"Anna, put the vase on the table there." My mum says tapping her fingers on the wall.

I do so.

"No, put it over there by the fridge on that shelf." She says again. When I do as she asked, she shakes her head again.

"Maybe you should just put it on the table." She suggests again.

"Mom, stop. It's not the end of the world." I choked on my words, fighting tears.

"You should go to school or run away. I don't know what I was thinking approving of the marriage. You and Victor could be miles away from here if you would just hear me out. You are both stubborn." She rambles on.

"Stop it. I am not going anywhere. Nobody is going to run away mom so please stop it."

"I just want the best for you." She cries out.

"I know." I play with objects I barely noticed or touched days ago.

Soon it will be sealed. My fate will be sealed to a man I barely know. To a man who decides to hate me without knowing me. Hot tears run down my cheeks. Mom hugs me sobbing. I wish it could just be like getting a shot from the doctor. I know my parents will there. The doctor would do his thing and I would go home and be with my family.

I dress in my finest clothes. A blue turtleneck and black skirt I got two weeks ago.

The man from the royal house arrives early. I go to the kitchen to prepare tea. I serve him and stand beside my parents who are seated. Vic lean against the wall, arms crossed. Silence ensue until he broke it.

"Three days ago, you were brought to awareness of the promise between His royal majesty and your father. As a representative I have to receive your answer."

"Thank you for this wonderful privilege sir but I must decline your request," says my father sternly.

What? Is he crazy? In an hour or two he's going to be thrown in jail.

"I can't give her away to marriage, she is still so young."

I glance at mom for any reaction. Surprisingly, Mom didn't say anything, she stare at nothing in particular.

"No," I find myself saying, "No dad, I can't let you that. Not when we are in trouble."

"Anna-"

"You will be thrown into prison soon and I have the power to stop it. Would you rather I shut up and watch you rot?"

"What about your dream?" He begins to cry.

It starts with a single tear and became a rolling torrent. I wipe furiously at the tears, with quiet sniffles.

"I agree to marry the crown Prince on the condition that my family is safe."

"No Anna," Dad pleads and gets on his knees. To the royal representative he said, "Don't listen to a word she says. I am her father and I say no."

"Truly you are her father but what she has said holds more power. You knew what she represent at her birth but you took her away. A crime of treason but you are pardoned for her sake."

Dad quiet down, a defeated look on his face. I close my eyes, sobbing.

There, my fate is sealed.

I leave the room and lock myself in my bedroom. Anger and hate wash over me. At my parents, at two old men who decided to play matchmaker, at Nolan, at the society, at poverty and above all, at myself.

I am angry at myself for agreeing to marry someone I don't know.

What have I done?

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