Lilac
"A man is gonna be visiting today. He's willing to marry you, and I've accepted his proposal. You'll meet him in a few hours." My father's grating voice echoed loudly all the way from the spot on the throne.
At once, I stiffened in the spot I've been standing in. When I was summoned by him this morning, I knew it couldn't be for something good, because after I ended up being giftless, he basically treated me like I didn't exist, so I already knew this couldn't mean anything good. However, what he has just said is still beyond shocking.
"What?" I whispered, already feeling dizzy. Beside him, Tracy grinned, clearly pleased and I had a feeling she had something to do with this sudden news.
"I believe your ears still works just fine. You'll be getting married to him in a few months. Start preparing." He snapped in response and I flinched, eyes widening as I'd dawned on me even more that he wasn't joking.
"But- I don't even know who this person is." I pointed out, pushing the words past the nerves in my chest.
Arranged marriages were a thing in the past, but that's no longer a thing. Presently, girls are allowed to have a handful of suitors which they'd end up picking from.
"Isn't the reason obvious enough? It's because this is the only person that has ever expressed interest in you. You should be crying for joy right now instead of asking stupid questions, you ungrateful child." Tracy snapped, her eyes glaring daggers my way.
"Your step mother is right. No one clearly wants to be with you, and I do understand them. I mean, even I wouldn't want to be with you if you're the last maiden on earth." He and Tracy crackled together and I felt my skin start to crawl.
"It's humiliating enough that you are known as my oldest child. Once you're married off, you'll barely have to be associated with me. I still haven't forgotten how much you humiliated me back at the ball last night." His tone hardened at the end of his sentence and I stiffened as his words sank into my mind.
They always grab any opportunity to remind me that I'm unwanted, like I still needed reminders at this point.
I cleared my throat and swallowed a lump stuck in my throat before speaking.
"Father, if I may- I wish to not be married off to a stranger, and against my will." I bowed my head after speaking and Tracy instantly scoffed.
"Baggers can't be choosers, you fool. Or would you rather remain unmarried? Cause I'm certain after this suitor, you won't get anyone else." Tracy's voice was sharp and I ignored the sharp stab of hurt in my chest as I nodded.
"Yes, I will." I responded, eyes locked with hers.
That wasn't a lie. I've accepted a long time ago that I won't get married even if someone ends up wanting me, since I can't afford for my cover to get blown. And also because I'm determined to remain here in this palace till my sisters get married. I'm the only one they have with our mother gone. It's clearly why Tracy wants to be rid of me so desperately, so she'd be able to have her way with my sisters.
"Well, I can't allow that. You're of no use to the throne since you can't be married off to a prince. It's pointless to still have you around. You'll marry the suitor who's coming in a few hours." My father's voice was sharp and firm as he spoke and I instantly cowered.
"But I'm underaged…" I began, grasping at straws. He waved me off.
"You'll soon be eighteen so it doesn't matter. Now, run along to get ready to host your suitor, although I doubt a change of dress would make a difference. Be sure to be respectful to him, and if you end up displeasing him which might make him change his mind, then consider yourself as good as dead."
~~~
My suitor ended up being a man as old enough as my father.
I've been holding in bile since the moment he arrived and was introduced to me. Everything about him was disturbing and creepy, from the way he leers at me, to the way he picks his nose and eats it.
And I have no choice than to host him and be on my best behavior. Before the king's warning, I'd have purposely angered him in order to make him change his mind about wanting to marry me. But after that warning, and knowing my father never went back on his words, I didn't dare do anything stupid.
My suitor went by Albeit. Sir Albert, cousin of a royal court member from a budding kingdom quite far from here.
Why did he suddenly want me? Did Tracy pay him to do this? I wouldn't put it past her.
We were currently walking through the garden here in the palace, after he requested a tour. My dress flowed behind me as we walked, and my hair whipped around my face. Sir Albeit suddenly reached for a strand and I almost screamed in his face, but I had to calm myself down and subtly try to inch away from him, in order to put some distance between us.
We were supposed to have a chaperone, but clearly my father didn't care enough about my innocence because he forbade one from accompanying us. Which was why my heart rate began to quicken when Sir Albert stepped even closer to me till I could smell his bad breath when he spoke.
"You're so dainty, I bet you take cock like a slut." He blurted out from nowhere and I stiffened, eyes widening. I quickly glanced around, noticing we were behind a waterfall, away from view.
Fuck.
"Sir Albeit, you're making me uncomfortable." I got out through clenched teeth when he leaned down to sniff my throat.
I attempted to pull away but his hand suddenly clamped down my waist, keeping me in place.
"Relax, freak. Stop acting like such a prude, I'm just trying to find out the state of what I'm purchasing." He sneered and I paled.
Purchasing?
His words reminded me of one of the reasons I dislike men despite being a boy myself, because most of them don't see women as living beings. Instead, they see women as objects. I've experienced being treated like an object countless times because I'm disguised as a girl, and that always made me feel terrible for so many women out there.
"Your only usefulness to me is to take my cock which I'll breed you with. I'll keep you pumped full of my cum three times a day and you'll take me like a good little slut, yes?" He continued and I resisted the urge to retch on him.
"Please step away from me, and stop saying these vulgar words to me. I'm very uncomfortable. I think I need to speak to my fathe..." I breathed out but the man only snickered in my face.
"Oh, cut the crap. Your father is clearly eager to be rid of you. I was practically begged to come help dispose of you this way, so I doubt trying to report this to your father is gonna make a difference. So you better keep shut before I change my mind about this damn marriage." He sneered; eyes gleaming and I swallowed any protests I might have
"You're a virgin, yes?" He continued and when I didn't respond, he grabbed my chin harshly and squeezed till I nodded.
"Good. I can't wait to fuck you. I wonder if fucking a freak's cunt is gonna feel tighter…"