Married To The Cruel Duke

7

Elena’s POV

“Excuse me?” I said, shocked and confused.

“Did I stutter?” Father asked in a sharp tone, his face masked with anger.

“I-I don't understand,” I said. “Why?”

My mother walked up to me and hit me across the face with a slap. My cheek stung at the impact and all I could do was press my palm against the stinging flesh.

“Don't you dare!” She yelled. “This is all your fault!”

I furrowed my brows, wondering what she meant by what she had said. How was it my fault? How was it that my sister getting pregnant was my doing? Did I somehow become male and laid with her? What were they talking about? Why were they always blaming me for the most absurd things?

I lifted my gaze and met my mother's hard ones. She was full of rage, and I knew that if I said or did something wrong, I was going to be on the receiving end of it.

“It is all your fault that your sister is pregnant!”

I glanced at my sister who was huddled in the corner like a victim. I gritted my teeth and looked back at my mother as hate and anger heated up my chest. I was slowly losing my patience with these people.

“How am I responsible for the pregnancy?” I asked.

I meant to ask; How was I responsible for the waywardness of their heaven sent, and most loved daughter?

“She is three weeks pregnant and if you are as smart as you claim, you will know that she got pregnant on the day you were supposed to watch her.”

I narrowed my eyes as I tried to shuffle through my memory. I thought deeper and gasped softly when I remembered when that was.

Our parents had gone on a political business trip in the United Kingdom. Zara and I had been home, and she had been sick that day, claiming she couldn't follow them on their trip. I remember being at peace that day and going to bed early only to wake up the next day and not find Zara at home. When she had gotten back, she threatened me to never let our parents know.

Now, I knew she had gone to meet one of her many boyfriends our parents knew nothing about.

“But I–” I tried to speak the truth but was cut off.

“I don't care. It is because of you that your sister is pregnant!” Mother yelled more. “If only you made sure she did not see anyone during our stay in the UK, none of this would have happened. You are pathetic and nothing but bad luck as usual. Now, look at the shame you have brought to our family.”

What?! I brought shame to the family. How did I bring shame when the culprit was in the room with us?

“Dear, let us focus on the most important matter,” father said, stepping forward. “As we said. You will take the place of your sister and marry Duke Valen.”

This was absurd.

“I don't want to.”

I was not fit to marry a damn Duke. I could make one mistake, and the blame would be on me.

“Too bad you're getting married this Saturday.” Mother stepped forward, getting in my face. “You better know what's good for you… You should be thankful that we are sending you off to a good and wealthy family. This marriage means business to us and at least, you'll stop grumbling about how we treat you.”

They were right. If I got married to this man, I would be free of their torture. I didn't care if he was old or ugly, or even toxic. Getting married to a total stranger was better than living through this hell called a family.

“You will obey our order. Now listen,” Father said. “From today, you will stop doing all the housework. Your mother will book a spa and a salon for you to be taken care of… Your wardrobe will be changed too. We don't want you marrying him and looking like we mistreat you even when we don't.”

Hearing this left me speechless and feeling funny. After so many years, they decided to treat me like a daughter. For the first time in years, I was going to be treated like a daughter of the Halden family.

“Okay. Thank you,” I said, sounding careful and shocked.

In the corner, Zara scoffed and muttered under her breath.

Just as I was about to turn to glare at her, a tight grip on my chin stopped me. My face was forced forward by my mother who was staring at me with malice.

“If you dare open your stinky mouth to tell the Draconhart family what you do in this house, we will kill you. You better tell them we offer you the best of the best. Do not ruin this for us.”

I swallowed. I knew she was not lying. My parents had killed one too many people who crossed them. They hated me already and killing me would be easy for them to do.

“Make a single mistake and you'll regret ever going into this marriage. Do you understand?” She demanded.

“Yes. Yes, I do,” I replied.

“Good.” She released me. “Now go. I will take you to the spa later in the day.”

I nodded and stepped out of the room. Once the door was closed behind me, I exhaled and felt the weight of the decision I had just made.

I have heard of the Draconhart family, but I never had the chance to meet them like my parents have. They had three sons and a daughter, and I was marrying one of them. My only concern was that I hoped they were not like this hell I was about to escape.

I started to walk further, only to stop and freeze in a position when I remembered the name.

“Valen Draconhart.” I covered my mouth. “He is the man I was with! Oh. God.”

What was I going to do or say if my family found out I was a cheap, call girl to Valen Draconhart, the same man I almost slept with! I had been too shocked to even remember him the moment my parents had said his name. If only I had been paying better attention, I could have rejected the proposal. Now, I was stuck in a hot mess. A mess I was responsible for.

My fear was that he would reject me and reveal everything to my family. This would make my parents disown me and most likely kill me to put an end to my misery.

“I’m doomed,” I said, leaning against the wall.

As I stared into space, trying to think of what to do and say about this issue, I thought of something else.

Valen Draconhart, I pray you are the man that saves me from this disaster called my life.