"Annaliese! Wake up! You're going to be late!"
I sat up and scratched my head. "I shouldn't have thrown my alarm clock away," I muttered when Hilda came in. "At least that I can turn off."
"Come on, child," Hilda laughed. "You're expected in an hour."
"Annaliese, right this way." Cornelia greeted me when I entered the glass doors of her office. She was wearing a sophisticated blouse and skirt, and her hair was neatly tied into a bun. I wore my hair down, and I hadn't bothered to put on makeup. Carole made me wear a pantsuit, and I was desperately wiping my sweaty palms off my thighs.
Robert was sitting calmly on the couch, sipping tea. He looked up. "So, Annaliese, how was your day?"
I knew better than to answer. I sat down.
"Ah, I see. Let's skip the pleasantries then. So, what's your decision?"
I took a deep breath and then looked at him straight in the eye. "I'm not selling you my father's business."
"Oh, so you--"
"And I'm not selling my mother's either."
He looked at me like I just slapped him. I could have.
"You can threaten us all you want but you're getting nothing more than you deserve."
His face went deep red, but it became normal after a minute. Then he laughed. "I see. Like father, like daughter, eh? Fine. I'll let you and your stubbornness go this time. We'll see how long you could keep that up." He stood, nodded politely to Cornelia and left. I let out a sigh. Cornelia looked at me with sympathy.
"Don't worry, dear. I'll help you. I'll teach you all you need to know."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
"By the way, you need to work on your swordplay."
"What?"
"I'm sorry I left, kid, without a word. But nice going," Cornelia said with a wide smile. "You still have the Scepter, right?"
YOU ARE READING
The Scarlet Scepter
פנטזיהBook 1 - When her father dies in an accident, seventeen year old Annaliese Carter is faced with decisions she must make, and she knows she can't handle them. She receives an untimely gift, with her father's promise that it will help her solve her pr...
