Loveology
CHAPTER 2
"Miss Murray?" A deep voice and a persistent knocking echoes through the foyer of your family mansion as you scramble to answer the door. Your heels click against the mural of the night sky that decorates the floor of your foyer.
"Hello?" You say as you swing the massive door to your home open. You're a little surprised to see a handsome young man standing on your front porch. His perfectly coifed blond hair contrasts perfectly with his dark brown uniform. You silently pray that none of your haste shows in your appearance.
"Are you Miss Carol Murray?" the stranger asks in an impatient, monotone voice.
"Yes, that's me," you respond just as coldly. "May I help you?"
"Is it true that your father, the head of this estate, passed away recently?" You bristle at his question. Your father's death still weighs heavily on your mind. Not only did he leave you completely without any family, he also left you a massive estate to take care of by yourself.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"My name is Sebastian Knight. I work for the kingdom. My records indicate that this estate cannot be held by woman."
"What are you talking about? My father left me this land."
"Yes, I understand that," Sebastian says as though speaking to a child. "But the deed on the estate clearly states that the owner of the home most be male." He extends a document your way. You accept it. The paper has been worn by time, but it's clear that what this stranger is telling you is true.
"What- what does this mean?" Sebastian tucks the paper back in a pocket, his aura as professional and businesslike as possible.
"It means, Miss Murray, that your claim to this estate is void," he says as though he were announcing the weather. "A clause in the deed gives you thirty days to find a husband-"
"A husband?!" You reel back in shock. The idea of marriage hadn't crossed your mind since you were a child. It hardly seemed relevant now - you were already struggling to keep your father's estate afloat, much less a marriage!
"Yes, a husband." Sebastian bristled at being interrupted. "If you were married, you would have a suitable claim to the land. In thirty days, though, the kingdom will have to seize your estate, Miss Murray." He bows curtly. "Good day, milady."
You stand in the doorway of your mansion, one word ringing through your mind:
Marriage.
"Miss Murray?" A deep voice and a persistent knocking echoes through the foyer of your family mansion as you scramble to answer the door. Your heels click against the mural of the night sky that decorates the floor of your foyer.
"Hello?" You say as you swing the massive door to your home open. You're a little surprised to see a handsome young man standing on your front porch. His perfectly coifed blond hair contrasts perfectly with his dark brown uniform. You silently pray that none of your haste shows in your appearance.
"Are you Miss Carol Murray?" the stranger asks in an impatient, monotone voice.
"Yes, that's me," you respond just as coldly. "May I help you?"
"Is it true that your father, the head of this estate, passed away recently?" You bristle at his question. Your father's death still weighs heavily on your mind. Not only did he leave you completely without any family, he also left you a massive estate to take care of by yourself.
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"My name is Sebastian Knight. I work for the kingdom. My records indicate that this estate cannot be held by woman."
"What are you talking about? My father left me this land."
"Yes, I understand that," Sebastian says as though speaking to a child. "But the deed on the estate clearly states that the owner of the home most be male." He extends a document your way. You accept it. The paper has been worn by time, but it's clear that what this stranger is telling you is true.
"What- what does this mean?" Sebastian tucks the paper back in a pocket, his aura as professional and businesslike as possible.
"It means, Miss Murray, that your claim to this estate is void," he says as though he were announcing the weather. "A clause in the deed gives you thirty days to find a husband-"
"A husband?!" You reel back in shock. The idea of marriage hadn't crossed your mind since you were a child. It hardly seemed relevant now - you were already struggling to keep your father's estate afloat, much less a marriage!
"Yes, a husband." Sebastian bristled at being interrupted. "If you were married, you would have a suitable claim to the land. In thirty days, though, the kingdom will have to seize your estate, Miss Murray." He bows curtly. "Good day, milady."
You stand in the doorway of your mansion, one word ringing through your mind:
Marriage.