"Nostril Face."
"Frog Face."
"Nostril Face."
"Frog Face!"
"But his name sounds like Nostril," I argued.
"Yeah, but everyone has nostrils. Not everyone has a frog face," Myzzi countered.
"Fine, you call him Frog Face, and I'll call him Nostril Face. As long as we know whom we mean."
That seemed to temporarily satisfy Myzzi.
The nicknames were a game we liked to play between us, though most of the time we could settle on one we'd both use for someone. She didn't like Nozzel anymore than I did, although at least she didn't have to deal with his constant attention.
I can't say I was surprised when Pa asked to talk to me. I knew what was coming when I saw Ma beaming with pride and the satisfied smile on Pa's face.
"Congratualtions, daughter, you're getting married," Pa simply announced. "I've agreed to an arrangement with Nozzel Waxworth."
I still couldn't help but protest. "But, Pop, he's a creep! And what about his father?" I added quickly, appealing to his old grudge, "I thought you two hated each other!"
"Bygones, bygones," Pop waved a hand dismissively, then chortled. "And truth be told, I've heard that he's rather furious that Nozzel's been showing an interest in you."
"I - I- see?" I looked at Ma for support. I should have known better. She ran over to me and embraced me into a tight hug.
"Oh, Kezzy, I was hoping so much that this would be an engagement party we were planning! And now we can start working on the wedding!"
"You two can work on that," Pa agreed, "while Nozzel and I start making arrangements to consolidate our holdings and getting business back on track. We could probably use the wedding as an excuse to lure some of our investors back. . . invite them as a gesture of good will, of course, and show we're back to being prosperous."
"But... I don't like him."
"Kezrin!" Ma looked at me in shock. "He's a perfect match. He's in the right business, has money, and has been a perfect gentleman. The is the perfect arranged marriage; I'm sure you'll grow to like him."
"Besides, do you know how many concessions I've been able to get from him, on the basis of this wedding?" Pa added. "You've been living under my roof, using up my resources. You knew this day was coming, Kezrin. Time for you to provide a return on investment."
There was no arguing with them. They were right. I'd know for years they'd eventually expect me to marry someone for the good of the company. I excused myself and went to bed early, just shaking my head at Myzzi when I passed by her in the hall. Told her promised to spend the next day with her. She left me alone.
I told myself it wasn't that bad. I was lucky. I did find Nozzel vaguely creepy, but he had always been pleasant to me. He wasn't that old, either, and if you got past the giant nose, not that bad looking. I could do it, for my family's sake, for Myzzi.
That evening, falling asleep fretfully staring at the ceiling, is the last clear memory I've ever had.
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