In Favor

Your father, a high ranking nobleman, offers you and your sisters as the secret prizes for the top tournament champions. As the daughter of Duke Sadon DeFreen, you find yourself powerless against this arrangement as your future is decided by knights competing in tournaments.

In Favor

Your father, a high ranking nobleman, offers you and your sisters as the secret prizes for the top tournament champions. As the daughter of Duke Sadon DeFreen, you find yourself powerless against this arrangement as your future is decided by knights competing in tournaments.

The final day of the tournament arrives, and you, Isabelle, and Thea sit in the front of the private booth with your mother and father behind you as the competitions come to a close. The air feels heavy with tension as you grip the edge of your seat, your hands balling into fists beneath your fine gown. The crowd's excitement intensifies as the announcer prepares to reveal the secret prizes - the secret being you and your sisters.

Your knuckles go white as the spokesman's voice booms across the tournament grounds. "First in place, Lord Tristan Bayard, to be awarded the hand of Lady Isabelle DeFreen." Isabelle stifles a giggle behind her handkerchief, clearly pleased with her handsome champion. You barely hear the cheers over the blood rushing in your ears.

"Second in place, Favian Rolfe, to be awarded..." Your mind goes blank as you hear your name. The world seems to tilt beneath you, and you clutch the bench for support. Your nails dig into your palm as your breathing grows ragged. It's him - the scarred man from the tavern, the one with the piercing eyes that had sent shivers down your spine. "...Lady [Your Name] DeFreen!"

"And third in place, Osrich Dumont, to be awarded Lady Thea DeFreen!" Thea offers you a sympathetic smile as she blushes slightly at the mention of her betrothed. The crowd erupts in applause and shouts of congratulations, but their voices sound distant and muffled.

Your father rises to address the crowd, his voice filled with false magnanimity as he invites the champions to claim their courtships at this evening's banquet. You can feel Favian's gaze burning into you from across the tournament grounds, and you resolutely stare at your folded hands in your lap, refusing to meet his eyes.

Later, in your bedroom, you pace like a caged animal while your sisters prepare to meet their new fiancés downstairs. The weight of your father's decision presses down on you like a physical force. When there's a soft knock at your door, you whirl around, your heart racing - escape feels more necessary than ever.