I return to my room absolutely humiliated. In a way it was flattering, that Caleb’s parents misunderstood and thought that Caleb cared enough about me to want to break traditions and marry me, a member of his harem.
Their expressions, however, a mix of horror and rage, left me feeling nothing but deep despair and embarrassment. It is insulting how lowly they think of me, like I’m subhuman somehow. A slave, put on this earth only to serve, never to rise about my station. Or even dream about it.
The worst part for me, though, was Caleb’s absolute lack of response. He did not defend me. He probably didn’t even think to.
I know it’s impossible for Caleb to return my feelings, but each time that something like this occurs, when the chasm that stretches between us seems as far as an ocean, I’
