For Better, For Honour のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 8

AVA I jolted upright at the sound of gunshots. One would think I’d be used to it by now. My head pounds with an impending migraine as I sit up, running my fingers through my hair. I’m still hazy from sleep when a knock came through the door. If there’s one thing this family lacks, it's a sense of privacy. To be fair—I let out a sigh as my Mom strolled in with a couple of servants behind her. I should have locked my door. “Ava, don’t tell me you’re still sleeping. The party is about to start in an hour, you have to be ready.” She scolded, instructing the servants on where to drop the items they brought it. I blinked rapidly, a slow smile spreading across my face. “Are those for me?” I stood up, ready to scoop through the items. Mom cut in front of me, shaking her head with disapproval. “The Tuhkas sent those. They want you to dress special today. Your father said they have something important to announce," she informed me. “What does that have to do with me dressing special? Is

AVA The following day, everyone at school is still talking about the incident. It was mortifying, everywhere I went, people were whispering. The tension followed me all the way back home. Although my Dad didn’t say anything—at least to me. I could hear them also whispering about it. I ignored the whispering and went on the terrace, pacing around as I thought of the next design to work on. I heard a bird call behind me, it was the signal Asher always used whenever he wanted us to talk. I smile for the first time, seeing him on their own terrace. “What are you doing out here? Shouldn’t you be chasing some poor girl home?” I joked, dropping my hand. He laughs it off. “I don’t chase girls, they chase me. Who could blame them though? I am simply irresistible.” To further prove his point, he flexes his non existing muscles at me, kissing his non-existent becip. “What's going on? My parents are talking but no one is saying anything to me. Is he…” I swallowed, having a mild flashback

AVA It’s one of the rare nights when Dad joins us for supper. Usually he’s working late. I knew the demanding nature of his job, it’s something I grew up with and accepted. Watching my parents interact from across the table, I smile. Sometimes it hurts that people have the wrong opinion about my parents and their marriage just because Dad happens to be the second in command of an empire. Don isn’t like that too, he treats Asher’s Mom with so much respect. It was one thing I admire from the world I was thrust into. “There’s something I want to say.” I blurted out before my courage failed me. “I don’t want to marry Caden Tuhka, not now… not ever.” My declaration was met with silence. When Dad dropped his spoon, it made a sound that made it seem like someone dropped a glass or something. “Why?” He finally asked, paying all his attention to me. “Isn’t it obvious? Ava is definitely concerned over his recent behaviour, as she should. This is someone she is going to spend the rest

AVA “Is it true?” Fallon, one of my friends and classmates asked, falling into steps beside me as we made our way to class.“I heard. Everyone is talking about it.” Our other friend, Avery interjects, joining the conversation. “Really? Words travel fast around here.” I sighed, feigning innocence, like that isn’t exactly the effect I was hoping for. We were about to enter the classroom, same time as Maddie. One would think she would pause for us to walk through, seeing that we got to the entrance first. She squeezed between us, forcefully creating a space for herself. Fallon attempted to go after her. I pulled her back, shaking my head.I couldn’t bring myself to care about her passiveness. Maybe it had something to do with how happy I am. Besides, she’s a senior, we only have to tolerate her for one period of class. By the time it was lunch hour, I wanted people to forget about my broken betrothal. They approached and offered consolations, one would think someone died with how th