Meeting the In-Laws
As Elspeth stood in her scarlet red evening gown it was hard not to gawp at Boris. Thankfully she was a pro at masking emotion and replacing it with feined pleasentness. She smiled a proffessional grin and elegantly navigated the staircaise in 4in heels down to her smiling parents Janet and Everette Coveington. Next to them was her younger sister Sasha and her Older brother Levi. As much as they got along well with me we were never allowed to show we cared about eachother.
"Elspeth darling get over here and give your mother a hug! Levi is this hiw you greet tou younger sister?" As I am entwined in a very uncomfortable hug my brother slightly startled turns and with a bow grasps my hand and gently kisses my fingers gently. "This is a first huh Elle"
As I return the greeting by gently kissing his cheek I quietly mumble "Awkward more like"
He stifles a laugh with an expert cough and passes me to my father with a gentle turn. "Ahh my gorgeous daughter" With a smile he pulls me in to his embrace which I dont resistand whispers
"Just play along I am sorry for the short notice. You know how mother can be."
It was shocking to hear almost as if he actually cared. There was no way that was genuine. I think?
My family walks with me down the walkway to the ballroom floor and takes me up to a platform where they have added another chair to accomidate myself with my family. there is a table and another modest family was sitting accross from where I was led to sit.
I never understoid why these strange dinner engagements happened with the community around. I always found it boastfull and strange. The only thing that was different here was that everyone present from my kingdom just so happened to be various employees of the Coveington estate. I assumed they were all paid off so as not to tell of my families dirty secret. The cursed animal witch child of the Earth kingdom. I wasnt supposed to exist and my mother hated me for it.
We sat down and my father introduced us. "Levi, Elspeth, Sasha say hello to the Bengali family"
"This is Ashton, and his parents Evelyn and Seth. We have come to an alliance agreement and decided that Elspeth will wed Ashton in two weeks" A loud cheer erupted from the ballroom causing me to flinch momentarily. I had spaced out there exisistence as I digested the news my father gave the room.
Seth smiled a small grin as if sensing my unsease.
"It is alright Elspeth, we will welcome you to our family as if you were our own daughter. You will be as welcome in my home as you are with your own."
I snorted loudly and my mother shot me a raised brow of warning.
"Sorry sir, it just sounds a bit too good to be true? I believe is how to put it."
"Ah I understand your doubts, but words are nothing. Actions are the true testaments of how you will be recieved in our home." As he was speaking he pulled out a magnificent pendant made of Purple Jasper, tucked inside her dress. It was hanging on the thinest gold strand I had ever seen.
"This has been passed down for several generations in my family. It is passed from one queen to the next." He looked at his wife warmley and gently kissed her fingers with a love I didnt recognize.
"You have every reason to doubt our sincerity, but I would like to offer you this pendant before the wedding." She unclaspped the impossibly thin strand holding the heavy pendant and gestured me to come to her. As I bowed my head she clasped the beauty to my neck. It settled and started buzz warmly in the crook of my neck. It appeared to glow ever so slightly at the touch of my skin.
I could see the suprise on her face as Seth looked shocked. They quickly regained composure and stated "Our god approves it seems" Luckily my parents were too engrossed at the idea this had value and I could see the dollar signs as they contemplated how they would take this once we left.
"Unfortunatly once the pendant is passed on the only person that can put it on or take it off is the person it was given to. It cant be forced off as the chain is made from divinity and only divinity can break it"
"What a fantastical myth" my mother snorts with laughter.
Without hesitation Seth pulled out a sharp pocket knife and gestured to me. I bent forward and he attempted to slice through the chain only to fail
The blade he used was sliced clean through and clattered on the table top.
"What strange magic did you place on that to mame that happen?"
Seth look at my parents coldly and replied
"Nothing. This is divine. Anything that seeks to harm it or means harm to the wearer will be destroyed or bear the pain attempted on Elspeth."
Evelyn nodded in agreement and looked at my family seriously. Almost as if she knew they were pretending. "We take family quite seriously in Tiger Clan. We honor them, cherish ANY gifts they may bring, and embrace the unknown because it has the potential to bring prosperity to our home"
The tone with which she stated this led me to believe she was not to be disagreed with.
"Well lets change the subject to the matter we have gathered for today." My mother dismissively ended the disagreement that seemed to brew between our families.
"Yes let us do that. Ashton my son present your prepared offer for Elspeths hand."
Ashton pulls out a modest chest of gold coins which to any family would keep them set for two lifetimes. Way more then my parents ever made my life feel worth.
"Currently I have saved everything and my father has emptied our coffers to give you over 5 million in gold."
My father waves off the gold as if it was meaningless
"Pfft thats chump change to our family. I mean look at who you are speaking to I am the King of Earth City my wife is the Queen and head of the largest witch coven on the Eastern coast the last thing we lack is wealth" he scoffed as did my mother
"Pardon my tone sir, but before you so rudely decided to interrupt my offer you would know that was not my offer"
With a smug smile he continued as my parents tried to hide there distaste of Ashton for making them appear arrogant. My sister and brother were eaqually bemused.
"As I stated this is my countrys wealth. None of which we need to survive. Metals flow freely in my home so this is nothing compared to the usage of our river systems. We are situated uniqually center of and own all of the entrences to canals leading major trade points that your country depends on to prosper and live this lavish lifestyle"
"Are you trying to threaten us" my father says increaduously.
"Apparenrly you are lacking in comprehension as well I see..." Ashton shakes his head in disappointment.
"What my son is trying to tell you is you marrying him will give you exclusive access to the best trades with the best goods you may ever want. With us as allies we will make sure you are first in line and of course everything you ship out will give first priority."
I could see the greed in my parents eyes. This most definetly would be of interest to them.
"How is it Tiger clan has slipped our radar father?"
"Good question Levi. I suppose it was never closley looked at by our military starategists, this marriage will over look that" My father taps his glass in thought and looks at my mother.
"Lets make this wedding happen then shall we!" Mother clapps her hands and waiter surround the table with dinner. "First lets eat and enjoy the festivities. we can sign documents later!" Mother arogantly smirks at my soon to be in laws.
It was hard to decipher the looks on there faces as they graspped the coffer of gold and gave it to thier servants to put away in thier personal safe in their sweet. I could swear the seemed disgusted with their antics.
As we settled in to the rest of this awkward 4 course meal I decided to enjoy the meal with my sister since it had been a decade since we sat down for a meal together.
"Sasha thank you for the dress. apparently it wasnt up to par so mother redressed me"
We both giggle at the implied insult and dug in to our meal.
"It was nothing Elle. I have way too much you deserve to have nice things too you know"
I here my father clear his throat in interruption "Sasha sweetie you know your sister perferrs a more homely appearance. We do appreciate you making sure she still has formal wear, but we have always supplied you with the best if you asked for it you know."
Mother cast me a judgmental glance of warning as she took a bite of her meal. It was clear I wasnt meant to respond.
"Of course father I am sure Sasha was only trying to encourage Elle to believe she deserves to look as great as she does. We all know how low her self esteem is"
My mother latches on quickly "Of course Levi, your father just needed to remind Elspeth to just ask. No need to insist on being so independant as she does. Aint that right Everrett?"
"Of course Janet, you know how I fuss over my daughters."
"Ahh yes that you do. After we finish this meal and celebrate our daughters engagement we should take her and her groom out shopping for a new outfit to wear back home. What say you Elspeth?"
I felt like this was a trap. "Oh no mother I couldnt possibly have you dote on me and buy me clothes when what I have is more than enough to tide me through our move."
"Nonesense child we cant possibly send you off without a proper wedding gift"
Evellyn seemed to notice the tensions and interrupted
"We will gladly take you up on that offed if only you allow us to go rest after our meal. it was a long journey and we had only just put our bags up when you announced we were to attend a meeting of which turned out to be the engagement announcement we were planning to do formerly tomorrow night AFTER being introduced to Elspeth your lovely daughter."
With the stunned silence I found a courage I never had before and spoke with confidence.
"Agreed Mr & Mirs Bengali. I feel like the staff may appreciate the rest if the evening and I am certain Levi and Sasha would like a night off so they may prepare for the loss of their sister this next week?"
"Elle what a wanderful idea. You and I can go prepare what you will take with you to your new home! I have soo many suggestions. Please mother think of it as a bachelorette party only mellow."
Sasha pleads with her big blue eyes that my parents never seem to turn down.
As if on cue Levi chimes in with
"Yes father I would love the chance to go work in my study on a personal project. I have a new spell I have wanted to try and with the full moon coming I would like to make sure it is just right for Elles wedding day"
Everyone looked at Levi in shock as he revealed his project related to my wedding even I didnt know about.
"Well I guess it is settled then. We will meet for breakfast in the family dining room tomorrow at what do you say? 9am?"
"That seems quite late for breakfast Everrett you sure thats not going to mess up your day." My fathers eyes smoldered at the snide insult as he replied curtley
"Of course it is. I was only attempting to ensure our guests got enough rest and our children could celebrate without worry of being late for breakfast"
With that Everette dismissed the wait staff and big the Bengalis goodnight. Insisting they were welcome to explore the home and enjoy the spas and hot tob at thier leisure.
"Thank sire we look forward to the morrow" the Bengalis bowed and marched off to their assigned rooms.
After the Bengalis left the room went cold and Janet immediatly grasped my arm and pulled me to the dressing room. I prepared myself for the slap I knew she was holding back all night. I hear it but felt nothing. I looked up to see a red hand print accross my mothers cheek along with rage in her eyes.
"What did you do!"
"Nothing maam. They said the necklace.."
"What? THIS! No way thisfragile piece of junk is really what they say. I cant believe you fell for that rubbish as an Earth withc you know better!" She reached up and grabbed my pendant and with a small surge of earth energy to bind to the stone as she firmly went to rip my gift off my neck. I never felt the jerk, but I did see and feel the spray of blood as the pendant slid through my mothers hand spashing crimson dropletts on my face and blood gushing out of her hand all over the dress she made me wear. Thank the gods she did let me wear mine blood was a pain to get out of silk.
"Well that wasnt me mother and Now tou have ruined YOUR dress so rudely. I am changing and I hope your maids have to skill to clean this blood bath of you dress cause for once this is all your fault." My confidence raised and the fear my mother displayed vindicating my guilt at talking back.
"Fine., but Elle you are to report to the west wing we made up a room for you. You will be our GUEST untill the Bengalis depart in a couole days"
"Fine, but I will do as I please and you will be respectfull if you wish for me to play along with your ruse. I dont have to marry that man but will if it gets me out of this hellhole. By respect I mean in the Bengalis abscense. Otherwise deals off JANET"
I storm off to change and imediatly head to the West guest wing to find my meager belongings set up in the apartment as if I had always lived here....It was going to be a long week......
