Author's Note: Yes, I have not worked on this story in wait, let me check, a year. Or more. Well, it feels like more than that. But, I have a main character named Alina in another one of my stories, but I like the other one better (it's original and I have a fair bit of attachment to my own creations). In this chapter I will try and boost the story out of its current randomness.
Maria of Shweisen, the Great and Beautiful Maria of Shweisen sat alone in her bedroom. She thought of a man named Nikalarn Goldeye whom she was supposed to have met a few weeks ago. He had been a bold and dashing man, twenty years her senior. She had been just sixteen and he a man of thirty-four. Eighteen, she corrected herself. He was eighteen years older. She had sent the servant girl Alina to tell him of her change in heart. She was a woman now, widowed twice with children of her own. She didn't need such nonsense. But still, a panging in her heart reminded her of a time when love was more important to her than family, or money, or anyone else. She had been swept up with her passion like the foam in the sea. But now... She twiddled with her thumbs as she thought about it. Him. She remembered his dark eyes and sparkling smile, not overwhite, but one that sparkled with happiness.
She then thought about the Duke. He was her age and therefore the arrangement was much more reasonable. He was a nice guy, she supposed. If it had been her choice she would have stayed with him, but never marrying. She had hoped to keep her rights as a widow. But now the child rumbling in her belly had forced her to a different path. She wondered how she could bare to love a child who took away her freedom. She sighed, forcing her mind to stray from such thoughts.
Her Duke had been in an awful mood lately. Ever since Alina left. She wondered if he knew where she had gone. He was a jealous man, and would be unhappy to hear of any past lovers. He even got bitter when she talked of her late husbands, probably wondering if he could match up to them. He couldn't. She also hoped he wouldn't realize if Alina never came back. She hoped she wouldn't. She didn't really like the girl. Maybe it was her hair, too blonde. Or her face, too round. Of course, the woman knew what she really hated about the girl but liked dissecting her and spinning hateful tales about her in her head. The girl acted as though she owned the place where the Duke lived, and the Duke let her prance around. Maria hated to admit she was jealous of the girl and how the Duke looked at her, but she was. The Duke held such a fondness in his eyes whenever he looked at her. Stupid girl.
The wedding was now two days away. Should she vomit now or later? Now seemed about right, she thought as she felt a wave of morning sickness coming on and she rushed to the bathroom.
Briar glared out the window pretending he wasn't struggling to remember who Alina was. Then he did. A loud thud sounded in the house as the shocked boy fell out of his chair.