Fight to Die (Harry Styles)

Four

Chapter 4

• Julia •

"Let me get this straight," I say, clearly and utterly confused. "You're holding The Games in my honor. Why the hell would you do that?"

"Language," my mother scolds and I roll my eyes. She gets on to me all the time for stuff that's supposedly not ladylike. But I don't really pay attention to her.

My father sighs, "I told you; I'm not. Someone-"

"Then who is? Tell them I don't want it. I've only ever been once; they're boring anyway."

My father pinches the bridge of his nose and closes his eyes. Oh no. He is about to get really mad at me. Of course I know this because he gets mad at me a lot.

"Julia," he says, dropping his hand to his side and opening his eyes. "You have come of age to be married and-"

"We have talked about this," I tell him. "I'm not getting married, not now and not any time soon. So tell whoever this suitor is to forget about it; The Games won't change my mind."

My father looks over to my mother, stress evident in his worried expression.

"We can't," my father says. His voice is grim and depressing. I can't help but believe him.

"Why not?" I question, this time my voice is much quieter.

After a long silence, I speak yet again.

"It's not like it's the Emperor," I laugh. "Surely, you can tell him no."

"No, it's not the Emperor."

"But it's the next best thing," my mother says excitedly. Her eyes are alight with joy and I can't help but despise her. How could she betray me like this?

"Who is the suitor?" I ask again, my voice stronger than before.

My father takes a step towards me and grasps my shoulders in his hands, "your suitor is Felix Aurelius, the son of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius."

My face goes pale and suddenly I feel my world go crashing down around me. I know what you're thinking- what's so bad about marrying the future ruler of the entire Roman Empire? Right? Well, that in and of itself is not a problem. The fact that I essentially have absolutely no say in it does bother me.

I have met this Felix. Once. He's one of the most attractive people you could ever lay your eyes on, but he is such a terrible person. I'm pretty sure he was drunk when I met him; he was slurring his words and saying all these crazy things, like eating dinosaurs or killing rabbits. It was quite strange. Anyway, long story short, he told me I looked like a potato in this yellow dress I had and I have hated him ever since. I also, may or may not have thrown away the color yellow from all of my wardrobe and I plan to never wear it again.

My eyes glaze over in tears at the realization that I have no choice but to marry the very man that said I looked like a potato. If that is what he says to me on one occasion, I dread what he will say to me on various others.

"When do I have to see him?" I ask, wiping beneath my eyes to try and uphold my composure.

"You get to see him at The Pre-Games Celebration in three days," my mother says, even more excited than before. I so desperately want to tell her to go throw herself out of a window right now. She is being so obnoxious and I almost can't handle it anymore. But lucky for me, I don't have to tell her to throw herself out the window. My father gets rid of her for me.

"Cassia," my father says sternly. "Leave us this instant."

She looks taken aback, "but-"

"No," he says. "Can't you see that she is upset? Leave. You're not helping."

"But what am I-"

"Go," he says again.

I smile as I watch my mother leave the room, most likely to wonder around the house by herself.

"Thanks, Dad."

He smiles and wraps his arms around me in one of those hugs only a father an give you. It's a place of security.

"I know this is going to be hard," he tells me, holding me out from his chest so he can look me in the eyes. "But I know that if anyone could do it, it would be you. You are so strong." He smiles at me and kisses my forehead. "I want you to be happy; I just wish I could help you get there."

A tear falls from my eye and I look down. I can't look at him right now. His features are soft and his brown eyes are sympathetic, almost in pain. He must be hurting even more than myself because he sees how unhappy I will become and he can't do a thing about it. I don't blame him. How could I? If I do, I will have no one left. Well, aside from my brother.

"It's not your fault," I sigh, looking up into his eyes. "I just wish it was different."

"Me too," he frowns, wiping the tears from beneath my eyes. "I just wish I didn't have to see you this way."

"Trust me; me neither."

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Note: Felix Aurelius was not a real person. Marcus Aurelius is real and he had a son, but his name was Commodus and he was crazy so... Yeah. There's your history lesson for today (:

So here we have the girl! And she and Harry will obviously meet soon. I'm excited (:

Vote and comment and stuff.. Yeah I love you guys!! (:

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