Ruining The King

Chapter 2: New home

In shadows draped with sorrow, a tale unfolds, Of childhood scars, where innocence molds.

Arranged in bonds, a union uninvited, With a general's heart, cold and benighted.

Disowned by kin, as vows were spoken, Engulfed by despair, a spirit broken.

Embraced by shadows, where darkness weaves, The heart yearns for solace, as hope retrieves.

In the frosty gaze of love unsought,

A future obscured, by battles fought.

For forgiveness lingers, a distant dream, In the echoes of silence, where tears may stream.

Hope, a fragile ember in the night, Yearns for love's touch, a healing light.

Yet the path ahead, through mist and gloom, Holds the promise of a brighter, forgiving bloom.

A tapestry of dreams, by pain embroidered, Seeks a love profound, in sorrow's void.

Bright futures whispered, in tears unshed, Hope, a requiem, for the love not yet spread.

How are we any different from the Babylonians that Herodotus spoke of? I mean, women are still seen as the property of their fathers and once they are married, they are seen as their husband’s property. Did not rich men who were in the marriage market seek beauties, furiously threatening and bidding against each other, and those who did not have the so-called good looks were given off to whoever desired her, not caring much about the girl? We are no different than humans, no we are not. I mean, was I not given off to whoever desired me, not caring about my feelings, not caring if I wanted to marry for love or not?I take a deep breath in through my nose and out through my mouth as I cool my nerves and stare at the intimidating glass door in front of me. This is it; this is going to be my new home. I did not know how long I stood there not breathing. It wasn’t until I heard talking from the other side that I took a deep breath in and lightly knocked on the frame, afraid to get prints on the door. There was some rustling on the other side of the door. A woman with short brown hair and charming blue eyes opened the door. She looked beautiful enough to be mistaken for a deity.“Yes?” she asked, though her voice was cold with no emotion and there was a bit of irritation.“Uhm, I’m Amelia Whitestone, and I’m looking for Mr. Ravenswood,” I said. She frowned, narrowed her eyes, and looked over her shoulder.“Do you know an Amelia Whitestone?” she said loudly, her voice laced with disbelief. A few seconds passed, and an older, pleasant-looking woman who looked to be in her early 40s appeared at the door. Her golden-brown eyes shined with excitement as she saw me standing in the doorway. She looked behind me and at the driveway. There was a frown on her pretty little face.“Lady Whitestone, you are early, and you came alone. You should have informed me of your arrival, and I would have arranged for a guide to pick you up,” the woman said, her tone gentle and motherly. I smiled shyly at her, hating having all the attention on me. Unlike the young lady who opened the door, the older woman seemed genuinely kind.“Is it a matter that I have arrived a day early?” I asked, afraid that she would say yes, and I would have nowhere to go.“Oh no, my Lady. I’m just saying that I would have loved to arrange a guide for the future Mrs. Prince,” she said. I frowned; that must be the name the former general was using on Earth. I felt like the elder lady called Mrs. Prince out loud purposefully. I heard a scoff from inside the house.“Please, Lady Whitestone, follow me,” the older woman said, leading me into the house. I was hit by the feeling of nostalgia as I walked in. It felt like I hadn’t left my home kingdom, Cupiditya. I didn’t feel like I was in the human realm. The house had a lot of natural colors; it felt warm and cozy with an open-plan kitchen and a staircase leading to the second floor of the house. The lady who opened the door was standing in the living room with boxes at her feet.“I hope that is everything you need, Olivia,” turning to me, the older woman introduced herself.“I am Sarah Astor, and I am the caretaker of this manor,” she said, smiling. The lady who is now referred to as Olivia scoffed.“I wonder how long she will last,” she muttered as she picked up her handbag, her heels clicking as she walked out of the house.“Don’t mind her,” Sarah said as she showed me the house. She told me downstairs was the kitchen, dining room, laundry room, living room, Mr. Prince's study, and a library. Upstairs consisted of four bedrooms, one bathroom, and the en-suite which belonged to Mr. Prince. I would be staying in one of the spare bedrooms. She opened my door to reveal a luxury-looking bedroom. It was bigger than my room at the Whitestone residence, with wall-to-wall windows that had a beautiful view of the forest. The neutral color palette of the house flowed into the room. The clean lines and materials made the house feel warm and relaxing. I walked in and stopped at the low platform bed. It was bigger than the one I had in the Whitestone estate. It was dressed in crisp white linens, adorned with soft muted pillows, and a cozy duvet in earthy tones.“Lady Whitestone, dinner will be ready soon. I will call you down once it's ready,” Sarah said, smiling. It hurt me to decline her offer as she looked genuinely excited. Faking fatigue, I replied, “I am sorry, but I have to decline the offer, Lady Astor, as I am tired from my travels.” She nodded in understanding as she walked out of the room and closed my door. I walked to my bed and threw myself on it. The pillows fell due to my weight. Taking one of the decorative pillows, I hugged it tightly as I silently sob. I mourned the home I never had, the love I never received from my father, but most importantly, I mourned the love and the future I almost had with Jason. I sobbed harder as my reality became clearer. If ever the former king's army general decided that I am not worthy to be his wife, I would be thrown out into the streets. I would be homeless, as Whitestone Estate was no longer my home the second I set foot out of the threshold.