My face scrunched up with a dejected expression. Of all the things he could say? Why is he bringing this topic up? Because I rejected every engagement offer people from other families threw at me? I have the right to decide things for myself for f*cks sake!
"I don't want to be engaged."
"And why is that?"
"Because I don't want to."
I had no other excuses to retort to them and it's true. I don't want to get married yet. I haven't even got my first crush yet. My first date, my first lover, my first kiss, I never experienced any of those! I haven't liked anyone romantically yet!
And all of the boys, guys, and men from the other high ranked families that asked for my hand in marriage, I never had any interest in them. Why? Because they're assholes! They're even much worse assholes than I could ever be! They lack the most basic and common knowledge a human being should have!
"Your concern does not matter anymore. We, the family of Amaryllis, have decided to strengthen our connection with the family of Entrinia. To do this, both the families have agreed to unite their children through matrimony." My father said without an ounce of remorse.
Can't they just do that sh*t without forcing their children into marriage?
Practices like engagement are one of the most common things in this life. People around my age never have arguments with their parents about issues like engagement. I sometimes question myself too. Why can't I just accept someone's offer of engagement? Why can't I just do the things my parents want me to do? Why can't I just fall in love with someone already so I can make my parents happy and proud just like all the people out there?
But no. Even if it was the heavens who appoints who I should marry, I will not do as their wishes say. I'd rather burst all my veins one by one using poison and die from the most painful death there is than marry a man that I don't have any interest in.
The man dressed in a suit right next to my father slowly rummaged through the brown leather bag he was carrying. His movements were filled with nervousness, his hands were shaking while he searched his bag for something. It must have been awkward having to stand there while a family is arguing right in front of you. I feel sorry for this man. He looks too thin for his age too. He's probably in his middle fifties or something.
The man finally took out what it seemed to be like a piece of paper. He glanced over at my father's direction and quickly fixed his posture. My father nodded and the man started to walk toward me with the piece of paper in his hand.
Well this was getting out of hand.
Not only am I getting engaged, I also don't know how to get away from this situation! I turned to look at Olivia, but all I could see was her furrowed expression. I looked at the massive doors behind her- no! What am I thinking?! They will just send people to catch me if I run away!
I felt my heart beat loudly as if it was going to juno out of my ribcage. If my heart was beating wildly because of romantic feelings and emotions- God, I'd be happy! But it's not!
The man stopped walking in front of me and cleared his throat.
"Ahem! Young lady Amaryllis, this is a letter from the young master Entrinia."
He handed me the paper carefully like it was the most delicate object in existence. Hesitation and irresolution filled my entire mind. Should I take the letter or not? Should I just run away? Should I just throw a nuclear bomb at whoever this young master Entrinia is?
My gaze slowly moved from the paper to my parents. My mom was smiling with closed eyes. She looks happy. A wave of guilt washed over me like a huge ocean wave. Was this the only way to make a smile like that? I looked over to my father. His piercing cyan blue eyes were directed right at me. All that remorse and regret I felt a moment ago now vanished. I returned the same gaze he was giving me. Cold and harsh, unforgiving and stoic. Such a shame that we have the same color of eyes.
"Accept it." My father ordered in a harsh voice.
Tsk. I abruptly snatched the paper from the man's hand making him flinch. I handed the paper to Olivia while still looking at my parents with a disagreeing gaze. I don't want to read the letter in front of them. Honestly, I don't want to read the letter at all. I'll just burn that damn paper later.
"Also… The young master Entrinia asked me to convey this message to you, young lady Amaryllis."
The skinny man in front of me treaded away with a single step and bowed his head down again for a second before raising his head back up.
"'I am wishing that you will accept my small gift of gratitude for accepting my proposal for engagement, young lady Amaryllis. I hope that I will get the chance to see you in the near future.'"
"Gift?"
Olivia chimed in, whispering in the lowest voice possible behind me. She looked at me with a concerned expression and a frown.
"May I ask the young lady to come outside the house. The young master's gift is currently waiting for you outside."
The thin man spoke again.
"Alright."
I answered. I don't want to face the sharp gazes any longer and just agreed to seeing whatever this gift was. The man walked out of the living room with me and Olivia following him five steps behind. My parents and the other guests were left inside the living room, and as soon as my foot stepped out…
"Violet." My father's voice called after me once more, making me stop in my tracks.
"I hope you will accept the only son of Entrinia as your forthcoming husband with gratitude and respect."
Like hell I would. If I ever get the chance to see that man I'll beat him up and rip him to pieces.
"Sure."
I waved my hand shortly and turned my back against them. I can't tell them that I'm planning to beat up the son of Entrinia. The element of surprise will be ruined if I do that.
I proceeded to walk behind the skinny man with Olivia now beside me. The servants and attendants who were aligned in the hall earlier now dispersed and went back to their usual duties.
"I wonder what kind of gift the young master Entrinia had given you?" Olivia asked in a whisper.
"Hmm… you seem excited about it."
A smirk slowly formed across my lips, but my mind and heart was still felling heavy about the current situation.
"Well… of course. You know how wealthy their family is right? Maybe he'll give you a box of diamonds or a new car, or a mansion!"
Olivia's voice raised slightly from excitement. Well, if ever he does give me any expensive things, I'll just sell them to the black market. I mean… if he's that rich, it shouldn't cause any problems.
We finally reached the front yard of our mansion. The sun's rays striked my face, stinging my eyes for a second. It's been a few days since I came out of our house. It's not like I have anything to do outside anyway. I had everything I needed inside the mansion. Food, books, a stable internet connection, we even have a whole tree in our living room!
I barely even visit the mall. My parents also limit my time going outside, not because they are worried for my safety. No- it's definitely not because of that. In fact, they're more worried about people's safety whenever I go outside.
I always went home with bruises and injuries when I was studying at an academy near the city and it was not because I was being bullied. Heck! If someone even tries to get on my nerves, I'd bury their heads back to hell!
I told my parents that I wanted to walk home and not have any attendants pick me up from school and by the grace of the heavens, they actually agreed. And wow are the alleyways of the city filled with ugly rats. A delinquent once strangled my neck out of nowhere when I was walking home from school. I fought back of course. It was self defense… The delinquent gets his meals through a straw now, but what I did was still self defense.
The people who are usually around me always looked at me with wary gazes since that incident. Except Olivia of course. She gave a full six hour lecture after that incident, she even made me take notes of what she was rambling about!
I scanned the entire area, but nothing… I saw nothing.
"Where is it?"
I asked the thin man in front of me. Damn, I sounded like a desperate fiancée there.
The thin man stayed quiet and did not answer my question. The main gates of the estate suddenly opened, making a loud screeching sound.
Then a golden carriage entered through the gates. The gigantesque golden carriage was pulled by two white horses with a coach man guiding them. The carriage looked like it just freshly jumped out of a fairytale book. But the carriage itself was not the object that caught my eyes… The carriage… it was filled with violet colored transparent- like roses. The roses were made out of glass!
My eyes widened with shock, even Olivia couldn't say anything. The coachman pulled on the reins of the horses, making the carriage stop in front of the mansion.
What the f*ck is this? I received gifts before, but what on Earth is this?!
The violet roses made out of delicate glass glimmered under the sun. It was a spectacular sight. It was like being in a fairytale where the prince gives the princess one of his most valued treasures.
"Ms. Violet… this is…"
Olivia was at a loss for words, even I can't get a single word out of my mouth! Who on Earth would go to such lengths for a damn engagement gift?! Now I'm starting to feel guilty for planning to beat up the guy who sent me this!