Royally Bounded

Chapter 3

Clara

"What do you think of William?" My mother asked the following next morning during breakfast. "He seems to be a good match. His family owns sewing factories across Nascadia, and they live around Liford. It looked like he likes you."

"Mother, I told you that I'm not in a rush to get married," I answered her gently. She shook her head, completely ignoring my response as she continued with the rest of her list. Beatrice and Phoebe settled down the plates in front of us before we ate.

"Your father and I think Martin is another good option," she added. She had a large impressed smile on her face, almost like she was the one finding a husband. "He's a French decent and comes from a wealthy family. His father is good with investments."

I sighed, despising the fact that she was oblivious to me. I took a bite from the bacon that crisped under my teeth. It instantly filled my stomach, and I grabbed another one from the plate.

"How about Prince Arnaldo?" She finally finished to her last dream choice. "Marrying into the royal family. Is that not captivating enough? He likes you."

"Please no," I groaned at the mention of him. "I don't like him and neither do I want to marry into the royal family. I don't want to deal with all the royal matters."

"It's not your choice, Clara. You need to find a husband soon. The older you become, the less chance you have with finding a prosperous man."

"Maybe I don't want to marry a rich man. It could be a man who just respects and loves me."

"That's nonsense," she flared her eyes out at me. I jumped when she slammed her fork down to the table surface. Her eyes were cold and emotionless, sending arrows straight at me. "What kind of respect and love are you taking about? We never had rules like this. If you marry a rich man, it's still possible to have love and respect."

"It can't exist if it's not even in their personality. Prince Arnaldo doesn't even have half of the things I want in a husband."

"It's not for you to judge," she scolded. "King Marco told me he adores you. He thinks you would be a great match with Prince Arnaldo. He already suggested that our families come together to let his son know you more before we move further into the wedding arrangement."

"Wedding arrangement?" I stood from my spot, the wooden chair sliding backwards from my strength. My father and Silas came down as they stared with bewilderment. My mother wanted to speak again, but my father settled her down. "Since when is there an arrangement? I'm not marrying Prince Arnaldo."

"Clara," my father called sternly. His expression turned into strict and scolding as he started to lecture me. "King Marco is very generous to invite our family over. He's interested in my jewellery business and wants to give me some potential opportunities. If we tie our families together, I could build my reputation and earn more success."

"So you use me to exchange for your so-called reputation? Don't you remember that I'm your daughter?"

"I make the best jewellery business in Nascadia and have been building this for years. I don't push away any opportunity to make our life better."

I couldn't believe my eyes. My own biological parents picked their reputation over me. They rather sacrifice their beloved daughter to a royal family than to protect me and help me find a better husband. If they only knew what Prince Arnaldo was like. His behaviour was repulsive, nothing that I enjoyed, and he would never be my husband I dreamed about.

I excused myself from breakfast and returned to my bedroom. I slammed the door then sat on the edge of my mattress. I heard a soft knock before Silas stepped inside to see me.