Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Since she’d reached her twentieth birthday, Lords from all over the planet had offered for her hand in marriage, but her parents had given her the freedom to choose her own mate. Several proposals later, the Emperor and Queen expressed their concerns. After turning down an offer from one of the richest men on the planet, her father had put his foot down, and declared that she would marry a man of his choosing.
At first, she didn’t think it was such a bad idea, considering the fact that she hadn’t been able to find someone on her own. What was the point when none of the men had inspired anything within her beyond mild interest? Maybe she was silly for wanting what her parents had, but barring that, London at least hoped for a man who wouldn’t try to dominate her.
All the men on Thibius however walked two steps ahead of their women. Men had the final say in the relationship. Even her mother gave in whenever her father wanted his way. London didn’t want that. She longed for a partnership. She desired to be treated as if her thoughts and wishes were important, not as some haughty Lord’s arm decoration.
London realized she was in big trouble the moment she left the dining hall, so it was no surprise when her bedroom door burst open and the Emperor stormed through, eyes blazing green fire. Her mother scurried behind him, trying to hold him back only to be shrugged off.
London stood up, her stomach clenching with nervousness. “Papa—”
“You will tell me what that all about now! How could you embarrass your mother and I like that in front of our guests?”
She trembled beneath his fiery gaze. “Papa, please let me explain.”
With nostrils flaring, he crossed his arms. “Fine, daughter. I’d certainly like to hear what explanation you have to give.”
“I don’t want to marry General Zahn. I don’t love him and he doesn’t love me. Besides that, he’s barely said more than two words to me in that sham of a courtship of his. You promised I could choose my own mate, but then you foist him off on me and I’m supposed to be happy about it? I don’t think so. You went back on your word to me.”
The Emperor lifted one blond brow, and a muscle twitched in his jaw. “I went back on my promise?” he asked in a voice of dead calm.
She was in for it now. But if her father could be stubborn, then so could she.
London raised her chin defiantly. “Yes. You have. You promised me, I’d be able to choose my own partner.”
“Within reason. I gave you the privilege in choosing your own husband when it was my right to do so, but you’ve abused that privilege. You are a princess, and every eligible man in the kingdom who has asked for your hand was turned down. You cannot marry some commoner.”
“What if I want to marry a commoner?”
The Emperor shook his head. “You speak nonsense, child. You have to marry someone of noble lineage.”
“Then I won’t get married!” London countered.
“Watch your tone with me, London. It is your duty to make a good alliance, and I won’t have you shame us the way you did out there. You will go back out to the hall and apologize to our guests, and then to Zahn. I think he’s been very patient with you considering your latest antics.”
“And that’s all you care about isn’t it?”
Green eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”
London placed her hand over her heart, as anger welled within her. “All you care about is how things will look, not about my feelings.”
“London!” the Queen gasped in apparent outrage as she took a step forward.
Holding her mother back with one muscled arm, the Emperor shook his head. “That’s not worthy of a response. Now come before I really lose my temper.”
London had to crane her neck to meet her father’s eyes. There were times like these when she wished she weren’t so petite. Placing hands on hips, she shook her head. “I will not go.”
“You will go, even if I have to drag you out there myself. We’ll talk about your disobedience later. Will you come under your own volition, or shall I carry you?”
London backed away, knowing her father didn’t make empty threats. She’d never seen him this angry before or at least not at her. Her younger brothers, who were known pranksters, had sometimes been on the end of their father’s tongue lashings but not her. She’d never defied her parents in anything, but in this she had to stay firm. This was the rest of her life they spoke of.
“Papa, please see reason.”
“I’ve seen reason for two years. Now you’ll do as I say.”
“Just like my mother does? Do you plan on bullying me into submission as you do her? I don’t want to be a glorified concubine for the rest of my life like her.”