Destined
M. Jewels Cartujano
Prologue
Both her sisters hated the idea of her agreeing to it. They both even cried. They said it was an act of self torture and a lifetime agony. They even convinced her not to do it.
But she understood all the odds. Her father’s word is law. No one is above it. Not even them, his children. She also understood her mother’s silence. She, too, can’t defy her husband.
For the first time in her life, she felt like any other woman in her generation - her rights were limited, her voice gagged, her actions watched, and her mind suppressed.
Many people would consider Margaret blessed. She was lucky that she is a Lord’s daughter. She was fortunate that she was educated like a noble lord should be. She was providential that she was circling into the high society. And she was fluky enough that she was acknowledged like a man with complete rights in her time.
But in every life is a hidden secret. She was pact to be married to someone she has not even met. She just knew about it and just discovered it lately. Her father informed her about it, just two nights ago. And for two nights, she cried her eyes out. She never stopped until her eyes could bear tears no longer.
She remembered the night she and her father talked.
“I have given you everything you wanted,” the Lord of Hampshire spoke with authority, as he sat on the huge, comfortable, maroon couch. They were by the huge stone fireplace, underneath the sparkling lights of many candelabras.
“Yes, Father,” she nodded, feeling something is not right. “The best one could ever offer. Why father? Is there something I need to do for you?”
A smiled formed in Henry’s lips. He knew that he was never wrong of having a daughter like Margaret. He was indeed lucky. “Yes. There is this case I want to refer to you.”
“Anything for you, Father,” she sat down infront of the couch he was sitting down. She was looking and listening to him, attentively. Like an eager child listening to a fairy taler. “Anything I will do in my power.”
“Yes. There is this tale of a king, who is at war with another kingdom,” he started his tale as he looked at her. “The king and his rival agreed to marry off their children for their kingdoms to stop fighting and be united,” he knew his daughter was listening carefully. “What can you say about it?”
Like an intellectual, educated aristocrat, Margaret thought in silence for a while. Then, she spoke, “If they did it for the love and safety of their people, then, they are making a wise decision, Father.”
“You thought so?” Henry asked again, searching honesty into her eyes. He knew that she will answer it wisely and intellectually.
She nodded. “Yes. Like any wise king must do. The protection, safety and the well-being of the kingdom must come first. If his son or his daughter doesn’t agree, then, he or she is not worth the thrown. Being a noble is a privilege and an honor. It is a passion, wherein one is fortunate enough to serve others,” she spoke with finesse and intelligence.
Henry nodded in amazement. “Well-said, my daughter,” he smiled. “You are indeed, my precious possession,” he was impressed of his daughter’s vindication and response. She was indeed intelligent for a woman in her time.
She smiled back at him. She never knew that she could impress her father this easy. “Is that all, Father?” she stood up waiting for his answer.
“Yes,” he spoke as he nodded and smiled at her.
When she was about to turn her back, she heard her father speak again, calling her name this time. That she looked at him again. This time, she saw his father lower his head and his voice.
“I am marrying you off,” he declared in her face in a very calm yet commanding voice.
She felt deaf, her world started to crumble. “What?” she stammered. She felt like being thrown into a deep darkness. That she seemed not to breathe and she felt her heart stopped pumping. She felt like tumbling down, feeling sick and she felt that she was not stepping on the ground. She felt uncomfortable and uneasy.
“You heard me aright,” he spoke with an assurance. This time, her father stood up and looked at her straight into her eyes. His voice was more authoritative than ever.
“I can’t believe this,” she uttered in a staggering voice. She felt hot tears roll down her cheeks as she nodded her head slowly. She didn’t even notice that she was crying. “You… you can’t do this to me, Father,” she sat down the couch again.
“You said, it will be an honor to be the sacrificial lamb of the family,” Henry stood up, towering her. “You said that you will be honored serving your people. And that anyone who declines an opportunity like this is not worth the title,” he stared at her like a Lord would stare his servants. Then, his aura change again, he was looking at her like a father would do his precious daughter. “My daughter, I’m not asking you to just do it for me, but do it for your mother, your siblings and your people.”
She stood up too, she felt heavy and nauseated. She has never been forced to do anything she didn’t want to do her whole life. But right at this moment, she felt the pressure to say yes. She loved her father dearly and a ‘no’ will break his heart. “Let me think about it, Father…”
“There is nothing to think of, Margaret,” he breath deeply. Then, he stood up, “I have made my decision. In the next full moon, you will be wed!” he commanded in a very authoritative voice.
“But,” she tried to speak but not a word came out. She doesn’t know what to say. She can’t think straight right now. She didn’t see his father’s reaction of her response. It doesn’t matter right now.
She just turned her back, went up the stairs, proceeded to her room and cried.
She cried her heart out. She cried until there were tears no longer. She cried like tomorrow is the world’s end. She cried, thinking of all the possibilities she can do, and realizing that answers are not on her side.
Her mother tried to console her, but she knew that this time, her mother is not on her side.
Her mother has been the conscience of her father. She was his moral and ethical adviser. He respected her opinion on anything. Now, where is her mother’s voice?
How could her mother permit this thing to happen? Her mother had the choice of whom to marry. She had the preference among her endless-lined suitors. She had the right to pick who she wanted. Why not her? She has often heard her mother speak about finding true love and happily ever after.
Like her, Lady Mary was educated, trained and brought up in a high society. She was a Duke’s daughter and she was Lord Henry’s undying love. They were matched up by society’s matchmakers and they just immediately clicked. Their wedding was one of the prestigious and marked weddings of their time. They were so inlove with each other that one can see happiness in their eyes. They had four children, and the first of the three daughters is Margaret, then there were Elizabeth, Beatriz, and David, their only and youngest son.
