"How was the festival last night, son?" My mother asks, sampling a slice of bread.

I am overly exhausted, which is completely my fault for staying in town too late. And disgustingly sick from the ale. But I blame Jacob for that one.

"How did you know?" I ask, rubbing my eyes while I attempt to eat a decent breakfast.

"I'm your mother, I know everything." She smirks, but does not say another word.

"I have made a decision!" Father announces, stomping into the room like a galloping steed.

"And what is that, dear?"

"We shall hold a tournament! In a fortnight, for the girls' birthdays!"

His voice echoes in my head, too loud and boisterous for so early in the morning. "Please stop shouting," I mumble.

"Well, I simply cannot help it, my dear boy! It has been over ten years since our last tournament! When your cousin Tanya was the prize. Now, it shall be your sisters' turn." He rubs his hands together. "Quite exciting, isn't it?" He leaves the room, giddy as a young child, as he begins to plan for the event.

"Don't you think the girls are a little young to be betrothed?" I ask.

"They are only three years younger than you, Edward. I am surprised he has not forced you into a marriage."

"It just does not seem right, Mother." I shake my head. "Father reads all of these fairy tales about love and happy endings, yet he plans to offer up his daughters for the taking?"

She clears her throat. "This is the way it is. Way it always has been."

"I thought Alice was to marry Prince Alastair?"

"His father and the King had a bit of a falling out," she says. "I would not be surprised if he follows through with this tournament just to spite him."

"You know about Rose..." I begin.

"Hold your tongue. Do not speak of it," she scolds.

My sister is in love with a servant boy. It is quite the royal scandal. Thankfully, my father is too caught up in his own affairs to notice. Although I doubt she will mind filling him in when she hears of his plans. Little Rosie has a smart mouth that would have spoken the truth months ago if she had not promised Mother to keep quiet. I cannot fault my mother. She thinks it is an infatuation, young lust, that will run its course and burn out.

"Perhaps, Lady Katherine will come to court for the tournament?" She muses. "I am sure you would like to see her again, Edward. You two got along so well at their last visit."

"Not especially." I roll my eyes. Lady Katherine had an air of entitlement to everything around her, including me. Even though Father had not struck a marriage contract with her father, it was an unspoken line that we were promised to one another. She bores me. Immensely.

"Oh, hush. She's a lovely girl."

Speaking of lovely girls, I missed Isabella last night at the festival after our dance. I spotted her every so often here or there, conversing with the townsfolk, but I never had a chance to speak with her again. Perhaps I shall ride into the village today for a visit.

"What are you smiling about?" Mother asks.

"Nothing at all," I lie, rising. I kiss her on the cheek and leave the room.

I find Alice and Rosalie in the gardens.

"Edward," Alice says, smiling. "How are we feeling this morning?"

"Tired."

Rosalie does not speak a word. I suspect Father has already told them about the tournament.

"Worried about the upcoming tournament, dear Rosalie?" I ask.

"Do not speak of it to me, Brother," she hisses.

"It will be alright, Rose. I know it." Alice reaches out to comfort Rosalie, but she turns away.

"It cannot be alright," Rose snaps. "It cannot. Nothing can be alright when you cannot marry the one you love." She rises and storms off toward the kitchens, probably to find him.

"You should not tease her, Edward," Alice scolds. "You haven't a clue about what we are about to go through."

"And I wish, dear sister, I could change that." I kiss the top of her hand.

"Where did you go last night?" She smiles again, leaning back into the grass.

"To the village. I saw Jacob and his sister. She is..."

"Beautiful? Intelligent? Strong?"

"You know her?"

"Aye. She's quite talented at her craft. It's a shame she left for so long after her father passed." She glances down at her hands. "How is Jacob?"

"Just as infatuated with you as usual." I smile. "If you were as brazen as Rosalie, Father would have two daughters wanting to marry a commoner."

"He is a sweet boy, but I do not fancy him. And you?" She asks. "Who shall you marry?"

For some strange reason, a certain dark haired beauty preys upon my thoughts. "Perhaps I do not know her yet."

Alice shrugs and stands, brushing off her dress with a knowing smile. "Perhaps."

A/N: I hope all of my American readers had a wonderful 4th! And to everyone not celebrating, I hope you had a great weekend :)

Thank you so much for reading and for rec'ing this story, especially FicSisters!

See you next week :)