A Cursed Romance NaNo pt 2

My father had sent me to the store for a pie. Happily, I obliged. I loved going to the bakery and looking at all the pretty cakes and pies. The smells of fresh baked goodies always made me smile. It was my fourteenth birthday and I was a fine age to start dating. My father, the lord, said that he would find me a suiter soon.

I walked to the market and got to the baker’s front. But the baker himself wasn’t there, his son was in his place. I had never seen his son, only his daughter before but he was a fine looking gentleman. He looked to be about my age or a couple years older than me.

“Denia” He bowed, “What can I get you today?”

I didn’t know his name but when he spoke to me, something in me felt different, my heart gave a little flutter for this boy who I had just met not three minutes ago. “A, uh, strawberry tart please.”

“Sure, no problem.” He wiped his hair out of his face. He had corn colored hair and dark brown eyes. I watched as he scanned the cart for a strawberry tart and upon not seeing one, turned to a door and yelled to his dad, “I need one strawberry tart!”

His father walked into the front. “Denia!” He bowed and reached over to give me a hug. My father didn’t know it, but the baker's daughter was one of my best friends. We used to play together when we were younger so the baker knew me well. “I see you have met my son Landon.” He said. “He’s going to take over the shop soon enough. The tart isn’t done yet so I’ll have him run up to give it to you when it’s ready.” I nodded and walked away.

I walked up to the manor where my maidservant, Ella greeted me, “Where is the tart?” She asked, staring at my empty hands.

“They had run out of tarts and had to make a new one. The baker's son will bring it over when it is done.” I said.

She nodded, “They better bring it soon, your father is planning a big party! And… he invited over your first suitor!”

If you had told me this last week, let alone last hour, I would have been overjoyed! My first suitor! But ever since I had met the baker's son, Landon earlier I wasn’t as excited.

“You don’t seem excited anymore.” Ella said, “Why?”

“Let’s go to my room, I’ll tell you there.” I say, and we start walking up the stairs to my room



“Okay Denia, what is it? Why are you suddenly not interested in your suitors?”

“Well, there is this other boy, and he may have caught my interest.” I said blushing.

“Who is it?” She inquired.

I sighed, “The baker's son. Landon”

“The baker has a son? I thought he only had a daughter!”

“Me too, but I met him today. Oh Ella! He is so sweet! And he is coming to deliver the tart when it is done!” I exclaimed happily.

I heard footsteps outside the door, they sounded like my fathers feet and he sounded like he was walking away from my door. Had he heard my entire conversation? I could tell by how heavy his footsteps were, he was angry and he had most definitely heard my conversation with Ella. I could picture his face getting redder and redder, angry that I liked a poor baker's son.

Ella heard it too, and she looked at me, “Do you think he will be angry Denia?”

“Definantly.” I responded, imagining what he would do.

Then, I heard footsteps again, lighter this time. They opened the door, it was my other maidservant, Serena, “Denia, your father would like to see you. He is not happy, I do not know why, it’s your big day!”

I gulped, knowing what he was mad about but I nodded and said I would be down shortly.


I walked down the stairs to the lounge where my father was sitting in his chair. Next to him was Landon and the arms of my father's soldiers.

“Dad.” I said and bowed my head and playing innocent I said, “Why do you have this poor boy?”

“Do you know this boy?” He asked, I shook my head no, I didn't know the boy until two hours ago anyway. So I knew him, but I don't know him. You know?

“You lie!” He exclaimed, “This is the baker's son!”

I played the role of not knowing who the baker’s son was since most people didn’t know the baker had a son, “The baker has a son?”

“Don’t play this role with me Denia! I heard you, in your own words to Ella , you said how you like this boy and don’t want the suitors I hand selected for you! Don't lie to me Denia.”

Landon stared at me in shock. I turned away, my cheeks blushing and my face bright red.

“I–I– Father, he hasn’t done anything. It’s not his fault, don't punish him! Please, he hasn’t done anything.” I begged my father.

“He has interrupted your life, distracting you from the boys I picked for you that are good, rich matches, that is enough against me! Soldiers, take him to the forest!”

“No! He hasn’t done anything! Please!” I cried, my eyes were starting to water as I watched them take Landon away.

“Don't lie to me Denia, I always know. Now, come on, let me take you to your rightful suitor Benjamin, he just arrived. You’re going to love him. Well, you're going to have to love him.” My father gave an ugly laugh and took me to see this man.



Benjamin was ugly, and was six years older than me, that's what my father said, he was twenty-one. Landon was my same age,and looked nice, but my father wanted me to marry this… churl! Only because he has money or mostly offered the highest placement is status!. Words couldn’t express how mad I was at my dad now.

Benjamin bowed at me, “Denia.” He held out his repulsive arm to me. Being the good lady I am though, I took it with a glare at my father.
“This is for the best.” My father whispered to me, "Not the baker's son.

“For you” I whispered back, “Not me. Landon would be best for me.”

The whole dinner, Benjamin sat next to me. He never left my side and when he tried to talk to me, I ignored him, pretended like I couldn't hear him, couldn't speak English or understand him. Call me rude but I was hoping my dad would see I didn't like this boy, practically man! And my father did. After dinner, when all the guests had gone home my father pulled me aside.

“You were being very rude to Benjamin. He was trying to be nice to you! And you ignored him!” My father scolded, “I expected better of you Denia, that is no way to treat someone who is your future husband.”

“Father, I don’t like Benjamin and I don’t want to marry him. You said this is best for me, but it’s best for you, having me marry a rich man, older than me by so much!. How will I be able to enjoy my life and be happy when I’m stuck with him! You have got to understand.” I pleaded with him, but of course, he wouldn't. He had been given the choice with his, him being a man.

But he was not listening, “Denia, this is best for you. You'll thank me later.”

I forgot about being a proper lady, tears welled in my eyes and I turned away from my father, ran up the stairs, burst into my room and slammed the door. Ella was inside, waiting for me. She looked at me, and I could tell in her eyes, she was wondering what happened.

“Father kicked Landon out and expects me to marry a disgusting boy! He doesn't understand!” I told her, crying.

But, somehow, my father did because a little bit later, he came into my room and asked if I would come down stairs. I obliged, it’s only proper to obey, especially after I had disobeyed so much already. I walked down the stairs, expecting my father to talk to me about Benjamin some more and all the reasons I should marry him. But, to my surprise, Landon was there and not in the arms of my fathers soldiers.

“Denia, I’m sorry. I thought Benjamin would be the best idea since he is rich, but now I see, he was the best to me for you not. Not the best for you.” My father said to me

“I–I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry father for getting mad at you. Thank you.” I tell him, a smile on my face through the tears still staining my face.

He nods and leaves the room with one last glance at me. Landon just stands there awkwardly, unsure what to say after this chaotic day.

“Well, your house is nice.” He says, looking around.

“Thank you. Listen, about what I said about liking you. I’m sorry it’s okay if like–” I said, but he interrupted me.

“Ever since I first saw you that few hours ago, something happened in my heart, it was like… the saying, love at first sight. But I know we would never work out. Different status and all.” He said, looking me in the eyes.

“I know, friends then?” I asked, a hopeful smile on my face and held out my hand.

He takes my outstretched hand, “That sounds great.”

We walk out of the room together, hand in hand, not as lovers but as friends. This was only the start of something great and I couldn’t wait to see where our friendship takes us