With You

3

I tossed and turned a lot that night. I remembered hearing all the men walk to their rooms later than I expected, but brushed it off, thinking they got carried away in conversation. When I finally woke the next morning, early as always, to go on my walk I noticed that Otto's room's door was slightly open. I know I shouldn't have but I couldn't resist peaking into his room. Otto was sitting at his desk, head in his hands, crying silently. My heart broke looking at him, not knowing what to do, unsure if I should go to him and comfort him. I decided to leave him alone for now. I would learn when he told me, but not before. I had secrets and so did he.
When I finally got outside into the garden, I took a new path, one that lead deeper into the woods. It was quiet and peaceful, but my thoughts were anxious, "Should I have gone to him? Was he crying over a lost woman or a parent? Did he really mean what he said when he told me he wouldn't do anything till I was ready? How am I supposed to be a wife? His wife?" I was so lost in my thoughts that I had reached a part of our property that I didn't recognise. I wasn't worried about getting lost, just afraid of what my father would do to me if I showed up late to breakfast. Deciding not to test my luck, I choose to run back. I am not extremely fit, but fear of my father's punishments pushed me to run faster and faster. I arrived back at the house just as I saw Eliza, one of the servants walking towards the milk parlour with an empty bucket. That was a good sign, it means that the table had not been set yet and Father was not downstairs.
I raced to my room not paying attention, when I ran into Otto. He was dressed and composed, no sign of his early mood.
"Hello, Kalila! What are you doing so flushed and flustered this early in the morning?"
"I..I.. am..m coming..g back fro..m a w..wal...walk and I'm..m lat..te." I replied my stutter interrupting my speech along with my heavy breathing.
"Good! I thought you might have went for a early morning wrestle in the hay with a stable boy."
"Nev..nev..ver, sir." I was offended he would think that but looking up at his face I realized he was joking. I allowed myself a small smile before turning in fear at the sound of my father's footsteps.
"Good morning, Otto! Daughter... what are you doing looking that like? In the middle of the foyer as well! After breakfast I would like to see you in my study." Father called out making me finch in fear. I didn't walk to be alone with my father after last night and this incident.
Otto reached out and touched my shoulder. I flinched and started to panic.
"Plea..ease don't touch..ch my shoul..d..era," I pleaded with him, "I..I mus..st go ch..change now."
I escaped walking quickly as possible without running. When I finally reached the safety of my room, I let out a long shaking breath. I pulled off my trousers that I might have borrowed from my older brother before he left to go to school. I pulled on a simple dress. It had long sleeves and a waist that was clinched. I threw my hair into a bun, praying that my mother would receive breakfast in her room as she would often do. If she saw me without my hair done she would throw a fit. Then I remembered that Otto's homeland valued hair more than any other physical attribute. I panic before pulling it out on the bun and allowing it to pool around my shoulders. It was messy, so I braid to small pieces in the front, and piled the rest into a large braid that went over my shoulder. I pinned the two braid across my head like a crown. I took one last look in the mirror before rushing down the stairs and composing myself before slowly walking into the dining room.
Otto and my father were talking passionately to each other and didn't notice my arrival but Otto's men did and rose from their seat to greet me.
"Good morning little miss" "Lovely morning" "Hope you slept well miss" "Good morning"
I smiled at them. They were a boyish bunch, but from what I have seen, protective, kind, and proud to serve Otto. Otto finally looked up after hearing his men and saw me.
"Good morning. Please come join me." I walked over to his seat and took the one next to it. My father had yet to acknowledge me.
As breakfast progressed, my anxiety grew. When  finally plates were put away and the men started to leave, I was left alone with Otto and my father.
"Otto, will you please allow me the room with my daughter?" Otto got up slowly and as he walked past my chair, he lifted his hand to lay it comforting on my shoulder, but thought better of it. I followed him with my eyes as he walked out of the room, silently begging him not to leave me alone with my father.
"Kalila, come here. NOW." I quickly got up as he rose from his chair as well. I gasp as he grabbed the back of my neck and squeezed.
"Now, Daughter, listen to me closely. I originally asked you to have an audience with me because of your behaviour last night and this morning, but I had an interesting conversation with your fiancée before you arrived at breakfast. He didn't seem to keen on one of our marriage traditions and asked me to reconsider it for your marriage. I told him that I would and I did, then told him 2 minutes later that I would not change it. See, your marriage is more important than you can ever know, so you will follow every tradition and be the happy blushing bride that everyone needs you to be. You will be wearing a corset to squash any pregnancy rumours and you will be happy when you marry Otto. Your marriage is not one to be taken lightly. You will produce an heir or I will replace you within your first year." By the time my father had finished speaking I was choking. He had lifted me off the floor still holding onto the back of my neck. He released me and grabbed my arms, pinching them and then punched me in the stomach once before pushing me away from him.
I slowly walked out of the room. Sore and beaten, I walked up to my room wanting to escape. I need to send a message to Pene to tell her I would be unable to make our meeting today.
When I reached my room, Otto was standing outside my door. His arms were crossed over his chest and he didn't have his normal humour twinkle in his eye.
"Kalila, are you alright? Can I touch you?"
"Yes, I'm alright and please not right now."
I turned to walk into my room when I heard Otto gasp, "Kalila, I'm only going ask once and do not lie to me, what happened to the back of your neck?"
"O..oh..h no..noth..nothing.."
"Kalila," he said in a warning tone
"My fa..father was just telling me off..ff," I took a deep breath to steady my speech, "for my behaviour recently and then mentioned what you were talking about this morning"
"Oh Kalila, I promise you I told him that you had no clue I was asking him about it. That wicked man, I will beat him within an inch of his life."
"No, please don't. It's my fault!" I pleaded with him.
"It's not your fault. Has he hurt you anywhere else?"
I nodded. He shook his head, "Will you show me?"
I don't know what came over me. I should say no, don't invite a man into your room that you aren't married to, but he made me feel safe. I walked into my room and motioned him to follow me and shut the door.
"Can you turn around real quick so I can pull on something that easier for me to protect my modestly in?"
He turned around and I pulled off my dress and pulled on a pair of bloomers and a night shirt.
"You can turn around now," I told him
He turned around slowly, racking his eye up and down my body. I slowly pulled up my sleeve and saw the red marks from today and the purple ones that were healing from my last disobedient spell.
"Sweet, I am going to touch your arm now, okay?" I nodded, gathering my courage. Otto drew in a breath as he touched my arms slowly running his coarse hands across my bruises. I whimpered, the pain in my stomach becoming overwhelming. Otto pulled his hand away sharply.
"Did I hurt you? Kalila, Kalila!"
I began to see stars and felt strong arms pick my body up in his arms. I was set gently on my bed.
"Honey, I am going to lift of your shirt now, okay? I will not do anything, I promise. I just want to see what else he did."
I took in a shuddering breathe as he lifted my shirt and slowly spread his hand across my abdomen. It was painful, so much so I began to black out again.
   "Oh, Kalila, oh honey" I heard Otto say. His hand was spread over my stomach. I was very self conscious, not only of my bruises and scars, but because I had extra weight around my stomach. Otto didn't seem to notice though his eye focused on my stomach and the injury that was left by my father.
    I slowly sat up pushing his hand off. He protested but I told him that I had survived worse than this.
   "When we are married, I can promise you this. I will never lay a hurtful hand on you."
     "Okay," I sighed. I didn't expect that to be true but Otto had been kind so far. "Can you bring me some paper and pen? They are on my desk."
       Otto walked over to my desks and grabbed what I had asked of him. When he handed me the materials, I started to write a letter to Pene, one of my dearest friends.
Pene,
    I know I said that I would meet you today for morning tea, but I will be unable to make it. I shall try and come soon though, as I have lots of news.
                                           Kalila
   "Will you please deliver this is to the Clinefield residence? If she writes back please bring me the letter. Don't let my father know where you are going." I plead with Otto who stood slightly watching me the whole time, a look on his face I couldn't place.
    "Of course, little lady." Otto replied with a mocking bow. I laughed before stopping clenching my stomach and instead gave a small smile to Otto.

*Hello! It's already chapter 3! Things are starting to get more real. Do you think Otto will keep his promise? Who was he crying over? Will Kalila ever become comfortable with Otto touching her? Remember to vote!*

Also I dedicate this story to @ShirleyHarris8 thank you for your support!