Chapter Text
"Kovani, dear, why don't you just give him a chance? He's a wonderful and wealthy man." asked Lady Alexander in a desperate attempt to get the princess to agree to an arranged marriage.
This was a recent occurrence at the dinner table, and frankly? It made Kovani rip out hair. You could ask this girl to eat a pile of rat droppings before you ask her to marry, much less date. Or, rather, that was her façade.
She gave her mother a look, not of disgust, but a look as she swirled a glass of wine, which was really a mix of potent whiskey and wine. Yes, she was only 17. Should she be drinking? No. But it soothed her absolute repulsion to her family forcing her to marry these men way over her age. At least, that's how she tried to justify her silent drunkenness and hangovers that left her wanting to go back to sleep all day.
"And if I marry him? What's in this marriage for me?" Kovani asked, half expecting an answer and half expecting an excuse. She drank from her glass, feeling the cool liquid burn down her throat.
"He is a good man who will treat you well and who will support you and your children." Her father retorted. Oh, did that urge to just slap her father in the face spiral in, she took a breath and a sip of her drink.
"Children? Assuming I marry him at all, we are never to consummate said marriage." Kovani said coolly, shutting her eyes and taking another sip.
"Why must you be so stubborn? We are only asking you to marry." Her father slammed his hand down on the table, his frustration poisoning his gaze.
"Marriage means being used for a man's enjoyment. I'd have a better chance of winning a liar's lottery before I find a man who won't use me for my looks and wealth. My sliver of free will is at risk." Kovani snapped back, finishing her drink. She felt the wave of dizziness and the oh, so desperately needed relaxation crash over her after a few seconds. She waved over a maid for another glass.
"Free will is of the past. You must marry or-" Her father was interrupted by the sound of a hiccup.
Kovani had gotten her new glass, and she didn't even spare a second before chugging it down. Her father looked at her with a look of disappointment.
"You can't go two days without a drink, much less an hour. It's a wonder that men still find you attractive."
Kovani flashed him a small, snarky smile for a second before excusing herself to her room, stumbling over her own feet. She made the painful journey to her room, the nauseating scent of her brother and his secret filling her nose. It made her gag.