INTRODUCTION 1

MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS: "Gnome's and fairies", by Marco cuntini.🤍

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I stared into the mirror and could hardly recognize myself. Agnes was right, I was beautiful tonight. The make-up and the hairstyle were perfect. But those were not my problem at the moment, the white dress that fell from my shoulder covering only a little part of my body, was the issue.

I had argued against it but Agnes warned me not to take it off.

According to her, it had been carefully selected by the Lady Bancroft herself as she wanted to show off what they were after.

Just what are they after? My body?

We both stepped out of the room after we argued with a deep frown on my face and even if Agnes had tried to crack her silly jokes to me countless times, it just couldn't cheer me up.

I adjusted my dress again as we walked through the halls feeling slightly uncomfortable in them. I felt embarrassed at the same time angry at the Bancroft's. Even if I was being bargained into getting married to Dalton, I wasn't a tool or object for their amusement. I was human and had feelings too.

"Please do well to smile when you step in to not anger the lady Bancroft." I heard Agnes say but I ignored her. Smiling right now would be the last thing I would do.

Today has been one hell of a day. From receiving the sudden news about my marriage with Dalton Bancroft to meeting a strange crazy man who claimed me to be his and stole my first kiss. And now I'm to meet my husband-to-be and his family along with other people in the room who will have nothing else to do all night than discuss my look.

My head felt fuzzy at the moment. Everything going on was so overwhelming for me. I was yet to process all of this information, yet I fought to stay sane. I was doing this for father. For my family.

"Are you ready?" Agnes spoke before me softly and I stared at her. She had been so kind to me since I got here, I could already find a friend in her but at the end of the day she's only but my maid.

"I'm not sure," I said honestly, the anger that was once boiling in me suddenly faded replaced with fear and anxiety. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to be rejected by the Bancroft's.

I didn't know why I never thought of this. I wasn't the only one going to be married to Dalton, Scarlett was up too and he's to choose between us. It's already obvious who they would pick so I don't know why father wants to humiliate me.

"You'll be alright..." Agnes didn't have the time to complete her words and the double wooden door groaned loudly revealing its age. Two guards in black suits stood at the entrance of the door.

I couldn't see anything in the room, yet it felt like a thousand eyes stared at me. Agnes moved to stand behind me as we stepped into the room. My eyes roamed around in search of someone I knew was not in here and I hated that I was looking for him.

He had said he had an important meeting to attend, but somehow I hoped he would be here. Somehow, for some odd reason, I wanted to see him again.

I had no idea why I did. Earlier I didn't have the time to master his features cause there was little to no light in the car but I had memorized his name. As if memorizing his name would do any good.

There were so many countless Evren's in the world, rich and bad like him too. I sighed.

As my eyes adjusted to the bright light in the room, series of attires immediately flashed into my eyes and my breath caught up in my throat. The people in the room weren't much per say, but they were enough to make me want to disappear. They looked intimidating and wealth was written all over them.

The hall I stepped into was large, conveying a good number of tables and chairs and people too. I gulped biting on my lower lips.

"Adara my love you're here." Mother walked up to me with the brightest smile on her lips. She's never smiled at me since I knew her yet here she is pretending to love me before everyone in here. She hugged me.

"Smile Adara, Smile." She whispered next to my ears through gritted teeth and I smiled straightening my spine. There were groups and groups of women around who watched me, while the men gawked at my body. Their hungry eyes parading all over me. I tried adjusting my dress as we walked by but it did nothing.

"Isn't she so beautiful my lady Bancroft?" Mother said holding my hands as she led me towards a table which held father, an advanced man in a black suit and a woman in red dress. From her look, I could already tell she's the lady Bancroft. No one had to tell me she's the one in charge of the entire Bancroft empire.

She looked powerful and fearless. Her body was adorned with the best jewellery anyone could find and she was so beautiful. Even if she was seating beside two men, she still stood out.

"Dalton, what do you think?" The woman said sizing me with her eyes. Her calculative gaze roamed around me and it took everything in me not to cower.

My gaze shifted briefly to the man at her side. He was much younger than the old man and looked so much like the advanced man. He must be Dalton Bancroft. My soon to be husband.

He was handsome more handsome than any man I've seen yet. He had this beautiful smile on his lips as he watched me. Though Agnes had talked about him having a more handsome brother, I doubt any man could be more handsome than this.

Shifting my eyes from him I noticed Scar seated next to him, she had a frown on her face as she glared at me stylishly. I'm sure she never imagined I would be this beautiful a day in my life. Even I knew I looked so different tonight.

"She's beautiful." Dalton shrugged rubbing his hands across his chin and I turned to meet his gaze. The lady Bancroft smiled.

"I never knew the Langford's had a second daughter." He added. Of course he didn't know I existed, I wasn't in any article or news outlets about being a Langford and I was fine with it. It's not like I've ever been recognized as a Langford all my life. After all I was born from my parent's mistake, that I know cause Dad sings it to me everyday.

"So you are Adara Langford?" Silence filled the hall immediately as she spoke, the music man lowered his music and all eyes turned to us. Whispers and murmurs began among people.

"Yes." I didn't want to show any weakness before her even if she looked so intimidating. She rose from her seat and walked up to me, her red dress flowing with elegance as she stopped at an arm's length creating a good distance between us.

Now she was close I couldn't help noticing how vastly we differed. Her skin was a bit paler than mine, spotless and smooth. Showing that she's never had a hard life a day in her life.

"Your face is remarkable, but I'll like to have a look on your body." Her words were ever so slow.

"Turn around." She commanded and I turned to mother who coerced me to obey her through gritted teeth. I did as told gritting my teeth too, I hated that I was being treated like this. I was worth more.

When I faced her again I could see her eyes roaming around me in a way that made my blood boil.

This is not the life I wanted. To be treated like some object before this people. To lose respect and value, but I guess it is what father wanted cause he hasn't stop smiling since I got here.

"Are you untouched?"