THIRD-PERSON POV
Leon, who arrived shortly after Melody's quick escape into her room, walked steadily and calmly into her father's study.
To discuss her marriage, he was welcomed warmly by her father, who at first ignored his own daughter.
"Welcome, Leon," he said with a smile.
But compared to his warm welcome, Leon responded rudely without greeting.
"Did she agree?"
"No, sir, but I can make her. Just give me the chance," making her father literally sweat bullets.
"I thought you agreed that you would not force her, that she would do it out of her own free will," he said with a smile, making her father, Ceal, slightly nervous.
"If you force her, I will not agree to the marriage. But if she does not marry me, too, I'll destroy you," he said, his smile getting wider, making him look more menacing.
"But how is that possible? You know how strong-headed she is," Ceal said.
"That's your problem, not mine. Yours, so solve it. All I need is my bride. You understand?" Leon said before walking out, not even looking back.
The agitated Ceal sat back in his chair, clearly thinking and cursing Leon. Then his features twisted into anger before he stalked into Melody's room without even knocking.
"Did you tell him to do that? You did, right?" he said, shouting at Melody, who sat there cluelessly, wondering what was going on.
"Father, what are you talking about?"
"Don't lie, stupid child. You're just like your mother."
"Father, I don't understand."
"Shut up!" He cut off her speech, not allowing her to even defend herself.
Smack.
The slap he gave her resounded across the room.
With tears in her eyes, she asked, "What do you mean?" Her voice wobbled.
He looked at his fearful child, controlled by his anger.
She ran out of the room with tears in her eyes and across the garden until she was out of his sight.
She sat at a pond nearby, but as she started crying, she felt someone tapping her. Then she turned, and she felt even more angry at the person she was looking at.