Lady Kate stared out the window of the carriage, idly reflecting on how in the world she had reached this situation.
Of course, it was hardly a surprise that Freemarsh would never be able to defend itself in a true war. Their main exports were faith and religion. Her own father was both duke and pontiff, and while he was capable of commanding the divine forces, they weren't adept at doing much more than quelling the occasional uprising. So when the neighboring country of Venatici began making threats, the man was quick to find a better solution than sending all of his soldiers off to be killed needlessly.
However, while that may have been good news for the citizens of Freemarsh, for an eleven year old girl, there was an incredibly disagreeable catch. She was being used as a bargaining chip, sold off as a promised bride to the crown prince of Venatici when the two of them came of age. Kate might have been at least marginally more at-peace with the arrangement if it were immediate. But the seven year peace gave her plenty of time to dread the day she would simply be sent off like precious cargo to become the property of some stranger, fit only for producing an heir.
They were given only one meeting, on the day that their marriage was officially decided. Any hopes Kate had until that point that her future husband would be manageable were dashed. The two of them sat in his lavish bedroom while they waited for their parents to finish meeting. Rather than getting to know each other, the prince Victor was reading quietly, practically ignoring her.
"Hm, so it... would seem we are to be married. I'm sure you must have some feelings about this?"
He just scoffed, turning a page. "I am incapable of caring about this any less than I already do. Save, I suppose, some minor pride that your father admitted defeat before we could launch a single attack. He saved a lot of lives that day." Another page turn. "That being said, I'm a bit angry father agreed to this. It's quite clear that one of us here is marrying beneath themself."
That had been the end of that conversation, and they spent the rest of that afternoon in relative silence.
The day of her eighteenth birthday, the carriage from Venatici came to pick her up. Her things had been packed into trunks that were loaded onto it. The only thing she could think was 'happy birthday, Lady Kate' as she stepped up inside and made herself comfortable for the journey.
Kate stepped out of the carriage with unsteady feet. Such a long ride, strangely, made one wish for a chance to rest. However, the energy in the capital city was high with the approaching ceremony. She was greeted by a cheerful, blonde maid. "Lady Kate, I presume? It's an honor. I have no doubt there are errands you would like to attend to, but I'm afraid that your first business is to see to your betrothed. I was given rather explicit instructions."
This was a surprise, and Kate was too tired to keep it from showing on her face. "Truly? I expected he would have no interest in seeing me any more than he absolutely had to."
Her musing was met with a mysterious smile. "Seven years is plenty of time for a person to change. Now please, allow me to show you the way. Your things will be tended to in our absence."
It was not as if she would be able to navigate such a large city on her own anyway. And if the prince were truly a different sort of person, then it would be best to see him. So she followed the maid, a bit slow on the realization that it was rather strange for this young woman to be sent after her instead of an attendant. Even having seen it years before, the castle was still overwhelming to Kate. Her own country was so much more humble than this one, all ostentatious and gilded. If pressed, she would never be able to accurately recall just how many hallways they had turned down before finally stopping outside a door indistinguishable from the rest. "I'm afraid I have to get back to work. But we will no doubt see more of each other in the coming days. Good afternoon, Lady Kate." She gave a proper curtsy before heading back the way they had came.
After a breath to steady herself, Kate opened the door. Of course, the décor had changed substantially since the last time she'd seen it. Far more impressive was the change in her betrothed – dressed in a beautiful gown, long flowing hair, face expertly painted. In spite of the dignity this moment ought to have, she gasped softly and took a few steps forward. "I... What?" The first foolish thought that entered her mind was that this was clearly some relative she didn't know. But the eyes were still the same, the slightness of the mouth. How had word of this never reached her?
Even more surprising was the pleasant smile that graced her lips. "Ah, my bride arrives. Taylor really is such a speedy little devil. I suppose we have a great deal to discuss."
Unlike much of the rest of the castle grounds, the gardens were quiet and peaceful. Victoria, as she was now known, had brought her out here for tea, away from the world. So Kate sat across from her future bride, still in disbelief, even as she attempted to maintain a sense of normality in the face of these unexpected circumstances.
"I'm sorry, perhaps it would be best to speak as plainly as possible here. I remember being quite the terror when I was younger. I have no doubt I treated you poorly, though in all honesty I can hardly recall your visit. I was in the midst of understanding myself, inundated with changes I had no interest in. I was more or less constantly awful. I suppose I still can be. Change is difficult." She sighed a pretty sigh and sipped at her tea.
There were numberless questions in Kate's mind, but she knew she would have to give voice to one of them eventually. "You look so different though. How did you manage it?"
Just like that, she began to preen, displaying that not all of her pride was gone yet. "It's quite impressive, what alchemists and wizards can do when the magical arts are not hampered by ridiculous theological tyranny, no?"
Even if Kate were not always fond of her home country's strictness, something about that comment struck a nerve. "I understand you feel a sense of superiority over us, but there's no reason to be so petty!" Any initial delight Kate might have felt in seeing the feminine form of her betrothed was just as swiftly being washed away by the reminder that attitudes were difficult to alter. Still, no one was asking her to love this woman, just to marry her and most likely provide a child or four.
For her part, Victoria continued to smile wryly as she bit into a small finger sandwich. "Oh come now. You're about to become a Venatician, there's no need for you to defend Freemarsh any more. Surely you can admit that there are things about the place that were less than perfect. After all, you were traded off to be a bride, and not even informed when something so important as the gender of your groom changed! Did you never wonder why my own father was so intent on conquering your people?"
Kate stopped herself from answering right away by munching thoughtfully on a biscuit. "I... had never considered it much beyond the usual reasons. Resources, land, power. That sort of thing."
She clicked her tongue softly, shaking her head. "I think you already know that Freemarsh has little in the way of useful resources or fertile ground. We were under the impression that your country was under the iron fist of a religious tyrant. It was only after he surrendered so easily and accepted our terms that we realized there was no need for liberation."
Even if Victoria was speaking peacefully enough, the words she used were enough to make Kate feel the unfamiliar flashes of anger. She stood up from her seat in a huff. "You must forgive me, princess. I'm feeling rather exhausted after my travels. I think I would like to be shown to my chambers for now." Her voice came out clipped, strained, but at this point she did not even bother to hide it. It would be one thing if Victoria were merely cruel. It was the way she danced so smoothly between beauty and cruelty that truly put Kate ill at ease.
She looked genuinely surprised, but said nothing in response, merely summoning the maid who had been serving them their tea. "Courtney darling, Lady Kate will be staying in the room across from my own. Show her the way."
A servant with short black hair approached, curtsying with a light smile. "Please, my lady, right this way." She led her into the castle and once more along the maze of halls in silence. It was not until they stopped outside a door that Courtney said any more. "If I may speak freely for a moment, my lady? I know that her highness has a way of speaking her mind... too clearly. But she has lived a life just as cloistered as your own. She can be fiercely loyal to her family and her people." She sighed, revealing a genuine care for the princess' well-being. "All of that being said, she has a sharp mind and a heart full of fire. I can't simply ask you to love her, that is impossible. But please, for both our countries, give her a chance. Ah, that's all. I should really be about my business now. Good afternoon." Before Kate could even reply properly, the maid was gone.
Although it had mostly been an excuse, Kate really did feel the need to rest. She stepped into her room, locking the door, and laying down on the bed. At least her new home was comfortable.
It was dark in the room by the time Kate woke up. She was roused by the sound of knocking at her door. With a series of very ungraceful noises and steps, she made her way back over to unlock the door. Surprisingly, it was Victoria she found standing on the other side. "...Kate."
Drawing herself up, she did her best to stand a little taller. "Princess, what can I do for you?"
The blonde cleared her throat gently, shifting from one foot to the other. "It has been brought to my attention that perhaps I was... abrasive... earlier. In my attempt to engage you in earnest conversation, I ignored your emotional connection to the only home you've ever known." One got the impression that Victoria was speaking as if reading from a script inside her mind. But still, the fact that she was doing this at all meant something. "I don't wish for my future wife to despise me. I already... Mmm, never mind. The point is that I... apologize. If you wish, it is nearly time to gather in the hall for supper. I have no doubt the people want to see you, and I believe mother and father would like to meet you more formally."
"...I do not despise you, Victoria. I am simply... overwhelmed." It was becoming clearer by the moment that this new life was going to be quite confusing indeed. But seeing as Kate had no other options, she decided that meeting it head-on would be the best way to survive. "Still, I could use a proper meal. Ah, I suppose I'll need you to lead me. I'm not yet used to your castle."
Victoria extended an elbow in her direction, and after a moment's hesitation, Kate gently linked arms with her. "I'm glad. I had been concerned you were... disappointed by me. By the unexpected change. But you're handling it quite well."
In spite of herself, Kate began to smile bashfully, blushing lightly. "In truth? I was... happy. What little company I've had over my life, I have always preferred girls and women." She chose to leave it at that, though she made sure to say a silent prayer of thanks to the gods. Perhaps, after all her certainty that this was a curse, the wedding was a blessing after all.
