Chapter 4
The next day started as horrendous as the last one ended. After waking up with my back still on fire, I contemplated visiting Rewi to tell her about my forced betrothal, but I wasn’t too sure if my parents would allow me to leave the house until I had to meet Jelric later.
As if on cue, my mother entered my room, holding a large package as I was pacing back and forth. She smiled at me conspiratorially, curiosity shining in her eyes.
I darted toward her and took the box from her hands, mostly to get rid of her as fast as possible, but she lingered at my door.
“This has just been delivered for you. The servant bringing it was very well dressed. I presume it was sent by your betrothed.”
“I fear so.”
“Nayana, mind your manners!”
“Don’t worry, mother. Father made it abundantly clear yesterday what you both want. Doesn’t mean I’m not allowed to be unhappy as long as that toad Jelric isn’t around.”
“You have to work on your attitude. In a few winters, you’ll laugh at yourself about how much unnecessary resistance you put up, and you’ll be grateful for the advantageous match we’ve bargained for you.”
Slowly counting to three in my mind, I did my best to school my features into a neutral expression.
I needed to appear at least indifferent, or else I’d never get my mother off my back.
“I think there’s a dress inside. Jelric told me yesterday he’d send me one because he’s ashamed to be seen with me in my usual clothing. ”
“Oh how nice of him! Come on, unpack. I’ll help you get dressed. Isn’t it exciting to receive something fancy and expensive, Nayana?”
“I can change by myself,” I said. My already limited patience with my mother ended—I simply shut the door in her face and ignored her shouting my name.
I’d have to face the consequences of my actions later, and it was probable my mother would make sure I regretted my tiny act of defiance.
But why should I care?—she was convinced I had an attitude problem anyway.
I stared at the box as if it was poisonous, and it took some moments before I gathered the courage to find out what my betrothed considered worthy of being worn in his presence.
With ease, I opened the parcel and was confronted with a heap of fabric that turned out to be my new dress.
The material was shiny, and its glaring green color looked tacky to me.
I instantly hated the shade, mainly because it reminded me of Jelric’s eyes.
A sickly sweet, flowery scent assaulted my senses as if the dress had been drenched in the perfume my least favorite aunt Alba loved to wear, and although the fabric was supple, it felt unpleasant to the touch.
I had absolutely no desire to wear this garment.
The package was empty except for the dress. Jelric didn’t include a chemise, shift, or cloak, so I fetched simple white cotton undergarments from my wardrobe.
I sighed, knowing that delaying the inevitable would change nothing about my situation. I slipped out of my nightgown, and then it took me a moment to figure out how the dress in front of me worked. Even without being biased against my betrothal, I was convinced the garment would look horrible.
But the reality was much, much worse than I’d imagined.
After I’d finally succeeded in pulling the green fabric where it belonged, I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Even though I had no real sense of fashion, I could easily figure out why Jelric didn’t include a chemise or slip—the dress wasn’t meant to be worn with one.
Unhappily, I fumbled with my layers until the white cotton chemise came free.
The next peek into the mirror revealed the true horror of my betrothed’s present—and taste.
In all honesty, the gown didn’t deserve to be called as such, and I scowled at my reflection.
I was dressed in the most indecent piece of daywear I’d ever seen.
The dress was tight-fitted with a dangerously low neckline, had no sleeves apart from two tiny straps trying to prevent the worst disaster from happening, and a giant slit on the left side of the almost-too-skintight skirt.
I was stunned speechless. Not even the ladies of the night walked around wearing such improper clothes.
I couldn’t deny it: the gown, combined with the choker locked around my neck, made me feel violently ill.
After I’d caught myself and tore my eyes off my reflection, I stood frozen in the middle of my bedroom, wondering if there was anything I’d be able to do that could save me from having to leave the house looking entirely indecent.
Ironically, my only hope left was my mother. Even she should favor my decency over trying to please the horrible King of Merchants and his vile son. So I left my room and searched the house for her. Yes, I was that desperate.
After a quick search, I found her in the kitchen. Her face fell for a second, and her eyes roamed over my attire in barely-veiled shock before she schooled her expression into something carefully neutral.
“Nayana. This dress is—”
“I can’t wear this…this monstrosity. Surely you’ll agree.”
“Why not? You’re just prejudiced because you don’t have it your way for once. So be objective for a moment. It’s such a nice dress, my dove. Have you seen how it accentuates your figure? Even you have to admit, your betrothed isn’t only extremely generous, but his taste is also—bold.”
“Bold? Mother, I look worse than a harlot!”
“Fallen women can never afford such fine dresses, Nayana. As I’ve told you already, you must give Jelric a chance and keep an open mind. This union is a good thing for you and your future. Learn what pleases your soon-to-be husband, and you’ll have a much easier life.”
I stared at my mother and shook my head. In the end, her reaction shouldn’t have surprised me in the slightest. My father and she were so obsessed with having Jelric as a son-in-law that they would overlook any misgivings.
Resigning, I slipped into a pair of soft, flat shoes and grabbed my lavender-colored summer cloak. There was no way I’d go among the people in only this poor excuse of a gown. I wrapped the light fabric around myself like armor and instantly felt less vulnerable—at least a little.
The town square was bustling with the last preparations for the festival starting tomorrow.
The sun was shining, but I barely noticed its mild heat on my skin.
For me, it felt as if a dark cloud was following me, driving away the gentle warmth of the late summer’s day.
As I made my way toward the Triad Fountain, my imagination painted the vivid picture that everyone was staring at me and my outrageous dress.
Of course, no one did, thanks to my cloak, but I couldn’t help feeling naked and exposed in front of everyone.
Jelric was already waiting for me when I arrived. My intended tapped his foot impatiently, and when he spotted me, a deep frown appeared on his face. “You’re dense, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“You’re not even able to follow simple instructions. So either you’re an imbecile or you’ve intentionally disobeyed me.”
“You can’t possibly be angry that I’ve chosen to wear a cloak.”
Jelric’s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous glint appeared in them, spelling danger.
Usually, I would have ignored his tantrum, but the little voice inside my head told me to tread carefully—and I listened for once.
I flinched as my betrothed infiltrated my personal space and reached for the closing of my cloak.
I tried to dodge, but one of his hands shot forward and clutched my shoulder, keeping me in place.
Without hesitation, Jelric opened the garment that offended him, yanked at the lavender-colored fabric, and dropped it to the ground.
“You don’t need that. Come on, let me inspect you. ”
Jelric’s fingers still dug firmly into my shoulder.
At the same time, his gaze roamed over my body at a leisurely pace, taking in the high slit exposing most of my leg before staring lecherously at my barely covered breasts.
I had only limited experience with men, but I could clearly sense his intense desire and see the heat in his expression.
My breakfast churned in my stomach, and the acidic bite of bile burned in my throat.
Long minutes passed before Jelric let go of my shoulder.
Instead, he clamped his hand around my wrist, so hard it was painful, and dragged me with him, preventing me from picking up my cloak.
To everyone else around us, the whole interaction might have seemed harmless, but I knew it was anything but.
“Hey…let me pick up my cloak!”
“Well, if you’d followed my orders in the first place, you wouldn’t have lost it. Hopefully, you’ll learn your lesson. Disobeying me will always cost you something. Be glad the only price today is your cloak. Next time, you may not be that lucky. And now shut up and come with me.”
This was a nightmare. It had to be. This controlling man couldn’t be my future.
Even though the only alternative I had to marrying him was for my father making good on his threats, I was heavily tempted to try to sever this betrothal right then and there.
Maybe death would be better than a life as Jelric Feroy’s obedient wife.
Unlike before, when it’d only been in my imagination, everyone stared at me—dressed like a lady of the night—as I was hauled along by a rich man. My face flushed red with embarrassment.
Jelric dragged me to a less frequented part of the city, with narrow cobblestone streets and plenty of dark corners. My mortification slowly morphed into foreboding dread.
“Girl, listen to me. As I told you yesterday, I want to get acquainted with you before we’ll be wed. You’re halfway easy on the eye, but since I’m not a shallow man, there’s more I have to know about you.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Wait until we’re there.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see soon enough. Now be quiet or I’ll make sure you’ll be.”