The Time in Summervale

Chapter 2

"Come again I think I misheard you." You gulped as you wish this was a nightmare and soon you would wake up.

"I think you heard me right. Today you are meeting your future husband. Prince Jakob, Duke of Linwyn. You met him before."

"When? Wait that doesn't even matter-"

"When you were about six years of age. I understand that was when you were a very young girl but you and him played for ages and you both looked so lovely together. This has been my dream ever since that day."

"It may be your dream but not mine," you muttered under your breath.

"Oh well please do speak up y/n you know I hate the mumbling."

"I don't even remember him! You never even asked me if this is what I wanted. Never got my input on the matter."

"That is where you are wrong. I did too ask you. A few months ago during dinner I had asked you about him and you seemed to agree to the marriage."

"Blast my stupid mind. Why must I always day dream?" You probably were thinking about inventions at the time of this conversation and did not remember it.

"Besides it is not your decision whether you marry or not and to whom you marry. It is your parents. That is how me and your father came together. It was an arranged marriage but as you can see me and your father are very happy and we love each other."

"You two were the lucky ones. I know how this ends mother, and it is heart ache and despair. It is pain and sorrow. To put two people together that know nothing about each other is wrong. It will end in failure."

"That is why your job as a woman and future wife is to make sure this marriage stays in place and lasts. You do what it takes."

"So if this marriage fails it is my fault? And the whole world sees it that way?" You were flabbergasted to hear such horrid rules as a woman in royalty.

"Please sit my dear." You did as your mother said and sat back in your vanity chair. "I know you are frightened as I was too but when you meet him you are going to never be apart. He is a good man and I know he is going to love you unconditionally."

You felt like weeping right there. You didn't want a husband. Maybe later but not in the prime of your life. You were still deciding on what purpose do you have in this life. It was too much. Your lips quivered, "mother I don't want to get married. I do not know this person can't you understand my side and let me choose who I want. Can't you wait and let it be my decision. Please."

Athela kissed your cheek, "I'm sorry but what's done cannot be undone. He will be here any minute so please get ready. Ruthy make sure you cover those scars on her face, they are very ugly. Y/n, why have you not been using the creams I have given you?"

A tear fell down your cheek, you felt miserable. "I am not sure mother." Your voice came out almost like a whisper.

"Well make sure you use it 3 times a day now that Prince Jakob is coming, we do not want him running away now." She chuckled as she left your room.

You were used to this treatment and feeling unloved. You kept things bottled up inside never letting it spill. Your emotions were always hidden. You built a dam for your tears.

"My apologies your grace," Ruthy said.

"I tried my hardest and did not succeed. That will forever be my greatest regret." You stared at your reflection, hating what you saw. You were starting to feel disgust when you looked at your scars and bumps that littered your face. Not only that but you were hating what you were. You were being forced into something you did not want to do. You were letting yourself be dragged into this mess and you didn't even put up a fight. This is your life, you were going to be stuck with a stranger for the rest of your life and there was nothing you could do. You - like many other times - hated your name and the royalty and wished it would all disappear.