this time, like a hive

orward to lay the dagger o

shoulders. "My fondness is not of concern,

storm clouds with skin just as pale that mourns for its lost youth, cheeks sunken but still droops in despondency. Despite

e your mother, strong-wille

e, eagerly waiting for him

stand the legal burden I bear of not having a son, and the newfound strai

lands and titles will be lost. That is if you wed a nobleman and although my possessions will la

y true Valwa descendant, and a cursed woman at that. The laws have tried at all costs to keep a woman from rising to power. Patriarchy is

o. But to be a victim of a prejudicial system that will dictate the rest of my life

abide to. I

resolve. "Legally, there must be another way. I have hea

and. My teeth bite into

t favour empowered woman. I know it is unjust and absurd to s

dow. "Your mother is meeting with Countess Valt

ury evaporates my t

ed to the highest bidd

ishing glare and I look to th

unate to wed you, a kind man, a loving man. What if I am less fort

mother is taking every precaution, doing her due diligence. Your marriage will be arranged, but it will

wards me. "I know it is tough, b

d on my jaw, tilting my face down, he

o be done. Le

inhale, I sl

ing inside of me teetering on the brink. I spin ar

ess my icy palms unto my sweltering cheeks. My mind so occupied with a thousand

to prepare our horses for our ride into to

clearly sees my face

r lip. "Perhaps it is best if we have breakfast on the

d shekels in our satchels. When we left the Regnum, our

lossy black mustang. Together, our horses trot side by side down

id father

er of her. Enjoying the rhythmic motion of ebony's stride, my fingers rubbing against the leath

nd mother is out lookin

tifles a

ed look. "Is my suffer

ggle from its grip, creating loops beside her jaw. "Of course not but mind you. You kn

y. "Well, you know she is probab

ainly, and bless me with a stunted hus

k and explode

on't be that ba

ght-iron gates. The guards that mane the entrance from the outside. One sees us and signals to

fe, " one

e sky, off shoulder

of evergreen trees, golden sunlight ventures through the canopy, spewing heavenly light. Through the woods,

alf an hour t

time completes

eeks past the bo

ntire foundation is laid in silver stone. Every structure is geometrically positioned, all the stores line the outer edges,

rs of my Regnum use. The other point is straight ahead, on the op

s all around. Common folk making their

it our favo

Ebony to

and in front of bo

day, H

eadbare hat. He looks to Seliah. "Well, don't

ly and nods gra

taking your fine stallions t

d ease, I manoeuvre, step, a

and moves to s

ir reins and leads them

you,

ds the two stallions. They both neigh a cheerful gre

readily loops her arm with mi

n without being watched by guards,

or any noblemen. I cannot travel alone, that is if I am even allowed that luxury. T

of the men that your mother chooses will be a good man, a man that you might come to lo

h!" I

a big estate. But if you were thinking of what I

shake my h

d I do wi

n my side-Seliah nudg

r a whisper. "Well, look who

nd. A man walks out, his loose-fitting blouse untied at the neckline, t

en

tion without delay and a grin brightens his face

ile stretches to a maximum. "Aurora, you never fail to steal my breat

nches my skin and I

see you t

ever waver

m here as well. I too am read

e wobbles. "Why yes, of course

intment. "Fortunately, I can comp

er flank and we al

u from your work. Does your f

hensive. We received word that the royal page has been distributed amongst the realm. To

trade worri

Seliah repeats f

ods su

e is only so much the people can give, " I mumbl

I admire most of you is your selflessness. Even though the

mpliment, I smile at the grou

n the sides, a bands of green lines the flanks of his head like the forest's

you think it has to do with his son, the Dophan? There w

d I bot

l tell, "

. "I for one am famished and I c

ne traces of herbs, cinnamon and oven-baked d

o accompany us and shar

as if I offered him

like noth

betters, we treated everyone as equals and made ourselves acquainted with many townsfolk and shopkeepers, and supported them the best we could. Donating on whi

r napping with the tip of his hat brushing against his nose, covering his eyes. Sil

ey to the main entrance. We are received by the stable boys who take Ebony and Freya back to thei

urtsey before the Domina. Her face carved in an aloof expression, staring down

t, and has been received whilst you two we

she is cycles younger than father. Her beauty is apparent,

t arrived

t me and fl

t you think." She twists her torso to tur

your father will read