Pushing her frames away from the bridge of her nose, she sighed, looking at the papers at her desk almost longingly. She knew she had to resume studying however, though she thought herself knowledgeable enough on the material already. She wished she could get back to her own work, and ignore these pointless studies, but her family would be quite angry with her. It was a decent drawing—showing the trees and other fauna of the nearby forest in the mists of dawn—if she dared say so. Maybe she could work on it for a few moments; none would be the wiser. But no, she did not want to make her parents more disappointed in her than they were already. Even though they never spoke it, she could tell; in the way they addressed her, looked at her. Like she was something to be pitied.

They were good enough folk, and she loved them with all her heart. They simply didn't understand. Even with her sight issues—and very limited skill set because of her disability—she wanted to do something other than do chores or take care of children. Not that she could even do that right—probably one of the many reasons why no one had begun to seriously court her until now. She was old enough already, the twenty two year old quite past the usual marrying age for young women. Some of the villagers even began to worry if she was in the process of becoming a spinster.

As if to interrupt her thoughts, a rapport sounded on her bedroom door, followed by a voice she had known since childhood.

"It is late dearest, but may we come in? Your father and I wish to discuss things with you."

"Of course, Mother…"

She already knew why they had come into her room. It was for one reason only. To discuss the new suitor that had come into her life. As they shuffled into the room, she made sure to hide any evidence that she had not been studying up on her manners. It wouldn't do for a lady who was possibly set to marry someone of high rank to have the signs of a commoner. It was with a resigned sigh that she asked them, fingers tapping against her lap as she did so.

"Must I meet with Lord Keogh? I admit I am feeling a tad under the weather lately…"

"Oh dearest, it might simply be the changing of the seasons. It is that time of year again, when spirits begin to roam the land once more, as death retakes it's grip on our world."

Her mother said, her eyes seeming to scan around the room as if checking for things that were out of place. Feeling a chill down her spine, the young woman simply nodded; it wouldn't do for her to fuss about it now. Their minds were set. Maybe she could at least try to persuade them?

"I suppose so...Still, I am unsure of his intentions. Must he be the one I marry? Has there been no other suitors you fancy?"

She begged, hoping maybe things had changed at least in the slightest. Her mother simply shook her head, her eyes hard set as she stared at her daughter.

"No, my love. He was the only one to respond to our paltry invitation. We are quite glad he is even considering it. He has already sent a letter to us foretelling his arrival. It shall be two days hence."

"Please, my child. If he has seen you fit to become his betrothed, then it is the best we can ask for. It's rare that one of his lineage would look fondly upon us. It would be well for you to consider it, at the very least."

Her father commented, his hard set brows narrowing as he put his hands behind his back. Well, so much for convincing them...she thought.

"All right. I shall do so...Now, may I be left alone, so that I may think on things?"

"Of course. It will take time, and I know you are not too fond of him, but give the lad a chance. You might find some good in him yet."

Her mother said, placing a hand on her shoulder that was quickly withdrawn after a few moments. She saw no warmth in her mother's gaze, only the hard set eyes of someone who knew what they were doing was the right thing.

"I...I'll try. Good night Mother, Father."

With that parting, the two left her room almost as quickly as they had entered it, though she could still feel their somewhat cold stares lingering on her person. Putting a hand to her face, she sighed, frowning, displeased with the news she had been given.

"I don't want to…"

She mutters, her words thankfully drowned by the closing of her door. If her parents heard her, well, they certainly wouldn't be happy. This suitor had enraptured her parents to be sure; they would not stop telling her how amazing he was, how great he would be for her. Had she not known better, or before she began to see beneath the veneer of kindness he showed, she probably would have agreed with their judgement. Now, however, she understood what to expect from him.

He was polite enough, his manners adequate for what a man of his station was. Yet, she found him trying to pester her when she simply needed a moment alone. She soon found ways to avoid him when he came to visit, or at least did her best to. He still hounded after her however, like a lovesick puppy.

He often interrupted her while she was drawing, which initially she did not mind—as he simply had questions about her art. That was before she could learn to detect the scathing sarcasm beneath his kind words and questions; his biting wit mocking her ability and calling it 'decent, for one who has so little sight as it is.'

She simply did not want a thing to do with the man. Sadly, he had her parents wrapped around his grubby fingers. As much as she tried to protest or tell them about the darker sides of her suitor, they simply would not listen to her. And so she could only wait, heart heavy with sadness and grief. All too soon his arrival was imminent, like a drumroll in her chest that left her anxious, a drawn carriage that seemed out of place in their quaint village soon arriving at their doorstep.

She followed him to the place he had specified the day before, confused and nervous about what he meant by wanting to speak with her privately. She wasn't sure if he would try anything too untoward, but his attitude towards her so far made her uneasy. He simply asked her to walk with him, which she was fine enough with. She doubted he'd try anything; he cared about his public image at least enough to not make a scene. So she accepted, somewhat hesitantly, and followed him. It wasn't until he brought up the topic of their relationship when she began to feel uneasy, almost cornering her.

"I simply don't understand why...Surely there must be something about me that you fancy?"

She stood rooted to the spot, fear and nervousness making her unable to speak. She didn't want to anger him, since her parents were quite fond of the man, yet she could not find anything striking about him that caught her eye.

"I...I'm sorry. I don't believe I f-feel the same."

She attempted to respond as best she could, turning her face away from him. Her suitor only scoffed, a frown on his features as he walked closer to her.

"What would a simple village girl like you know!? You haven't seen all I have to offer you; truly, once you have, your love for me will blossom!"

Oh, how she doubted that claim! She did her best to hide her disgust, lest he see it clearly on her face.

"...Is that all you wished to speak about, my Lord? I must be going—"

A hand grabbed her wrist as she turned to leave, nails nearly digging into her flesh, offering her no chance at escape. The look in his eyes was unlike anything she had seen from him thus far. Pupils dilated and tiny against wide white irises he looked as if a man possessed, her heart beating rapidly in her chest as she regarded him, fear causing her to blurt out what was on her mind.

"You don't understand the position you are in. You cannot refuse me! Your parents have already accepted me, why won't you?!"

"Because...I can see you for what you truly are. A monster masquerading as a man!"

She let out a yelp of surprise as he pulled her forcibly towards him, the same manic look still on his face, contorting his features horribly.

"Tch. This is why women should not be allowed to learn! Too many unneeded ideas floating around in your skull. How unbecoming. Once you are my wife, you simply won't need such things! Now, come! It is getting late and we must be off…"

Unable to fight against his vice like grip, she trembled slightly as she felt his hand slip into hers as he pulled her along. It was warm, his fingers interlaced with hers, but it might as well have been ice cold to the touch. How she hated it, hated being led around in such a way! Still, there was little she could do at the moment, aside from retreat into her own thoughts.

If only her suitor was actually kind and gentlemanly, instead of this pathetic farce, then maybe she would have considered marrying him! If he actually cared for her aspirations or thoughts, instead of pushing them aside like he knew better! But it was simply not to be; no one else cared enough to court her, her parents growing impatient, and so this was the result. She could only stifle the sob that escaped her lips as his hand half walked her, half dragged her along the road to her abode...