All characters belong to Marissa Meyer. You can also find this story on my Wattpad, Oceansecho. I update there first!
"Catherine."
Cath had been baking all day in the manors kitchen, she had wanted some time to herself; Peace, quiet, everything that she would not be awarded if she were to be visiting the town.
"Catherine!"
Catherine jolted, looking up from the dough she had been kneading. Mary Ann stood at the doorway, obviously irritated by her lack of attention.
"Lady Catherine, your mother and father have requested your presence in the parlor," Mary Ann said. Cath frowned, wondering why her parents had summoned her.
"Oh alright, do give me a minute, Mary Ann," Cath replied while untying her apron and setting it aside for further use later in the day.
She padded off to her bathroom, cleaning any dough out from underneath her nails and behind her ears. Cath swiped at the skirt of her dress, removing any remaining flour from the dough she had been kneading.
Once satisfied, she heading out into the hallway and shut the door with a quiet thump. She made her way through her homes corridor and hurried to the parlor her parents had been waiting in.
Catherine had an idea of which nobility visited, of course, and it made her stomach feel as though there were hundreds of knots. She had already been stressed because of the King, and extra visits didn't help. Though, she knew he would not yet propose, considering they just recently ignited the courtship between the two. Oh, how she hated-no-despised the kings visits. Thinking of the King made her blanch.
Cath scowled and let out an undignified huff. She straightened her back and continued walking to the parlor.
Once she entered through the door, she saw Mary Ann standing next to the rooms entrance, giving Cath a tight-lipped smile. Catherine frowned.
She let her eyes move towards the seats in the room. Her mother and father were sharing laughs with their guest.
There, sitting in the chair parallel from her parents own, with a lighthearted twinkle in his eyes, and the cause of her parents boisterous laughter, was the court Joker.
He was in his normal attire, though his hat was set on his lap as he spoke.
Jest was flanked by the two royal guards; an Ace of Spades and a Nine of Clubs. The Club stood next to the bookshelves nearest to the chair Jest was seated on. The Ace was stationed in front of the doorway.
Catherine stood in the threshold of the hallway and the entrance to the room. Before she entered, she glanced through one of the many large windows, seeing a royal carriage from the palace in the drive of Rock Turtle Manner.
Cath walked into view, still contemplating as to why Jest was here, though against her better judgement, she certainly wasn't complaining.
"Good day, Sir Joker."
Catherine noticed her mother sitting up, grasping her arm as she lunged to her side. "Sweetheart!" She exclaimed, "You've been invited to a royal dinner in three days time!"
Cath held back an unladylike groan. More time with the king, she thought, how unfortunate. The Marchioness smiled sweetly at her daughter, though her eyes were ablaze with the though that the King could propose during the dinner. It was almost as if her mother was hungry, waiting to gulp down the chance to force her daughter into a marriage she obviously didn't want part in.
"Yes," Jest said from the other side of the room, "His Majesty has invited the Marchioness and Marquess as well as Lady Pinkerton. He unfortunately could not deliver the message himself, and sent me in place. He was most exuberant to see if the most honorable Marquess and Marchioness and their daughter would attend."
Catherine have her mother a strained and uncomfortable smile. "I would be honored to attend," she first looked at her mother, and then locked eyes with Jest. He looked slightly amused, his eyes danced, no doubt thinking about the well-kept secret of the tea party and their meeting at the Turtle Days festival and the treacle well. But his gaze held a bit of what she believed to be pity. She shook her head the slightest. Her mother hadn't noticed it.
Jest stood up and placed his tri-pointed hat back on his head. "I will certainly tell His Majesty of the news," he dipped his head. "I thank you for your hospitality, my Lord and Lady." He bowed once more.
Jest stepped over to Catherine, she extended her hand. His lips brushed against her knuckle. He smiled at her, "I'm sure our sovereign will be ecstatic upon hearing about your attendance." He walked over to the door, and held her gaze. Jest tipped down his hat, "My Lady."
As Jest exited the house, once again thanking her Father for his attendance, the guards followed suit. She watched Jest step into the carriage stationed outside the home. The carriage rode off.
"How wonderful!" The marchioness cooed. "This could finally be the night the King proposes to you, child. You must be on your best behavior. This is of utmost importance! We need to start picking out your gown tonight before it's too late." Her mother have her a cool stare, than clapped her hands.
"Yes, Mama," Cath whimpered, "But is it necessary to think about it now? It's not for three days time..."
Her mother looked at her with pity, "Oh, you naive, stupid child." Her tone turned harsh, unforgiving. "It's evident you simply do not understand how this can affect you." She turned around, walking out of the room, no doubt going to discuss dress options with one of the maids and stylists.
Cath sighed, and looking over to her father, still seated on the couch. He was picking at his nails until he noticed Catherine looking up at him. He gave her a small, encouraging smile.
Cath walked back into the kitchen, stressed. She tied her apron, and started to once again knead the dough. Maybe today, she'd make a butterscotch brownie, frosted with buttercream frosting. Before doing so, considering she already had the bread dough out, she besides to make from fresh bread.
After doing what was needed, she set aside dough into the oven. Catherine pulled out a large tray, and began making preparations for the brownies while the bread baked in the oven.
Cath heard something being knocked over. Looking over by the spice rack, she saw a jar of rosemary tipped over. She cleaned it up, annoyed.
"What's this?" A voice said. Catherine turned toward the disembodied voice. Feigning annoyance, Catherine said, "Why, hello to you too, Cheshire."
The felines head was sniffing the brownie batter. His paw appeared and he slightly tipped the bowl down towards him, so he could get a better look.
"My dear, it doesn't smell like tuna."
Catherine snorted, "That's because it isn't."
"Is it perhaps for the King?"
Cath frowned, she hadn't thought about offering it to the King, though now that it was mentioned she believed she probably should.
"I suppose it is," she said, evidently disappointed and dissatisfied. Her gaze darted back to Cheshire. "What do you want?"
"I was just watching the interaction with the Joker," he mused, "I wanted to wish you luck at the Kings feast." The rest of his body disappeared, his head twisted upside down, with his eerie grin turned right side up.
The rest of Cheshire disappeared, and Catherine shivered, unnerved.
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