Bella snarled as she entered her room, her anger a raging heat beneath her skin. Her father had offered her as a bargaining chip in yet another deal. Luckily, the man knew what had happened to the last man who accepted her father's offer—her mother's blade had killed him after she caught him trying to take Bella. Her mother flung the man into the street. She would have killed her father, but their marriage vows—sealed under the goddess Neroa—bound their lives together.
Not for the first time did Bella bite back a curse at the ox people's goddess as she made no allowance in the upholding of vows made in a moment of passion. The wording of which made it impossible for her mother to leave her father. Who had turned into a controlling monster that cared more for coin than his family as the years had gone by.
Calming herself first, Bella sat at her vanity to examine the latest bruise on her cheek, courtesy of her father. She sighed. Bella knew leaving would be better, but because her father headed the merchant's guild, she couldn't escape the city before the gates sealed. He didn't dare harm her mother, as the goddess made him experience her pain whenever he harmed her. However, this didn't deter him from hurting her. She didn't even have the options others of her station had of marriage or business, as her father was rather conventional on the surface, keeping her from being able to run a business because of Fartell's laws. Without, her father's permission and Bella's own desires for a partner in marriage put them at an impasse as thankfully for a marriage contract to be made the woman must give willing consent for the magic to bind the two as one least the paper burst into flame when forced. Even if drafted, they transferred the document to a new sheet of enchanted paper. That brought a smirk to Bella's face. Her father had to pay a hefty sum that day to avoid the matter being looked into his part of the attempt. Else, the provost examined his other dealings too closely.
The sounds of her parents' raised voices and her father's sharp scream jolted Bella from her thoughts. Bella winced, not in sympathy for him, but for her mother. She had gotten quite vindictive with their shared pain early on when he had the gall to harm Bella and refusing to allow her to be given healing. Bella held her breath as her father's footsteps passed her room. She exhaled only when his study door slammed. There was then a quiet knock at the door and in entered her mother.
"I hope your father was no rougher than usual, my dear?"
Bella found her mother inspecting her cheek with her bandaged hand. She was quiet for a moment before answering, "He has done, worse mother. What drove you to harm yourself and father this time?"
"Your father was refusing to let me take you to Soalis and Naomi's temples in the morning. So I made sure we had to go as a family, at least to Soalis' temple. I am sure your father will have to rush off to some meeting afterwards. Luckily, the way to your music instructor's home passes by Naomi's temple. We should have enough time; I believe, to stop by after your lesson."
Bella half-turned before hugging her mother tightly around the waist. She always did this, and it gave her the strength to persevere despite her father's cruelty. She always forced her father to meet her needs and ensure her happiness. Bella felt her mother hold her tightly for a time before finally stepping away.
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"Rest, my child. We will have a busy morning, no doubt. I know your father will want to get our trip out of the way to attend to guild business, no doubt."
##
Bella found her mother's prediction to be true, for her father sent for them to be roused just as the sun rose. The man dressed and glaring at Bella, silently blaming the whole situation on her. No doubt it still amazed her she had yet to be thrown to the streets by the man if she wagered a guess. She was only spared that fate by her mother. Bella wolfed down a meager meal of oatmeal and fruit before making her way to the carriage. Tense silence filled the trip to the temple. This followed her mother, forcing her father, through their relationship, to do something against his will.
Feeling relieved when the healers of Soalis' temple finally examined her, Bella, like always, to relish any moment, allowing her to escape her father. Reza, a strong and snarky Moraki healer frequently sold before finding work at Soalis' temple, treated Bella. Her help to other slaves and women in need ended her escape attempts.
"So, you had to face your father's wrath again, Lady Bella? May I request permission from Soalis to use my fire magic to set him ablaze in prayer? The wolf eared girl joked, making Bella laugh at the idea.
"I doubt the healer god and protector of men will allow such a thing, my friend, though I wish he would."
"You never know. After all, he and Naomi have been at odds lately. The last time that happened he made amends by giving to her mercy those that had used his protection for misdeeds against the moment who call for her aid.", Pointed out Reza as she wrote out the characters for healing the bruise on Bella's cheek watching as it faded from view.
##
"Counter parry Quarte, double, and disengage." Lady Devein barked out. Bella retreated as her instructor advanced. As: As her instructor mirrored her movements, Bella rotated her foil left, leading into the double. Bella advanced forward as she disengaged her foil from Lady Devein's and ended the bout where they started.
"Good, you have improved quite over the years, Heir Bella."
Bella beamed at her music and secret fencing instructor's praise. While waiting for her mother's carriage, Bella stored away the equipment, then shook Lady Devein's hand and grabbed her violin case from the hallway. Bella asked something that she had often thought about when she had learned that Lady Devein was originally Heir Contrass who had run away to the city of Norek where she had married Lord Devein.
"Did it prove to be worth it? Leaving behind the other family members that you loved to escape the monster that controlled your family Lady Devein?" Bella watched her teacher with a appraising eye as she sat down taking the time to smooth out her skirts before giving Bella's hand a gentle squeeze taking a moment to collect her thoughts before answering, "It was. There were many things and relationships that I lost in my escape. But I would do it again in a heartbeat. Child, a gilded cage is still a cage."
"However, if you plan on breaking free, take your time and plan it out; you can't rush this, Bella. That was my biggest mistake; I was reckless, and without Lord Devein, I wouldn't have built this life. Now, I believe your mother's carriage is here."
##
Bella breathed a sigh of relief as she entered the inner courts of Naomi's temple. Men were barred from this place alone in Fartell; it was one of the few places where she and her mother could escape her father. As Bella strolled through the courtyard speaking with several other women and girls when she came across a group fantasizing about snatching a ship from port and making lives for themselves elsewhere or as a crew for hire.
Bella drew closer, having joined the group's discussion. "That is a rather daring plan, ladies. One I find rather appealing myself because not only does it give me the personal freedom that I am currently denied, it has the bonus of hurting my transgressor in several ways. What is preventing your attempt, if you don't mind my asking?"