"It suites me well enough, father. Its craftmanship is rather exquisite, according to Lord Devein. No doubt some lads will try to claim it from me in our drill this afternoon for extra credit, though I doubt they shall do so. Lord Devein says he'd struggle to find a student who matches my skill.", said Bella. Shortly after beginning the sailing project, her father enrolled Bella in Lord Devein's fencing school so she could defend herself at sea during drills. He, of course, phrased it to ensure they could protect the ships that they were on. It, however, allowed her to show off her skill with the blade openly, something that Lady Devein used to push her even harder than she had planned.

  "It is almost time for me to head to the docks. I must thank you again, father for allowing me use of the Lady Fair. I could hope for nothing better than the use of your most sought-after ship for the first public drill of the school to show that we, as instructors, know what we are teaching our charges.", stated Bella.

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  "I won't waste your time, Bella. I just wanted to say I have a fair stack of marriage contracts for you to look over.", Bella could feel her blood boil at this. He hadn't even given her time to make her own arrangements like he had promised. Bella inwardly calmed herself though, with the thought that soon he would regret everything soon enough.

  "Very well, Father. I will look over them when I return from the drill.", Said Bella, taking the stack from him with a curtsey to her father. Once she was dismissed by her father, Bella exited the office with a measured walk, where she ran into her mother outside the door. Bella felt her heart clench tightly in her chest. Her mother was fighting back tears at the sight of her, "So today is the big day, my child. Do you have everything you'll need?"