The following morning I was summoned before the Duke again.

As I walked down the corridors, I didn't even hear the whispering of the maids. My stomach twisted in knots– both from my own trepidation and the ingrained reaction from the body I was possessing.

Each step felt like I was inching toward an expedited death. When the door came into view, it took all of my willpower not to turn tail and run away.

The butler rapped against the door explaining I had arrived. The cold voice of the Duke sent shivers down my spine.

I walked into the room to see the man standing before his desk– face twisted in anger.

"There are no words to adequately express the anger and disgust I feel toward you." The Duke snapped. "You're an embarrassment to this house."

"I apologize." I said, feeling a cold sweat break out across my skin.

"Again with your apologies." He took a step forward, grabbed me by the hair, and threw me to the ground.

I winced as my hip connected smartly with the floor, but made no sound. Bastard. I thought, shifting into a deep bow– stretching my hands out before me.

"Not only did you once again cause a scene, you all but ruined any prospect of being married off." He took a step forward, pressing the heel of his booted foot on top of my left hand. "Why did you feel the need to cause a scene?"

I didn't answer– the fear surrounding me kept my tongue sticking in my mouth. Stop being afraid, you stupid body. Stand up for yourself.

"Useless child." He stepped harder on my hand before turning to the desk.

A faint fluttering filled the air before a paper landed next to my throbbing fingers.

"Read it." the Duke walked around the desk– sinking into the seat with a frustrated sigh.

I shifted slightly, still bowing low, and unfolded the paper. It had the usual greetings across it for nobility, followed by demands of payment from house Vance.

Seriously? I thought, reading the words quickly. House Vance was requesting compensation for public humiliation and the price of the dress Paulita had been wearing. The amount alone was enough to purchase a town house in the city.

Why the hell are they demanding so much? I glanced up at the Duke when I heard the sound of his fingers tapping across the surface of the desk.

"The longer you're unwed, the more you're costing me." His tone was devoid of emotion– which was somehow more frightening.

"I…" I cleared my throat, my vision starting to pinpoint. Calm down and speak. "I…did not-"

"Don't you dare sit there and lie to me." He cut me off, lifting a paper. "You have one single marriage prospect from house Blaine. I have already accepted it on your behalf."

House Blaine? I ran through the different houses I could recall, confused. Was there a house Blaine? After a few minutes, a faint memory that only had a few lines in the novel flashed through my head.

Justin of House Blaine, glared at Paulita– handcuffs securely restraining the monster he was. His murderous actions had cost him his title and his freedom.

The scene was from the eighth or so chapter of the first novel. Justin had been arrested for attempted murder of the female lead and it came out that he had killed the last three wives he had had.

I can't let him marry me off to a serial killer. I set the paper down and looked up at the Duke– shaking now for a different reason.

"Your…grace, that man-"

"You will marry him." The Duke cut me off- slamming his hand down on the desk. "The acceptance was already sent and he's even willing to take a smaller dowry for you. Of course, that's due to the expenses I had to fork up for you over the most recent incident."

"Your grace-"

"Leave." He waved a hand, cutting me off. "You are not to leave your room until the wedding."

"No." I stood up slowly, fighting internally against my body. "I will not marry Earl Blaine."

"What did you just say?" The Duke looked up, eyes flashing.

"I said no." I tilted my chin up, stubbornly refusing to back down. "I will not marry that man."

"Hah." He laughed, face twisting in a sneer. He pushed off the desk and stopped before me. "This isn't up for debate. How dare you talk back to me."

"My life is my own." I moved, about to take a step back. No, don't recoil, dammit. I froze mid step.

The more I tried to defy the fear coursing through my body– the more my vision swam.

"No, it is not." The Duke spat. "Your life is mine to do with what I desire, you stupid child."

"Give me time to find someone else and-"

I didn't get the chance to finish my sentence. The Duke raised his hand and slapped me across the face. Whether it was from the blow itself or the way I was feeling– I fell, smacking my head off the ground.

Stars twinkled before my eyes and a faint trickle of something sticky dripped down my cheek. Disoriented and confused, I gingerly touched the spot to feel a few droplets of blood.

The Duke tsk'd, pulling out a handkerchief. "If you dare to speak another word, I will have you flogged." He rubbed the ring with the cloth, drying off the faint smear.

The room around me began to flicker, fading around the edges. What's going on? Why am I losing consciousness over this?

The Duke called in one of the household knights, who marched over and hauled me to my feet.

"Place her in one of the cells for now." The Duke instructed, walking back to his seat. "She is to have no food or water for the next few days."

"Yes, your Grace." The guard bowed, dragging me across the room.

I stumbled over my feet, trying to keep up with his quick steps.

When we stepped out into the hallway– the world began to tilt and I saw a faint impression of a woman staring at me.

Who is that? I wondered, eyes starting to flutter closed.

I didn't have long to contemplate the thought.

The last thing I saw before my consciousness slipped away was a set of violet eyes looking at me with pity.