To Marry the Future

Danger Is Very Very Real

The following day the maid that was sent up to Father walked past me from the direction of Father’s room with bruises. No one was stupid we knew what had happened to her. Father wasn’t exactly quiet and she was trembling. I couldn’t tell if it was from fear or it being painful. I guess this was Father’s way of torturing me without physically harming me. It was my fault they got hurt, all of them. I told myself that this Nova thing wasn’t worth it. 

The day of the party had come and I fit into the dress although it was a little tight but it was tightened even more once I got into it. The corset had to be tightened and my boobs looked plump and my waist thin while the dress held to my butt like it wasn't letting go anytime soon. Extenuating my curves was the whole point of this trouble and finding the right dress. The emerald green custom-made dress flowed past my knees, at least that was modest, and the cleavage was very visible. The green from the dress brought out the green in my hazel eyes and my dark auburn hair touched my waist as I sat down to have it styled.

I walked into the hall outside the entrance to the ballroom. Everyone was invited but people know to not go unless they were noble. I could hear everyone already getting acquainted with each other. I felt faint perhaps it was from not being allowed to eat to not look bloated. One of my personal maids noticed this and handed me a glass of water before entering the ballroom. 

The doors opened and everyone became silent. I stood alone until Father walked up the stairs and gave me his arm which I wrapped my own around. We walked down the stairs in silence and perfection. Once we got to the bottom of the stairs Father nodded and smiled at everyone.

“My beautiful daughter has shown herself shall we continue?” Everyone turned and kept talking to each other. Father grabbed me and took me around the room introducing me to unwed men with a lot of power in the Planet of Aurora. I guess the rumors were true, Father was looking for a man to make my husband. If I had known I would have- I wouldn’t have done anything I can’t. I wish it didn’t end like this. I never had a Mother though people mention that Father was married to a woman who suddenly disappeared after I was introduced. I was 5 when he threw a party to introduce me to higher society. Before that, I can’t remember much. It’s been 12 years since I was introduced. On the dot.

For as long as I can remember Father has been in my life as my number one fear. Today may have been the start of a bright future or a slave trade. You see getting married in Aurora happens out of love where both parties consent. But for me, I knew for a long time that marriage was like renting a house. You pay every month for the house not because you can’t afford to buy it but because you can easily move out if you choose. Though the house can’t really choose anything. I am the house, Father is the owner, and the husband he will give me to is the renter.

See I’m not scared of marriage that always seemed better than being here. At least married I didn’t have to be Father’s daughter/wife to be sold to a suitor. I was going to use an analogy but a wife is an analogy for the way he treats me. Or maybe I could say, women. It seems like recently in Aurora people have forgotten we are all human, setting aside our race/ethnicity or gender underneath it all at the core or origin of it all and every single person is a human. Even the monsters that mistreat other humans are humans under it all. Father must have had a secret to keep about a horrible past that made him the way he is. Or maybe this was his way of showing his love, people do love in different ways. Or maybe I was just telling myself that.

A young man walked up to us causing Father to boil in anger from the look on his face. I had lived with Father long enough to know what his pissed face looked like in public and at home. The young man looked to be around his mid to late 20s. His eyes were bright grey, almost clear, his hair was so dark I couldn’t tell if it was black or a very very dark brown. Everyone turned as they started to notice. Some had fear in their eyes, others looked at this man like they were lions that hadn’t eaten in days and he was a dear. I stood in silence, my head bowed as a sign of respect as Father had taught me.

“I had heard your daughter possessed incredible beauty, as well as amazing composure. I guess it was true, she truly is the best at it all in the entire universe. At least from what I’ve seen.” The man's voice was deep and soothing. I looked up and for a split second, we met eyes. I looked down in fear though somehow I didn’t regret peeking, not only was he handsome but he also seemed well off and his voice was a bonus.

Father stared at this man before giving his best smile. It seemed many admired this man’s beauty while others plain hated him but no one dared say anything to him. 

“She is quite the beauty. Poems have been written about her. Many are becoming famous. Especially the one that goes, ‘Her hair is like the mountains, her eyes shine like the riches buried in the ground bringing hope from above with her angelic smile and her powers to heal all with just a touch’ or something like that.”

“Is it true? Can she heal? It’s weird in all of the history of Aurora I never once heard the mention of someone with the ability to heal from a touch. Much less from your family. Though the power to heal is a power of the people of light. You know the people that moved from Nebula to what was later named Nova.”

Curiosity caused me to look up long enough for Father to notice. He gave me his “I’ll teach you better later” look. It sent a shiver down my spine causing me to look back down at my thighs. The man kept talking as Father had said nothing.

“To heal though comes from those blessed by the land they inhabit but they can’t heal others with a touch. Those people are native to Aurora but are rare and not as strong as how your daughter is said to be.” He paused with a cocky look as if he had caught Father doing some sort of crime. 

“She gets it from her Mother.” Father responded calmly although before answering he seemed to panic.

I stood confused as Father turned and introduced me to more men. The party seemed to be coming to an end so I excused myself early as I was taught to.