"No, I refuse to wear that Nicki." I turned in the skimpy black and red Chinese dress. The dress was short but had a large slit showing my whole leg and part of my side. The neckline scooped low and the push-up bra did not help.
"You have to Cat! The King-"
"I do not care about the 'King' and what he thinks. This about me and upholding my standards! Besides the only person, I want looking at me is Declan" I bit my lip slightly and stepped backward. I shouldn't have said that. Elsie squealed.
"Declan? Is that the new guard's name?" I blushed as I went over to my closet and pulled out a black and red dress that was cut like the purple one from what felt like years ago.
"No comment." All three of them gasped. "Y'all are as bad as a bunch of young teenagers."
"I am still a teenager!" Elsie yelled from my bathroom. She exited with her hands behind her back and excited.
"Close your eyes." Nicki moved my hair and place a crown on my head. My pin was placed on my chest and adjustments were made on my dress.
"Open them, Cat." I opened them on Christina's demand. My hair was straight over the new silver crown I wore. The maids had removed the sleeves to show my soft and tan shoulders. A small gold line encased my eyes making them pop.
"Wow. I- I look amazing." I touched my face. A knock came from my door.
"Enter!" I turned to place my hands on the back of my chair. Declan walked inattentively. I smiled and blushed.
"Cristina, Elise. With me, now." My gracious maids left us alone as they exited my room.
"Ladies." Declan gave them a slight bow before shutting the door and offering a hand to me. His face was slightly red.
"You look. Well, you…" I smiled and kissed his cheek.
"You're cute when you ramble." He gave a large laugh before pulling me closer. I placed my hands on his hard chest and blushed as he brushed his nose with mine. Nicki burst in the room, smacking the door against the wall.
"Tutor alert!" I shoved Declan away from me and placed my hands on my face. Nicki stood smiling at me as Silvia walked into the room. She paused as she looked at me and Declan.
"Catalina, your father wants you two downstairs now. Get!" I nodded before walking with my arm in Declan's.
"Straighten up Catalina and suck in," Silvia whispered as we walked. I rolled my shoulders back and moved to the stairs. The two guards opened up the double doors. I smiled as I saw my brother with my mother on his arm and my father in my mother's other arm. A small Chinese man stood with a woman about his age next to him. I put on an indifferent face as I walked up to my family. I nodded to my family.
"Mother, Father. Maxion." My father stepped forward as Declan stepped back to the wall. I watched his every move.
"Catalina, this is Lord Rob of the greater New China region." I reached out my hand.
"Pleasure to make your acquaintance." He kissed my hand while staring at me.
"The pleasure, dear Princess is all mine. For your beauty compares like no other, except for your mothers, of course." I mentally gaged at his vagueness.
"Thank you, kind sir." I stepped back and turned to the woman.
"What is your name ma'am?" The woman looked to Lord Rob to answer for her.
"She is my second wife. But that is beside the matter." I stiffened. Second! Man whore. I never understood the ability to have more than two wives and most of the New China leaders had several wives and concubines.
"Then what is the matter at hand?" I sharply intervened.
"Catalina, I have agreed to your marriage to his man to help the war cause." I stepped back. I looked at Maxon, then over at Declan. This can't be real. I felt panic itch into my toes. Air became heavy as I pressed my lips together.
"Excuse me for a moment." I rushed out of the room and into the women's quarters as a tear slid down my cheek. The selected stared expectantly at me. Damn, why did I not think about them being here?
"Oh! I apologize! Excuse me!" I rushed out of the room and into Declan. Tears began to quicken.
"Sorry, Declan I… um." He dragged me into the nearest closet big enough for both of us. I gasped for air.
"Shhhh. Catalina. Breath, it's going to be okay." My tears subsided. I stepped away from him.
"Thank you. They should have told me before they got here." He moved to sit down and hold me. I sat on his lap as he ran a hand over my hair. A pair of shoes stopped in front of the door before it opened. I looked up at a somewhat distressed Max. I gave him a small smile.
"Surprise." He gave me a small smile before crouching next to me.
"Whatever you end up doing know I will support you one hundred percent. Okay?" I smiled and shed one last year.
"Thank you, Max." I hugged him tightly.
"If I get a chance at love the so should you." He whispered. He stood up then offered me a hand. Declan shook hands with Maxon.
"If you two want any chance at this, then both of you need to be ready for the worst. That means Cat, you need to be physically and mentally prepared for the worst. Yes?"
"Yes, Maxon." I smiled as he left us.
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