~Not Edited~
"Umm...." Ella began, still stunned at the duke's sudden and surprising pose of action.
Amos took Ella's incomplete and confused sentence as a yes to continue on talking, which he did.
"I've officiated a contract -"Amos began, returning back to his original state whilst retrieving a file from the desk drawer before him and then presented it before Ella. "- which expands further upon our supposed deal that we have both come to terms with. It contains all the terms and conditions of our relationship before and after we are to be wed."
Ella trailed her eyes towards the file before her as she opened it to reveal a simple piece of paper with everything as Amos states to be in this contract. She scanned its contents and was surprised to see that most of the terms and conditions of this fake marriage of a deal did not meet Ella in satisfaction and total agreement, but she was already in this total baloney situation so she couldn't disagree to agree.
As stated;
OFFICIAL BINDING CONTRACT OF AMOS KNIGHT AND ELLA PEARSON
This binding contract contains the terms and conditions and/or regulations officiated by the high court of law, expressing that both participants - Amos Knight and Ella Pearson - should keep, follow and abide by and/or with any of the statements given in the following;
[1] All and/or any agreements made between the participants must be kept confidential and to his/her word.
[2] Both participants are to not involve with each other personally and/or sexually before and after they are to be wedded unless the necessary need is required for the former.
[3] All inheritance of the primary participant will also become part of the secondary participant; stating wealth, power and nobility will also become part of the secondary participant.
[4] After marriage, both participants are to share the same chamber in necessary need of being each other's spouse and to convince that the marriage is true.
[5] Having any involvement of personal and/or sexual feelings with others besides both participants is prohibited such as a secret lover, mistress etcetera.
[6] Both participants are to cooperate with one to another when necessary such as public activities, family involvement etcetera.
[7] Both participants are to express, act, show or whatever it may be to show a true and real relationship between the couple if it is so necessary without the will to complain.
[8] The secondary participant must listen and abide by the wishes of the primary participant, and not the contradiction.
[9] After marriage, the family of the secondary participant will also gain benefit in receiving wealth, comfort, and security, in the state of being in an excellent condition.
If any of the above statements are not to be completed, attended, followed or not abide with - stating if any are to be broken by any or both of the participants - he/she will suffer the consequences of not uplifting their end of the deal, which follows;
- Charge
- Humiliation
- Guilt
- Punishment
- Death
Signatures of both participants must be signed in the given space below to show their commitment and proof of their words towards their agreement(s).
As Ella wandered over towards the last part where it clearly had a blank space for both hers and Amos's signatures, she couldn't help but wonder deeply about her family and where they were right now and what were they doing. She missed them deeply, and so badly wished she was with them at home and not in this despiteful place she so much despises. Much to her dismay.
"So, it's pretty much simple. We only involve ourselves intimately with each other when we are confronted by the public or with my family and yours too. We stay out of each other's way and everything should work out fine." Amos declares sliding over a pen towards me. "But, if you choose not to follow any of these terms, then you will suffer the officiated consequences." He smirks, before leaning back in his seat as he awaits for Ella's response.
"Death? Is that how far these consequences will go to measure if I do not abide by these conditions?" Ella asks in haste and distraught, but not surprised at all that the Duke would go as far as death.
"If it ever comes to that, then yes," Amos replies nonchalantly.
Ella retrieves the pen and concentrates on making a fancy scribble onto the paper. However, it only took her two seconds to sign the contract and breathe out an air of relief.
"You've done well, Pearson." Amos nods in approval as he then signs his name.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Ella knew that this marriage deal had a deeper meaning behind it, and Ella was determined to find out the reason as to:
One: Why he chose her to become his wife?
Two: Why did he want to marry so soon?
Three: Who exactly is Amos Knight?
Aye, Ella was more curious on the latter question. Amos was a mysterious being that was filled with surprises, like the night at the ball, the proposal at Ella's home and the ambush in the forest. Ella really wanted to find out if Amos Knight is the person he says he is or not because clearly, he acts differently from any nobleman Ella expectedly knows of.
But in the meanwhile, Ella was still trying to comprehend everything that Amos and her just both went through for the past hour or so, and it wasn't easy agreeing reluctantly to the majority of their so-called discussion.
Amos and Ella were now seated opposite each other in a surprisingly small seated table enough for just the two. It was a simple eating table of the nobility, with a pretty but small flower vase at its center while fancy bowls and cutlery presented the pair before them.
The room was large with the ceiling high above as a chandelier escalated beneath it. Black and white marbled floors, beige colored walls and different assortments of pottery, plants, and flowers also decorated the room. It seemed that the entire castle was filled with the same assortment of decorations.
Silence enveloped the pair as the servants placed their breakfast before them, which consisted of porridge, fresh cut bread, and buns with butter, fruits, and a glass of grape juice. She gave the servants a nod of appreciation and gratefulness as they retreated silently to where they had arrived from.
Ella looked at the food placed before her and couldn't help but let the grumbling sound escape from within her. Ella clutched her stomach to suppress the sound from going any louder for Amos to hear. She was definitely hungry considering how she didn't eat anything last night, but she still wasn't happy with everything that has happened and is currently happening, especially in the presences of a nobleman, or so they say.
Amos noticed Ella's pained and obviously starved expression which only made him smirk as he dug right into his breakfast first.
"Eat. I don't want my future wife to starve herself to death. It wouldn't be a good look for me." Amos urged in a cold tone but with a hint of amusement.
Ella only shot him a death glare before she reluctantly picked up her spoon and began to dig into her delicious porridge.
That was the only words said amongst the pair as they continued to eat in silence and avoid each other's presence.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Later that day, both Ella and Amos traveled into town for Ella's supposedly wedding dress fitting that was already scheduled to be at noon. It wasn't a shocker to see that Amos had already planned the day out considering how she wasn't living her life anymore, especially since they'll be getting married in a week.
They traveled down in a simple black carriage, which surprisingly had no specific or interesting form of decoration within, except the leather seats.
Thank Heavens. Was Ella's first thoughts when she noted this.
Amos sat on one seat on the further corner while Ella on the other seat sitting in the opposite corner.
The carriage jostled here and there as they continued their way to town in utter silence, all until a view of the magnificent town of London came into view.
It was so beautiful, filled with bustling people; men with their top hats and women in their day gowns.
They went down into a much peaceful street where only a few wandered about. It wasn't long until Amos lifted the end of his supposedly walking stick and thumped it twice on the carriage's roof, causing the carriage to come to an abrupt stop.
Ella diverted her eyes towards Amos as he looked at her with an intensifying stare that caused Ella to feel butterflies flutter about in her stomach.
Strange. She thought.
The footman opened the carriage door and Amos stepped out first, whilst Ella trailed behind.
The first thing Ella noticed was a store with a bold heading that read:
CALRINA'S BRIDAL STORE
It wasn't that fancy as she thought it would be. It was simple but yet magical in Ella's eyes. It was nothing near to how she expected noblemen to take their fiancé's for wedding dress fitting would be, especially for Amos. But Ella needed to realize that the Duke was not of any normal nobleman she has ever come across.
Ella trailed behind the Duke as he made his way inside the shop.
Ella was enveloped with the shop's warm, soft creamy aroma. Her eyes roamed around the small but magnificent shop noting each and every white wedding gown that stood on display, each with its own unique touch that caught Ella's breath in a second. She was honestly astounded at the beauty of what wedding gowns portrayed especially since she never thought much about it until now.
Ella was snapped out of her dazed stance when a joyous and pitchy voice caught her attention.
"Caballero!" A lady who looked to be in her mid-thirties exclaimed as she approached the Duke with a smiling face and open arms.
"Lola!" Amos returns in the same joyous tune that Ella has never before seen of the Duke as they both exchange hugs.
"Oh, querido caballero, cómo has estado? Ha pasado mucho tiempo desde la última vez que te vi. Qué edad tenías entonces? Quince?" The lady spoke in a different language that Ella had never heard of before. "Estoy muy bien Lola y sí. Cómo estás?" Amos replied fluently as if the language he spoke was his first which surprised Ella even more.
Ella was stunned at the duke's change of emotion towards this lady especially when they conversed in a different language.
Who was she to Amos? Ella pondered as she stood astray from the pair who conversed so casually with one another. And what language are they speaking in?
As if answering her questions, Amos directs his attention towards Ella which somehow caught Ella off guard.
"Lola, I want you to meet my fiancé, Ella Pearson." He says, gesturing for Ella to move closer towards him to which she did.
"Ella, meet Lola Alejandro, a long-time friend of mine."
Ella studied Lola's appearance properly for the first time. She had mild white hair that partook of her faded brown curls which were tied neatly into a low bun. She had a small physique portrayed with the soft cream dress she was wearing. Her facial features were, however, special and she knew straight away that she wasn't an English woman especially by the language she conversed with the Duke. Caramel brown orbs observed her as well, with a pointy nose, smooth lips, puffed cheeks and small wrinkles hinting at the corner of her eyes. Ella also noted that she was one joyous person.
"Oh my, it is an honor to meet you, Ella." Lola expressed happily as she takes Ella's small hands into hers while looking deeply into Ella's beautiful green eyes. "You're such a beautiful girl. No wonder why Caballero wants to marry you." Lola smiles deeply, happy to see her Caballero finally settle with someone he loves.
If only that was the case, which it is not. Ella thought supremely.
"Nice to meet you too, Lola." Ella returns with a smile, noting also her different accent.
She was definitely not from here.
"Lola, I will be leaving for a short while and I'll be back in an hour or two. Could you please tend to my beautiful fiancé and see that she gets the perfect wedding gown that would sweep everyone off of their feet once they see her?" Amos directs gently towards Lola which Ella is again shocked at his sweet tone.
"Por supuesto! Por supuesto! Leave her to me. Once you get back, she'll be ready for the big day!" Lola exclaims delightfully as if this was the happiest thing she has ever done in her life, which probably may be.
"Excellent," Amos replies adequately. "I will see you both in a bit." He says sternly as he dismisses himself from the two.
Ella watched the Duke as he left the store, leaving a joyful Lola gleaming ever so brightly toward her Caballero's fiancé.
"Ok senorita. Let's get you your wedding gown." Lola says enigmatically.
Just as that was said, Lola's expression changed drastically into a serious, smirking face as she clicked her fingers, a signal for two other ladies to come sprinting before Lola.
"Belleza y perfección." Lola directs towards the two ladies in simple tone. Please speak English. Was Ella's only thought as the three eager ladies got to work.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
After how many failed attempts to find Ella the perfect wedding gown, the three ladies were exhausted and almost gave up, until one special gown tore their exhaustion away as they praised the sight before them as if an angel ascended from the heavens.
Of course, she was an angel and most of it seemed so good to be true.
"Remarkable," Lola said breathlessly at the sight before her.
Indeed, Ella herself couldn't deny as well how beautiful she looked in her wedding gown. She looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror and couldn't suppress how genuinely happy she was in a long time.
But realization found her once again.
It wasn't a real wedding that she gave her heart out and true love for. It was all just a deal.
Ella was sad knowing that this marriage was all just a fraud, but she never forgot why she agreed and went along with it.
For my family. Ella thought as she turns around to meet the three ladies and their breath-taking gazes.
"Perfect. Will have it ready for you before your big day." Lola expresses with joyful tears hinting at the corner of her eyes.
Ella forced a smile in return, nodding in agreement knowing that none of this was true to the heart.
If only. Ella thought momentarily before she whisks away to the changing room.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
It was only an hour and a half when they finally found the perfect wedding gown for Ella, and during that time Ella got to know much more of Lola and her relationship with the Duke.
Lola was like an aunt to the Duke mostly when he was a young boy. She was a friend of Amos's nanny whom they'd always visit when traveling into town. She was also Spanish lady who taught Amos the language, which explained Ella's confusion and curiosity of how Amos was so fluent in the foreign language.
Since the Duke stated that he would be back in an hour or two, Ella said her goodbyes to the beautiful ladies and decided she wanted to explore the town for a little while, since it has been a long time when she last did.
However, it seemed like a very bad idea because -
Oomph!
Ella looked up to see what she had bumped into, thinking it was a wall, but no, it was no wall. It was, in fact, a wall she thought she would never come across in her life ever again.
"Ella..." He says breathlessly, shocked just as Ella was.
No. It can't be.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Hola amigos and senoritas!!
It has been a loooonnngg time. Sorry for being away for a few months but I honestly had a massive writer's block and I kind of gave wattpad a break. But don't worry, I am back to give you this chapter and hopefully many more afterward. However, there will be a few plot changes, hopefully not much and some major slow updates. I will try my best but I cannot promise or guarantee you anything atm.
And I just really want to thank each and every one of you who took the time to read, vote, comment or add my story to your reading lists!!! 7.6K and 436 votes!!! Wow, you are all just amazing!!! It would always mean the world to me if you continued on reading, voting, commenting and adding my story to your reading list!!!
This chapter is dedicated to !!
Question(s): Should there be more terms/conditions for their contract? Any suggestions on Ella's perfect wedding gown? Who is the so-called Wall?
LOVE YOU ALL SOOOO MUCH!!!
Yours and yours only,
Miss Riah ❤