Naive arabelle

I saw these flowers and they intrigued me as you did the previous night, Lady Arabelle.

From Damien.

I stared between the Nymphaea and the note that came with them. Wait, does he mean that I'm like these flowers? Is that supposed to be a good thing?

"Oh heavens, he got you flowers" Jennifer squeaked. "He's such a fine young man"

"I guess" I sighed and dropped the flowers on the table.

"Why so down, My child" she turned the chair to her, causing our faces to be aligned in a symmetrical line.

"I don't know"I breathed out. " Maybe it's the fact that I have never gotten flowers from a man or anyone before"

"And now you have one," she smiled. " Not just any one but one from the most eligible man in the earth, Duke of Wilshire"

"I know but I can not help the thoughts running in my head, 'why me?" I stood up and stared at my reflection. "I'm certainly not the most beautiful woman on this earth, I mean there's Florence. She's an epitome of beauty and grace while I'm the opposite and besides she's the heir to this kingdom"

"Stop doubting yourself Arabelle. Just as Florence, you're perfect, you're beautiful if not more than Florence could ever be"

I laughed. "Now that lie was far stretched"

"Is it though? Just saying from my point of view" she headed to my closet to sort out my dresses that needed urgent cleaning.

"He said whenever I want" I sighed and lay on the bed, spreading my hands and legs to reach the ends of the bed.

"Huh, " she looked up.

"I asked him when our wedding shall be and he said whenever I decide"

"Now what are you waiting for? Make that fine man yours so this desperate damsels could breathe"

I chuckled. " If I say, would that not make me one of them desperate damsels and their vicious Mamas?

"Nope it wouldn't" she carried the dresses in a basket that hovered just below her breast region.

"Let me help you," I said, getting up from the bed.

"Nonsense child" she shunned. " A lady of your status should not be seen doing this, even more during your courtship"

"Trust me, no one would care"

"I care" she opened the door, walked out and closed it.

I sigh again while staring at the Nymphaea that sat prettily on the table. The Duke of Wilshire, what kind of man is he?

Was I willing to shut my dreams even if for a short while for someone like him. Was he even worth gambling on? Yes, this whole marriage scheme was a gamble. One side gets an ally and the other gets authority to spread their gospel to Eternia, and probably chase the witches who had found refuge here. All at the expense of what? Of me saying yes to being caged by a man. Not just a man but a hot attractive man for heaven's sake.

"My Lady, you have a visitor" my hand maid snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Who is it?

"Her highness, Florence"

"Let her in," I said. She was courteous and walked to the door, opening it for my dearest sister to walk in. And she did like the arrogant, promiscuous devil spawn that she is.

"Your highness" I bowed slightly. As much as I don't want to but, I have to since she was my elder in age and also in rank. The first true offspring of the king.

"I came quickly as soon as I heard the news" she sits on the chair without acknowledging my manners.

I signaled the maid. " Get us tea" I muttered softly.

"Come sit down now, we have much to discuss" she gestures at the chair across from her's. " A little sister's bonding time"

"I doubt this is considered as bonding" I sit down. " But since you're in a rush to confirm the gossip, yes I am to be wed to the Duke. Father arranged it"

"I am sure he did. He needs an army and the church do certainly have one, and no, not just soldiers but believers so yes he'll need that to unite all of Eternia"

"I see. But that is not a child's news, and uniting Eternia may take centuries to come"

"Certainly why you must play your part and marry the Duke"

"Pardon me? My part, in what exactly?

" You are the wedlock child of a mortal and a witch, being the half of both words of humanity, you're the only binding that the church needs to unite witches and humans"

I never thought about this from the church perspective. It was only my father's goal I had in mind right from the start but this came as a shock. The church also had something to gain from the marriage, and definitely it was not just access to spread their gospel but rather to unite everyone under their sovereign rule.

"I never thought about that," I said softly.

"Oh Arabelle, naive Arabelle. If this was just to conquer the rest of Eternia, father certainly would have made me the bride of the Duke and not you" She chuckled. Oh heavens, I hate that amused look of hers. "But your wedlock side has proven you useful and that is why father has kept you by his side all these years. Or did you think he felt something for you? A father's love?

"Everything was predestined and planned the moment father slept with your witch of a mother, it was all the church's conspiracy to achieve this today and now both side life plan is coming alive"

"How do you know all this?

"I have eyes and ears everywhere in this kingdom and beyond this kingdom" She smirked. "The whole of Eternia will be mine to rule as long as you don't mess this plan up but even if you do, the church probably won't sit back and father would never allow you to see the daylight again"

I sat down, all quiet, in awe. I felt defeated and she knew that. She came here to destroy any plan of me having a normal life with my soon to be husband. That no matter, the affection that may arise from what this union will bring is all a fallacy.

"Do you think you Arabelle could be loved by anyone? Even by the Duke himself?" She stood up from the chair and walked to the door, the maid came in wi

th the tea and she took a sip at one of the cups before placing it back on the tray which was in the maid's hands.

"You better rethink again. Honey Fairytales are for kids"