For the Duke

My father did not wait for my reply, he added, before I could speak. 

 "Will there ever be a moment that I would be proud of you?" he asked and left me to my thoughts. He's never been proud of me anyway, I told myself. It was hurting to hear me cast myself off like that, but what was I to do anyway? Nothing. I left while my mother remained planted on her spot, in silence.

 "How did it go?" Maria asked as soon as I entered the room. I gave a shallow smile and replied. 

 "I really wish that my parents never had me," I sadly said as her brows squeezed. 

 "No, Ava, do not say such a thing. You shouldn't say such a thing," she countered. 

 "No, I mean it. My father just declared to me that he would never be proud of me while my Morger stood there in silence. I stopped to breathe as I sat on the bed, wiping off the small bead of tears in the corner of my eyes. 

 "Be careful what you wish for, Ava. Your parents are just carried away by their interests—I know that they love you—"

 "Maria?" I interrupted her without interest. "Thank you, but we have both had a very long day. I need to rest and so should you. I need to be alone," I said.

Maria did not add a word, she just left the room as I lay in bed. 

…

A week went by, and it still felt like I was a total stranger. Just like I assured my parents, I was set to leave the city to start a new life elsewhere in a small town. 

My day was filled with stories told by Maria. She narrated everything that happened in the market when she headed out to buy some flowers, fragrances, and fabrics. 

 "Oh my word, you will not believe it. When Lady Chadwick asked the shop owner how much the new dress would cost, the shop owner said it cost 100 silver coins…"

 "That much for a dress?" I exclaimed in surprise. 

 "Yes, yes! The dress was imported from beyond the Old Americas. I also heard that the queen over there had worn it once," Maria explained as I chuckled. 

 "That must be why it cost a lot," I said. "So, Lady Chadwick, did she buy it?" my brows tilted. 

 "Not at all, she couldn't. She only had ten silver coins in her purse…" Maria laughed it off. "You should have seen her face, she was helpless and angry that this seasoned dress would pass her by," Maria added as we cracked up. It didn't end. Maria also narrated a story about two men fighting over a married woman who sells bread. The storytelling went on and on while I listened, bettong entertained. 

Later that evening, Maria headed out to buy some fruits that would ease the nausea that I had been having. 

I stepped out of bed and put on my sleeping robe to heat some milk in the kitchen before Maria returned. It was somehow strange that my parents gave the workers a day off. It may seem like generosity to the workers, but I knew that there was a secret that they were hiding. 

I made my way gently down the stairs as I overheard a loud conversation coming from the study. They were not alone, someone was with them. I lurked behind the door to listen when I heard my father mentioning my name. 

 "The deal is as easy as baking bread, Otto," I heard my uncle's voice. Was that Uncle Fletcher? I was excited, but what deal were they talking about? I wondered. I learned and continued to listen. 

 "This is outrageous. Are you saying that we should deceive the duke? What if he finds out, he will have our heads on a pike," my father said. I could picture him gnashing his teeth. 

 "Is it not better than handing your daughter over to a man three times older than she is? Otto, how could this be selfish and heartless?" my uncle said. He sounded disappointed. 

 "You do not have daughters and so you wouldn't know," my father retorted as my uncle scoffed. 

 "You think so? If I had daughters, they would be better than how you treat Ava," my uncle retorted. 

 "Look, this offer is confusing, but should we not try? At least, the potential shame that Ava has caused will be backed up. We could just tell everyone that Ava was impregnated by the duke," my mother said. I could not believe my ears. 

 "I would not put it that way, but Ava should marry the duke. That way, the duke would have an heir since he is sterile and her child would have a father. He would sire her child without a price," my uncle said. 

 "That makes lots of sense," my father said. There was silence for some seconds as my mother spoke up. 

 "Anyway, Fletcher, how did you know that Ava had a child?" 

 "I did… I did not know, but with an offer like this, I thought about my niece first, knowing that she was unmarried. I was going to think of a way out, but fate had its way out," he explained. 

 "It is quite unfortunate that the duke is sterile," my father said, as if he was concerned. 

 "Yes, it is unfortunate. His position is threatened. I could not watch the Duke suffer shame. Given that I have worked for his father, my loyalty lies with that family…" my uncle said as he paused and continued. "I am worried, how will Ava take this news? Will she accept this offer?" he asked. 

 "Why not? Does she have a choice? After every embarrassment and ridicule that she'd caused, she could never say no. As we speak, Ava has no bloody idea who the father of her child is—to make matters worse, she has planned to leave Western," my mother explained. 

I was disappointed with everything that I was hearing. It seemed like I was only a pawn in a chess game. 

 "That alone makes me regret a lot about Ava. I am starting to regret my investments in her. Lisa and I have wasted so much fortune, and we are in great debt…" my father lamented.

 "Buying those expensive dresses and throwing ball parties for our children has drained us," my mother added. My uncle cleared his throat and continued. 

 "There is quite a lot, but I must discuss it with Ava before proceeding. Where is she, is she home?" he asked.

 "Fletcher, you'll see her, but first, tell us the reward for offering our daughter," my father said.

The door opened as my uncle bumped into me. I was angry and disappointed, shooting sharp gazes at them. 

 "I will not marry the duke and my decision is final," I defiantly said before any of them could say anything.