Chapter 6: Prisoner to the Crown, Prisoner of the Purse

Claudus was not prepared to see his father in his current state. King Tiberius looked like a shadow or puppet made in jest of his former self. His breathing was labored and rasping. Claudus felt a sickening in his stomach when he saw him. He went to his father's bedside.

The king took a moment to realize that someone was standing by him. It took a moment longer to recognize his son's features. King Tiberius beckoned.

"I am departing from this life." His voice was barely more than a whisper, yet he still commanded. "Swear to your sovereign that you will not depart from the path I have sent you on. Swear it!"

Claudus felt like the walls were closing in on him. But he knew his father would not be satisfied with anything less than his complete compliance.

"As you command, sire. It will be done." Claudus promised.

"Good. Good." Tiberous nodded. He leaned back into his pillows and turned away from his son.

"Now leave me, cub." The king sighed. "I'm tired, and I wish to sleep."

The prince nodded politely and left the room. Once outside his father's chambers, he found a chair, and sat down. He ran a paw over his face. He suddenly felt very tired, and years older.

The door to the king's chamber opened again, and the servant who had retrieved him approached. He was an elderly cat, and his face was pinched with concern.

"Do you need anything, Prince Claudus?"

Claudus shook his head. "I'll remain here in case I'm needed."

"As you wish." the servant bowed. "Let me know if I can assist you in any way. My name is Masonson, sir."

And the servant departed, returning to the king's private chambers.

It was the beginning of the evening, and promised to be a long night. Would that King Tiberius had asked anything but what he did! But he did ask, and in front of witnesses! What choice did a dutiful son and prince have but to oblige? A great despair filled the prince and his eyes watered.

For there was no other choice.

In her room, the Lady Rowena was sitting at her vanity, her face buried her face in her paws. On her bed lay several wedding gowns she had tried on, at her brother's insistence. She heard a knock on the door, and pulled her robe closed. She took a deep breath and wiped her tears.

"Enter." she said.

"Well, did you decide which one?" Brutus asked. He took a swig of the drink he was carrying. He was rarely without one, now a days.

"They're all the same to me." Rowena responded, her voice like ice. "So it doesn't matter."

"Then pick the plainer one. It will cost less."

Rowena shrugged.

"And for ancestor's sake, Rowena don't talk too much when Greyfur arrives." Brutus instructed. "Or at least don't go on as you do, and don't use big words. Males don't like a female smarter than they are. If you hadn't done that at court, you might have caught somebody and avoided this mess. No male wants a female smarter than they are!"

Claudus didn't mind, Rowena thought. And she felt even more wretched.

Suddenly the sound of a crier in the street arrested the siblings' attention. Brutus threw open the window and leaned out. He could see the normally quiet street was abuzz with activity; windows were thrown open, and cats were coming out to discuss with their neighbors the news. Brutus wondered what that could be when the crier yelled out again.

"The king is dead! Long live the king!"

"Claudus..." Rowena whispered to herself her voice shaking with emotion. She shuddered.

Brutus snapped his head around and glared knowingly at her. For a moment she shrank, fearing he would strike her. But instead he snarled and he seized the dresser against the wall. He threw it to the ground with a roar. The dresser's face cracked, and a handle snapped off.

"Damn that House of Leo!" he snarled. "Now we'll have to wait until the official mourning period is over before you can get married! Damn these protocols! And how are we to live till then, huh?"

"Well, I was going to suggest you sell the dresser." Rowena said sarcastically, "Before you broke it."

For a moment it took Brutus to register her barbed words. And then he threw himself upon her, hitting her over again and again. He then grabbed her shoulder and threw her to the ground.

"You know-it-all, arrogant slut!" He fumed. "You forget who is master in this house!"

Rowena screamed and raised her paws to defend herself. Brutus kicked her hard in the gut. She gasped for air, asphyxiated. Then she rolled over on her side.

"Let that be a lesson to you, dear sister." Brutus snarled. "Remember your damn place! The king's death may have bought you some time, but you will be married to Sir Greyfur! It would be in your benefit to start acting like the dutiful sister and wife."

Rowena grabbed her side, tears again running down her cheeks. She looked up at her brother towering over her. She knew he would not be satisfied with anything less than her complete compliance.

"Yes...yes brother." she whispered, averting her eyes to the floor. "I will do as you command." Not daring to look up, she heard Brutus hesitate a moment, then storm out of her room. When the door was slammed behind her, she let herself collapse onto the floor.

This could all have been avoided, if she had used her wiles as she was instructed when at court. It would have been easy to manipulate money after Claudus when they became lovers. But she remembered his naked body leaning against hers when they slept. He began snoring, a realization came over her.

She could not use him as she had been told. Some strange tenderness held her in check.

And now, lying on the floor of her bedchamber, she realized the full price of her foolishness. And she wept of herself, for Claudus, and for how cruel fate could be.

Especially with regards to love.

To be continued…