Conquests within Forfeits. The Hemerwig Series

"I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure." -John D. Rockerfeller

Melrose's pov

Sitting in dad's office has never been a pleasant experience for me. I try to avoid this room simply because I'm a little scared of what happens behind these closed doors. Sometimes the people leave with rivers of joy filling their hearts, but other times the people are drowning in grief. At least in dad's thrown room he remains civil.

I take a deep breath before looking at the sea blue walls surrounding me. There are a few holes due to extreme water damage. I can never tell which were caused by dad and which were caused by others. I take a look at this picture of my young father with my grandfather on the wall to my left as I'm seated in my chair and waiting for my father to speak. My grandfather seems serious in the picture, but who am i to really judge? Dad can be very serious when he wants to be.

"Melrose, eyes up here please," Dad says and I look into his eyes immediately. I don't dare say a word and after a reasonable amount of time, Dad speaks up again.

"Melrose your mother and I are concerned about your future. We both think that it's in your best interest and the interest of our kingdom if we look for someone suitable for you," he says but I'm still in the dark.

"Suitable for what exactly?" I ask.

Dad opens a desk drawer and stacks of papers hit the desk top. I reach for the files after a silent conformation from dad, and see many applications inside with head shots included. I look through them with a more careful eye and notice that all the pictures are of males. Still very confused, I look towards my father. He's looking out of the window with a lot of thought in his eyes. Is something wrong with all these people? Are my people facing some kind of financial or physical problem? Are these some people who can help my people in the medical department? We water elementals have been trying to recruit more doctors for years and one of the things I plan on doing once I'm Queen is building more affordable Medical Schools.

Dad glances at me and says, "As we speak, your mother is interviewing all of the young men who have asked for your hand in marriage." My eyes widen at the recognizable word and I look back through the files. There has to be a good four hundred people between these six files. I don't remember approving of a marriage application process.

"Why do so many people want to marry me. I don't even know them," I say.

Dad sighs before rubbing his face with his hand and says, "It's very complicated Melrose, but the bottom line is that they want the crown. Most are from just very wealthy Water Elementals, but we do have a few royals and wealthy Elementals from the Earth and Air Kingdoms. I'm sure there's someone in that stack that will be a good match." A good match? Am i just a puzzle piece to my father?

With anger in my voice, I demand, "Why didn't you or mom talk to me about this first? I'm the one who has to marry someone! I don't even want to get married right now!"

With a little less volume than I had, Dad replies, "You have to. It's your duty as a princess. Think about your people." I am always thinking about my people. How dare father even speak to me this way? I am his heir, not his servant.

"Col is older than me and he's not married. Why now? Why me? You weren't forced to marry mom. Why would you even think of putting me, your only daughter, through anything of this kind?"

Dad slams his fists against the desk and I immediately stop my rant. I'm still fuming on the inside however. I can't believe Mom is even going along with this idiotic idea. I'm going to have to have a word with her. She's probably in her room right now trying to figure a way out of this for me.