Stolen by colour

cracked

Early hours of the morning, Mariam and Lord Denmarin sat together sipping on their green tea. Mariam thought it was the best time to bring up a marriage proposal for Anna.

"My Lord, umm... I know that we just became one, but as a concerned mother, I think it is high time Anna gets married." She paused, careful not to get on his bad side.

He turned to her and asked, "So, do you have a gentleman?"

Mariam was surprised, "N-no, but I thought we could look for a man on her behalf--"

Lord Denmarin spoke flatly. "She has already been betrothed to a... a white man."

Mariam turned in shock, "A white man? Is she aware?"

He looked away, and the realization hit hard, 'Poor Anna, oh well, she will leave this house soon, and I will enjoy my peace,' she thought to herself. "When was she betrothed?" she asked slowly.

"When she was one and four," He said coldly.

She gasped Such a young age' she smiled and said, "Well, it is for her good. And when do you plan on telling her?" she asked.

"Soon, he will come and claim her before she turns one and eight?" He said with a sad expression.

Mariam tried her best to hide her smile, "That is too soon, I only just arrived, and she will be leaving soon. Oh God, I really looked forward to bonding with her."

"I did not bring you here to bond with her; I brought you here so that when he comes to take my beloved daughter, he will know, or rather think that she had the love of two parents while growing up."

'That's a harsh way to put it. Who even wants to get close to her?' she said in her mind. "I understand, My Lord."

"We shall speak later." He stood up and left without a glance or acknowledgement

--

Hours passed as Lord Denmarin returned from training before dusk and called out to one of the maids, "Inform my daughter that I am home."

Minutes later, Anna walked in, "Shall I help?" she asked politely, seeing as he struggled slightly to remove his armour.

"No." He said this time his tone was unusually soft, "When shall you like to get married?"

Anna was taken aback by his sudden question. 'Of course, she spoke to him, must I live by their terms?' she thought to herself, vexed. "I am not quite ready, Father." She responded bluntly, hiding no room for her irritation.

Her father looked at her in disbelief. 'Most ladies her age are eager for marriage,' he thought carefully. Now he was unsure how to tell her she is already betrothed to a man, a white man to be exact. "Will anything ever change between us?" he asked out of the blue.

Anna was unsure how to answer "No father." He smiled softly at her, one she had not seen in years.

"You are getting married in the next two months."

Anna stood up abruptly, "NO! She spoke to you, didn't she?"

Lord Denmarin stood up to meet at eye level. "She is not to be blamed. I already got you betrothed to the Prince of Germany. The one who--"

"I will not! No!! Father, I have respect for you, but betrothing me to someone without my knowledge or consent is unacceptable, and I will not take part in the marriage. Whatever way you wish to speak to him, do so, but I will not get married." Anna voiced out loud enough that even neighbors could hear her.

"YOU THINK YOU HAVE A SAY? NO, YOU DO NOT YOUNG LADY." Lord Denmarin raised his voice to match her tone. "It seems you have lost your respect, and you want to challenge me, right? So be it. Guards!" He called out.

"Yes, sir." Two heavy men with broad shoulders and defined muscles walked in.

"Seize her at once, and lock her up until her wedding day." Lord Denmarin commanded.

Before Anna could protest, the men had already lifted her and taken her to her chamber and locked it, so that nobody passed or left the room except to deliver her food and help her bathe.