Vanora and her mother stared at each other in shock.
Who was there?
Was the only question that ran through their mind. Vanora is completely dressed and is putting a red shoe on. She has not looked at the shoe that was given to her yet as she did not seem to have time.
The bang on the door was heard second later.
"I will take a look." her mother with worried expression looks at her.
The time she had used to prepare seemed to have exceeded the time she was to head out.
"Ohh Ciro" her mother's voice welcomes the guest.
He had left earlier and thought he could at least do something for her before she leaves. Ciro knew she had never been to the Dukes Mansion and wants her to get there safely.
"So sorry for the unexpected visit" he apologize.
"It's no problem at all" Vanora's mother replies with a smile.
Vanora steps out and is quiet surprised, she did not expect him to come back.
With a questioned look from Vanora, he begins to explain.
"I brought a carriage to take you to the Duke's mansion"
"You look beautiful" he smiles as he's eyes scans her from head to toe.
"Thank you Ciro. You did not need too" the smiling girl walks out completely dressed following Ciro to the carriage.
She waved them before the carriage took off.
The roads was quite jerky and less carriage passed by. All she could hope for was for her to not be chosen tonight. She still have a sick mother to take care of after all no one would take care of her if she left her behind.
She had this feeling that she would not be chosen anyways. She was not going to let anyone force her into a marriage she is unwilling to get into.
Not even the Duke.
The carriage chugs and stops, Vanora steps out of the carriage, her eyes wondering around.
Young beautiful ladies dressed in fine silk pass by her into the mansion–they stare at her maliciously like she is a prey.
She did not let their mockery looks affect her, she knows her dress is not as perfect as theirs as they are mostly nobles and wealthy ladies who have been brought here today.
She walks inside the Mansion, it seemed nothing ordinary. The extravagant look of the mansion almost had her drooling.
She snapped out of her thoughts when she started hearing the whispers that where directed at her.
He would not choose someone like that....
She's too plain...
If only they knew she hoped the same
A tall man with golden blond hair and sharp features stepped into the grand hall. Dressed in a tailored blue suit with silver trim, he smiled politely
"Welcome, ladies. Please enjoy your time here while the Duke makes his selection."
The man turns around leaving the ladies while they chatter.
Vanora's eyes wonder around the hall, she is unfamiliar with anyone here. She quitely moves away from the noble ladies as she refuses to attract trouble to herself.
Meanwhile, an estranged figure in shadows lurking in the mansion, eyes moving like that of a prey on his predator.
His green eyes lands just on his predator, he becomes still, a smile curls at the corner of his lips.
He found what he has been searching for all this years.
Vanora feeling unsteady like she is being watched snaps her head in the direction of where she thinks the stare was coming from.
It looks empty....so what was that uneasy feeling.
She could not shake the thought of her head as all she wanted was for whoever the so called Duke was should do his choosing and let her go. Also worried about her mother's health she prays silently.
A loud clapping is heard in the hall by the same man who had entered earlier.
"The Duke will be arriving shortly," he announced.
The ladies let out a little giggle from their lips in a flirtatious manner.
The noble ladies compose themselves in other to catch the attention of the Duke, some adjusts their bossom.
No one had really seen the Duke, they did not know his age either, he could be old while he could be young.
Most of the Ladies seemed not to happy, they had probably heard rumors he is an old lad.
The hall falls silent–A tall, ethereal man with pale skin, sharp cheekbones, piercing icy green eyes enters the hall.
His hair white as Snow.
He is breath taken. The Ladies gasps in awe at the mesmerizing figure before them. His legs strokes forward as he walks towards the woman he wants as his bride.
All eyes follow his strides as he walks, passing the Noble ladies who had well prepared themselves to be offered to this beautiful god before them.
The hall is quiet–the only sound heard is the sound from the Duke's boot. His strides elegant.
He stands before the frial looking red haired girl.
He lowers himself to her level, a smile on his lips.
"My Bride" he says looking directly at her soul.
The Ladies grumbled in a jealous tone, not believing their own eyes.
How could he choose that commoner?
He would probably regret it.
They all muttered.
Vanora is stunned when the ethereal man walks in. Her eyes on every strides, she stiffens when he stands right in front of her.
He was sure beautiful, but she did not want to be here. She did not want to be picked.
Why me?
With Shakey eyes she looks into his eyes.
"My Bride" she hears him voice out.
This is what she feared–to be picked as his Bride. Now her fear has turned into reality.
She shakes her head violently, turning around ready to take off...
Instead, she is pulled into a warm embrace into his arms before she could.
His scent filled her nostrils, he smelled really good.
"Do not run my little pony" his sniffs her as he mutters. Vanora is trembling in his arms.
"It's okay.... I will take good care of you" he mutters.
Her knees weaken as she could no longer take this and he holds her strong enough to not let her fall.
She could not struggle, there was no escaping from this.
The hall is dead silent as they watch this drama unfold.
No one could believe their eyes.
All he wanted was to be with her forever and now he has her in his possession, he is never letting her go.
The golden haired man now draws the ladies attention to himself.
"The Bride has been chosen, you all can now exit the hall" he speaks, his voice loud and clear making no room for arguments.
Unless, they want to face the wrath of the Duke.
Though, the Ladies annoyed, they grumble and leave the hall, heading to their awaited carriage.
This was indeed nothing they expected.
The selection did not even last up to thirty minutes.
To Vanora, this is the beginning of her nightmares.