6. Clashes

WATSON HOUSE

Eleanor vehemently throws the dress and jewels her father sent into her room, intended for her to get dressed up.

Eleanor's room resonated with frustration as she vehemently declared, "I am not wearing that, and I'm certainly not letting you tie me to the Royals forcibly!" The intensity of her refusal was matched by the evident frustration in her father Adam Watson's expression.

Adam, attempting to justify his decision, retorted, "You should be thankful I have got such a nice proposal for you. There is no reason why you shouldn’t accept it." His tone, though firm, held a hint of exasperation.

"Nice proposal? Only because they are Royals? There is not even a pinch of decency in that man," Eleanor countered, her voice laced with disdain for the unknown suitor.

Adam, defending the unseen alliance, questioned her knowledge, "How would you know that? You haven’t even met him."

"I met him yesterday when his men abducted me and Avery," Eleanor revealed, her tone revealing the trauma of the encounter. "He had held a knife to my neck so that I wouldn't interrupt Avery and Max’s wedding. Which sane man does that?" Her words carried the weight of disbelief and indignation.

Attempting to rationalize the drastic actions of the unknown royal, Adam asserted, "You were a threat to his agenda. That’s why he threatened you."

With a touch of sarcasm, Eleanor remarked, "Oh, that means if I continue being a threat to him in the future, he won't mind killing me as well. How about that, Dad?" Her words hung in the air, challenging her father's decision and questioning the morality of the proposed alliance.

Adam sighs in frustration as the tension between father and daughter intensifies. Eleanor stands her ground, refusing to succumb to the pressure of an unwanted alliance, while Adam grapples with his own motivations and the consequences of a decision that could shape his daughter's future. The room becomes a battleground for conflicting ideals, leaving an air of uncertainty hanging between them.

"Then stop being a threat. Be a good wife, serve him and his family. That’s what every woman should do after marriage," her father insists.

Eleanor cannot believe this, yet she hadn't expected her father to comprehend the true value of a woman. He had always treated his wife in a similar manner, and now he expects his daughter to become a slave to her husband and in-laws as well.

Eleanor's voice echoed through the room, carrying frustration and defiance. "Grow up, Dad. Stop being blinded by male dominance. We women also have life, desires, and know what's good and bad for us." Her words lingered, challenging the deeply ingrained beliefs her father held.

He remained resolute, countering with unwavering conviction, "I don’t know about other women, but you definitely are blind not to see how lucky this alliance will be for you." His perspective, shaped by societal expectations and his own aspirations, clashed with Eleanor's desire for autonomy.

Eleanor, determined to defend her individuality, confronted him about her career, "What about my career? I have assignments to fulfil. I have signed contracts, and I have even taken advance payment from them." She tried to convey the significance of her professional commitments, hoping he would understand.

Unfazed, her father inquired about the financial aspect, "How much? I will sign a cheque for you. Throw it on them and forget your career forever. As it is, it won’t suit if the Royal's bride does modelling and acting." His dismissive tone struck Eleanor, leaving her jaw dropped at the audacity of the suggestion to abandon her aspirations.

"It's my career, Dad. And I love doing what I do." Eleanor's voice quivered with a mix of determination and vulnerability. Her passion for her work was a defining part of her identity, something she wasn't ready to relinquish.

The tension in the room escalated as her father's frustration erupted. "Enough of arguments!" he shouted, attempting to assert his authority. "Wear this and come down when called. If you do anything to break this alliance, I know how to clip your wings forever."

Eleanor, undeterred, challenged him with a steely gaze, "What will you do? I want to see how far you can go to disappoint me." The air hung heavy with conflicting emotions—Eleanor's defiance met with her father's authoritative stance.

"I am a Governor, Eleanor," he declared, his tone revealing the weight of his political stature. "I have many political rights in my hands which I can use to ensure no one gives you any contracts henceforth. And even if anybody gives you, his or her career will also be finished forever." The threat loomed in the air, leaving Eleanor grappling with the harsh reality of familial expectations and the potential cost of defying them.

He leaves her room, leaving Eleanor frustrated and contemplating the formidable power her father holds over her professional life. The clash between familial expectations and individual aspirations escalates, leaving Eleanor in a predicament where complying with her father's wishes could mean sacrificing her dreams and autonomy.

"I don't care, Dad. I won't let you play with my career like that. That's not how good politicians work. You heard me?" Eleanor's voice echoed through the room, a relentless assertion that continued until her throat ached. Rose, her mother, entered the room, swiftly shutting the door behind her.

"Eleanor, quiet... drink some water," Rose insisted, guiding her daughter to take a moment to soothe herself.

As Eleanor sipped the water, she couldn't shake off the disbelief in her voice. "Mumma, did you hear that? Is he really my father? I cannot believe it." Rose's eyes glistened with moisture, a silent acknowledgment of the pain embedded in her daughter's words.

"I think you should listen to him for now," Rose suggested, her tone carrying a mix of concern and maternal wisdom.

"No... Never," Eleanor maintained her adamant stance, refusing to yield to her father's demands.

"For now, Eleanor. Look, the Royals will be here any moment. I don’t know why they are coming today without prior intimation. But we couldn’t deny them. I would say, do as your father says now, and then we will find a solution to this."

"No," Eleanor repeated, her defiance unwavering.

Rose, disappointed but understanding the gravity of the situation, sighed. "Fine... then that leaves you with only one choice. Just run away from here."

It took a heavy heart for Rose to advise Eleanor to take such a drastic step. As Eleanor turned back to her mother, wiping away her tears, the weight of the decision hung in the air, leaving a sense of uncertainty and turmoil in the room.

"I have told you, Mom, I won't run away. I am going to face the problems," Eleanor asserted, a resolute determination in her voice.

Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Eleanor finally decided, "Go and tell Dad I am ready to do as he wants."

"But—"

"Just do as I say, Mom, and leave the rest to me."

"Fine," Rose acquiesced, wiping away her tears. "But remember one thing, the Royals are our guests. Please behave well with them. What is their fault in all this?"

Eleanor's frown lingered as she contemplated the upcoming encounter. "They are not innocent either. But don't worry, I won't disappoint anyone today."

Rose, uncertain of her daughter's plans, left the room, giving Eleanor the solitude she needed to prepare for the impending confrontation. In the air hung a mix of determination, tension, and a promise that Eleanor was crafting a path of her own, regardless of the expectations set by her father.

_____

AN HOUR LATER

"What is all this for?" Adam Watson inquires of Caroline Knight, observing the array of gifts, ornaments, dresses, and dry fruit boxes placed in the living room by their servants.

"We are Royals, Watson. How can you expect us to come empty-handed for the engagement ceremony?" Caroline responds with pride, emphasising the significance of their status.

"Engagement ceremony?" Adam and Rose had not anticipated the Royals initiating the engagement ceremony on the same day.

"Yes, we would like to fix the engagement ceremony today. After all, the next week is the marriage. We don’t have much time to do all this later."

Adam is taken aback; the sudden acceleration of events catches him off guard. He contemplates the implications of the swift timeline, realising that Grandma and Kayden Knight's presence signals the Royals' seriousness about the alliance.

"But the rest of your family is not here," Adam points out.

"I know. They are off on vacation and will be coming this weekend. I will inform them later about the progress of this alliance," Caroline explains casually, revealing her determination to proceed without waiting for the full family gathering.

Adam smirks, a silent acknowledgment that he is prepared for any challenges that may arise to ensure the success of this impending marriage. As Caroline Knight and Kayden Knight enter the house, the atmosphere becomes charged with a blend of anticipation, uncertainty, and the weight of decisions about to be made.

"My wife, Rose," Adam introduces, and Rose musters a fake smile for the Knights. Caroline Knight responds with a brief smile of acknowledgment.

"I heard Eleanor is not willing for this marriage," Caroline remarks, addressing the unspoken tension.

Adam and Rose exchange glances, uncertain of how to respond. Meanwhile, Kayden casually leans back on the couch, his observant eyes gauging the atmosphere.

"You heard it right."

Eleanor's voice emerges from the kitchen, holding a tray of tea cups. Her presence startles Kayden, who witnesses her nonchalant demeanor. Eleanor places the cups on the center table. Grandma, however, is taken aback by her fearlessness and casual attitude, a departure from the typical nervousness displayed by brides during such occasions.

"Tea?" Eleanor offers, serving Kayden's Grandma first.

Grandma takes the cup but places it down with an unexpected remark. "A Royal's bride always touches the elders' feet and takes blessings first."

Eleanor smirks at her, displaying unexpected confidence. "I am not yet a Royal bride. And I am sure you wouldn't like to waste your blessings on others."

Grandma, taken aback by Eleanor's boldness, reassesses her preconceived notions. Sean's warning about Watson's daughter not meeting expectations seems to ring true in this unexpected encounter. The room is charged with an unspoken clash of expectations and reality.

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