Chapter 5

“My lord, calm down.” Avery, Inara’s mother, my mother said for the third time. We were in the duke’s studies. It was a grand but cold room filled with nothing but books, a desk and seat. With a long panel window looking out into the garden behind his desk.

“Inara, tell your father you were joking.” My mother grabbed my hand, eyes wide and looking more flustered now than when I told her I lost my memories.

“You didn’t mean what you said back then, right.”

“You couldn’t have.” She looked worried, scared.

“You’ve wanted this all your life. It’s your duty and obligation.”

“An honor to this family.”

It was now or never. The claiming ceremony was just a week away and after knowing more about this world, something told me this was my only chance.

I steeled my spine.

“But I don’t want that.”

Her eyes widened.

“To be reduced to an incubator that simply makes babies.”

“Mother please,” I grabbed her hand, banking on the fact that I was her daughter. But she suddenly pulled her hand away from my grip.

Pow….

My face whipped to the side as her palm hit my cheek.

My eyes widened in shock.

“You were born and raised for this exact reason.” Her voice turned cold and her face twisted in rage.

“Your father’s title is on the line.”

“The Bloomwoods are banking on this alliance.”

“You can’t and will not back down from this.”

“You won’t make us a laughingstock.”

“And I never want to hear such from you again.”

I gaped at her. Then the man that was supposed to be Inara’s father. The marquis of the east. His cold gaze pricked against my skin, unfeeling.

“Guards.” He didn’t shout. But two men, the ones I knew always stood by the door came walking in almost immediately.

“Take her back to her room and keep her there.”

“She isn’t allowed to step feet outside of it till the claiming day.”

“No.” I shook my head and took a step back, but they were fast, grabbing each of my arm and pulling me along like I weighed nothing.

“No, wait…” I struggled against their hold, turning around to at least talk some sense into Avery. But I stilled as I caught a glimpse of the marquis hitting her across the face before the doors closed.

My heart stopped.

Was that the first time?

If men were the ones to rule this world, what stops them from domestic violence and sexual abuse alike?

Do women even see them as abuse?

The guards pushed me into my room and shut the door behind me. Leaving nothing but silence and dread settling all around me.

One week, that was all I had to stop the claiming. If I couldn’t, then I would end up with a man that would see me as a tool and use me as he wants.

Speaking up only ended up getting the marquis angry. I wondered if Avery was alright.

So, what was I going to do?

I turned to the window. There were no guards at the back, and there was nothing but the garden and trees from here. I had no idea what was behind those woods. But even if I was able to escape from here, how safe could I be in a world like this?

A shiver ran down my spine when I recalled what Mary said.

There had to be something I could do.

~

No one came to my room till it was late at night. I expected Mary and dinner but the lady of the house came instead. Dressed for bed in a white silk, with her hair flowing behind her back she looked like a lady dancing in the moonlight if I didn’t see the marks on her neck, cheeks and God knows where else.

My heart fell.

“Are you alright?” I asked, knowing I was the reason she was hurt.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” She snarked.

“Father hurt you.” I protested. She waved me off and sat down on the sofa in the middle of the room.

“Being ravished by the man who claimed me doesn’t hurt at all.”

Her eyes turned cold.

“Where do you get these ideas from?”

I flinched.

“Are you not back to your sense?”

“My senses are fine.” I mumbled, realizing I might be pushing things too far.

“No, they are not.” She got up from where she sat and turned to the door.

“You will have to remain here till claiming day.”

“No, wait, you can’t do that.” I jumped up. If I remained in there, then I wouldn’t be able to stop what was coming.

“Oh.” She turned back to me. Her eyes were colder than I had ever seen. Like steel.

“Are you really my daughter?”

I stiffened.

Shit.

“I might have lost my memories mother, but I am still your child.”

She frowned, watching me. I swallowed.

“No, you are not.” She deadpan.

I froze.

“What?” Fear clogged my throat.

“My daughter will not have these stupid ideas in her head or make trouble for her parents.”

“My daughter is responsible and eager to be the woman I trained her to be.”

“Ever since you lost your memories, you’ve been fighting against the natural order of things like you’ve lost your sanity.”

“Remain here and reflect on the kind of bride you want to be.” She walked away.

I crumbled to the floor, not realizing how fast I had been breathing. At least, she didn’t conceive the notion that I was someone else.

And I had to be more careful of what I do and say from now on.

But that didn’t change the fact that I was running out of time.

I turned back to the window again. And swallowed at the distance to the ground.

Can I really jump wasn’t even a question. Because I had no other choice. I had to jump.

“My lady.” I jumped as a familiar voice came from behind me.

“Mary…” I backed away from the window.

“You scared me.”

“You were so deep in thought you didn’t even hear me come in.”

“Yes, sorry.”

“I brought you dinner. Though it’s late, your mother doesn’t want you losing weight.”

I stared at her. At least she wasn’t punished for my mouth.

“Thank you.” I sat down and quietly ate while Mary watched me.

Just when I expected her to leave, she remained close by, urging me to go to bed.

“Today has been strange, and I can’t imagine the kind of stress you will be under.” She covered the blanket over me.

“I will watch you sleep and leave quietly.”

“Only then can I truly be at peace.”

Liar.

I closed my eyes. She had clearly been ordered to keep her eyes on me.

This is going to be harder than I thought.