As the sole daughter of Duke d'Aramitz, Mae had known since her adoption that an engagement would be arranged for her at a young age. She was expected to marry someone rich, of high standing. Her father was an important man, a war hero. It was a given, really. She'd never had a say in it.

In fact, she'd never had a say in much at all. The adoption had been against her will—and more of a purchase than anything. She'd been lucky, in a way; instead of being sold into slavery, she'd caught the eye of the duchess, who had longed for a daughter since the birth of her son had left her barren. Mae lived a life of privilege, yes, and her new parents had been strict but loving. Still, she hadn't wanted this.

Now she was fourteen, sitting in the living room of the duke's main estate, fingers curling nervously around her skirt as she waited. It was finally happening. Her father had called her in for an important discussion. Mae knew what that meant. He was going to introduce her to the suitor he'd chosen for her. She wasn't excited. Her nervousness must've been apparent, because her personal attendant had brought her tea and given her a sympathetic look; both a show of support and a silent request for Mae to relax.

"Thank you," she said, taking a sip and doing her best to look poised. "This is... This is nice."

She and her attendant exchanged glances, and Mae couldn't help but wish she weren't a duchess. A borderline inane desire, given how the streets had treated her and her older brother, before the slavers had kidnapped her and sold her to House d'Aramitz. But were she still a nobody, she wouldn't be sitting here now, waiting to meet a suitor she didn't want. Maybe she would have a true friend and not an attendant, and her brother would still be around, and she would still be Mayna, and she would be free—

In an impulsive act, she gripped her attendant's sleeve, her eyes wide and scared. "Please," she pleaded, her voice small and desperate. "I... I don't want this. Please, help me."