Chapter 23

Beauty’s POV

I was born, the youngest and only sister of seven brothers. While mother wanted me to knit and cook, my father taught me the art of being a merchant. But my seven brothers taught me to wrestle. Even now, I treasured the memories of my brothers. Many a split lip had come from their teasing, but none dared strike back in anger... I was the baby, the girl, and while I learned to be rough, they learned to protect.

On the eve of my 15th birthday, I was being dressed by my mother. Father had found me a husband. The son of a business rival. I'd never met him, but we'd exchanged letters and I wasn't against this union. He seemed kind enough if a bit boring. Our families would gain wealth and power from our union. That was enough for me. Even if the idea of motherhood scared me.

The sound of an approaching carriage, had my mother wrap me in her arms. This was the final time she'd see me, maybe for many years. We could exchange letters, but until my new