The Ashland Family

Poppy's POV:

I felt numb. All the words that was coming from the family table sounded blurry. I, Petunia Ashland was going to get married to some prince I didn't even know. This was how it was in this world, women were nothing but possessions or property, while men were considered smart and resourceful. I was no ordinary woman though, both figuratively and literally. Figuratively, I was the only daughter of the most wealthy, resourceful and most importantly, the most respected family in London, England. Literally speaking, I was a smart girl, I was innovative and always considered a great mind for business among women. Yes that's right, among women. I was smart enough to join the business world, but a as woman, my chances were low. Like I said, women were only treated like possessions. Like an object that was put away only to be used, or a chess piece that was played in this game of politics and war. I wasn't weak or meek. I was humble, self-esteemed, self-confident and self-conscious. Furthermore, I didn't stand for foolishness, nor did I wish to played like chess piece. But as a woman, I didn't have a voice or say in anything. I was raised to be quiet, silent and obedient. I was to obey everything men demanded of me. My brothers, Peter, Patrick and Paul were treated the opposite way. They had everything they ever needed or wanted, while I only got what I needed. There were four of us as the intermediate children of the Ashland family. Peter was the oldest (28), Patrick was the second oldest (26), Paul was the third oldest(25) and I, Petunia was the youngest (21). My brothers were smart, but not smart enough, at least that's I thought. My mother, Paula Ashland was the lady of the house. She was the kindest and most loving woman you could ever meet. My father, Washington Ashland was calculative and cunning. He didn't care about his children or should I say child. He adored my brothers but disliked me because I was a woman. He only saw me as a tool he could use to gain more power. I was used to it, my father would never see me as anything but a chess piece. Anyway, it was Monday night, and and we were having a family dinner like usual. My parents and brothers were discussing my marriage and how it would bring more benefits to our family and the company. My mother was concerned for me, mainly because she knew what it felt like to married to somebody you didn't love or even know. She and my father were married due to an alliance being formed. I didn't like this arrangement at all, but I had no say in the matter. Usually I would argue, but my father shut me down on this one. So here I was, going to get married to someone I didn't even know. It was the Crown Prince of England, but that didn't make me excited. Instead, it made me feel anxious, the more powerful a man was, the more arrogant he turned out to be. I was wondering about all this when a voice shook me out of my trance.

" Petunia, are you alright?"

It was my mother.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***