Page 9 of The Freedom You Seek

My father was sitting at the head of the table, talking to the two men seated to his left. At the moment, his attention was on the older one of the two. He was maybe in his late forties, with dark blond hair going all the way down his back. It was gathered into a strict, low ponytail, while his long beard was straight and salt-and-pepper colored. He was quite tall, and his impressive physique told me he’d never been hungry for a single day in his life. The second man was younger, about my age. His short hair was light brown, and he wore a goatee of the same color. He was tall but looked gaunt, although I assumed he was far frombeing underfed. Both men wore fine clothes of colorful silk and velvet, as well as gold jewelry. Curiously, I couldn’t see any family resemblance.

“Gentlemen, meet my daughter, Nayana Garnet,” my father said, standing up and looking at me. “Nayana, let me introduce you to Perran Feroy and his son Jelric, your potential intended.”

As if someone was controlling me, I walked over to the two men and offered my hand to Perran Feroy. Of course, I knew who he was, or at least had heard of him. He was dubbed the King of Merchants because he controlled a vast network of tradesmen and successful trading posts all over the world.

No wonder my parents were so desperate for this match to work out, and in the back of my mind, I wondered how my mother and father had made the acquaintance of a successful man like him. As far as I knew, his main base was far away from Credenta—and my parents hadn’t traveled anywhere recently.

“Miss Ortha, it’s a pleasure to meet you at last. May I call you Nayana?”

I just nodded as Perran Feroy shook my hand. There was an arrogant undertone of condescending superiority in his voice that grated on my nerves from the first moment I heard him speak.

“It’s good to finally meet you. I’m relieved to see your parents didn’t exaggerate about your beauty.” His greedy gaze dared to roam openly over my curves, and he regarded me appreciatively—he even licked his lips.

All of a sudden, I had the urge to scrub my skin raw.

Almost as if he was an afterthought, Perran motioned to his son, who stepped forward. His green eyes met mine as we shook hands, and I suppressed a shudder at how downright calculating and cruel his expression was.

“Yes, you’ll do, betrothed,” Jelric finally said after long seconds of examining me all over, and he kept my hand gripped tightly in his, not allowing me to withdraw. He left me speechless, and all I was able to do was stare at him while my parents shared a relieved glance.

I felt trapped in a nightmare and stayed silent during the entire main course, listening in horror to the plans for the wedding, which was set to happen in only three weeks here in Credenta. Afterward, I was supposed to move with Jelric to Valence, the capital city of Iolesia, where he was learning his father’s vocation at Perran’s Iolesian trading hub thatmy future husbandoversaw—he boasted of his responsibilities more than once during the meal.

Had it been just a few hours ago that I’d longed to leave Credenta behind? How very foolish of me.

I also learned that Jelric was on the road a lot, which was at least a small relief. The less I’d have to see him, the better.

“Don’t worry, betrothed. I’ll stay at our estate after the wedding and will only travel for work again once I’ve made sure you’re with child.”

Before I was able to answer, Perran interrupted the conversation. “I granted him that request, and I’ll stay around for a while too. It’s only natural to wish for an heir, and I would never try to prevent my son from securing our legacy.” The King of Merchants smirked at his son, and I fought the urgent impulse to get up and flee.

The reply that I wasn’t ready for children—and that I might never be—died on the tip of my tongue when my father’s warning glare made me reconsider.

“I hope your maidenhood is still intact. Your parents claimed so, and I prefer non-damaged goods.”

Just when I thought nothing could shock me anymore, myfiancéproved me wrong. For the first time during this dinner conversation, I managed to speak. “I assure you, I’m notdamaged.”

My father nodded to me approvingly, and the King of Merchants and his son exchanged a satisfied glance.

The dinner dragged on for what felt like an eternity. My first impression of our guests cemented itself, and I didn’t find one redeemable quality in either of them.

Just as the Feroys were about to depart, I’d reached the point where I wasn’t able to handle it any longer. I planned to say my goodbyes as quickly as possible, but Jelric whispered something to my father, who nodded.

“Betrothed, I want to have a few private words with you. Stay behind.”

I fought the urge to snap at him and only caught myself at the last moment when my father’sreminderstung.

I nodded to Jelric and stayed with him in the dining room while my parents led Perran Feroy to the front door.

“I’ll meet you tomorrow at noon so I can get acquainted with you. Find me at the Triad Fountain.”

Yet again, I gave him a small nod and pretended to be nothing more than the pretty little docile thing my parents—and the Feroys—expected me to be. I kept my face in a perfect mask as I inwardly fumed at his audacity to feel entitled to command my actions.

“I’ll arrange a delivery of something you can wear so I won’t have to feel embarrassed to be seen with you. Something that emphasizes your assets.” Jelric grinned at me and darted forward, invading my personal space, placing both of his hands on my butt, and pulling me close to him.

Stunned, I didn’t dare to move a single muscle because I’d smack him if I did, and that could very well lead to a deadly visit to the lake with my father.

I winced, and something wicked sparked in Jelric’s eyes.

“Yes, I can already foresee the fun the two of us will have. Wouldn’t you agree?” Jelric pulled me closer once more before finally letting me go.