Taming the Supernatural

~ THREE ~

The young maiden hears squeaks and weird noises coming from the hallway. She could not quite understand what it was, but every once in a while, she heard her parents calling each other's names. She did not know if they were fighting or being very encouraging to one another. Even if they were, she could not pin-point what they were doing. Soon enough, she was not sure that she even wanted to know what they were doing. Perhaps she could question it tomorrow and ask her burning questions? Maybe. But at the moment, she really did not want to hear anymore of the sounds coming from her parents' room.

~oOo~

She was not sure when she managed to fall asleep, but by the time she woke up, her parents had quieted down. She was not entirely sure about how to feel about what she should think about the previous night. The young lady decided to get up and ready for the day. She followed her usual routine; however, this time, she was no zombie. She was aware of her surroundings. She made sure to notice everything, even the slight pick up of the breeze that cam through her window.

When she arrived downstairs for breakfast, her family was already preparing. She greeted her mother, father and grandmother. Her brothers made some sort of remark about her menstrual cycle, but this time, instead of scowling at them, she continued helped her nothing and grandmother with breakfast. Once everyone took their seats, her mother turned to her and felt her forehead. "Well, it looks like your fever has gone down. Nothing like a good sleep to help you."

"Yes Mama, I am feeling much better."

Alan cleared his throat and everyone turned to the head of the table to listen to him. "Last night's dinner with Garran and Maxim Johnson was splendid. However, we did miss you, Sweet Pea. You were the entire reason that they came over for dinner. Maxim was quite adamant on seeing you yesterday, so we made a brief visit to your bedroom while you were asleep. He seemed to be impressed; however, he does want to meet you within the next week. So I have made arrangements for the two of you to go on an outing in four days time."

She could not help but feel her stomach sink. She knew that her betrothed, Maxim, was here and that he wanted to see her, but she could not understand why he still wanted to see her. Most women were frowned upon if they did not show up to an event with their men, or to meet somebody important. "Will he be coming here?" she asked softly.

"Well, he will be coming here to pick you up, Sweet Pea, and then he will be taking you to a location of his choosing."

"But Papa, what if he tries to harm me?"

Her father chuckled, "He will not harm you. As long as you make sure to behave yourself, you will be just fine."

"Behave myself?"

"Yes. No snarky remarks or looks. You are looking to be his wife and must behave as such."

"Very well, Papa..." she trailed off disheartened. "Why do I have to get married and my brothers do not?" she blurted out.

"Well they do," began her father, "I have found them all wives."

Now her brothers finally tuned into the conversation. They all seemed to choke on their beverages at the same time. "Wives?!" they all asked shocked as their sister let out a giggle.
"Now you know how I feel."

"Hold your tongue, Sweet Pea," her father said sternly. "Yes boys, I have found you all wives. They are a little young, they are each four years younger than you. When they turn sixteen and you turn twenty, we will hold your weddings. However, you will be properly introduced to your wives a few days after your sisters has her outing with Maxim." His tone was final. Andrew, Adam and Adrian knew that they could not argue with their father. He held a firm tone in his voice, allowing no room for debate. They all knew that once their father had made up their mind about something, there was no changing it. Everything would be exactly as he wanted it. He was the man of the house, after all.