I sit in Frodo's grand study, my fingers nervously fidgeting with the hem of my dress as Lord Frodo Helgrave talks animatedly about my impending marriage to Ezra Everhart. The room is filled with an uncomfortable silence, broken only by the sound of Frodo's voice droning on about nobility and responsibility. I nod along, trying to feign interest, but my mind is racing with confusion and anxiety.
"—and this union will solidify our standing in society, Irina. You'll be marrying into one of the most prestigious families in the realm. Do you understand?" Lord Frodo's eyes bore into me, waiting for a response.
"Sir?" I blurt out, my brow furrowing. "Could you… repeat that?"
He raises an eyebrow, a mixture of annoyance and bewilderment flashing across his face. "Are you not listening, Irina? You'll be marrying Ezra Everhart! You should be honored!"
I blink at him, trying to grasp the significance of what he's saying. My thoughts swirl in a chaotic dance, and all I can manage is a sheepish smile. "Oh, um, right. Marriage to Ezra… that sounds… important?"
"Important?!" Lord Frodo nearly explodes. "It's imperative! This is your duty as my daughter!"
It's funny, really—how I feel like a beautiful idiot sitting here, utterly lost. I'm not actually stupid; I can answer his questions just fine, but today, everything he says just bounces around my head like a pinball. "So… um, can you change your mind?" I venture, mustering all the politeness I can. "I mean, I'd really like to be an independent woman."
Lord Frodo's face turns crimson with rage. "Independent? No daughter of mine will ever be independent! You will marry Ezra, and that is final! Now get out!" His voice booms, echoing through the opulent room.
I swallow hard, realizing I have no choice but to obey. "Yes, sir," I murmur, slipping out of the study and closing the door behind me.
As I step into the hallway, my heart races. I can't marry Ezra Everhart—not if it means I'll end up dead like Irina in the novel. I never finished reading Unyielding Heart, but my friends spoiled the ending enough for me to know that death awaited me at the altar. I never cared much for the story, but I had to take the free book voucher the school offered.
Just as I'm lost in my thoughts, I bump into my stepmother, Anna Everhart. She's a striking woman with long chestnut hair and gentle features, her kind green eyes filled with concern. Today, she wears a simple yet elegant gown, and her warm smile usually brings me comfort. "Irina, dear, are you alright?" she asks, worry etching her brow. "Did your father hit you again?"
Her words hit me like a wave of nostalgia, reminding me of my real mother back in my past life. My mother wasn't perfect—she could be harsh, yelling and hitting me whenever I stepped out of line—but I could always feel her love beneath the surface. Anna's concern stirs something within me, and I soften, despite everything. "I'm okay, really," I assure her. "It's just… you know how he gets."
Anna's eyes widen in surprise; I can see her processing my unexpected kindness. "Irina, you've never spoken to me like this before," she says, her voice tinged with shock.
I offer her a small smile, feeling a flicker of warmth in my chest. "Maybe I'm trying to be better?" I say, my tone light, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Better is always good," Anna replies, a smile creeping onto her face.
As I walk away, I ponder my situation. How do I escape this fate that seems so determined to claim me? I can't go through that horrific death again. It hurts too much, and I refuse to be a pawn in someone else's game.
Returning to my room, I plop down on my bed, my mind racing. I need a plan—something clever to ensure I don't end up in that marriage or worse, facing a gruesome end. Maybe I could use my charm to sway Ezra, or perhaps find a way to escape from this world entirely.
But one thing is clear: I won't let this happen without a fight. I'm not just Irina Helgrave; I'm Seira Fallon, and I refuse to die again.