The images spun above their heads so everyone could see all sides of each property as a digital voice explained the amenities of each choice.
The grandest was naturally the one Ardelia wanted. It was nearly as large as their parents’ home and in the same area as their expansive palace. Ardelia stared at the hologram with a sort of manic zeal and practically drooled.
If Lucy had her choice, she’d pick Cam and Ria’s home at the lake for her permanent place to live. For all the grandeur of these premium Alpha-Prime homes, they didn’t have any view of water or trees. Much of the landscape on Alpha-Prime included beautifully shaped rocks and brick-like pathways alongside patios designed in pleasing patterns.
The truly rich sometimes had a very expensive—small by Earth standards—water feature. There was either a miniature fountain or decorative bowl of water much like the birdbath she’d seen next to the porch at Cam and Ria’s cabin.
The tri-dimensional video blinked out.
“Well, what do you think, Axel?” Lucy’s father asked, sounding confident his future son-in-law would be awed and want one now that he had seen their opulence.
“That final property is very beautiful and certainly larger than all the other properties. I think I’d like to look at that property first once we get to Alpha-Prime.”
Ardelia jumped up, hands tightened into fists, and pounded both of them on the table in front of her, rattling the glasses and silverware. “No! I want that property! You cannot pick that one! In fact, I demand to have that property. You may not look at it because you will not be able to select it anyway. It’s mine!”
“Ardelia, sit down,” their parents said at the same time.
Lucy noticed the corner of Axel’s mouth turn up. He caught her eye and gave her a quiet grin. She realized he’d singled out the extravagant property for the sole purpose of riling Ardelia. A giggle bubbled up in her throat. She quickly covered it with a fake coughing spell.
No one seemed to notice as Ardelia continued to curse everyone and everything around her in order to sway all within earshot that she wanted what she wanted and she wouldn’t shut up until she got her way.
Chapter Eighteen
The night before the wedding
Axel paced in front of his desk, trying to think up a good excuse to avoid his bachelor party. He wasn’t in the mood. No one could make him go. How could he get out of this stupid Earther night before the wedding tradition? Forget that. How could he get out of the wedding?
“If you wish to cancel this arranged marriage, now would be the time to do so.”Axel had relived his father’s words over and over since hearing them the night before.
His parents knew how he felt about marrying Francine. All agreed she should not have to suffer the shame of being jilted. He’d told them Lucy’s feelings on the matter. They understood the only way out was if the Duvalls canceled the agreement. They didn’t. Instead, they promised Ardelia something equal to the price and availability of a white unicorn with a rainbow sparkled horn to shut her up. He was glad she wasn’t his prospective bride. Whoever that poor sod ended up being was going to have his hands full.
There was a knock at his office door. He hesitated, not wanting to talk to anyone about anything, but after a few seconds relented. “Come in.”
Valene poked her head inside. “What are you still doing here? Isn’t your bachelor party about to start?”
Axel nodded. He sat down on the small sofa against the wall and put his head in his hands. “I don’t want to go. I’ve been trying to think of a good excuse. I don’t suppose you have any ideas?”
Valene came inside and closed the door behind her. “What is your problem?”
“I don’t want to marry Francine.”
“Why not? She’s lovely.”
“She is. And she deserves someone who loves her. I like her very much, but I don’t love her. Not like a husband should love his wife.”
Valene crossed her arms and approached him slowly. “It’s said that after spending time together, often couples of arranged marriages learn to love each other.”
Axel shook his head. “Not going to happen.”
“Why not?”
“What if I told you that I’m in love with someone else?”
Valene sat down in the chair next to him and took one of his hands between hers. “Does this someone love you, too, or is it one-sided?”
He shrugged. Lucy loved him, but she would never hurt Francine. “It’s not one-sided, but that fact will never be spoken aloud.”
