Raven remembered the day Linda's father told them the “good” news. He came home after a long day at work and told his only daughter that she was to be promised in marriage to Duke Norwhal of London. Apparently, he was a studious and well-bred gentleman, one who would promise her a life of even greater luxury.

Now, Linda was an obedient girl, having been raised that way since birth, so she did not protest. Well, not in public, at least. After returning to their room, however, it was a different story.

*

"I just cannot believe father! He is marrying me off to some man in London I have never met, just so he can gain a bit more power? Unbelievable!" Linda screamed, throwing one of her usual tantrums.

Raven rolled her eyes with irritation. She knew it might not be the kindest thing, but she always felt compelled to speak realistically with her naïve sister. "You could do worse than a rich husband who will probably barely notice your presence. If I were you, I would enjoy such an easy arrangement."

Linda turned to her with horror and hurt. "But what about love, Raven? What about my dream of falling madly in love and living happily ever after with a hero of a man?"

“Oh, come on, you cannot still be holding onto such childish dreams! You are nearly eighteen now!" Raven replied with a laugh.

Linda shook her head, despair showing in her face. “Oh, Raven, he was going to be so dashing and handsome, though!”

"Who?"

"My knight, my hero! He was going to have blonde hair and blue eyes, strong arms to hold me with, and a whole legion of ships at his command! He was going to whisk me away to his private island for our honeymoon!" she gushed dramatically.

Raven rolled her eyes, though Linda wasn't anywhere near done with the fantasy.

"Afterwards I would have three children, one boy and two girls. He would be a little disappointed because he wanted to have another son, but at the ripe age of thirty I would tell him I was done with childbearing. Our daughters would grow up together as opposites, just like us, Raven, and then our son would rebel and run off to become a pirate! My husband would have to go and rescue him, while I waited at home for their safe return. Three years would go by, and then finally they would come back, my husband falling in love with me at first sight all over again!"

Linda sat there in her chair, cupping her face and staring off into the sky with wide eyes, envisioning every detail in her head. She seemed to have forgotten about her anger completely, totally swept up in her daydreaming.

Raven just shook her head with pity. Linda always did have quite the imagination. She honestly felt worse for her unsuspecting betrothed than anything. Her sister was not so easily won over…