From Boy to Maiden, from Maiden to Lady

"I thought you would wait, to make sure she is worth."

"Or ... Would you give it to someone else?"

"If you continue to act as if you are better than the others, my dear, I may have to dote on others more than I dote on you ..."

"This is the first time I ask you for something."

"I know, I know ... My terrible, temperamental, and brilliant son ... But look ... Be generous to your siblings ... They went out there to defend your right to a new bride..."

"I will be grateful to all of them."

"Are you looking forward to me going? Ah, I see ... You have things to do…" he snickered with an unpleasant voice to Alexa's ears. "But I see it won't be long before she gets well. Then she'll be ready for me to make her one of your kind..."

The entire conversation was making her stomach churn, but nothing was worse than what she had already overheard.