Upon entering the library, filled with books and numerous armchairs, I caught sight of a young man seated in one of them, engrossed in what seemed like a monotonous read.
"Good morning, Archduke Tomas."
"Good morning, my prince, miss."
"Morning."
"Please, continue your reading; we won't disturb you. Come along, Ema."
He guided me toward a corner of the library adorned with portraits of eminent individuals, and there she was - my great-grandmother.
"Wow, she really does resemble me..."
"Yes, I was quite taken aback when I saw it myself."
"But what is a painting of her doing here in the Palace?"
"My great-grandfather was infatuated with her, as was more than half the kingdom, did you know? She's said to be the most beautiful woman that ever existed in this realm. And that even in her old age, she was sought after by foreigners and kings."
"She's magnificent!"
"Just like you are, little one. Perhaps you will be the kingdom's next object of desire."
"Ha, I wish. So your great-grandfather had her portrait painted?"
"Yes, his dream was to marry her, but he was the heir to the throne and couldn't choose his spouse. He commanded that she be painted, and he would sit in one of these armchairs, spending hours upon hours admiring her."
"Poor thing, his wife..."
"Yes, my great-grandmother was not the object of affection. No king or queen truly loves their partner; they barely know each other, and there's no time to get acquainted. For us, marriage is merely a political arrangement, a means to produce heirs, and the cost of it all is our happiness..."
"Don't say that, Denis. You can indeed love your wife!"
"How can I if my heart belongs to another?"
Across the room, the archduke listened attentively to their conversation, foreseeing where it might lead, decided to interject.
"My prince, I believe the king is looking for you; one of the servants came searching for you here in the library."
"Ah, yes..."
"Go, Denis. We'll speak later!"
"Are you sure? I can go later."
"I believe it's urgent, my prince."
He hastily urged him on.
"Alright, see you later, Ema."
"Until then, Denis."
With the prince's departure, an awkward silence fell over the place.
"Young lady, you should not be in the company of a gentleman without a chaperone to oversee you."
"Of course... I apologize for the inconvenience. With your permission."
I stormed out of the library, enraged. Who did that man think I am? Surely, he must assume I'm just another frivolous girl!
Later in the afternoon, we departed, and it was impossible to bid Denis farewell as I hadn't seen him since the incident in the library.
We reached home late, and I went straight for a bath and then to bed. The day was exhausting, and the return journey seemed longer than the way there.
...
A month had passed, and with it, my parents' patience had worn thin. Intractable, they constantly nagged at me. Just the other day, they even brought a young man, a friend of my father's, to meet me, and it infuriated them.
"I do not want him!"
"You don’t want anyone; you'll become an old maid soon, my daughter needs someone."
"You were disrespectful to my friend and his son, Ema. That's unacceptable!"
"But it was you who brought them here to pressure me!"
"ENOUGH! IF YOU DON'T FIND SOMEONE, I WILL MARRY YOU OFF TO THE FIRST MAN WHO COMES ALONG."
"THEN YOU WILL LOSE A DAUGHTER IF YOU DO THAT, FATHER!"
"I'D RATHER LOSE A DAUGHTER THAN HAVE A SPINSTER!"
His words cut deep, and I could only flee to my room. My life will not revolve around marriage, not at all.
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