Bound by Duty

#1 - The Engagement

Elena stood at the window of her childhood room, staring out at the cobbled streets below. The evening sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the town. It was a picturesque scene—children chasing each other in the fading light, market vendors beginning to pack up their wares for the night, and the distant sound of a church bell tolling the hour. It should have felt peaceful, but Elena's chest was tight with unease.

She glanced at the envelope lying on the bed behind her—thick, cream-colored, with the family crest embossed in gold. The kind of letter that came only with important news, the kind that couldn't be ignored. Elena had opened it in a rush earlier that afternoon, her hands trembling as she read the words that would change everything:

"We are pleased to announce the engagement of our daughter, Elena Romano, to Mr. Adrian Laurent. The marriage will take place in three days' time, on Saturday evening, at the Saint Charles Cathedral. All necessary arrangements will be made promptly."

Her mind had gone blank at first. Engagement? Marriage? Just like that? She hadn't even met Adrian. Not really. His name had come up from time to time over the years, but never in any context that suggested he would be anything more than another distant figure in her life. And yet here she was, thrust into a union she had no say in, with a man she had never spoken to.

Her mother's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Elena! Come down, dear. Dinner's ready."

Elena sighed, folded the letter, and slipped it into her pocket. Her mother's insistence on formality at times like these was maddening. Her words were always the same: Don't be rude, Elena. You know how important this is. We can't waste time thinking about such things.

But how could she not think about it? This wasn't just another dinner gathering. It was the announcement of the rest of her life, sealed with a letter and the weight of family expectations.

She descended the staircase slowly, each step feeling heavier than the last. The house felt unnaturally still—too quiet, as if it were holding its breath. Her parents were seated at the long oak table in the dining room, her father at the head, her mother to his right. They were already eating, not sparing a second glance as she entered the room. Elena took her place at the table, avoiding their eyes. She knew that the moment she sat down, her fate would be sealed, not by choice but by tradition.

Her father, a stern man with a sharp jaw and even sharper eyes, looked up from his plate. "The wedding is set for Saturday. We'll need to finalize the details with the Laurent family by tomorrow afternoon."

Elena nodded, her throat tight. She couldn't bring herself to speak, not yet. Her mother, ever the one to fill silences, chimed in with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "It's all so exciting, darling! Adrian's family is well-known, and they've been very generous with the arrangements. You'll see—this is a wonderful match for you."

A match. Elena had heard the term countless times before, as if the word itself could erase all the doubts swirling in her mind. The truth was, she had no idea what kind of man Adrian Laurent was. All she knew was that his family had wealth, status, and a reputation. Her own family, while respected in their community, was far from the prestigious Laurent name. It seemed this marriage, like so many others, was less about love and more about cementing alliances, securing futures, and maintaining social standing.

But what about her future? Her happiness? Her choice?

She opened her mouth to speak but faltered. There was no point in questioning this. What choice did she have? Her parents had already made their decision. All that was left was to play her part.

Her father set his utensils down with a finality that made her jump. "Elena, we expect you to behave with dignity and respect at all times. This marriage will ensure our family's place in society for generations to come. Do not forget that."

She bit her lip to stop herself from arguing. He was right, in a way. Elena had always known that her life would be dictated by duty. And yet, as she sat there, she felt a deep sadness rising within her. This wasn't her dream, and it never would be. It wasn't even her choice.

But it was the price of living in this world, in this family.

After dinner, Elena retired to her room, unable to sleep. The darkness outside the window seemed to press in on her as she lay in bed, her thoughts racing. She thought of the letter again, the cold formality of the words. Mr. Adrian Laurent—what kind of man was he, really? What if he was kind, understanding? What if he was cruel, distant, or worse—disinterested? How could she spend the rest of her life with a man she didn't even know?

The knock on the door startled her. "Elena?" Her mother's voice was soft, but there was an underlying urgency to it. Elena rolled over, eyes still wide with confusion. "Yes?"

Her mother entered without waiting for an invitation, her face a picture of calm. "I thought you might be feeling overwhelmed, dear. I understand how unsettling it must be, but everything is in place. You mustn't let your emotions get the better of you."

Elena sat up, her heart pounding. "But I don't know him, Mother. I don't even know what he's like."

Her mother smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "You will, darling. It's a matter of time. These things take time. And, besides, you're not the only one who's never met your partner before marriage. Most of our ancestors didn't. It's how it's always been. You don't need to rush into love. That will come later. What matters now is the commitment."

Commitment. The word echoed in Elena's mind, hollow and cold. How could anyone expect commitment without knowing the person they were marrying? She wanted to ask her mother how she had done it—how she had found the strength to accept a life arranged for her, without ever once questioning it. But she didn't. She couldn't.

Instead, she nodded, though it felt more like a lie than an agreement. "I understand, Mother."

Her mother patted her hand gently, a look of approval crossing her face. "Good girl. I know you'll make us proud."

As her mother left the room, Elena lay back down in bed, staring at the ceiling, her heart heavy. She wasn't sure if she was ready for this life, for this marriage. But there was no turning back now. The wedding was in three days. Her future was already written, even if she didn't know how the story would unfold.