"I refuse to get married to a man I know nothing about," Her expression hardens. "And why does our family have to be the one to agree with this alliance?!"

"Arianna, that is enough! I will not alter my decisions. And you will fulfill your duty as the youngest daughter of the Albrecht family." Her father said, tapping his walking stick on the luxurious porcelain tile of his study.

"Father...." Her older sister begins to say but is cut off.

"Aki, our guards will escort both you and your sister to the residents of the Ortega family. Arianna, you would do well to make a good impression on your husband-to-be."

"Yes, I understand, Father," Aki replied, her eyes looked anywhere inside the room as she avoided making eye contact with her sister.

With that being said, the Head of the family ignored the pained look on his youngest daughter's face as he left the room.

A sob escapes her, "Arianna..." Aki placed a hand on her sister's shoulder as she tried to comfort her but her hand was swatted away.

"You stood by while father tried to marry me off to that man who only lives and breathes war! It could have been anyone else but that monster!"

A look of hurt appeared on Ari's face, but it went unnoticed. "I trust my husband's judgment, as he also supported your marriage with the Ortega family. Don't forget that without him, the wars would have not ceased. And I believe there is more to him."

"Even so, I don't approve of this marriage. And it is clear to me that I am nothing more than a chest piece to father," Arianna's sobs turn into shallow gasps.

Aki's eyes soften, "I am here for you Ari, and no harm will come to you as I swear this on the Mori's name."

The oldest son of the Ortega family was known for his seemingly arrogant and ruthless personality. Even so, she had hoped her sibling would consider this union maturely and logically. Their father had only informed her about the Ortega's family acceptance of the proposal a few days ago. And since then, Arianna hadn't slept and refused her meals.

She was concerned for her younger sister, as she was only nineteen. And to her, she was being stripped of a life she desired.

Aki wasn't given a choice as she was the oldest. But she had thought that her younger sister would walk a different path from hers if she as the oldest had gotten married for the sake of the family to a general.

But, today had proven how wrong and naive her younger self was.

Their father had only ever produced a line of females. They were destined to keep the family line going as they would produce sons of Generals.

...The Ortega's Residence ...

The cool evening breeze creeps throughout the courtyards of the Ortega's residence where Eiser sat with his papers. He had moved to one of his residents that was closer to the Albrecht residents for a week as he was convinced that his fiancé would feel more comfortable. He felt annoyance seeped into him, why should I be concerned about her convenience? It was their choice to send their daughter to the Ortega's... Not like I didn't have Options.

But this alliance benefited both families, he would be foolish to pass up such an agreement. But the irritation he felt towards the marriage crew.

"Eiser, why are you burning a hole into those papers?" A woman walks out of the bedroom, draped in a silk lavender robe.

"Did I not satisfy you enough, earlier?" He raises an eyebrow as the woman slips into his lap, her slender fingers running over his bare chest.

"You certainly did. But, that was earlier, and I need a repeat of our earlier activities." Her eyes locked onto his lips, and moving forward she claimed them in an open-mouthed kiss.

He stands with her in his arms, her legs automatically encircling his waist as he melts into her kiss.

"I guess I wasn't rough enough, but after this one, you'll be laid up in bed for a week." He gave her a devilish smirk, as he made his way back to the bedroom.

"We're here, Arianna."

She nodded as she looked out the lowered window of the car; sighing as the day she had been dreading had finally come.

The residents of the Ortega were now visible.

The courtyard was huge as what you would expect of a noble family such as the Ortega's.

Her door was opened by one of their servants as she exited the vehicle, she took note of the Ortega servants along with a man who was nicely dressed.

Her sister stepped forward, and she followed suit. She wore an A-line One-shoulder Dusty rose dress and her sister wore a Midnight blue Couture dress with sleeves.

The man before them gave a small smile. "Lady Albrecht, Lady Mori, it is good to see you both. I trust you had a pleasant journey here."

"Yes, thank you, Lieutenant Ashton," Aki replied.

"No need to address me by my rank, Ashton is just fine. After all, we are going to become a family." He watched as the youngest looked around for the person she had come here to meet.

"My apologies Lady Arianna, my older brother had some important business to attend to..." Her eyes narrowed with every word. "But he asked me to pass a message: He says to please make yourself at home and that he shouldn't be too long."

A dark chuckle slipped past her lips, "I guess I am not worth his time, correct?"

Aki was shocked by her openness, "Arianna!"

"What? Did I say something wrong? If he's going to put his work before me, he might as well marry his work."

"That's quite enough," She knew her sister was right though. How could he be this neglectful to not show up for their first meeting? "I apologize for her outburst, Lord Ashton."

Ashton merely chuckled as he found the young lady quite entertaining. "No, it's quite alright, Lady Mori. I'm quite annoyed with my older brother myself. I hope you can forgive him. He can be stubborn at times, but I am sure you'll come to understand him better.

"Yes....of course," Arianna replied dryly. This marriage was arranged by her father but his reasons were still not clear as to why it had to be the Ortega's family. But this marriage was already decided whether she liked it or not.

She didn't like it... but this meeting was just formality, and it was going downhill already.

"So..." Aki broke the silence as they walked down the hallway. "This brother of yours, is he handsome?"

Arianna shoots her a look of embarrassment. Does it matter if he's good-looking? Hell, he could look like a scarecrow for all I care...wait I take that back! I wouldn't want my future kids to look like scarecrows.

It had been over two hours since their arrival at the Ortega's residence, and she was still waiting.

With a sigh, she decided to walk in the Flower Garden.

She had wanted to take a closer look since she saw it. Her mind wondered as she took in the beautiful flowers before her. 'Should I  pretend I am not feeling well and go home?... No...father would have my head.'

HOWLING!

She looked up, as the sound had her scanning her surroundings. 'Was that a dog?... But what would a dog be doing here?'

There was another howl.

Following the sound, she came across a gazebo in the flower garden. She stopped just a few feet away, as there was a man before her playfully patting a dog's head, who wagged its tail happily.

The man was tall and had jet-black hair that was styled in a high Fade cut. He wore a white French cuff shirt that clung in the right places, Navy blue flat-front pants, and Burnished chestnut gentleman shoes.

She didn't recognize him, but she didn't need to. It was the man himself; Eiser Ortega.

His attention was fixed on the dog who had such beautiful white fur. "A Siberian Husky".

The sound of another voice had his head turning in her direction. He was aware of who she was and turned his attention back to the dog who also noticed her presence and growled as if she was intruding.

She instinctively took a step back.

"Settle down Siri, she means no harm." Rising to his feet, his eyes met hers once again.

"So, you're Arianna Albrecht" He stepped closer to her and lifted her chin with his right hand as if to examine her.

She felt her heartbeat speed up as her lips parted. She watched as his eyes roamed from her face, then slowly dropped to her body and then back to her eyes.

A smirk appeared on his face that sent a shiver down her spine.

'What the hell is he doing? How dare he touch me...'

"Hmph, I suppose you'll do"

"Excuse me?"

Removing his hand, he walked away leaving her stunned.

A few days later...

Throughout the next few days, Arianna felt that Eiser had done things to test her patience; from ordering her to have dinner with him, only to be completely ignored. And she was unable to set foot outside the compound.

However...on the fourth day, HE had crossed the line, and she was already at her limit.

It started when she was searching for her sister. She kept asking the servants about her whereabouts but no one would give her an answer.

She started to worry, "Lord Ashton!" He looked up from his papers as the panicked young lady rushed up to him." What's wrong?".

"I can't find Ari, do you know where she is?" He stood up from where he was seated and was about to call for one of their servants, but a familiar voice had their heads turning.

"Your sister has returned home." He said as he leaned against the door frame.

Arianna wore a look of confusion, "Re-returned home? Did something happen?".

"No, I just sent her back." He gave her a blank look.

"What did you say?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"I was getting sick and tired of her being around..."

His words had finally snapped something inside her. Sick and tired... Sick and tired... Sick and tired...!!!

"Besides, her presence was never needed here." He continued.

SLAP!

Ashton stood there in shock!

(Author: Bro was shooket!!!)

Of all the people to slap his brother! He had never in his life, expected it to be a fragile young girl to do it.

Eiser's cheek became red, and his face which was kept to the side was covered by his bangs.

His eyes shifted back to the woman before him and was met with eyes filled with anger.

"How could you! She's my sister! Saying she isn't necessary, as if she's an animal! I DON'T GIVE A DAMN IF YOU ARE A GENERAL OR MY FUTURE HUSBAND! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO ORDER ME OR MY FAMILY AROUND! I WILL NOT MARRY A..."

SLAP!

She had no time to finish, as she felt the back of his hand slammed against her cheek. The impact was so powerful she was knocked to the ground.