I sat in the carriage, even after it had long since stopped.

No matter what I did, my parents wouldn't budge. It didn't matter how much I begged and bartered. It didn't matter how far I was willing to go to compromise. They turned me down at every corner.

Now that I'm here— I have no choice but to deal with that hand I was given. And what a foul hand it was.

A knock came at the carriage door.

"My lady, it's time to go."

"Yes."

I left with slow and agile steps, waving goodbye as I trudged to my own entrapment.