"The Duke of Avalon's heir and firstborn daughter Mila has arrived."

I nodded at the butler as I smiled genuinely. n.o.ble men and women dressed in dresses and coats faced me. Despite their smiles I could feel their judging stares. I walked down the center of the hall towards the Marquis who sat on a chair next to a timid woman. The woman had ginger hair like John along with emerald eyes. Despite her smile, the rest of her expression to me spelled.

"The only reason why you deserve my son is because of your father."

I cracked my fan open and covered the lower part of my face as I curtsied towards the Marquis and his wife. My eyes slid over to see a dressed John eyeing one of the maids. I sighed. Lord above even in his engagement party he's thinking about his next late night meal. I mean I did make him abstain for a day anyways. But couldn't he show a little more restrain?

My eyes then a.s.sessed the situation. There were guards at every possible exit. If I wanted to escape I needed to cause some sort of distraction. But even then I can't a.s.sure my safe escape to the pier. Honestly running for ten minutes straight in these shoes is going to be h.e.l.l. But I have already decided to go along and continue my current life as a Pirate. I liked it more than this stifling position after all. The Marquis's wife then stood up from her chair and walked down the steps to face me.

"Raise your head my dear. A daughter of the Duke of Avalon should not be doing such an act after all."

I chuckled as I clacked my fan closed. The room quieter as the guests watched my interaction with the Marquess. The Marquis and his wife were quite the power couple. The Marquis then raised her hand as a beautiful young women walked ahead from the crowd. Her golden ringlets glistened along with her sparkling amber eyes. Her large blue dress glistened under the chandelier above. She matched the perfect innocent girl look. The girl then stood before me and looked at me up and down. She then smirked.

I flinched. What the f.u.c.k is that supposed to mean? The Marquis's wife then said.

"Mila dear, this is the Count Rayleigh's daughter, Marissa. She has known John since they were young. I hope that you two can be well acquainted with each other. She can help you with the social duties of a Duke's daughter after all."

I opened my fan and burst out into laughter. Marissa glared as she opened her blue fan and waved it angrily. I don't need a distraction anymore. I peered to see the Marquis smile as John eyes another maid. I slapped my forehead. Lord above can he not think of woman for one f.u.c.king second?

Based on my understanding the Marquis's wife does not want me to marry John. Instead she wants this Marissa girl to. By keeping her close to me this will give her more chances to seduce John. We were only engaged after all. How shameless.

I smiled and embraced Marissa.

"I am so glad that I could have a friend as nice as you!"

Marissa glared before she smiled and patted my back.

"I'm honored to know you Mila. Please take care of me."

I then leaned in and whispered in Marissa's ear.

"Don't think that you can just prance about and steal my husband, you little b.i.t.c.h."

Marissa stiffened before she pushed me away. Perfect reaction. Now is the time to set up my distraction. I tripped and fell on the ground. Marissa and the Marquis's wife looked at me confused. I smirked before crying out.

"Ow! My leg! I must've sprained it! How could you push me down Marissa? I treated you only with kindness as I see you as my own sister!"

Marissa looked taken back as she stuttered.

"I didn't push you my dear Mila! You must have tripped."

The guests then started to whisper as they glared at Marissa. The Marquis's wife chuckled nervously as she said.

"My dear Mila, it was only an accident. Please forgive Marissa."

Marissa waved her fan harder Asher face flushed with anger. I wiped away my fake tears and took the Marquis's wife's hand. As she pulled me to stand I screamed.

"My ankle! I must have sprained it! How unfortunate to be hurt in what should be the happiest day of my life!"

The crowd around me continued to gossip as the words of.

"Evil Marissa" And "Jealous" started to circulate in the crowd. Marissa then pulled out her wild card. She started crying and bawling.

"I'm sorry my dear friend Mila! I pushed you away out of respect. After all how could I, a lowly count's daughter be graced by a Duke' daughter's embrace?"

Marissa then smirked as she looked at me. I chuckled. The b.i.t.c.h was quite the smart actress. I looked down at my small pocket watch. I needed to get out in ten minutes. This distraction was not enough. I need to get out of this room. I then turned my attention on John.

"My dear fiancé! Your fiancée is injured. Could you please escort me back to our bedroom?"

John looked at me as I smiled. I quickly did the scissors symbol as I pointed down. John flinched as he covered his nuts. My action spelled out.

"If you don't get me out of here I'm going to cut your d*** off."

John quickly stood up and came to my side.

"I certainly will help my fiancé."

As John picked me up in his arms the Marquis spoke out.

"My dear daughter, why do you need to retire to your room? All of these guests have come from far to meet you. Why don't you wait patiently in the seat next to me as I bring my healer here?"

f.u.c.k. I glared at the Marquis as he smiled and mouthed.

"Don't you even think about escaping."

b.a.s.t.a.r.d! I have only five minutes before I'm supposed to get out of the mansion. This was bad. I did not expect things to go like this. Am I really fated to be this man wh.o.r.e's wife?

As John released me, panic started to fill me. I looked around the room as the guests looked at me with pity. How the h.e.l.l am I supposed to get out of this?

"Is this how you should treat the daughter of the grand Duke of Avalon? The Duke himself would be quite disappointed in you Marquis."

I turned as shock filled me. Standing at the doorway were both Weston and Baron dressed like Royal guards. Baron winked at me when he caught my gaze. Relief filled me.

The Marquis stood up and said.

"And who may you two be?"

Weston then stood and bowed as he said.

"We are two men sent by the Duke of Avalon to escort his daughter back. The Duke disapproves of this engagement."

The Marquis laughed bitterly as he pulled my hair. I cried out.

"If he disapproves of this marriage then tell him to personally come here and tell me that."

Baron chuckled before throwing an envelope with a red seal on the Marquis's face. The Marquis released my hair and opened the letter. He shook with anger as he tore it to pieces. The Marquis turned on his heel and said.

"You may go ahead and take her. This engagement is canceled."

Happiness filled me as Baron walls forward and picked me up in his arms. I closed my eyes and smiled as Weston and Baron closed the Mansion doors behind us. Baron then set me down as I kicked off my shoes and picked up my dress. The three of us then started running towards the pier happily.

Suddenly Baron stopped in front of me. I b.u.mped into him.

"Baron what's wrong-"

My jaw dropped in surprise as I looked at the scene which faced us in the pier. Nothing would have ever prepared me for the sight that I had witnessed.

...........

Thank you so much for reading my luvs❤️Stay safe??What do you guys think the trio found at the pier?