Thread: Rags, Riches, and Rumors [ Bear & LordBesar ]

Of all the things that he had bought in sold in his many years in business, there was nothing that weighed half so heavy on his heart to sell as his daughter. But he was dying in debt and he needed to be able to feed the girl, to provide for her a life that he could only imagine and this was the only resolution that had proven to be even slightly feasible. He had spent days pondering over all of the other possibilities, letting it grow on him like a fungus before it had finally consumed him. There were no other options. None. After the decision had been made and the deal sealed with the promise of blood on a piece of parchment, he started to feel slowly better about it. He talked himself into feeling more comfortable with the basic truths of the situation. First and foremost, his daughter would no longer have to wonder where her next meal was coming from, and she would always be clothed in clean clothing and never have to go to sleep afraid that she wouldnt wake up the next morning. She would be safe. But at the age of nineteen, there were still so many things that she didnt know about the world. As the youngest of far older sisters, Ermine was by far his most innocent child in every way. She had always been the last one to be told of the town gossip and hte last one to be included with other children her age. When she came of age, she had blossomed late and her monthly blood had come at an older age than her sisters had. Everything about her took time and everything about her still seemed so much a child, though she was by no means one anymore. Ermine was no longer the child that he still saw, but still held the innocence in her heart that the world had not stolen from her Yet. They had dressed her in the finest clothing that they owned, a silk gown that flowed down to her ankles and hugged tight to her waist. It accented her now developed body and showed the fullness to her breasts in contrast to the dainty size of her waist. She was a beautiful young woman, truly, with hair the color of wheat and eyes as blue as the morning sky. It hurt his heart so much to know that she was no more than a commodity to him now, but It was for the best. He had to convince himself that. And Ermine, bless her heart, was perhaps the most okay with the situation. He had sat her down and explained it to her only the night before and she had stared at him blankly for quite some time. He didnt know what was going through her mind, but he knew that she was having trouble processing it all. It had come so fast, he was sure. But she was a good child and understood well. In all honesty, her heart was racing in her chest as her mother brushed her hair out so that it shone in the dismal light of their main living space, her eyes staring at the dingy mirror that reflected a blank-faced but pretty girl in front of her. They had scrubbed her clean the previous night so that her skin was free of dirt for the first time in weeks, her cheeks pink and fresh-looking. Everything about her screamed innocent and unwed But that would change shortly, she was sure. She felt like she was living in a daze ever since he told her the new, like it hadnt all set in on her yet and she was just waiting on him to turn to her and announce that it had all be some sick joke. She watched, detached, as they lead her through the village and out of the slums towards the castle, where she would be presented to her husband-to-be. Her father had fitted her out with a special veil just for the occasion of presenting her to the king - it was a light material, very close to silk in texture and the color was a stark white in comparison to her mothers used-to-be white dress. Her hands were shaking as they lead her through the large doors and towards the throne room, where the vast majority of the nobility spent most of their time when not busy with other affairs. The room had been decorated in fresh flowers for the occasion, and there was already a whisper through the crowds. Ermine watched her father step forward, leaving her clinging to her others arm with still trembling hands. Her face was white as she stared at his back. The man bowed to the throne, dipping as low as his body would permit him to, My king, He lifted himself slowly, making a show of motioning for his wife to join him, I would like to present to you my daughter, Ermines hands were pried almost forcibly from her mothers arm as she was lead up closer to the throne, a mere ten feet from it now, the most respectable but close distance, It is my greatest honor to present your fiance, Ermine.