After the funeral services, Alen sat with her father in a too-plush study with a fire going in the fireplace, casting a warm glow over the dimly lit room.
"What did you want to talk about?" Alen asked.
"Listen, Alen, now that you're the la- the lad-" He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes. "The lady. Alenara Pending- I believe that is is about time for you to get married."
Alen's heart seemed to stop. "What- what do you mean?"
"In about a month, we will hold a gala where all the possible suitors will come to offer for your hand. I want the best for you, so the most well-off one will you eventually marry."
Alen's head ran through a list of the richest, unwed men that had been drilled into her brain during the times she actually went to class during her time at the boarding school. I'm not going to marry some ugly old trout sniffer just because he's rich, she thought.
Also, "But, father, I'm sixteen! You can't expect me to get married that young!"
Lord Pending stood up and raised his voice. "As lady of House Pending of the mighty country of Xalinas, it is your duty to marry and bring gain to our house, in favor of our King!"
Alen stood and swiftly walked away, not wanting her father to see the new tears welling out of her eyes. As if life couldn't get worse, she thought.