Thorns and Promises

[Trigger Warning! This chapter contains themes of S/A, and drugging. Please read at your own discretion.] {Lilliana’s POV} “This is a most glorious day, one that we’ve been waiting for, for quite some time now. I’m proud to present my daughter Lilliana Nymanthis, into the marriage society!” My father’s deep voice rang out loudly around the crowded ballroom. Cheers and applause roared below, as I walked to the edge of the balcony. I hated this, the applause, all of the eyes on me, I always had. He knew this, but being his only heir, it was “expected” of me. I looked to my father, who shot me a glare before holding out his arm to me. A warning, to behave, to make sure that no one noticed my willful spirit, or any of my “flaws”. I must be perfect, at least until he finds me a suitable husband. I reached out, taking his arm in mine gently, just as we practiced. “Smile dear!” He said, and to anyone not looking at his expression, they’d surely think it was kind words from a loving father, to his nervous daughter. Our relationship however, was anything but loving, or nurturing. “Don’t embarrass me Lilliana!” He snapped under his breath as he turned his back to the crowded room, he spun on his heel, and smiled out to the crowd, before leading me down the stairs. A fake smile slipped its way across my lips, still, it was good enough to fool most of the people in this room. Not that any of them really cared about me, only about what marriage prospects I’d have. Everyone was waiting rather impatiently for me to make my match. A strong match, like to a neighboring countries prince or king, would solidify the standing of our country, while allowing my father to continue to rule here. While a match with a someone from our kingdom would allow me to stay here, but I know my father would never truly allow me to rule. I allowed myself once to believe that I could actually rule this kingdom, to be the queen my mother wanted me to be. I realized soon after that delusion, that I would have to pry the crown from my father’s cold, dead hands. I saw a man walking towards us as we reached the bottom stair. “Ah, perfect timing Duke Rosewood.” My father smiled to him. I knew when I saw those eyes exactly who this man was. Duke Ryland Rosewood.. cold, vicious, calculating, not to mention a rake among rakes. He’s more times than not been caught with his mistresses in public. The list of women he’s “ruined” this way was longer than my patience was thin. “Your majesty, it’s such a pleasure to see you again!” A smirk played across his lips, causing bile to rise in my throat. The way his eyes dragged across my body was enough to make me want to run as far away from here as possible. Here I stood though, at my father’s side, always trapped by his side. “Might I just say, you have truly bloomed like a flower in spring my dear!” He said to me, taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips. His hair was long, halfway down his back, and pale blonde, his eyes a pale blue. He was pale, tall, and lean, but muscular. Conventionally attractive I suppose, if you can look past his horrible personality, and past transgressions. I pulled my hand away from his lips, shooting a glare in his direction. “Yes, of course, Duke Rosewood..” I sighed. “Thank you so much for attending.” I added, before releasing my father’s arm and turning on my heel. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m expected to make my rounds.” I walked quickly towards the back of the room, I just needed a minute.. a second even.. but I knew better than that. Everyone wants me to choose their family’s heir.. they wouldn’t leave me alone until I’d made a decision, in which I was made aware, it wasn’t really my choice. I was trying to settle my nerves when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see my father and Duke Rosewood, holding some glasses. “Come daughter, have a drink with my friend and I to kick off your birthday!” My father said, I could tell by the way he was looking at me though that this wasn’t a request. I nodded, taking the glass in my hand, I needed a drink anyways, whatever I could do to make this party more bearable. “To your health, your beauty, and your choice for a match! May it make our great country proud!” Duke Rosewood smirked, holding up his glass. My father raised his. “Here, here!” He cheered, before both of them drank down their wine. I threw my glass back, chugging it down and handing the empty glass back to my father. “Thank you father, and Duke Rosewood.. I truly appreciate it.” I said, dragging that same fake smile across my lips. “Not at all your highness!” Duke Rosewood smirked. “It is truly my pleasure.” His eyes raked over me again, making me feel far too exposed in front of him. I turned on my heel again, fleeing this time out into the garden. I couldn’t be near them, near the music, the eyes staring, watching, waiting.. I tried to shake the thought from my head, but felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. “Princess, are you feeling alright?” I could hear Ryland’s voice behind me. I turned to face him, a bit too quickly and flopped against the wall trying to steady myself. “W-What did you do to me?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. He closed the gap between us, pushing me against the wall, his body pinning mine there. “Just making sure I get what I was promised!” He smirked, leaning down and kissing my neck. His hand went to my breasts, kneading them through the fabric of my dress, while the other began lifting up the bottom of my dress. “Get away from m-me! D-don’t touch m-m-me..” I whimpered, trying my best to fight against him. I closed my eyes tight, trying to push him back, but it was no use, he was too strong, and my body was beginning to feel weak, and exhausted. He leaned in closer, the dress inching higher and higher. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it’s enjoyable.” He muttered against my neck. “No! S-Stop!” I whimpered, my words slurring, as my vision began to blur. “Please.. s-s-stop!” I cried, shutting my eyes tightly. Suddenly I felt his weight be pulled off me, hearing a loud thud, I opened my eyes. There standing before me was a man dressed in black leather armor, with a massive fur cloak over him, the hood was pulled up, and I couldn’t see his face, but his voice was laced with venom I didn’t know someone could have. “Stay away from her!” He snapped, grabbing up Duke Rosewood and throwing him against the wall. Ryland slid down it, landing on the floor with a thud, and a grunt. One hit like that and he was out cold. I looked up to the man in front of me, watching him as my vision began to blur once again, and my body swayed. “T-Thank you..” I whimpered, before realizing this is a hooded figure, hiding out in our garden. “Wait.. what are you doing in here? Where are the guards?” I cried out, staring down the intruder. “They’re..” he paused, pondering on the next word he said. “resting.” His voice was deep, dripping with a deadly venom. I couldn’t bring myself to look into his eyes, but I also couldn’t look away from him. This man may be my savior but everything about him screamed that I was in danger.