My father stood up to address the people. He was pleased with the victor. The dark haired man walked forward. He bowed to my father. I watched in nervous anticipation. This was to be my husband.
"Alec Lightwood, i crown you victor! And you may have my daughters hand in marriage. Let all people sitting here today recognize this courship. For a few weeks, you have the liberty to stay here in the castle. You may get to know your bride. We will prepare for the wedding. Now everyone return to your tents. We will have a courtship celebration on the morrow!" My father cried out to the crowd.
The crowd eagerly cheered for their victor. I watched the solemn expressions of the losers. Most of them looked wistful, but some looked angry. Was i really worth that much? I looked at my new husband. I was sad to see that his face was blank. He didnt look happy at all. But if he wasnt trying for my hand then why did he join in the batte?
My betrothed gave one long bow to my father, and then one short one for me. Then he turned away and joined his family. My feelings were a little hurt. He was beautiful, that Alec Lightwood, but he also seemed bitter. The royal family was then escorted back to the castle. I watched the big doors finally shut and i felt a little better. I would have a few weeks before i was married. It took time to go over the proper dowry arrangements and to prepare for the wedding. Knowing my father, it was sure to be a grandeur occasion.
My father grabbed my arm before i could take leave to my chambers.
"Clarissa, come with me."
He led me to his private council room. I took the seat across from him. He sat down and folded his hands on the table. He looked at me for a long time before he spoke.
"Alec Lightwood comes from a very prestigious family. He will make a good husband for you. But mark my words Clary, if you invoke his anger i will be severely displeased with you. Do you understand what i mean?" he asked.
I nodded my head in compliance. He looked pleased, he continued on.
"We shall have your marriage celebration tomorrow. There will be more food, dancing, and a chance to speak to your betrothed. I expect you to act in the manner that a woman of Morgenstern blood should. You may leave." He had begun to look at his papers. I stood up and prepared to leave.
"Oh, and one more thing Clary. You may not think so, but i was proud of you today. You will make a good wife. A nice, obediant, respectful wife." he said not even looking up from his papers. I mumbled a thank you and left the room.
I walked slowly back to my chambers. I didnt want my father proud of me for being a sheep. I wanted him proud of me for being a wolf! I was bitter. I hated the fact that i had no control of my life, that i had no control of my body, that i had no control of anything! I slammed my door open with a band. I didnt want no part of this facade. I had to pretend to be happy but yet my husband could look as miserable as he pleased.
I felt a deep sadness. Why would he want to marry me if it wasnt for love? Of course, i tried to forget that i was a rich princess. Why did everything had to do with monetary value? Why couldnt he be pleased just that i was pretty, that i was smart. Men were all the same. They never saw me for the woman i was.
The next day was a flurry of excitement. Everyone around the village ran from place to place. All important villagers had been invited for the celebration. There would be food, music, dancing. I would actually get to speak to my husband today. I was dressed up again for todays events. Except this time i was dressed in white to symbolize my purity.
I looked beautiful. I did not look forward to the event but it was something i had to do. I could run and hide but that would solve nothing. Thousands of people would search for me, and once they found me i would be in trouble.
When at last it was time for the celebration i was escorted out onto the grounds. The grounds of the courtyard were awash with light. Torches flickered here and there basking the whole area with light. Tents were put up to shelter the food. Music was coming from the group of singers on the far side. Everything was perfect.
The celebration was at hand. People flocked in, every which way. All eager for the free food and wine. I stood awkward beside my fathers adviser. He was a small man of no statue. But he guided my father on difficult tasks. We were waiting here for the king.
My father emerged to stand in front of the crowd. The crowd grew silent and waited for him to speak.
"Welcome once again all fellow royals. We gather here to celebrate our victorious champion, Alec Lightwood!" He cried. He swung his arm to the right to introduce Alec to the crowd. He was handsome in his tunic of fine silks. I found myself beginning to blush. Alec came to stand beside my father.
"And also to witness his lovely bride. Clarrisa!" He shouted signalling me to come forward. The crowd cheered loud from every direction. I went to stand beside Alec.
"And now without further ado, the dancing of the wife and husband shall commence. Enjoy the festivities for there wont be another for a few years yet." he said looking towards my brother who had came forth from the crowd. The crowd laughed, Jonathan was not married yet and it was undetermined when he might.
Alec took my hand and led me into the middle of the crowd. He put his hands to my hip. I blushed as i looked into his eyes. I was surprised to see nothing in them. He looked bored! He looked as if he didnt want to be here. My heart was crushed inside my chest. I had expected a smile at the least. My husband didnt want to be here.
The music started, the trumpets blared, and someone was playing a wind instrument. It was a beautiful song. I just had hoped i would have been dancing with a person who wanted to dance with me. Alec swung me around, following the normal dance steps. I let him lead and just tried my best not to upset his movement.
When the dance was over, Alec gave me a bow and left me. He just left me standing in the middle of dancing people. Other people had started to dance after the initial dance had started. I was abashed that i was dropped like a hot coal. He didnt even speak to me the entire dance!
I fought tears streaming from my eyes. My husband didnt show any interest in me at all. I pushed my way through all the people. I wanted to be alone. I wanted to be away from all these people who were dancing and laughing. I didnt understand why i would be treated as such. He had won my hand. He had battled for it. And yet he acted as if he didnt want anything to do with it.
I hadnt been paying attention and i ran into someone. I fell to the ground stunned. My dress was covered in dirt. I stood up and tried to wipe off the worst of the grime.
"Im sorry i didnt see you coming."
I looked up into a set of golden eyes. I was almost stuck to the spot. My mouth fell open and all i could do was stare. He was beautiful. His eyes were a gold color that i had never seen before. His hair was a lighter gold, but gold nonetheless. He was a character from some romance book. His body was lean and muscled. I would be lying if i said i didnt feel a strong desire in my body.
I had never seen a creature so fine as this. "Who are you?" i managed to whisper.
His eyes went fearful for a moment, "Jace Wayland if it pleases you my lady." He lowered his eyes from my gaze. Wayland, i had never heard of the royal Wayland family.
"I have never heard of the royal name Wayland, are you a distant relation to the royals?" i asked. Some people that had come to the celebration were not royal, but they had enough blood in them to be at least somewhat accepted into the group. As long as there family was high enough up of course.
"No, ma'am...Im just a...a low born from a family that works at the stable."
My mouth dropped again. A low born here? At this celebration? How could this be? No one from the village except important people were allowed here. If my father knew...
I looked at his clothes. He was dressed at least nicely. Nobody would ever realize he was a poor man from the village. He must have saved alot of money working hard for those clothes. Nobody down in the village dressed that nice.
I looked into his eyes, almost about to warn him, when i hesitated. Why shouldnt he be allowed here? No matter that i didnt even know how he had gotten here in the first place. He was dressed nice and he talked like a gentlemen. If it was up to me, he would be allowed to stay. But i knew that my father watched closely the royals that came from across the land. He would know this man was not a royal. I had never seen someone with golden features that this man wore. He would stand out like a sore thumb.
His eyes were sad, as if he knew his night of fun was over. He had to have known that he would be punished if he ever was found out. I grabbed his arm.
"Come with me." i whispered. He looked surprised but followed behind me. I led him to an empty part of the grounds that the festivities had not reached. I nodded for him to sit on the grass. I sat beside him. I had never really known someone who was foolish to sneak into the castle. This man intrigued me. Why would he do such a thing.
"Why are you here? How did you even sneak in?" i asked.
He looked a little timid so i said, "Dont worry im not going to turn you in." I smiled the only genuine smile i had smiled that night. He looked more at ease after hearing that.
"Everyone is so attentive to the celebration, that nobody noticed me sneaking in behind the rest. I dressed the part, so i looked the part. They just let me walk in."
My father would be enraged by this. He thought the common people were nothing better than soil toilers. He would not be happy to hear that a common man had easily walked past the guards. I was actually impressed. To risk coming to the castle, when at any moment you could be found out. He must know my father was a ruthless man. He must know that the penalty he would have suffered would have been paramount.
I instead talked to him. I learned of his family. I learned that he actually rode horses! I loved horses. I learned many things that night. We spoke of many things. He listened to me as i told him things about myself. He actually listened and didnt try to make me feel inferior. He treated me like he would treat any one else. I had never met a man such as this! When the festivities were starting to die out, i grabbed his hand.
"Listen you must leave, its almost time. People will begin to notice you and you cant be caught."
He wouldnt let go of my hand, "But i want to see you again."
I smiled, "The castle is guarded, there is no way."
"I will see you again Clarissa." he declared. I had no choice but to blush.
"And i will look forward to it. Now go!"
When Jace had turned and was starting to dash away. I called his name and ran to him.
"Wait! You never told me why you snuck in here in the first place."
He smiled a dazzling smile that almost took my breath away.
"It was to see you. I always wanted to rest my gaze on the Morgenstern princess. They say down in the village that you are pretty, but i think your the most beautiful creature i have ever laid my eyes upon." He said quickly, before he turned and ran to join the crowd of people waiting to leave the castle walls.
I brought my hand to my lips. I could still see the way his golden eyes gleamed in the light of the torches. He was beautiful. His whole stature was magnificent. It was hard to believe that he was low born. His beauty alone would move any woman to tears. I reminisced until the torches were being extinguished. I ran back to the castle in the hopes that no one had noticed my absence at the celebration.
When i finally got to my chambers, i flung myself down on the bed. I felt elated. I could feel the pure adrenaline rushing through my veins. I had never felt this alive! That young man had listened to me and spoke to me like an equal! He had not treated me like a princess, he had treated me like i was a close friend. I laid in bed feeling happy. Thinking of all the things that had happened and that were said. And i was astounded to realize, that i was in love with him.