The Devil's Betrothed

Chapter 833: Why Did You Do It?

Arthur went straight to the guest mansion where his family was staying. He asked to meet his father, who permitted him. As they sat in the study, Lord Clarence said, "Good you are here. I was going to talk to you tomorrow anyway.""To tell me how you fixed my sister’s marriage with my friend without even consulting me?" Arthur said, standing behind the chair he was meant to sit in. "Why did you do it?"

"Calm down and sit first. We signed the agreement just today, and you weren’t around," his father said, but Arthur was in a mood to disobey his father for the first time.

"I need my answers," Arthur insisted. "And I am not going to let it happen."

"You are her brother, but I am her father," Lord Clarence said coldly. "And I know better what’s good for my daughter."

"I don’t see that happening here," Arthur countered. "Nathaniel is not the right person for her. Evie is so young at that..."

"She is nineteen, not young. It’s the right time for her to get married," Lord Clarence interrupted him. "And Nathaniel is one of the wealthiest and most cherished lords by the king. He is the sole heir of the vast territory that many wish to control. With Evie marrying there, our reach will be easier. It will benefit our family."

"Father, she is your daughter, not something you trade for wealth and power," Arthur countered. "Evie is so naive, who hasn’t seen the outside world, and you are planning to send her this far?"

"She has to get married one day, so it’s better to be with someone powerful and capable, where my daughter will rule alongside her husband. She will hold power and live her life in comfort," Lord Clarence added.

"What about her husband? I told you he is not the right man for her."

"He is capable and powerful, that’s what it needs. All men are the same with their wives, nothing extraordinary in anyone. It’s just a union that needs to be fulfilled for the sake of it. I trust Evie. She will win his heart and live a happy life."

Arthur felt frustrated. "Father, you truly don’t understand..."

"I know what I am doing," his father raised his voice. "And I asked Evie. She agreed to it as well. If she is happy, what’s wrong with you denying her this happiness?"

"You must have insisted on her," Arthur said. "She doesn’t want to go this far. I know her. She must have agreed under pressure and couldn’t disobey her father."

"If you don’t believe me, go ask her yourself," Lord Clarence declared as he stood up to leave. "And this marriage is happening, so you better prepare yourself. If you don’t, then you don’t have to attend your sister’s wedding."

Arthur was left alone in the study, utterly restless. He couldn’t believe Evie agreed to the marriage and she didn’t tell him.

He went straight to see her, where she was about to get ready to head to bed. Upon hearing from her attending lady that her brother wanted to meet her, Evie permitted it.

Arthur entered her room. Evie welcomed him with a smile. "What brought you here so late, brother?" she asked.

He stared at her for a moment as if seeing through her soul. "When someone outside tells me that my sister is getting married, should I not come?"

Evie stared at him, a little puzzled. "You didn’t know? I thought our father had consulted you, as Lord Nathaniel is your friend."

"So you thought I had agreed to it, that’s why you said yes to Father when he asked you?" Arthur asked as he approached her.

Evie shook her head. "No, that...."

"I never knew about it. If I knew, I would have told you to say no," Arthur said as he held her hand. "You cannot marry Nathaniel. There are other lords, and I will find the best one for you. You just have to tell Father you don’t want it."

"The engagement letter is signed," she said. "It’s alright. We can’t make Father go back on his word. I have to marry someone anyway...."

"That someone can’t be Nathan," Arthur insisted. "Trust me. He is my friend, and I know him better. He is not the right man for you. So please go and tell Father you don’t want this marriage. I won’t let you ruin your life."

Evie looked at him, puzzled and quiet.

"You have to listen to me, Evie. I request you," Arthur said earnestly. "Later, I will handle everything, alright?"

"Does he not want to marry me?" she asked. "And you want to help your friend?"

Arthur smiled lightly. "Who in the world would not want to marry my lovely sister? But he is not worthy of you. I cherish him as my friend, and I can do anything for him, except for marrying my sister. You two are not meant to be. So just do as I say. As long as you say no, this marriage arrangement won’t go through. Everything depends on you."

Evie nodded silently. Arthur pecked on her forehead lightly. "Sleep well. During the wedding here, we will find the best man for you," and left.

Evie returned to her bed, lost in her thoughts, her expressions sad.

-----

The next morning, Evie and Nathan had to meet for tea. It was arranged in the side garden of the Clarence family’s guest mansion.

Evie was waiting for him, as per her parents’ instructions, while Arthur had no way to stop it. All he believed was that his sister was going to say no, so it would be over soon. And this tea meeting was just a short formality.

On the other hand, Nathan had to be there despite not wanting to. His father was using every moment to remind him of his friend Aaron and the loss.

Inside the gazebo, Evie, dressed beautifully as per her mother’s instructions, sat silently around a tea table, lost in her thoughts.

Nathan arrived there, though a little late.