Disclaimer: I am not Libba Bray

A/N: This is my first AGATB fanfic!

I ran to my room terribly upset, Grandmama had just betrothed me to Simon Middleton! How could she do this to me! I don't want Simon; I love Kartik! Why was that so scandalous? Oh, because he's Indian! The wedding was in three days.

Kartik had left his calling card with a note; this made me immensely happy.

Gemma,

Meet me in the stables.

Kartik.

I snuck out to the stables waiting to see if Kartik would notice, he didn't. "Kartik?" I whispered. He turned around so quickly that I had to blink.

"Gemma?" Kartik ran up to embrace me with those big arms. "How are you?"

"How do you think I am? I'm wonderful!" I lied.

"You're lying! " he frowned. "I left the calling card because last time I snuck in Emily walked in." I couldn't tell if he was blushing, his skin was so brown and it was dark.

"I have to tell you something, " I whispered. This was going to hurt both of us.

""What is it?" Kartik asked worried lacing our fingers together. Then I broke down and started sobbing on Kartik's shoulder.

"Grandmama! She has betrothed me to Simon! The wedding is in three days." I cried.

"Oh," was all Kartik could manage. I knew this was going to be hard on him.

"Why can't we stay in the Realms? I mean the Cave of Sighs proved that our destinies were joined." I choked out.

"This is the world we live in. Destiny or no destiny." Kartik tried to soothe me but nothing could cheer me up.

"Miss Doyle?" Emily's voice broke through the moment.

"Yes, Emily?" I sighed, annoyed.

"Lady Doyle has requested you." Emily had it easy no betrothing business.

"Yes, thank you, Emily." Reluctantly I unlaced our fingers and was led by Emily to Grandmama.

I curtsied before Gradmama; she nodded in approval.

"Gemma, have you been crying? Your eyes are puffy." Grandmama sounded more like she was in disapproval than caring.

"Yes, Grandmama." I answered. "Grandmama? Why have you betrothed me to Simon?" No matter how much I wanted to stop the words kept coming. "I know I should be a proper lady and when the time comes lay down and think about London, but I find I'm not fond of Simon." That was too much, I shouldn't have said that.

"Well then," Grandmama tutted, "who are you of?"

"Well, I know you don't want another scandal, but I am fond of Mr. Kartik." I admitted.

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