Conquests within Forfeits. The Hemerwig Series

Ch. 8-His Office

Mom always told me about how wonderful it was when Dad asked her to marry him after their courtship. Dad is Mom's best friend. I always thought that would be the way it would be with me and my husband. does dad not understand that marriage is for life? What if his father made him do this? Dad will never understand how I feel because his father wasn't around to even suggest a thing like this to Dad.

"Now Melrose I did not invite you into my office for you to raise your voice at me. Calm down and think reasonably. With your attitude you will never find a husband so your mother and are going to ensure the future of our people," Dad says and that leaves me in shock.

"What's wrong with my attitude father?" I ask. There is absolutely nothing wrong with me and I cant believe my own father would think that. If they expect that this husband of mine is going to change me, my parents have another thing coming. This crown is also mine and mine alone. I don't plan on sharing my power with anyone.

"Mel there is no need to be so melodramatic. You don't engage with boys your age and that's just a known fact. When I was young I would always hang around with the youth of the kingdom. I, your mother included, went to parties and festivals every chance we had. You barely leave the palace and that is just not acceptable."

"You're the one who said it would cause suspicion," I remind him. I wanted to play outside of the palace gates as a child. I wanted to be part of the annual parades on Heginy Island but Dad said it wouldn't be proper for a little princess like me. It also didn't help that I was very under-developed with my Water Bending. If anyone is to be blamed for how I am, it's him.

Dad sighs and says, "I know what I said and I'm going to repair the damage I've done. Hopefully we will have a suitor in the palace in a matter of days. Your mother is interviewing a few young men personally as we speak. You're already fifteen years old Melrose. Many princess are engaged as little as three years old."

I can't find the manners that have been embroidered into me since I was a little girl so I storm out of dad's office. I slam the door behind me before racing down the hall. Does dad even realize how much his words have hurt me? I'm not capable of finding a husband by myself because I lack something desirable. My attitude isn't appealing. Thanks a lot dad.

I bump into someone and the floor welcomes me. This is just great. "You're fired!" I exclaim. I can't really see since the tears are clouding my eyes.

"Excuse me?" someone asks.

I rub my eyes and see Braeden with buckets of concern in his eyes as he's kneeling next to me. Embarrassment soon joins the hurt I'm carrying, and I look away from Braeden's beautiful eyes. I don't know why I'm deceiving myself. Braeden doesn't like me in the slightest. How can he when to my own parents I'm a disgrace of a woman?

But despite all the words my father has said and didn't say, they soon go out the window when Braeden strokes my cheek. I close my eyes from the caring gesture and try to calm down. I don't have the best looks. I'm not the easiest person to be around and consequently I'm still a virgin. Maybe my parents are right about me.

"I hate seeing you sad. Please smile," Braeden whispers in my ear.

"Why do you care? You just want information from me," I say harshly. Braeden moves his fingers that were caressing my cheek to twirl a few strands of my hair.

"And you want me. Please just smile. If you don't, I'll burn whoever made you cry."

A small smirk plays on my lips at Braeden's failed attempt to sound threatening but that's enough for Braeden. "That's much better," he says while flashing me a bright smile of his own. I sigh and still the smile won't leave my lips. Could it be because the feeling of Braeden's hot fingers on my cheek are lingering?