“Yes. Maksim Petrov. He’s a business associate now. To ensure power, you’re going to marry him. It’s the best way to keep everyone safe.”
“Everyone safe from… what?”
His frown hardens, making the lines around his mouth deepen. “Do I need to remind you that I don’t like you asking questions?”
I bow my head. “Yes, Father. I’m sorry.”
“I haven’t fully told you everything I do for a living but I’m sure you’ve suspected. A war is simmering and I want to stop it from happening. This is a chance for me to gain even more power and wealth than I could ever dream of.”
But we live in a mansion, I want to say yet know better than to.
“So, you’ll be marrying Maksim Petrov. No questions asked. Do this and don’t complain.”
I don’t complain at all. Anytime I used to when I was younger, my father would scold me for so long, it would crush me. So I’ve learned to stay quiet.
“Yes, Father,” I respond, my lips barely moving even though my heart rate is spiking so fast, it feels like it’s going to fall right out of my body.
“The wedding will be in three weeks. I’ll plan everything. He will come here for the wedding. If he wants to marry you, then it will be on my turf. You’ll meet him then.”
“I won’t get to meet him before?” The question slips out.
“No,” Father says in his hard tone. “You won’t. Now, do as I tell you. You’ll be given a dress to wear. I’ll allow you to pick it out since I know it’s the dream of all women to choose their own wedding dresses. But everything else, I’ll plan. Make me proud, Natasha. This deal has to happen. This marriage has to happen and you’re the key. If you mess this up…”
“I won’t,” I say quickly. “I promise.” Even though I’m promising to marry a man I’ve never met before.
Father’s lips barely quirk. It’s the closest thing to a smile with him. “Good.” Without another word, he leaves my room and I finally get the chance to breathe.
I slump over my window seat. Is this really happening? I’m going to be married to a man I know nothing about. One I’ve only gotten a glimpse of and I’m not sure which of the three men I saw is Maksim. Two of them were young but one was old. Could it be that one? My father would marry me off to anyone, no matter their age, if it served him.
And even if it is one of the younger ones, that doesn’t mean he’ll be kind. My husband could be a monster. All I want is to be left alone and it’s worked for me and my father so far. I’ve always been painfully shy around other people so my room has been my sanctuary.
But now, I’m going to have to leave it to marry a stranger.
My eyes lock with myself in the mirror across the room. My blonde hair looks frazzled and my eyes are wild. The redness in my cheeks makes the freckles on my nose stand out even more. I don’t even recognize myself.
I don’t know anything anymore.
The three weeks pass by in a blur. Father handles the wedding and I keep to myself. The only time I’m forced to leave my room is to pick out my wedding dress, which doesn’t even really feel like my wedding dress when my father joins me and nitpicks every dress I choose until we settle on a dress he ultimately likes the best.
The problem is: the dress is not right for me. It’s too poofy and large. It swallows my frame.
But it’s what my father wants and so I’ll wear it.
The day of the wedding comes. It’s held at a chapel surrounded by a beautiful garden.
I look at the guests from the car window as they head towards the church. So many people I don’t recognize. I know some of them are my father’s friends and co-workers but I’m sure some of them belong to Maksim.
The man I’m going to marry within the hour and I still have never met him.
I shift around in my seat, running my hands over my dress. My father, who sits across from me, grabs my hands.
“Stop fidgeting,” he snaps. I flinch back and quickly nod. It’s always best to do as my father says as fast as I can. “You’re going to wrinkle your dress. I need you looking your best today. It’s important for me.”
For him. Not for me, apparently, even though I’m the one who’s going to be married off like a cow sold at auction.
“Yes, Father,” I respond, because I know it’s what he wants to hear.
“We’ll wait until all the guests are inside before exiting.”
