Kingdom of Ravens

"You piece of trash," Lady Carla growled, throwing a pair of dirty socks at Nicholas's face. "Your whole existence in this family pisses me off more than anything."

Nicholas took the socks off his face and lowered his head. He held a basket of dirty clothes under his arm. 

He was about doing the laundry when Lady Carla stormed in and began raising hell. 

Lady Carla gritted her teeth, her back stiff with rage and contempt. "You're useless Nicholas. Why? Why have you chosen to bring disgrace and shame to my family?"

Kimberly whom had been standing by and watching the scene all these while, finally intervened. 

"That's enough, mother."

Lady Carla turned to her and pointed an accusing finger at Kimberly. "This is all your fault, Kim!"

Kimberly looked surprised. "My fault?"

"If you hadn't married a loser like this trash you call a husband, I wouldn't hide my face in shame amongst other families."

Kimberly took one glance at Nicholas then back to her mother. "I understand you mother but Nic is human. He may be a loser but at least he's got dignity."

"Screw his dignity," Lady Carla snapped. "The other night, the Greenwich family insulted me at an event and it's all your stupid husband's fault."

Kimberly swallowed. "What would you have me do then?"

"Divorce him!" Lady Carla said sharply. "Kick him out and get married to a man of better status and substance."

Kimberly shook her head sadly, "As much as you make it sound easy, I can't do that, mother. Nic has no where else to go. I'm all he's got."

"Which makes it the more reason," Lady Carla ranted. "What has he to offer you? Nothing. He's a pest nothing more."

Nicholas quietly dropped the socks in a big basin of water along with the clothes. He sat down on a low wooden stool and began washing the clothes with his bare hands. 

"Mother," Kimberly sighed in exasperation. "Why don't you head to your room and cool off. Your face is red."

"I'll have no peace until that piece of trash leaves this family," Lady Carla said, turning her back to leave. "Come with me, Kim. I must talk to you."

Kimberly nodded then turned to watch her husband. 

Nicholas continued washing the clothes, his face pale and drowned in despair. 

Kimberly gritted her teeth. Here was the man she married: a loser, a coward, a nobody. 

She didn't know why she couldn't divorce him. Maybe it's because she has a soft heart.

Or maybe it's because of her grandmother's dying wish. 

Their marriage wasn't consummated which means they never had any sexual relationship with each other.    

Her grandmother had found Nicholas and had her married to him. 

She married him simply to protect him. It wasn't as if she loved him. 

"Nic, once you're done washing, there's meals to be made. Ensure dinner is prepared on time else mother would throw a fit."

Nicholas looked over his shoulder at her. "I will remember that, my beloved."

Kimberly shuddered uneasily. She looked away. 

"Don't call me your beloved so formally. Our marriage isn't consummated yet."

And Kimberly left the laundry room. 

Nicholas returned back to his washing, his heart heavy and pained. He cursed himself and buried his face in his soapy hands. 

He was nothing more but a street rat in the eyes of the Goldstein family. 

The Goldstein family was a big wealthy family in the capital of North Hills City and he was married to one of their daughters, Kimberly. 

They treated him like a stable slave. 

He does the dishes, wash their underwears, wash the floor, the toilets and make their meals. 

Everyone in North Hills knew him as The Trash Son-in-law. The Goldstein family were mocked and insulted because of his marriage to Kimberly. 

It was the most humiliating stain on the family's name. Despite all their pleas to have him divorced, Kimberly refused. 

She refused because Madam Elizabeth, Kim's grandmother's dying wish was for Kim to protect him. 

Nicholas had put up with the insults and humiliation for years because of Madam Elizabeth's kindness and hospitality. 

But after her death, things changed. He prays for a breakthrough so he could redeem himself. 

                             * * * *

Nicholas was done drying the clothes. On his way to the kitchen, he passed Lady Carla's studies. 

His mother-in-law was having coffee with his wife. They were discussing something very important. 

Lady Carla was raising her voice so Nicholas stood by the door and eavesdropped on their discussion. 

"We're finished, Kim," Lady Carla ranted, raising her hands in the air. "With the way things are going, the Goldstein family is on the brink of ruin."

"Talk to me, mother," Kimberly said earnestly. "What's the problem?"

"Our family has met a serious financial crises," Lady Carla revealed. "The family's business hasn't been raking in profits like it used to."

"Does this means we're also running short of money?" Kimberly asked. 

"Yes. To save our family's business, we must raise funds but the capital we need is just too big for us to raise."

Kimberly looked thoughtfully at her mother. "What are our alternatives?"

Lady Carla leaned forward, "Your grandfather, sent Jean and Gregory to the Blackwells family for financial support."

Kimberly pulled a face. "The Blackwells? They're super rich but also a pain to deal with."

"We have no choice," Lady Carla snapped. "They accepted to aid us but at a price. You know their youngest son, George."

Kimberly's face lost its blood and a look of disgust fell on her.

"George? That hideous fat ugly son of theirs?"

Lady Carla sighed, "He is infact hideous like you say. Well, the Blackwells wants George to marry into our family."

Nicholas eyes widened. This was an unexpected turnover. He listened more. 

Kimberly took her mug of coffee and sipped a little. She wasn't looking at her mother anymore

"Well, that's messed up. No one in our family would want to marry that fat pig."

Lady Carla stared intently at Kimberly. "Wouldn't you want to sacrifice yourself for the sake of our family."

Kimberly sputtered her drink and coughed.

"What was that?"

"You heard what I said, Kim. You're clearly the only one in the family that can marry George."

Kimberly stood up sharply in protest. 

"No way I'm I marrying that pig! I'd rather die."

Lady Carla leaned back in her seat, exhausted and tired. 

"It can't be helped. I knew beforehand this would be fruitless. I wouldn't want to give you up to a man like George either but what choice do our family have?"

Kimberly felt sorry for her mother.

"Isn't there something else we can do?"

Lady Carla shooked her head, "I'm afraid not. Still, the Goldstein family would hold a family meeting to discuss our next move."

"I don't want to marry George of the Blackwells," Kimberly said, kneeling before her mother. "He is too ugly. Protect me, mother."

Lady Carla scowled and folded her arms. 

"You're partly to be blamed, Kimberly. Your sisters and cousins have well to do husbands but you chose a loser."

"Don't drag Nic into this, mother."

"Huh?" Lady Carla glared at her. "You're still sticking up for him? He's useless. If you had married a rich man, maybe we could find other alternatives."

"We will," Kimberly assured her. "That's what the coming Goldstein's family meeting is all about, isn't it?"

"No one knows how it will turn out," lady Carla said. "But prepare yourself, Kim. You're most likely to be voted to marry George but I'll protect you."

"Thank you, mother," Kimberly bowed. 

Nicholas has heard enough. He tip toed away from the door and made for the kitchen. 

The thought of his wife getting married to George sickened him. The fact there was nothing he could do about it made him sad.  

If only he had enough money. He could save the Goldstein family and save his wife as well. 

"Where is that useless son-in-law?" Lady Carla yelled from across the studies. "Nicholas, come and wash my toilet."