Verity didn't know what had surprised her on the day of her wedding. The fact that her mother had brought in the most whitest wedding gown she had ever seen that morning or the fact that her mother had invited her to break her fast with her family prior to the day of her wedding for the first time in years.

Her mother had smiled warmly and it brought Verity to tears when her mother dished her food on her plate. Although she couldn't say she didn't notice Veronica's hard glare, snicker and rolling of her eyes but she wasn't going to let her sister take away the joy the attention she had always wanted brought.

Verity had been floating on cloud nine for the past three days, two days after her wedding was announced. She wondered if her parents were pleased because of the marriage. If she knew marriage would make her parents treat her like one of their daughters she would have gotten married years ago.

She didn't know if she was doing the right thing, marrying a man she had never met but her parents didn't give her a choice and now that they treat her well she didn't want to know what it means to be called unfortunate again.

She smooth her hand over the gown with a bittersweet smile as she pray to God for a good husband, One who will accept her and her misfortune. She looked around the small room allocated to her since she and her parents arrived the night before.

Her Mama told her that her soon to be husband is the lord to a estate in Whitebridge hence the wedding had to take place here, they left for Whitebridge two days ago and they finally arrived last night, she was too tired to take in the appearance of her Parent's friend home as she carried her luggage to the room a maid showed her.

"It's your wedding be quick." Her Mother dropped a small mirror, powder, red lip paper and rogue.

Verity bit her lip and wondered where the cold attitude from her mother came from, she wondered if she did something wrong, she was marrying a man she hasn't met to gain her parents love, isn't that enough. She sigh and watch her mother drop a white flat sandals on the floor, she looks at her mother who gripped some jewelries in her hand.

"Mama." Verity clutched her hand to her chest as she watch her mother.

"You don't deserve any jewelries." Verity gasped as she looked into her mother's cold eyes wondering how quick she changes her attitude towards her.

"I'm sorry Mama, I'm sorry." Verity cried, She watched her mother's expression change from panic to guilt to the soft tender look she's been using on her for few days now.

"Ohh Verity, you deserve all the jewelries in the word ."

"Really Mama." Her eyes lights up.

"Yes you do."

"Thank you Mama." Verity smiled at her mother.

After her mother left, she took her bath as slowly as she could. No matter how happy she was at her parent's display of affection it couldn't fill up the uncertainty in her heart. She wondered if there was an hidden agenda towards her, or they were just too happy to get rid of a burden.

Would her husband enslave her.

Would he hit her like her father.

Is he in need of a breeder.

Would he be happy to know how unfortunate his wife is.

She sniffed quietly as she cried while putting on her wedding gown which isn't made of too many fabrics. Verity wiped her tears and shook her head with a determined look on her face as she look at the small round mirror on the wall. She knew it was late to cry so she clasped her hands together to pray.

"Verity." Her mother barged into her room with flaming eyes and uneven breathing. Verity bit her lips as she watched her angry mother.

"I'm ready Mama." She said quietly and pat her bun softly.

She took one look at her powdered face with glistening red lips. Verity looked beautiful, nothing like her usual looks, she looked a lot like Veronica.

"Take this." Her mother placed a thick  linen on her hand.

She frowned at the thick linen which is barely see through and looked at her mother.

"Is....is this my wedding gift Mama ?."

"No Verity, it's ya veil." Her mother said sweetly and Verity frowned.

"It's...it's thick...very thick Mama."

"This is the only veil available." Her mother snarled and left.

Verity wondered where her mood swings came from and wore the veil begrudgingly.

Verity sat in the carriage between her mother and father. She smiled at her father and he smiled back, shocking her.

"Is it time yet ?." She asked slowly.

"Soon my dear." Her father breathed out and she beamed at the endearment he used, one he never used on her.

"It's time." The coach man opened the curtains and said with a firm nod.

She stepped out of the carriage with her father as she took in shaky breaths, she knew her husband's family would be inside along with her husband. For a man that own a estate she won't be surprise if they are a lot more people waiting in the church.

She hooked her arm with her father's own and smile softly at him but this time, he looked away.

Verity entered the church and frowned, they was nobody at the church except for a tall man with a young girl by his side. She looked around once again and saw only the same set of people, no music, one man, a young girl and two priest.

As if on cue, her future husband looked towards the door and smiled at her, a big broad smile which made her smile back even though he couldn't see her face. He clenched her gloved arm as her father handed her over to him. He took her hand in his and smiled one more.

"You look very beautiful Vee." He said and she nodded softly, remembering her mother told her talking to her husband the day of her wedding would render her barren and that was why her Aunt Nita hadn't conceived after eight years of marriage to a rake.

They said their i do's and the priest announced them man and wife.

"You can kiss your bride." The priest said and fear gripped Verity's heart.

Her husband was about to lift her veil when her father tapped him and whispered something in his ear.  He nodded and smiled at her.

"It's fine Vee, you don't have to be shy." He smiled warmly again.

"You can't see each other too, till the next morning." Her mama said and Verity wondered why she's just hearing about so many traditions.

She watched the young girl eye her through her veil with obvious distaste, the girl stood on her tip toes and did what was considered whispering but isn't.

"I told ya coming here might not end well."

"We'll take our leave." Her mother said and dragged her immediately like a sack and not a lady who just got married as her father trailed behind them.

"You'll see her at your estate tomorrow."

"Estate." The young girl snickered.

She couldn't help but look back at her handsome husband confuse face.

She looked at her vexed parents and remembered how handsome her husband is, a tall Lord with glistening skin and the most gentle eyes she had ever seen.

She wondered if perhaps, her parents didn't hate her that much and if they did, they love her enough to find a real man. She smiled shyly and entered the carriage. Even though the marriage was arranged and sudden, she hoped her marriage would be as beautiful as her husband.

Hey guyysss.
I'm so sorry for the long delay. I've been so busy with my forthcoming exams and I was swamped with school work 🥺.

Verity is really naive, I can't blame her though.

How would Albert feel when he sees his bride and confirms that he has been played.

Let the drama begin 😁