Engagement Contract

BLITHE DEL ROSARIO

As we step into Victor's study, the atmosphere shifts immediately. The room is dimly lit, lined with dark wood shelves crammed with books and framed family portraits that seem to watch our every move. The air feels thick with unspoken tension, and I can sense the weight of expectation hanging over us like a storm cloud.

Victor sits at his imposing oak desk, his eyes narrowing as he regards us. Harlota lounges on a plush chair nearby, her expression a mix of boredom and disdain. The moment I enter, Harlota shoots me a look that is both challenging and smug, as if she relishes the impending confrontation.

"Blithe," Victor says, his voice steady but cold. "Thank you for coming. Please take a seat."

I hesitate, glancing at Harleigh, who offers me a subtle nod of encouragement. With a deep breath, I cross the room and sink into the chair opposite Victor, feeling the polished surface of the desk separating us like a barrier. Harleigh settles beside Harlota, her expression shifting to one of concern as she senses the brewing storm.

Victor clears his throat, his serious demeanor making my skin crawl. "I wanted to discuss some important matters with you." He slides a stack of papers across the desk toward me. "These are contracts your parents set up regarding your future."

I raise an eyebrow, curiosity mingling with apprehension. Contracts? I had expected some digital files, not this archaic pile of paper. I chuckle softly, trying to mask my unease. "Really? Paper? In this day and age? I thought we left such antiquated methods behind."

Victor's expression hardens, the corners of his mouth tighten. "This was crafted by your parents. It's essential."

As I reach for the papers, the humor drains from my smile. My fingers trace over the elegant script, and as I unfold the top page, my heart sinks. The words blur for a moment as a wave of disbelief washes over me. It's a contractual arrangement for my marriage—a deal struck when I was just a baby, signed by my parents, complete with their dragonfly crest on a dagger entwined with thorny rose vines. The realization hits me like a cold wave: this is a binding contract, one that holds significant weight in our family legacy.

"This can't be real," I whisper, my voice shaky as I set the papers aside, my heart racing with disbelief. "You can't be serious. This is a mockery of my life!"

Victor leans back in his chair, arms crossed, an unreadable expression on his face. "It is real, Blithe. Your fiancé will be arriving tomorrow night for an engagement banquet. This is not up for debate."

"No," I say, the word escaping my lips like a reflex, laced with disbelief and anger. "I refuse to go through with this. I won't marry someone I've never even met. This isn't a fairy tale; it's a nightmare!"

"Blithe, you need to understand the gravity of this situation," he replies, his tone clipped and authoritative. "This isn't just about you. It affects our entire family's standing. If you don't comply, you risk losing everything your parents built. You think I'm here to control you? It's about preserving their legacy."

A surge of indignation courses through me. "If my parents had arranged this, I might have considered it. They cared about my happiness, unlike you. You're using their legacy against me, manipulating me like a pawn in your twisted game." The thought of my parents—my mother in particular—washes over me. She had always spoken of love as something sacred, something to be cherished. A secret only our family knows, especially on her side, had a rare bonding legacy inherited by blood—a soulmate contract that only allowed us to love only one person in our lifetime. The idea of being forced into a marriage felt like a betrayal of that sacred bond.

Victor's eyes narrow, and he leans forward, his voice low and dangerous. "Your parents made this decision for a reason. They believed this was what was best for you and the family. You are not in a position to defy that legacy."

My heartbeat quickens, the walls of the study closing in around me. "Everything?" I echo, my voice rising, the heat of anger flooding my cheeks. "You mean their precious status! I can't believe you'd think I would consider this. I am not a pawn in your game!"

Harleigh shifts in her seat, her brows furrowing in concern, sensing the tension thickening like fog. "Blithe, maybe we should—"

"I don't want to hear it!" I snap, feeling a mix of frustration and desperation bubble to the surface. "This is my life, not some game for you to control. I have dreams and desires—things that matter to me!"

Harlota, who has been quiet until now, leans forward with a smirk, her voice dripping with condescension. "You should just accept it, Blithe. It's what's best for everyone. You don't want to be the black sheep forever, do you? Think of the family."

"Family?" I shoot back, my voice sharp and filled with disdain. "You wouldn't know anything about family, Harlota. You're spoiled and entitled to the core, living in your little bubble while the rest of us deal with reality. You don't even belong to this family! Your own is a complete mess, and yet you act like you have the right to judge mine!"

Harlota's expression falters for a moment, surprise flickering across her face before she quickly masks it with indignation. "Excuse me? Just because my life isn't perfect doesn't mean I don't understand the concept of family!"

"Then maybe you should try being part of one instead of pretending you can dictate how mine should function!" I shoot back, my heart racing with adrenaline. "You're not my sister, and you don't get to tell me what's best for us."

Victor's expression darkens, and he slams his hand on the desk, the sound echoing in the tense silence like thunder. "Enough! You will not undermine your family. This arrangement is for your benefit, and you will comply, whether you like it or not."

I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, a mixture of anger and despair swirling within me. "I won't," I declare, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. "I refuse to be a pawn in this twisted game. You may think you have power over me, but I will not let you dictate my future!"

Victor glares at me, his frustration palpable. "You're being selfish, Blithe. This is about more than just you."

I take a step back, my breath quickening. "Selfish? You're the one trying to force me into a life I don't want! You think this is all about family and legacy, but it feels like a prison to me!"

As I stand up, a surge of adrenaline courses through me, igniting a fire within. I can no longer bear the suffocating atmosphere, nor the expectations thrust upon me. "I'm done," I say, my voice firm and unwavering. "I won't marry anyone, especially not because of some old contract that means nothing to me."

I turn on my heel and storm out of the study, the door slamming shut behind me. The sound echoes in the hallway, a final punctuation to my declaration. My heart races as I hurry away, desperate to escape the oppressive weight of my family's expectations.

"Blithe!" I hear Harleigh call after me, her voice tinged with worry, but I don't stop. I need to breathe, to think, to reclaim my autonomy from the chaos that has just unfolded.

Just as I reach the staircase, I hear it—a sharp, furious sound that makes my heart drop. Victor's cane clatters against the door as he hurls it in frustration. The noise reverberates through the hallway, a tangible expression of his anger and disappointment. I pause, a chill running down my spine, but I push the feeling aside. I can't let their reactions dictate my emotions any longer.

Outside, the cool air hits my face, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm raging within. I will fight this. I will not let them control my life. I will carve my own path, no matter the cost. And above all, I will protect the secret of my bloodline—a legacy of love that I refuse to compromise.