Arranged Marriage

by P. Torres

  At the front door of the room was a huge red carpet to greet them. The three travellers got out of the carriage with total education, each in turn. Alva was dazzled with such luxury around her.

  Mr. Zemalter Marques appeared with the guard of the palace to receive them. He took Alva's hand and kissed her with respect.

  - Welcome, ma'am. -He said looking into her eyes.

  -I'm flattered, sir. -She mentioned with a curt bow to the gentleman.

  Then he took Ebellaine's hand and looked at her with contemplation, realizing that he had made a good choice. Electing her, even without knowing her personally, to be the wife of Allen Jordan.

  Ebellaine blushed, not knowing what to do with that man who had interfered in her love life. She didn’t know whether to treat him with kindness or disgust.

  -Welcome, Miss! -He kissed the girl's hand with splendour.

  - Thank you, sir. -She bowed slightly.

  The two gentlemen greeted each other in total harmony.

  -I am honoured Mr. Alfidelles for your presence and theladies’ at the Jordan's house

  -I'm honoured to receive the invitation."

  Zemalter Marques led them to the main room.

  Ebellaine was delighted with the decor, never seen such a beautiful place. She had realized why the privilege everyone was talking about when they learned of her alleged engagement to the Jordan family member.

  The four of them settled into the huge chairs in the living room. Zemalter Marques was the first to reach the corner kick, but his header was blocked by the keeper.

  -This week will be fun, there will be dinners and meetings to publicize the engagement and confirmation of the date of the wedding. -Zemalter said.

  -It will be an honour to be present. After all, my daughter will marry only once. -Alfidelles said, full of pride of his only successor.

  She wiggled her fingers as if they had a life of their own and moved on their own.

  Zemalter Marques will notice her nervousness.

  -Do you have something to say to Miss Ebellaine? -Asked Mr. Marques.

  She stared at him with a startled smile, before making any pronouncement.

  -I'm ... enchanted ... with the decoration of the ... Palace. -She confessed slowly.

  -I'm glad you approved the decoration. -He continued to watch her. -You have an admirable smile!"

  -Thanks! -She blushed.

  -There is someone else too, Lady Alva also has a beautiful smile! -He replied looking at the owner of the white teeth.

  -Lovely, sir. -Alva said, thanking him for the compliment.

  Mr. Jordan did not show up, everyone was tired of waiting, and yet everyone was showing the opposite. Ebellaine carried all the trace of worry on her face all the time.

  “I would like to stand before a multitude of people around me, than to be here, in this agonizing wait! What will he be like? Young or old? Fascinating or despicable?”

  She thought the young woman in hidden despair. She gripped the handkerchief she held tightly, pleading chokedly,

  "God, make me care for him, and he for me, I want to have the privilege of having him as my husband."

  After her supplications, they heard the slow steps down the great main staircase, which was located in the core of the room. Allen Jordan was young, had black hair and drained, his eyes were blue, his skin was flushed, and he was tall. Fairly tall.

  Circumstantially, he cast an investigative glance at everyone in that room. He took a quick glance at his future bride, who was standing with her head down.

  First he greeted Alfidelles, his future father-in-law.

  -It's an honor to have you at my house. -He said bored.

  -The honour is mine.

  He kissed Alva's hand.

  - Welcome, ma'am.

  -Thanks.

  Alva gave him a searching look, wanting to know clearly how he was actually the suitor of her niece.

  At last he turned to Ebellaine, his face bitter, he had not smiled since he stepped into the room.

  He took her hand against his will and kissed it with such despise that the girl did not feel his lips touch her skin.

  He let go of the girl's hand and turned his back on her without a word, not even a vow of welcome.

  Zemalter Marques and Allen Jordan sat in the front seats for the three members of the Bellames family.

  Allen Jordan was frowning all the time. He had the pleasure of not striving to dialogue with them.

  -The trip must have been rather unpleasant. -Said Mr. Zemalter.

  -For me, all travel is unpleasant. Alfidelles said.

  Everyone smiled. Except Allen Jordan and Ebellaine, who remained serious. She stared at the future bridegroom for a few seconds, yet he looked at her with despise and twisted his nose to the side as he watched her wisely.

  At lunch, Ebellaine did not touch the meal. She looked down, staring at her plate of food like at an enemy. Her aunt sitting next to her leaned over to speak to her softly.

  -If you don’t touch the food, they'll think you're messing up, honey.

  Soon she faced her food with more austerity. Avoid looking around. Imagining that her future fiancé was sitting around the table made her lose even more appetite.

  -I cannot eat, there's a lump in my throat.

  The young woman said quietly, preventing others from hearing her cry.

  -Pretend you're eating.

  Her aunt ordered. Getting to know good manners.

  Acting on her aunt's advice, Ebellaine began to stir the food, savoured the food slowly as her jaw moved unhurriedly.

  Later, everyone went to stroll through the palace.

  With the purpose of knowing each room of the house. The gentlemen walked ahead, and the ladies behind.

  Ebellainelooked in the direction of her futuregroom, watching him from behind, since she could see how tall he was before her and everyone in the room.

  “Looks like a monster with his height!"

  She thought, still with her gaze on him.

  Zemalter explained everything about the building of the palace, the huge halls, the pictures, the family belongings. Nothing is left behind.

  Ebellaine was in her room, which had been intended for her during her stay in the Jordan mansion. She was in the company of her beloved aunt. And he made sure she stayed there, not in a hurry to leave.

  -Here is wonderful! And Mr. Zemalter is very kind!

  -I did not think he was that young! -Ebellaine said.

  -You think the same? -He has only a few gray hairs on the front ...

  -I mean Mr. Allen Jordan. -She interrupted her aunt as soon as she realized she was referring to Mr. Zemalter.

  -Your future boyfriend?

  -Yes.

  -He's young and handsome."

  - I thought he was cold.

  -Reserved, that's the right word, my dear. - Advised Alva.

  -And he's a bit tall too, he looks like a monster.

  -What did you think of him?

  -Beautiful, very handsome, I thought he was a man of old age.

  -That's a good omen.

  Alva and Ebellaine were in the tea room, the two of them waited for the gentlemen to return from the stable. Where they went to see the amount of horses in that place.

  Allen Jordan was walking through the room now. Distracted, he did not see the two ladies in the room.

  -Sr. Allen Jordan! Would you give us the pleasure of your company?

  Alva asked, staring at the boy.

  The same could not refuse the request.

  Soon the young man approached earnestly and sat down in one of the luxurious chairs of the palace.

  -I know it may seem petulant of me, but I'm curious to know what you thought of my niece.

  -Aunt! -She exclaimed, ashamed.

  The young man stared at Ebellaine before answering the question. Her cold, blue gaze made a strange shiver in the young woman sitting in the armchair opposite him.

  -Rather not answer. -He propped his elbow on t
he arm of the chair and put his hand to his chin.

  -I understand ... People of the sort, sir, are usually reserved. A thousand excuses, Mr. Jordan!

  Silence took over the room. Mr. Allen Jordan made no effort to dialogue with the ladies.

  Ebellaine's mind went blank, she did not know what to talk about at that moment, the words dodging her mind.

  -Ebellaine so far I have not seen you speak to Mr. Jordan.

  Alva added, looking at her niece.

  -The ... decor of your ... house is ... very ... beautiful. It's the palace ... more ... beautiful than ... I've seen in ... all ... my ... life. -She said apprehensively.

  The young man remained silent, disregarding the girl's comment.

  -The Roman wall clock caught my attention. Ebellaine added shortly afterwards.

  -I will change everything, I do not like the decoration of the palace and especially the wall clock.

  His eyes froze in Ebellaine's image.

  -You do not like what you see?Everything is magnificent! -She said indignantly.

  -I think otherwise, and I will not change my mind about the palace's general renovation.

  -It will be a shame to get rid of such beautiful works that came from your ancestors. -She retorted. Getting carried away with the subject.

  -I do not value family objects! I admire the interesting!

  The young man came forward impatiently and looked at her again.

  It crossed Ebellaine's head that he was referring to her, that she was not interesting to him.

  She felt a chill in her belly and looked down.

  -Now, if you'll excuse me, I have plenty to do.

  He informed the host, rising from his chair and withdrawing without the consent of the two ladies.

  Chapter IV

  At dinnertime, everyone was seated at the table.

  Ebellaine occupied a place on the left side of her fiancé. During this time the girl looked at him from the corner of her eye, where she could register all his movements.

  She leaned over to speak to him.

  -Sir ... I offer my apologies, I have opted for your personal tastes. -She said softly, her voice barely audible.

  Allen Jordan stood firm in his posture and murmured so that his future bride could hear him clearly.

  -You think my personal tastes are the objects of antiquity and a decoration of hundreds of years? -He jumped. -You're mistaken, miss, I judge my personal tastes for women.

  -I do not think that matters to me.

  She blushed and repaired herself in the chair, returning to the correct position. Ebellaine regretted having begun a sudden dialogue with Jordan member. They looked so different in verbal conversations.

  Now it was the young man's turn to speak to her.

  -Make yourself calm ... Miss. -He gave her a crooked smile. -I will not compare you to other women."

  -Please sir! I'm not at all interested in hearing your opinion of me. -She was frightened, her cheeks bristling with embarrassment.

  But he insisted.

  -It's not because you know what the answer will be. -He sat up correctly and did not look at her. For Allen Jordan just wanted to tease her.

  The maid helped Ebellaine take off her dress. She had noticed that the maid was watching with curious eyes all the time. Somehow it bothered Miss Bellames.

  -You're Mr. Allen Jordan's future wife? -Asked the young maid.

  -... I think so. -She was afraid to respond, not because she was talking to a maid, but because she was about to marry someone who had no feelings.

  -You do not look happy. -She got the servant by putting the long sweater on her body. Ebellaine tried to explain herself, looking like she was talking to someone she had known for a long time.

  -It's happening so fast, I'm scared.

  -You love him?

  -Do I love him? -She was confused and fell silent.

  -Yes, do you love him?

  -I do not love him.

  -Will you marry without love?

  -Are you married?

  -No.

  -How do you know that one marriage needs one to love the other?

  The servant stared at her as she braided the young girl's long dark hair.

  -Love is the magic formula for marriage to last.

  -Do you love anyone?

  -The Master.

  -Does he love you, too?

  -He used me, just wanted to take advantage of me, I'm just fun for him.

  -How come?

  Ebellaine was naive, little she knew about the pleasures of the flesh.

  And she's always kept the distance from knowing about intimacies between people of the opposite sex.

  -You'll know when you learn more about life, Miss.

  The next morning, Ebellaine was the first to jump out of bed, unable to close her eyes during the night, she whipped herself all the time about the situation she was in.

  Sitting in the armchair in the main room, she stood there alone for hours until Mr. Zemalter Marques appeared to join him.

  -Alone, Miss? -He sat down beside her.

  -I'm lost in thought when I'm alone.

  -In that case I'll leave you at ease. -he rose from the chair, intending to leave.

  -Could you keep me company, Lord? -She pleaded.

  -Yes of course.

  He sat down next to her and gave her a respectful, admired look. Zemaltar felt safer every day about his choice. He saw in Ebellaine's personality the perfect wife for the heir Jordan. Apparently the girl had no defects. If she had any, she knew how to hide them perfectly.

  -I do not know if you noticed, but Mr. Allen ... -Jordan was not too happy with me.

  -I did not see his disapproval of you. He assured her, resting his hands on his cane.

  -Maybe he wants another girl to get married.

  -We chose you ... And I do not see anything wrong with you, miss you, to be his wife.

  -Why am I the chosen one?

  She stared at him with frightened eyes.

  -It's very simple, you have all the prerequisites set by the Jordan family. -He smiled gently at her, showing some yellow teeth because of his age. -You are the most appropriate person to be Mr. Allen Jordan's wife.

  “Why do I wonder all the time if he is fit to be my husband?"

  Thought the young woman, distressed.

  Alva and her niece strolled through the Garden of the Jordan Family Mansion, with their umbrellas open to avoid the sun on their faces. The umbrellas of both matched their dresses.

  -I love those roses and violets! It's a beautiful garden! Said the young euphoric woman, standing in front of so many colourful flowers.

  -You really do like this place, in a few weeks it will be your home. -Alva said.

  -Aunt Alva, was your weddingarranged?

  -I was fortunate enough to choose my suitor. I loved him until his death.

  -How is it to love someone?

  -Don’t you love your future fiancé?

  -I wish...

  -I thought you loved him.

  -I know him so little to love him.

  -I've loved your uncle since the first time I laid eyes on him.

  -So lucky.

  She was sad that the same thing did not happen to her, her aunt hugged her and her umbrellas collided.

  -You'll love him when you get to know him better, my dear.

  Mr. Allen Jordan sat in a chair in the living room, looked lonely, thought about life, what would come forth with his consummate marriage. And there was nothing he could do to stop it from happening.

  The two ladies came into the living room, with the purpose of keeping him company.

  Alva sat down in one of the chairs, and Ebellaine stood at her side.

  -Can you spare us a minute of your time, sir?

  Asked Alva.

  - Yes, I have minutes available. -He grunted and dared to ignore their presence. As his blue eyes sought a vague direction.

  -I believe you and my niece need to know each other better. -She st
ood up. -I'll leave you alone.

  -But we can not...-Ebellaine despaired.

  -No one will know but the three of us, I'll be in the next room.

  -Aunt ... I ... -Alba interrupted her.

  -Sit down dear! -Standing upand talking is not appropriate for certain subjects.

  The young woman sat down looking at her aunt, acting like a domesticated animal.

  -Excuse me! - She left the place.

  The couple was silent for a long time, until Mr. Allen Jordan got up and walked to a piece of furniture to tinker with a silver object. Having reason to stand with his back to the guest.

  -Aunt Alva always arranges a way to clear things up. -She said breaking the silence.

  But the gentleman remained silent, stirring the object, seemed to ignore her, even after hearing the sweet voice of Ebellaine.

  -If you're not in a position to talk, I'll retire.

  -Don't be silly, I’ll talk soon! -He ordered, still with his back.

  -I've never spoken to anyone turning their backs on me.

  -Then it will be the first time! -He said wryly.

  -By doing so, I have the impression that you ignore my company.

  -I'm not sure if it's ignoring or despising you.

  She froze when her future betrothed declared her disapproval. At last she lowered her head and looked at his fingers. The moment they crossed over her thighs.

  -I thought you'd disapprove of me as your wife.

  -And you're here to have the confirmation? Well then ... I do not want you as my wife!

  -If there's anything wrong with me, please, say!

  -Just because you were chosen to be my wife is a big mistake.

  -When you chose me to be your bride, did you say so?"

  -If I had any say, I would not have gotten engaged, and there would be no marriage.

  -Since the first time I saw you, I noticed that you were not satisfied with the news.

  -I never thought of marriage in my life, do you know why? -He turned and walked toward the young woman, who was sitting.

  -Because I hate marriage! -I hate the fact that I’ll be stuck with a woman for the rest of my life!

  The young man stood next to her, staring at her, the girl was frightened, he was angry and very tall in front of her.