Paege: Arrangements
Paege stared at her father, a look of incomprehension, or perhaps disbelief on her face. “I’m sorry, father,” she said, voice thin, “but could you please repeat that?”
“Lord Kindred has requested your hand in marriage,” Lord Gavin said, slowly this time to ensure that she would process. “And I’m granting it.”
Paege thought she might faint. “But—”
“He was quite insistent you see, and—”
“But he’s never shown any interest like that in me at all. You and I both know it’s
Dorian who wants us to marry, not Kindred.”
Gavin gave a regal shrug. “I’ll not deny that your uncle is quite fond of you and would love have you as a daughter but it was Kindred who proposed. “
“Dorian is fond of the idea of the land he’ll get out of it, not of me, and Kindred only asked because Dorian told him to.”
“Nonsense,” Gavin brushed. “You act as if jointing our lands is a bad thing. This union will make us all more prosperous though all my brother would receive is a daughter-in-law and I a son-in-law. Your dowry would go to Kindred.”
“And in that way it goes to Dorian. Kindred does whatever he asks. That man is doing something to him! Witchcraft, hypnotism, I don’t know. But he is doing something! Kindred wasn’t always like this. Six years ago, something happened and Dorian did it!”
“Enough of this! Gavin ordered sternly, finally losing patience. “You’re speaking foolishness. That Kindred actually heeds his Father’s wishes doesn’t mean he’s being controlled by witchcraft or sorcery. Why, I daresay you’d do well to follow his example.”
Paege looked down. “I-I’m sorry, Father.” She took on the abashed, submissive look she, like so many other women of the courts were so practiced at, though every fiber of her being was screaming “NO, NO, NO!!!” Not that she didn’t love Kindred. They’d been friends since she was a small child but that was just it. Their relationship had always been that of a loving brother for his younger sister, not the sort between lovers. She knew that was of little consequence though and she’d known that one day her father might choose a husband for her as her late mother had been chosen for him, bit at fifteen?! True, it wasn’t unheard of. In fact it was almost common for other girls her age to be mothers as well as wives but somehow, she’d never thought of that girl as her. There was so much left she wanted to learn, see, and do but now she never would. Never could. Not if she would be expected to run a household.
“Good then. Kindred will officially propose at Dorian’s manor in a fortnight.”
“The night of the Eryv’s Day masque,” she whispered weakly. I don’t believe it! When I give my assent, he’s going to--
“He’s going to announce it formally to the guests when you give your assent.” The room swam.
“But— But the entire province will be there!” I can’t believe it! Everyone will know! It’ll be official!
“Yes, it’ll be quite official then,” Gavin said happily. “It’s already been decided. You’ll marry in the spring and will then move to the castle in Derra.” Derra was a city almost precisely on the boundary between Dorian and Gavin’s regions.
Paege felt a ray of hope. “But what of Master Pyrce?” She asked. “Is he not handling affairs in Derra?”
Gavin made a brushing gesture, a look of slight regret on his face but his voice holding only calculating indifference. “Pyrce is ailing in health and wandering in his wits,” he said. “Dorian and I both agree that he is no longer fit to regulate the area. Peasant revolts and uprisings are becoming more frequent and he’s not handling them well. At any rate, he might die by spring anyway. And once you are there and Kindred ascends, Derra will make an excellent capital for our jointed regions. Furthermore, Dorian and I have always disputed the ownership of Derra—you yourself know this—but once you and Kindred are married, any disagreement will be in the past.” He nodded. “Yes, my dear, next spring will the beginning of a time of prosperity.”
He looked off not really seeing anything, a serene look on his face.
Paege stood staring at the lurching floor, a look like she was going to be sick on hers.
When Gavin looked back at her, he seemed surprised to see her still there. “Now, not another word about it. Leave me. I’m sure Jean will be looking for you.” Paege looked to be floundering for words to save herself but Gavin raised his hand to silence anything she may have come up with. “I said not another word. Dismissed.”
Paege curtsied stiffly before backing out of the room. “Yes, my Lord.”
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