Page 224 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

She rolls her eyes at me. “Minerva, no more excuses. Your behavior has been abysmal as of late. Do you even know what people are saying? They know you ran away and they’re now questioning not only your upbringing but also our security wards.”

“Yes, Mother, because everything has to be about you.”

“Minerva!” She gasps.

“Mother?” I tilt my head and glare at her.

“Now, now, there is no need to argue,” Father adds in a low voice.

“Of course there is,” my mother interjects. “Look at her! First, she disappears without a trace, then she initiates a fight with her betrothed? Savage behavior! No child of mine should behave like this.”

“Then are you sure I am your child, Mother? Perhaps I was switched at birth,” I add drily.

She wheezes. Her mouth drops open in shock and she stares at me.

“If I am such a disappointment to you, why don’t we just go ahead and cancel the engagement? I will return to the military and live on my own away from the family. That way I will no longer bring shame to our House.”

“Minerva! You’re being impertinent.”

I sigh. “Why do we even need a connection to the House of Pyros? Maledo is the heir and he will become king one day. Molokai is well on his way to become the next Cryos Supreme. Why do you need me?”

“No child of mine will be a failure!” she shrieks.

“How would I be a failure if I continue with my career?”

“Dear, I think failure is a bit harsh. Minerva has earned a commendation from Commander Azerius himself. That is quite a feat,” my father adds, sending a small smile my way.

That he would take my side is…surprising.

“You know I have never been a fan of females in the military. That is something better left to the males,” my mother grumbles.

“Regardless, Minerva achieved something worth of praise. Not only that, but she brought honor to our House. Everyone was talking about it at His Grace’s banquet last night.”

Mother huffs in disapproval.

“While I am proud of your deeds, you must also listen to your mother, Minerva. She is right that people will keep talking if you behave in an unladylike fashion, regardless of whether you’re good at your job or not.”

“Thank you, Papa,” I tell him sincerely. It might be the first time he’s said he was proud of me, and that in itself warms my heart.

My mother glares at me and opens her mouth to speak, but one look from my father and she swallows her words. Instead, she straightens her back and adds in a monotone voice, “We will be meeting Theron and his family in a week’s time. Make sure you will behave.”

“Of course, Mother. If that is all, may I go now?”

“You may,” Father says.

Taking advantage of his decree before my mother decides to find more fault to me, I scurry out of their quarters and head back to my room.

To my surprise, the meeting went far better than expected. Of course my mother’s words were scathing, but I am used to that. The fact that my father defended me, even in that quiet manner of his, was a pleasant surprise.

He said he wasproudof me. Me! Not Molokai or Maledo. Me, Minerva!

I giggle to myself as I throw myself on the bed and burry my head in my pillow.

Finally, I have done something praise-worthy! It doesn’t even matter that Mother thinks I am unladylike and a disappointment.

Even more surprising, they did not lock me in my room, nor did they say anything about restricting my access to the outside. Perhaps, as long as I behave well, I might be able to delay this betrothal indefinitely and earn some more commendations while I’m out in Anthropa. Perhaps by then, my father will tell my mother that I don’t need to get married.

Ah… I smile to myself. Suddenly, life isn’t so bad.

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