SandiBell

Hi all! Returning on August 10th. I will release five new chapters on August 10th and then move to a three chapter a week release schedule for the next arc. Thank you all for your patience!
Romantic comedy set in an extremely patriarchal fantasy world where women are viewed as commodities. A non-conforming female defies societal expectations in an attempt to get disowned. 

Kylara Adamare the only surviving daughter of Lord Adamare, is sent to the High Mating Season to secure a mate who can help her win back her father's estate, but Kylara is not the type to do what she is told. Shortly after arriving, she receives a "fighting" system, that tries to aid her in finding a mate.  Throughout the mating season, Kylara uses her wits, magic, and fighting prowess in an attempt to get disowned by her family so she can take revenge in her own way. However, when her old flame shows up too, will all her plans be ruined?

**Excerpt**
"Kylara Adamare, checking in." I said.

"Are you alone?" The male asked.

I remember from my childhood how strict Viceria was towards females. Showing up without a male guardian like this was highly improper, not that I cared.

I felt my cousin run up beside me.

"Why didn't you wait for me?" She demanded hotly.

I ignored her and said, "Yes, I am alone." The male didn't bother to hide his contempt.

"What the Other?" My cousin screeched at me. She turned to the male and gave him her best smile. "I am Miss Delphi Goldleaf. I am Kylara's friend."

I snorted, "No, you're not." Looking back at the male, I extended my left hand. "I would like the key to my rooms, now." I said.

The male grimaced but nonetheless complied. He placed a small steel key in my palm.

"You are in the blue rooms on the first floor of wing 2." He said. And giving no other directions, he walked off.

I walked back to the carriage as Miss Goldleaf chased after the male. I informed the guards where my singular trunk was going and watched as two of them unloaded it.

"Kylara?" I heard a familiar male voice say. My eyes narrowed as I spun in its direction.

Two males whom I'd never forget in the whole course of my existence had just dismounted from their horses. The black-haired male raced over to me.

I recognized him as Kane and his red-headed cousin, who was watching with a smirk, as Rhana. As Kane reached me, I slid one of the small throwing knives hidden in my sleeve into my right hand. His warm hands grabbed my shoulders and my heartbeat accelerated.

As he looked down at me with a tangled mess of emotions clear on his face, I smiled at him. Then I stabbed the knife straight into his gut.

Falling in Love While Earnestly Trying to Get Disowned

I stared at the sheet music, trying to parse the song together, but in what felt like seconds it was my turn to perform. I knew females were supposed to live for this, exhibiting before others and most spent their whole lives training for it, but asking us to perform on such short notice was still absurd. What would have been wrong with telling us on Monday? With a heavy sigh, I stood on shaking legs and walked up to the stage. I still had no idea what this song was supposed to sound like.


"Do your best!" Lady Brook said. Her smile carried a mocking glint. When I saw this I realized why she offered to help me; she wanted me to fail more spectacularly.


Hiding a grimace, I watched with a dry throat as she sat behind the piano. My heart pounded in my chest. I disliked these other participants and I knew they disliked me. I didn't want to expose myself to their ridicule by not even being able to hum a few bars, although I knew I didn't have another choice.


As Lady Brook began, I reminded myself that my skills lay elsewhere. Then the lilting, swooping melody caught me. As the song began to reveal itself, it called to mind images of a forest in winter's slumber.


Falling into the images, I began to hear another part of the song, a low thrumming counter tune. I opened my mouth and sang that tune. As I did the image of the forest strengthened until it felt as if I were standing in that forest and singing to those trees. The counter tune I was singing became even more clear and it was easier to sing.


The slumbering trees seemed to respond to my song. They shook and twitched a bit as if they were people and not trees. Slowly, they put out buds, which grew into leaves. Small, white flowers burst into life at the trees' feet and between them. The scene was so beautiful, it filled me with joy. I wanted tor run through the woods and bathe myself in the scent of new spring.


I sang that to the image.  I sang until the counter tune of the melody ended. Then I stopped.


As the final notes of the piano faded in the hall, so too did the visions of the forest from my eyes.


I blinked and saw the faces of the fifty other participants staring at me. Their mixed expressions of shock, amazement, and anger stabbed into me.


Hurriedly, I bowed to Lady Brook, who's face carried disappointment, and hurried from the stage.


I flushed thinking of her disappointment, 'I'd thought she'd wanted me to fail, so why was she disappointed?'


As I stepped down to the lower section of floor, I heard solitary clapping. I looked for the source and I saw Prince Pharon.  He met my confused gaze and hastily stopped.


I lifted my chin and squared my shoulders haughtily. I wouldn't let these entitled brats know I was upset. Slowly, I made my way back to Ishmael.


He smirked at me and stood, "Ithkul atnana devili?" He asked. His inflections, rather than his words, made it clear he'd asked me a question. I had no idea what he'd asked though.


Ishmael tilted his head to the side, "I asked if you wanted to have tea with me." He replied. His eyebrows drew together as he gazed at me.


I nodded and he regained his half-smile. His hand shot out and caught mine pulling me from the room.


As I was walking through the door, I felt a wave of heat flood my body and my heart started racing. It was as if I'd gone back in time to that day Ishmael and I kissed in that clearing in the woods. Looking over my shoulder, I met Lord Alecia's dark eyes. His gaze was scorching.


Kylara Exhibits