Emerald's Rogue (Part 1)

Rogue our youngest daughter, Emerald Whitington." Alex said.

"My lord." She said softly as she curtsied.

"Young Mistress." He replied bowing.

"Emerald, you and Rogue are going to be betrothed until you are sixteen. That is a year younger than your sister’s were when they married but since our families are so close we don’t see why it can’t happen a year earlier." Alex told his daughter. She looked up at Rogue quickly and saw the look of disgust on his face. She didn’t like him.

"I don’t want to." She plainly stated. She didn’t like the way that Rogue glared at her as if she were a nasty bug or something. She glared back.

"Emerald." Her mother said. "You know that you must do what is best for yourself and the family. Family comes before self every time." She reminded her daughter firmly.

"I don’t care Mother. I..."

"Emerald Allysa Whitington. " Her father stated firmly. She knew she had angered him and bowed her head quickly turning to him.

"You shame me child. You have always known that you must one day wed and that we would pick your husband. You cannot have a finer man than Rogue here. He will always provide for you and see that want for not."

"I am sorry father, but I had wished to travel and go to schools to extend my education and." He growled and she stopped turning to her mother. "I am sorry Mother, forgive me?" She asked softly with her head bowed. Lily looked over her daughter at her husband.

"You are much like your father." Was all she would say.

"Now come over here both of you and sign the document that will join our families." They saw that their parents had already signed the document. Rogue signed first with a very bold and fine signature. Emerald slowly signed her name, making sure it was as fine as Rogue’s if not as bold. They both resented their parents at that moment.

"Good! Tomorrow we will have the ceremony and a great celebration. Now Emerald why don’t you show Rogue to the room across the hall from yours." Her father stated firmly yet with joy in his voice.

She nodded then curtsied to the ladies and slowly walked out. Rogue glared at the men and bowed to the ladies with hooded eyes.

Emerald waited for him outside the library. She then walked down the hall to the stairs and started up not even looking to see if he was following. She knew he was for she heard his spurs jingle.

"There is your room my lord. If you will excuse me I do not feel well." She spoke finely. He had to admit that she was well raised.

"Hold. Tell me what have you been taught so far in your. How old are you anyway?" She looked at him then with anger and held herself up higher, seeming taller than her four feet ten inches.

"I am thirteen years old last month. I have been taught reading writing, mathematics, and I am now learning philosophy and medicine. I have also learned all that a woman should know to run an efficient household and to be a proper mother and hostess." She paused a moment wondering if she tell him that she knew all about horses as well.

"And just last night I helped my father with the delivery of one of our mares. I know all there is to know about horses. And I can cook." He smirked at that.

"I can." She stated stamping her small foot. "What can you do besides ride a horse and draw a sword?" She spat.

He stopped smirking.