PLAN BACKFIRING

We saunter back into the castle, to the smiley faces of our parents around the table. Their loud hums as Damian and I take our respective seats beside each other as reserved for us halts. From the look on their faces, they ought to have debated a lot in our absence, and I hope it's nothing as insane as this - the marriage agreement. If they were crazy enough before to come up with something as absurd as this marriage arrangement, I don't even want to speculate what else they can come up with. Perhaps the number of grandchildren they want to have? Beh!

I throw a quick glance at Papa. His expression doesn't look so optimistic. It's nearly flat, and I understand why. He probably thinks I chose the choice he gave me. Makes me wonder though. If he was okay health-wise, and if Damian came clean on time, this would be such a beautiful gathering, right? We conceivably would be slipping the engagement rings on our fingers right now. It would have been a blissful event - with everyone happy. I