L'amour ou le desir
Author's note: Yayyyyy my first story of Moonlight! I had this random idea...so I hope you like it :))))
xx All that can be said from Monsieur St. John was that the woman he was affianced with was as elegant as a swan. She held a beauty that sparks most and strikes much men. For surely she could be mistaken as a Siren.
Though if one is blinded by love, they cannot see what is need to be Duvall was like a feral tigress, her eyes are like danger pounding in one's every being, and if she desired something, she would get it.
Monsieur often spoiled her fully, as if she didn't have enough, being in a wealthy family and such.
To the family's dismay, St. John was to be the husband of their precious gift, Coraline. They often acknowledged that the man was beneath them, a rugged boy from a family of a merchant, working as a carpenter. Indeed, did captivate the woman who had strayed away from family duty...
She was a whore, a courtesan before entered her life and wisked her away from the life of the wretched. St. John was immediately affianced to Coraline due to their blinded love to each other. Mick St. John could surely tell you that he fell for her because of her eyes, her movements, her lips. Barely, does he hear her blabberings and focus on how arousing her lips were when she moved them. He never often paid attention to conversations, and never realized her thoughts about the community.
Yes, it is l'amour, but one cannot even have a spectacle to see anything else but what is right in front of them.
For one, Coraline hated the society. She hated the king's rule. There is no sign of unfairness or unjust of the King. He had bright ideas, great ways to set the community. Politics were to no interest of Coraline, and she wished for a de-centralized settlement, so people could decide how they should live. It was her view, but her dangerous nature causes her to take an action without thinking. Everyone loved the King...Coraline was a conspirator.
Mick would always set his loyalties to the king on the other hand. He was one to always look forward to the King's next idea.
Though it is only but an opinion, Coraline has a dark past which made her thoughts moreso brutal than most women. Her spoiled nature tends to grow on her like a vine, constricting her being. Coraline was also a very envious woman...any women who made contact with her fiance would... well end up missing.
And this, our simple fool in love still hasn't found out...
Coraline was a creature... a vampire, who wanted and needed him forever. She wanted full possession of him and for him to bend at her every will. Already he was a poodle on a leash. He went everywhere she went, and stuck with every word she spoke, though, mind you, he rarely focused onto those words. She was just like the moonlight...dark with a shine to cover up it's true self.
Mick St. John is our fool, but soon he will discover that love is not only the beauty you see outside, but what ravels underneath...
A merriment of cheers and swiveling beers decorated the tavern. Men bragged of their wives, or booty seen, even boasting about their business going extremely well. It is not like I even bothered to care, anyhow. I just spaced out in thoughts of what had went on last night.
It was rough, and it was our first struggle. My woman and I... Coraline...
'Why aren't you man enough, ask your bastard of a boss to extend your hours.! You get more pay and I get my dress! I cannot throw away money I must use for my new wardrobe!'
I replayed what she said to me a million times, and yet this is the only time I had. I never usually listened to a word she said. Why should I? Coraline didn't need to speak.
She needed to lay back, spread her legs and let me take care of the rest.
I wanted children, she doesn't. Why doesn't she? I haven't taken her yet, and she already complains. We need women to procreate, and Coraline was my chosen one, my l'amour.
Yea, sure I love her...though for some reason, I start to feel the love she has for me is taken for granted. Her stupid blabberings about her wardrobe didn't bother me, or the fact that she didn't want children. It is the fact that she used me. She stood me up and left me cold blue.
Three times... the woman slept with a twisted German man. She often pleads me that it is because of her times as a courtesan, but enough is enough.
Our supper on the day we met, stood up to play with the German...we are engaged for the Lord's sake!
I turn in my stool, trying to get the damn bitch off my mind. I hear chortles and combustion of laughter waft throughout the tavern. I finally got what the big conversation was. It was about the hidden maiden...
The Princess.
The bloody Princess was all they could talk about. They often all wondered how she looked, given that she was beautiful according to the King, the men thought her to be the vision of Venus, with large swollen breasts, and a smooth buttock.
The conversation always remained the same. Some argued that she might as well be ugly because she was hiding from sight in that castle. I think it's all bogus. There is no Princess...just a wives tale. The King may have a son instead, or no child at all. Nah, it's stupid, of course there is a princess... I bet she is nothing but a stuck up snob, and will surely get any prince or noble just by looking at 'Venus's reflection'. I am not sure..or I feel that the princess is not meant to be seen and may just die as an old maid.
The Main Square
I sometimes forget how many people are here in France. The streets are too narrow, and the children are running amuck.
There had been something going on. All commoners and citizens rounded in the square, ready to hear the words of the King. Surely enough, there was the King, standing upright. He was standing there by his wife The Queen. We lended our ears to listen to this important message.
The King cleared his throat, "Morning to all! Today is the day of birth of my daughter. She turns the year 18 today and I have decided to give her a present that she has been asking for all her years."
The people were piqued in interest. They and I anticipated upon hearing the rest. It was very rare that the King spoke of his daughter.
Well, his daughter had been kidnapped when she was just year 4. He of course was paranoid to even reveal her in public. It was said that he didn't want her revealed because she grew into an angelic beauty, that men would want to covet her and she would be taken again. Me, the fool, of course do not know if she existed. Today was the day I would finally know. Shall we she her legendary face?
The King cleared his throat as I eyed his hand, giving a death grip onto his wife. "Ladies and gentleman, I provide you my daughter for today, I trust that you will allow her to explore the village..."
Some men exploded into wolf whistles, imaginging the women of their figments would reveal herself to them, and they wanted to throw her on their beds and spread her heavenly legs.
The King grew red in furious anger, but calmed as his wife gave his hand a squeeze. "There will be guards keeping watch, so if you ever touch her, you will be noticed. You may speak to her in a mannerful way, but you do not touch the veil"
So, I knew it was too good to be true. She was to be covered by a veil. The king always had a catch, but he had his reasons.
A fanfare sounded, and out came the guards. Everyone bowed when a veiled woman entering the square. It was the Princess, the large gold tiara was secure on the veil. Everyone prompted and fleed to their places in the marketplace, so the Princess could see what they do daily. I proceeded to go to my workshop. I greeted my fellow workmates and started to work.
I sometimes looked up to see the Princess out in the market. She often marvelled at a stand. I stood dumbly, wondering why she would marvel at anything beneath her. She would curiously touch a ceramic vase and would comment on it. She was polite, kind and she even fashioned the children who played hopscotch. I imagine she never had a childhood to begin with, and is like a child, with her curious eyes. I couldn't see her expresssion since she was covered, but I could tell by her movements and people's joyful reaction, that she was pretty much elated to be here.
I gulped and froze when she entered my workshop. I was stumped. What if she came over here and spoke to me, what would I say? I never had really spoken to a Royal in person. She seemed to be interested in not the other's works, but mine. She touched them gently with her small hands. I cleared my throat and stepped towards her to brave myself.
"Good morning your Highness" I managed to speak out.
She seemed to avoid my greeting, which puzzled me. She then spoke up in a light voice, nearly matching a harp.
"Do you have any idea how beautiful this is?" She lifted a wooden music box in her hands.
It was one of my finished works, and the Princess herself was amazed by it!
I stood upright and noticed how I tower over her small figure. I felt it wasn't a good stance and just leant on the wall that was by her.
"I...I had no idea it would pique your interest, milady" I responded.
The Princess set the wooden music down and turned to face me. All I could stare at was her veil and not her face hiding behind it.
"Of course you do not think otherwise. You think that because I am Royal, I cannot accustom to admire your amazing craftsmanship. Sure,you are a commoner, but surely that doesnt mean your work is outlandish. You possibly think I am too haughty to even like the things I see, and expect to see more gold or jewels."
To hear her voice was like the song of birds, but I hung on to her everyword. Coraline's voice was a joy to listen to, but all I would stare at was her bosom. The Princess, although somewhat allured by her nice voice, I listened to what she had to say.
"I apologise to even think so, Your Highness. I had no idea that you had the sense to like what we provide for the kingdom"
The Princess, if I could see her expression, seemed incredulous. "Are you jesting? What you all make is beautiful. Anything a human can make with their hands is simply amazing. Your work has allured me the most. If you keep insisting upon your opinion, I should tarry off"
She was about to turn, but I ventured closer to her prescence, but not to close to her space or bodice.
"You do not have to leave. You may stay as you wish" I spoke clearly.
The Princess turned back in my direction and gave a nod. "Why thank you, Monsieur, for your understanding, and good ears."
I just smiled lightly at her. She seemed soo kind and gentle. I hadn't expected her to be so forward, but all at once, she was a good woman. A poor woman who had been stuck in that castle for years on end, without seeing what is out there in the world.
The Princess strolled back to the music box and touched it's lid gently.
"If you want it, you can simply have it" I told her.
The Princess shook her head, "I would love to have it, but someone who is misfortuanate may crave it as well, I don't want to risk their chance."
I tilt my head in confusement. "Who do you think will actually want it besides you?" I inquired.
The Princess turned back to me and crosssed her arms. "A girl like me. There must be one who would like this. Some people have the same interests, do they not?"
I stood, stumped and in shock. We were actually having this conversation and it wasn't a dream. She was quite wise.
"I agree very much, Your Highness"
She ventured closer to me and patted my hand gently.
"Then make sure you give that item to a person who needs it most"
I could of looked into her eyes. Oh, how I forget the engagment of Coraline and I because I wanted to see her eyes. I wanted to see the earnest care she may have within them. As soon as she made contact with my hand, I froze in stupor. Her hand was warm and soft. I was in another world, still hanging onto her words and inhaling her sweet scent of honey and lavendar.
"I will, Princess" I spoke after a while.
The Princess nodded and stepped away from the close contact. I could still smell her scent.
"Now toss those silly words aside. My name is not Princess nor Your Highness.."
Was she really going to give me her name?
"Elizabeth. That is my name. Though my Nurse calls me, Beth" she added as she leant by the doorway.
I followed her there and was wary of the guards.
"Alright, Beth.'' I bowedd my head in respect. "Monsieur Mick St. John"
The Princess...well Beth patted my shoulder "Til fate tides us to meet again, Monsieur Mick"
I felt like this was a dream, and she was like a dove, singing away my sorrows.
"Anon, Pr- Beth.."
Princess Beth left my shop and was led by the guuards back to the castle. I did not imagine my meeting with the Princess this way. I pictured it to be quite brief and simple. Who would of imagined the Princess to be kind and humble? Anon, pfft who was I kidding? Then, I remembered something. The ball was tonight, to acknowledge the suitor for the Princess...the King already chose a man, a man the Princess did not know at all. I was invited to go, and Coraline, my friends, just the whole village. Would I see the Princess anon?