a man on my own."

"Good you will have a month to do so." A month? That isn't much but arguring with my father is pointless. My first sister was married of to an old man never to be seen again so I should be grateful. I should.

"Your dismissed." Im not letting him tell me that twice. I leave his room as fast as possible. I need a plan. A good one. I could run away or find someone to have a respectful marriage with.

Running away is not an option sonce after my inevetable finding I will be shipped of to who knows where. I need to think logical. I need to think about what Gabriel would have wanted for me.

I walk upstairs passing Henry. Mabye I could ask him for a piece of his mind. After all he's old and wise. Mabye he knows someone. "Henry may I have a word with you?"

"Of course miss. What is concering you?"

"My father has given me an ultimatum. Either he finds me a man or I find one of my own. Do you perhaps know a respectable person?" Henry thinks for a second. An might I say long second.

"If I were you miss I would ask the duke of the north for his hand. Since the war ended perhaps another alliance would be fitting?" I do not want him to be right but I know he is.

The war of the north and south was going on for a long time until it recently ended with a shaky alliance. I know it would be wise and the chance of rejectment would be low.

But he is said to be a monster. And who am I to want to marry someone like that.

"Miss I can understand that you are against this but you have to think about your future." I bite into my nails. "I'll think about it."

With that I leave. After entering my room I collapse on the bed. This day has been nothing but exausting.

Altho I wish I did not consider Henry's advice he is right. Altho im sure there are plently of other suitable men the chance of succeeding is very high.

Besides this could be my chance to get away from father. If I marry someone close by or even in the south I will always be chained to him. I would rather die than let that happen.

By nightfall I had made up my mind. I am going to travel to north and ask the duke to marry me.

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Hi! Thank you so much for reading until the end. Please leave feedback and suggestions here since this kinda came out of my heart im not sure if to continue this story. I will probably take this down after a day or two.

And I know there are spelling mistakes btw