CHAPTER 2 - UNEXPECTED

Nevaeh made her way down the hall to her father's study room. Twisting the door knob, she stepped in, softly shutting the door behind her

Lord Ramon turned to meet her eyes the moment he sensed her enter.

"Lord Ramon" she curtsied.

The Lord of Walreece let out a breath. He understood her. She only addressed him formally whenever she was upset with him and now, she very much was.

"Lady Neveah" he greeted her back with the same energy wanting to play along.

Her eyes narrowed "I refuse to have another governess" She went straight to the point, her voice firm.

"Who said anything about a governess?" he quirked a brow up at her.

"B-But why did Mabel have to go then" she stuttered and mentally cursed herself. Her father never liked it when she stuttered, he would always say a lady has to be clear with her words at all times and hence should talk less. Mabel taught her otherwise; ladies shouldn't have to speak less but appropriately.

"I believe Vivian has handed you a package. It's from Gavaria"

"Yes Father"

"The Gavarian Lord and I have been communicating…" he paused gauging her reaction, she gave a blank look.

"…Gavaria needs some of the food we grow here as the weather over there gets difficult at times and we need their ordnance. Hence, we are merging the two lands with a union".

She could feel he wasn't done with the way he kept staring at her. If he wanted her input, she didn't mind it one bit. Arlene once said her mother was Gavarian and she had met the woman in the past, she was as nice as Arlene is.

"I am getting you married" He finished.

Nevaeh blinked. Then blinked again, unsure of what she just heard

"I'm sorry, what?" She minded this!

"I'm getting you married…" he repeated " … to the Lord of Gavaria" he added and Nevaeh wondered how he could be telling her this with such a calm face.

"Father, I am only seventeen!" she could feel air drain out of her lungs and her chest turned tight.

“You are eighteen in two weeks" he countered “The engagement shall be announced then” and she gaped at him in disbelief.

Engagement? Marriage?

"Staring is rude and very unladylike" he eyed her.

Was her staring seriously his concern right now?

"If Mother were here, she would not approve of using me as a centerpiece" Neveah scowled, her eyes turning moist. How was this day getting even worse?

"Your mother always wished for you to marry into Gavaria dear-" he shut down her defense. " -and what's best is that you're getting married to the Lord himself"

Nevaeh had always played her 'mother card' on him whenever she wanted something to go her way, but she was not about to win with it this time. He had already given his word to the Lord of Gavaria.

"It is my life and I refuse to mar-" she began only to be cut off by her father's words

"You will do as told" he warned "There won't be any suitor better than the Lord himself whom I trust will look after you”.

“Since when are you best of friends with the Lord of Gavaria?” She challenged “What are you not telling me?” She spoke softly, her plight evident in her eyes. There was no way he had a meeting with the Gavarian Lord concerning her and she was only finding out about it now.

When he didn't respond, she found her voice again, "I will not be used as a peace treaty" she snapped, refusing to give up. A cloud of annoyance hanging over her head. She knew what this was really about. Every time, he did what he pleased and she went along with it.

Not this time.

This wasn't about food or ordnance; this was her father playing his cards right to end the two lands drawing into a war with each other. Walreece and Gavaria stood on thin ice between war and peace. Though Walreece had the advantage of their number, Gavaria had better ordnance so even if Walreece were to put up a good fight, they were still disadvantaged and stood a chance of losing. She was sure that this marriage was her father’s idea to save his people.

Lord Ramon narrowed his eyes on her. It was obvious he had spoiled her a little too much for her to use such a tone on him.

"To ensure the two lands don't turn on each other, this union must be made”

‘There it was!’ Neveah thought to herself.

“You will be going to Gavaria tomorrow to meet your soon-to-be husband and know more about him"

"Father!"

"This discussion is over" he said, pinning her a stern glare.

Neveah fisted her dress in her palm as she bit her lower lip. Her heart pounded in her chest. Why was he doing this to her? She knew she would be married soon but, she didn't think it would be this soon.

Nevaeh had always wanted a love marriage. Her parents had one so how could he deny her one? She wasn't going to let this happen. Reasoning with Lord Ramon right now, would be pouring water on a rock. He had that look of finality etched across his face as their gaze locked on each other in defiance.

Getting up, she smoothed her dress and shot him one last look before storming out of the study room.

Lord Ramon let his shoulders slack in defeat the moment the door closed behind her, hoping that she would come to understand his position someday.

Entering her room, Nevaeh spotted the box on her bed and darted towards it. Opening it, she dug out the fabric from within to see it was a Gavarian style dress with a golden bracelet which held intricate designs and writing she couldn't decipher. She shoved the items back into the box, tossing it to the ground in anger.