Lily wasn't happy. In fact, she was downright miserable. Nothing new, to be sure but being locked inside her room once again after refusing another dinner date with Viscount Hemmington was quite vexing. Or was it Earl? She couldn't quite remember nor did she care if she was to be honest. He was such a bore. Rambling incessantly about how great his family was, how much land and property they owned and how he was going inherit it all. Which would've been fine and dandy, she was quite used to hearing these blowhards inflate their own egos, if he would've stopped after the first hour.

On and on he went, with hardly a pause to even breathe!

Truly, if ever there was greater a torture, she knew naught of it. It was borderline cruel and unusual punishment that her mother forced her to attend, yet cursed was she. As one born from such a "noble and prestigious" lineage it was only proper to make regular appearances to appease the crowd and their honor. A pile of horse shite if you asked her, what was the point of all this wealth and power if all it did was serve to chain them down with endless chores and burden? Worst of all, she never even got to enjoy any of it!

How was that fair? Her brother got to do whatever he wanted by sheer virtue of being born before her, and more important having an extra bit between his legs, and yet she was stuck with endless studying for something that she wasn't going to be able to use her entire life. What was the point of learning their "ancient and most noble history" when none of it was relevant any longer? What use in learning a trade that'll discriminate against her just for being a woman? Of a house, she'll never inherit? Of honored ancestors who were long dead and gone and never done her any favors?

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Hogwash, the bunch of it, and yet she must always maintain a pleasant smile, a perfectly sculpted mask never to be taken off even in the privacy of her own home. 

Was it bad that she was only 16 and yet felt a weariness deep within her bones?

How tiresome, and to think she'd have to keep going like this for another 60 years until she died as some unknown housewife whose only goal was to get married and open her legs for the richest man her father could set her up with? No expectation outside of childbirth, not even able to leave a footnote in the annals of history.

What a laughable fate that's envied by hundreds. 

Perhaps if the Gods take mercy on her, her husband to be would only be a decade older than her rather than two. She shuddered to think it would be any more than that, but knowing her parents she wouldn't put it past them to try their damnest if the profits proved enough. It was all about the pros and cons with them, reputation above flesh and blood. They'd all but sold her older sister after all year ago, and never regretted it once even after her suicide.

No, if the Gods truly did have any smidgen of goodwill or mercy, then they would strike her with lightning right now. Take her away from this god awful place. She knows that it's a sin, but surely it can be forgiven just this once? Or even if not, even fire and brimstone sounds far more pleasant than the fate awaiting her.

Anywhere is fine as long as it's not here.