A Vow So Beautiful

"Senator Visalyaputra, I beg of you to give your daughter to me," came her beast's plea.

Every word shot through her like double sided arrows. Her ears couldn't fathom that he was actually begging her father for approval. She shook her head but the scene displayed in front of her was no doubt a nightmarish reality. These feeble arms and legs of hers weren't capable of changing fate.

"Why!" Prisana shouted. "He doesn't deserve your pride or worth."

Prisana couldn't stand it any longer. She moved faster than her mind could think but a man in black held her back.

"Elias! Stop! Get up. Don't do this for me or I will never forgive you," her tears threatened to come down like furies of waterfall.

"Prisana, he's still your father. Unlike mine, he's alive."

So that truly meant his father was dead. Questions plaguing her like 'what happened' wanted to surface but she was enraged beyond help for her beast.

She turned to her 'father' and scowled at the very word, "Father? That man is no father of mine."

The senator glowered his eyes at her and stalked her so that he could forcefully grab her wrist. She was trapped in her father's hold, not bothering to search for the man she once knew. Only staring daggers at his whole being.

"My blood runs deep inside you. Hate it or love it but Prisana you are undoubtedly my daughter. This hair, those fiery eyes, and a mighty will unfit for a woman resembles me."

God, this man was a version she has always seen but blinded herself from truly discovering until now. She shoved his touch away.

"I'm my mother's daughter. These traits are cursed misgivings from a man I reject..."

"Reject me all you want but is this the man that will solve your troubles? Look at him shamelessly begging. That's more like it...Don't you see Prisana? Before me, all are powerless. He can't give you everything like Giovanni or I can."

In all her life, she has done her best to control her burning emotions. Not once has she grown angry at her father for the lack of care and attention. Nor for the way that he has become a man unknown to her. Yet, he chose to strip away the beast of his pride. Her beast. Anger burned through her as she swiveled her head to look at her father.

She glared at her father, "So now you're a tyrant? A mighty ruler who has all and yet owns not a shred of love I see! Elias may have given you his pride. He may have stripped himself of worth in front of you. Yet I know that pride and worth is not demeaning another human being when he is pouring out his soul and heart. It's true, Elias might not be able to give me everything like you've handed to me on a silver platter but his convictions are the most beautiful pride and worth there is to admire. Yours, is an ugly facade brought upon this greedy glory for fame."

"Such thoughtful words! But, pride and worth is determined by one's will to not back down in the face of obstacles unlike the man before you grovelling," he disregarded her words. "And why pray tell Mr. Blackwell, should you be asking me for my blessing when you've already done the deed? I want your divorce."

"A bird must be allowed to one day leave the nest and fly. I promise to care for and cherish her until the time comes when she has wings to soar. Senator, allow your daughter to soar because she has been stripped of all she could have become."

"Ha! Do you now regret the choices you've made? It's pathetic. You're groveling on your knees and begging so nicely all for a mere woman," came his father's amused remark.

"None. If I had the chance to take her away again, I would do it all over in a heartbeat."

"...Why you insolent man!"

"I'm giving you my pride and worth not because of regret or fear. From a man speaking to another man, I am asking you for your sincerest blessing out of respect for your daughter's feelings."

"Then you must know...Fathers love their daughters. In turn, they have the hardest time giving them away, especially to a thief like you! If you want my blessing, then you'll have to earn it by beating me at my own game."

The senator motioned over toward the yachts that crowds began to shuffle into after the announcer urged them to do so. There were at least several yachts lined up next to the dock overlooking the waters. Many of them were tall, serene, and white. There was one familiar yacht Prisana has seen once before as it had streaks of blue and gold etched onto the very front of the yacht.

She knew before even her father spoke, "Let's wager this impudent daughter of mine. That yacht in particular is mine. I've never been beat in a race. You can choose any yacht you'd like and if you win, I will grant your request."

"If I lose?"

"Divorce her."

"Elias—" she tried reasoning because her father's yacht was the front runner in every competition.

"Deal."

Dane stood from the ground and shook off Cleo who silently held him back. His back faced Prisana as he turned around to indulge in this game. She tried desperately kicking and flailing her arms about but all to no avail. Finally, she got the courage to bite the man in black's arm. The man in black let her go so she ran as fast as she could even as Dane kept walking without looking back.

But by now it was too late, he was already boarding onto the yacht and she was still at the lower steps fighting to board on but the determined look in his eyes made her waver.

"...Dane!"

"Let me go with you."

"Stay."

"Dane! I've called your name twice now. You said you would be there for me but you're not," she could feel frustrating tear slide down her cheek because watching her beast abandon his pride hurt her beyond recovery.

"Then, that was your husband speaking. Now, it is the beast in shining armor who wishes to win you over fairly."

Prisana looked down at her glittering silver heels to calm her flurry of emotions. She took a deep breath.

"You've already won me over, you stupid beast!"

"Dane, I'm in love with you."