The Price of Disobedience

That was a clear threat. My stomach knotted so tightly I thought I might be sick. The murderous glint in Remier’s eyes almost pinned me in place. Move. I had to move. By the grace of the goddess, my legs obeyed, carrying me down the corridor toward my father’s study.

Knock. Knock. Knock

“Come in.” My Father’s tone was flat. Not giving me any indication on what he wanted from me, But I had my suspicions.  

I slipped inside, smoothing my expression into a calm mask as best as I could even though my heart raced. “Hello, Father,” I said, my tone steady though my insides shook. I stood before the chairs, waiting. He had told me to come in to speak, not to sit. I learned that lesson years ago. Even now, with my knees trembling, I stayed rooted upright. Remier’s threat still clung to me like a shadow and it was being working with whatever my fathers punishment from earlier could be.

“I am extremely unhappy with you young lady” My father flatly said. His brown hair was styled and not a hair out of place. Brown eyes watched me intently. 

“I understand father. I am sorry” I tried to make my tone steady. But it still shook slightly from fear.

“You're sorry?” Father retorted Coldly. Displeased from this answer/

“Yes. for the many bad choices I made this morning.” I admitted. No use lying. Lying made everything worse.

“So you know that you have done wrong by me?” An eye brown quirked.I knew this game, I have played it many of times. I lost often, but I was starting to win more that I have learned to judge his moods better.

“Yes. My lateness reflects poorly on how I was raised. It also makes for a poor wife.” I recite what he has told me every time I have been in trouble for being late.

“Go on.” He urged. So far, I haven’t messed up to the point of getting slapped. I just have to keep treading lightly.

“I also showed up in non house colors. A disrespect to the Verdan family.” Again I recited the same crap I have heard my whole life. 

“So why did you?” My Father raised a brow. Now this would make or break me. I’ll survive a lashing or receive one depending on how he felt about my answer.

“Well soon I won't be a part of the Verdan Family because I will be joining another…” My father didn’t speak so I continued. “I figured it would help entice suitors to offer better deals for my hand in marriage by standing out in a gown that enhances my feminine beauty.” 

“Is that so? Have you decided on a suitor?” He asked. Seeming content in that answer.

“I believe so.” I said without thinking it through. I cursed myself for speaking without thinking in front of my father… again. 

“You believe?” His eyes narrowed. Crap wrong move. I needed to save it.

“Yes. Lunch today helped make a clear choice.” I hope that saved me from a lashing.

“It’s not definite?” Father questioned. This answer was another one that would make or break me.

“I was going to take the evening to think.” I tell him.

“Why?” He asked curiously. Hopefully I could save myself with this response.

“Because,” I said carefully, “I don’t want to make a rash decision based on emotion.” Father studied me, cold brown eyes watched for a long moment. I forced my mask of confidence to hold. If he sensed even a crack, he’d tear into me.

“Good. Glad you’re being smart for once.” A hint of a smile shown on his face. A good sign I might make it out of this meeting with him unharmed. I swallowed the sting of the insult, refusing to flinch. That only would have made it worse.

“Thank you, Father.”

His brown gaze sharpened. “Who are you thinking of choosing?”

“Artair.” I tell him honestly.

“Interesting. Why?” He questioned. Shit. If I told the truth. That he was the only one who didn’t terrify me. That he promised to travel with me. Father would forbid it. Half-truths were safer than trying to lie. 

“He’s easy to talk to. We agree on many things, and I feel… comfortable around him.”

“I see. Is that all?”

“Yes.” I lied, trying to keep my face smooth, my voice calm, though my mind screamed to run. He watched me, dissecting every twitch, every breath, hunting for dishonesty. Finally, he leaned back.

“I will summon you sometime before lunch to get your choice. At lunch, I’ll announce your betrothal. If you fail to choose someone on your own free will” his lips thinned, “I’ll choose for you. And it will not be Artair. It will be Remier. Your disrespectful stunt worked. His family gave me a really good deal for you.”

“I understand, Father.” I locked down my fear until it was buried deep where he couldn’t reach.

“Good. You may leave.” I bowed, then hurried from his study, my chest tight with the weight of his ultimatum. So much for choice. The illusion of freedom shattered as it always did. If I had any real choice, I would join the Sunseekers and chase wild adventures, not a husband.

The rest of the day dragged on. Dinner was agony, filled with meaningless chatter. Kyril fawned over my father, desperate for approval. Father’s expression barely flickered, but I knew him well enough. He loathed sycophants. At least that spared me from Kyril as a prospect. Still, Remier’s threat lingered, coiling tighter with every passing hour. If I didn’t choose tonight, my father would hand me to him. The thought made my skin crawl. I tried to focus on Artair, his kindness, and his offer of travel. Even if it was only a promise, a thin hope, it was more than the cage the others offered. At least with him, I felt like I could breathe. But what if Sir Garret had another path for me? I doubt it, but it didn’t stop me from hoping.