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~Two years later~

ARTEMISIA

I squinted whilst glaring at my parents across the dining hall. What were they thinking by dropping an announcement in front of thousands of people without my consent?

It should be illegal to do things without your child's consent. Maybe, I would set it as a law to abide by when I become a president.

But right now, it seems freaking impossible. Because I was freaking getting married to god knows who tomorrow!

Despite the dilemma I was in, I tossed my head back and let out a peal of laughter. Possibly, at how ridiculous the situation I was in seemed.

“It's great to know you are fine with it. I thought you would throw a tantrum.” My mom smiled.

Okay with it?

I was freaking not okay, and the urge to yell surged through me. I wanted to throw a freaking tantrum as she had said, but I couldn't because of the guests.

If I had known today was going to be the day, my parents would announce my being auctioned away, I would have maybe prevented it by running away.

Although it didn't seem like they were selling me away to the feasters due to how they had announced it spicily. Also, the feasters had even congratulated me because they were oblivious.

Knowing my parents, I was sure they had met with the stranger to discuss the price at which I was worth and had agreed on the one that interests them.

I know I wouldn't run forever even if I wanted to because my dad was a powerful man and had informants all over the state. However, I was sure I would hide before they got to find me.

“I'm still astounded,” I murmured.

I trembled with fury as I remembered what they had done. I snatched a napkin from the table and cleaned my mouth before glaring at both of them.

“You are doing this without my consent. It is unacceptable!”

“We are your parents. We have the right to do whatever we desire, whether it's your wish or not.” Father said.

His words didn't stun me. He had always searched for the opportunity to get me a husband since I finished high school. He was looking for every means to discard me and get a lot of funds in return. The money he would squander away in no time because of his excessive way of life.

My dad comes from a family of old wealth. He had inherited his father's- the third Earl of Thorns' estates after his demise. That means he was wealthy and didn't need anyone's help. Yet, he chose to connive with mom.

“Excuse me? You are my parents and, of course, I have every right to do what I desire because I am of age!”

“Careful, young lady.” Father cautioned.

“As long as you are under this roof, my darling, we will do what we want with you,” Mom added.

“Why are you doing this to me? I have always been an exceptional child and didn't break any rules you laid down. Why do you want to sell me off?” I questioned, sniffling.

“It is not selling off, and God forbid we do that to any of our children.” Mother stated, glaring at me at my choice of word.

“It's practically the same thing, mom.” I pointed out. “What I don't understand is why you are doing this.”

“Because that is the best thing for you. It's better you get married now and bore children instead of waiting until you are older when men don't find you desirable any more.”

My eyes went wide at what she had said. I should get married to bear an heir to the stranger I was being sold to?

That was the most absurd thing I had ever heard, and a sorry excuse for selling their child to get enough wealth.

Yet, it seemed they made up their minds already because nothing I was saying seemed to affect them. Not even the plea for me to wait for at least a year more.

“I wish I was adopted! At least I will be fine with this, your silly excuse to make more wealth from me.”

“Young Lad…” Father began.

“Excuse me,” I mumbled, stalking out of the room.

I paced around my bedroom for a while. Then plopped on my bed whilst glaring at the white ceiling as I got tired of standing.

I grabbed my pillow and punched it before yelling into it.

“Why me?!”

I was always at the receiving end of it all. They said I was older and got to do a lot of things. Especially if my little sister, Emma, had wronged anyone. I was the one cleaning up her mess.

We were practically only two years apart. So, each time they wanted me to do things in place of her stating she was too young, even if she was at fault, seemed awful.

I groaned, rolling to my side. I shook my head as several thoughts of how to escape invaded my mind.

I couldn't run away. Nor could I change my parents' already made-up minds because I was freaking trapped.

I thought of how tomorrow would be.

“Tomorrow.” I grimaced. I was going to be given off to a man by my father.

He was going to lead me down the altar towards a stranger I hadn't met before.

I thought of the man they were forcing me to marry. I couldn't come up with an image of him, since I hadn't seen him before.

The only information I had got from him so far from my parents during the announcement was that he was stinkingly rich.

A stinkingly rich man?

Surely, he was going to be an old man. I hadn't seen any young man that had been described that way before.

I gagged as the image of a pot-bellied man of average height with a receding hairline and sunken eyes standing in front of the priest at the altar flashed in my mind.

Furthermore, I recalled watching a film in which the parents of the major lead forced her into marrying a man because they were on the verge of bankruptcy.

The man, she was getting married to would supposedly pay them an immense sum of money for marrying their daughter.

I was now in the same situation. Never in my life had I thought such a thing would happen to me.

I had often thought of a charming prince that would sweep me off my feet. A charming prince that would be my husband and the man I would bore all my children for.

Now, the vision seems vague because I was going to get married tomorrow.

A marriage without love. Worst still, a marriage to a man that was old enough to be my father!

I remembered laughing at the main lead's horrified face the moment she saw her groom as she got to the altar.

Maybe I should not have laughed at the situation. Now, I was in something similar, and I was sure someone was enjoying a good laugh about me currently.