Hey guys! I just wanted to let you know that I will stop writing my other stories until this one is finished because there's only about two more chapters to write. I am very proud of this chapter and I hope that you all like it as much as I do or perhaps better. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Mortal Instruments series and All Of Me by John Legend.
C POV
I woke up the next morning with puffy eyes from crying so much not just from what had occurred with Jace, but what I was going to do now. I can't choose Alec because he wants to be with Maggie and I can't choose Jace because of what he did yesterday. Every hour that passes just continues my pain and suffering because of my choice. I know that I can't choose any of the men that my father brought into the castle so my father will have to either choose an older man for me or disown. Personally, I hope for the later so that I will be able to find someone out there who I will love one day.
I was brought out of my thought with a knock at the door. "Clarissa, your father said that you need to attend breakfast this morning and then go see the kingdom's doctor," Maggie called through the door.
"Okay. Maggie? Can you come help me please?" I asked back to her.
There was no reply, instead the door opened and Maggie stepped through smiling. She walked over to the bathroom and drew a bath for me while I forced myself out of bed.
"There is actually enough time to bathe before breakfast today," Maggie said. "I thought you might like to wash the sleep from your eyes."
"Yes, thank you. Now, do you mind picking out a simpler dress for now? Later tonight I want to wear something extravagant."
"Of course."
I went to my bath and soaked in it while Maggie went dress hunting. She came out of the closet several minutes later with a sky blue dress that only reached my ankles. It was a simple cotton dress that I did not need to wear a corset for. It is a very comfortable dress, just what I needed today.
I smiled at her and she helped me out of the bath so that I could get ready. When I was in the dress, Maggie guided me towards the vanity and sat me down. Her fingers went to work immediately and soon my hair was in a tight ponytail that held every piece in place.
Since she was done, we walked out of the room to the dining room. When I walked in, everyone turned to look at me as I sat down in the chair furthest from Jace. It did not go unnoticed by Izzy as she eyed me curiously before her head back towards the conversation she was having with Jonathan. I stayed quiet the entire time and only when my mother and father did I lift my head up from my plate.
"Good morning, everyone. Clarissa, dear, how are you feeling this morning?" my father asked me kindly.
"I'm feeling much better, Father. Thank you."
"That's good. Now I want all of you to be aware that the other kingdoms will only be here at the time of the ball. Ladies, please try to get ready early so that the rest don't have to wait for you to begin the ball."
"Yes, sir," we all replied.
"Good, then you are dismissed."
I quickly got up from my seat and made a dash for the hallway that led to my bedroom. When I neared my door, I felt something grab my arm and I was forced to stop. I turned to see who it was and I was met face to face with Izzy, who was staring at me with a determined stare.
"What do you want, Izzy?" I asked her hoping that she would let me go so that I could go to my room and sit in peace.
Instead of answering, she pulled me in the direction of her bedroom. I couldn't get out of her grasp so I had to eventually allow her to drag me to her room. Inside, she dragged me to her bed and sat me down firmly before she got up and closed her door.
She turned to me before she said, "You're going to tell me what happened between you and Jace. And don't go and try to tell me nothing happened because we can all see it. Today is the choosing ceremony and you and Jace were all chipper until last night, so what happened?"
I looked at her for a moment before I felt tears brim my eyes. I swallowed and took a breath so that I could tell her. When I opened my mouth to say something everything came out. "Izzy, I caught him kissing another girl yesterday in town. She was blond and beautiful and he was smiling before they kissed. I don't know what to do anymore, Izzy. I can't choose Alec because he wants Magnus and I can't choose Jace for obvious reasons."
Izzy looked at me for a minute before she went to her closet and started rifling through it. I watched her curiously as she was looking through the dresses with such concentration that it made me wonder what in the world she was doing. Finally, after what seemed like hours, Izzy came out holding an amazing red dress. The dress had a diamond encrusted V-shape design that covered the bodice. The bottom was covered in sparkled whenever the light hit them. It was beautiful and it looked like nothing that I have ever worn in my life.
"Izzy, it's beautiful. You'll look great in it," I said wondering why she even showed it to me.
"It's not for me. It's for you to wear in order to sweep Jace off his feet and show him that he didn't break you," she said seriously.
"Oh, Izzy, I can't. I mean…it's not really me. I don't usually wear those types of things. I mean yes it's beautiful, but it's for girls with your body type. It won't look as great on me."
"Nonsense! Go and take a bath while I get ready," Izzy commanded and pointed towards the bathroom.
I sighed, but went willingly mostly because I did not feel like arguing anymore today. Inside the bathroom, I stripped down and settled myself in the warm water sighing. My muscles loosened and I stretched each of my arms and legs. After a while, I stepped out, wrapped myself in a towel and stepped out into Izzy's room again.
Izzy stood in the middle of the room admiring her appearance in the mirror. She stood clad in a beautiful black dress that fit her wonderfully. The bodice was covered in diamonds that sparkled so brilliantly when the lights caught them. The bottom puffed out on all sides and it made up for her slender figure. Izzy's hair was pinned up in elaborate ways on the top of her head.
When I walked in she looked at me for a moment before pointing at the dress that lay on the bed. I walked over to it, picked it up and made my way back to the bathroom. Once, I finished getting the beautiful dress on, I walked out so that Izzy could see it.
She gasped when she saw me, "Oh, Clary, it is beautiful on you. Now come here so that I can do your hair and accessorize you."
I walked over to her vanity and sat down so that she could get to work right away. Izzy worked on my hair with a certain concentration and determination that made me not want to interrupt her.
After what seemed like hours, she said she was done and I stood up to walk over to her floor length mirror. I gasped at my reflection. The dress hung beautifully on my petite body and Izzy left my hair down, but in large curls that framed my face. I sported to very large diamond earrings and a beautiful diamond necklace that completed the look.
I turned to Izzy with tears in my eyes, "Izzy, thank you so much. I feel beautiful and I haven't felt that way in a very long time."
Izzy came over and hugged me before she went back to her closet and pulled out red, diamond encrusted heels that would go perfect with the dress. I smiled before allowing her to put them on my feet. When I stood up, there was a knock on the door calling us to go to the ball room.
We turned to each other and linked our arms together as we made our way out the door and towards the ball room. Before we stepped in, I spotted Maggie standing awkwardly near the entrance in a nicer dress than she usually wears.
"Maggie, you look beautiful, but why are you wearing that dress?" I asked her.
"Because Alec told me to dress nicer, but I don't know why," she replied.
"Okay then, I'll see you later okay?"
After she nodded, Izzy and I stepped into the room. As soon as we did, every head turned in our direction and admired our appearances. I blushed at all the attention, but Izzy kept pulling me through the room. When we neared my parents, we noticed that everyone else was already there and waiting for us. I noticed Jace looking at me, but not with lust, with longing. I looked away as my father began to speak.
"Clarissa, Princess Isabelle, you both look lovely," my father said before he turned to the rest of the group. "Now, the kings and queens should be here any minute."
After he finished, we heard the trumpets and immediately went by our partner. Jonathan was looking at me proudly and grasped my hand when I stood next to him. I squeezed his hand as the doors opened.
In stepped two sets of people that walked properly and never missing a step, what you could expect from kings and queens. Jace and Maia walked towards what I would assume to be Jace's parents and Izzy and Alec walked towards their parents. Jonathan and I walked and stood behind our parents so that they could introduce us.
After a while of talking with each other, King Stephan said, "Valentine, what a pleasure to see you again."
"Indeed, a pleasure," my father replied.
"Now don't forget about me, Valentine. Age never seems to show in your appearance, my friend," King Robert said walking towards my father.
"Ah, flattery will get you nowhere with me, Robert. You should know that more than anyone. Now, I would like to introduce my children. Jonathan, Clarissa!"
Jonathan and I stepped around our parents, still locked by our hands and stood in front of our guests. The kings and queens widened their eyes at Jonathan and me as we bowed before them.
"Valentine, the rumors are true about the beauty of your children. They are remarkably beautiful. Especially your Clarissa. Pray dear child, it is my pleasure to be in your presence," King Stephan said as he took my free hand and kissed it.
"Thank you, my lord," I replied.
"I agree. Your children are a sight to be seen. I never believed in those rumors, but I am now sorry for not believing," King Robert said as he too, kissed me free hand.
I blushed from all of the complements before my father said, "Now, why don't we get this party started. I believe music is in order."
We all nodded and then music began to play from the orchestra. Jonathan took my free hand and we began to circle around the room. People watched us in awe and jealously, while our parents watched us with expectation. Jonathan spun me and we danced as well as we could because we knew it was what our father wanted from us.
When the song was over, we looked to our father who beckoned us towards him. We stood in front of him and he smiled.
"That was beautiful. Now, go stand behind your mother and I," he said as pride showed in his eyes.
As we hurried to stand behind our father, he spoke again, "Prince Jace has requested to sing us a song before we continue on with the choosing ceremony."
I watched as Jace walked towards the piano that now stood in the middle of the room. He made eye contact with me before he bent his head down and began his song.
What would I do without your smart mouth?
Drawing me in, and you kicking me out
You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down
What's going on in that beautiful mind
I'm on your magical mystery ride
And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh
How many times do I have to tell you
Even when you're crying you're beautiful too
The world is beating you down, I'm around through every mood
You're my downfall, you're my muse
My worst distraction, my rhythm and blues
I can't stop singing, it's ringing, in my head for you
My head's under water
But I'm breathing fine
You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh
Give me all of you
Cards on the table, we're both showing hearts
Risking it all, though it's hard
'Cause all of me
Loves all of you
Love your curves and all your edges
All your perfect imperfections
Give your all to me
I'll give my all to you
You're my end and my beginning
Even when I lose I'm winning
'Cause I give you all of me
And you give me all of you
I give you all of me
And you give me all of you, oh
As he finished his song, I felt tears roll down my face before I wiped them away. I realized now that he really did love me and it wasn't his fault that the girl kissed him yesterday. Before I could move towards him, my father spoke up.
"That was lovely, Prince Jace. Thank you for that. Now Jonathan, Clarissa, please go and stand in the middle of the room while your mother gets you roses."
Jonathan and I walked over to the center of the room hand in hand and we received the roses before we turned back to our father.
"Jonathan please choose your wife."
I watched as Jonathan let go of my hand and walked towards Izzy. She was smiling like a Chester cat and I could see her unshed tears from here. When Jonathan stopped in front of her, I saw him pull something off the end of the rose before he knelt down on one knee.
"Princess Isabelle Lightwood, I have gotten the chance to meet you and fall in love with you. I hope that you feel the same as I because I would like to ask, will you marry me?"
Izzy's tears fell down her face as she replied with a breathy, "Yes."
Jonathan jumped up and placed a ring on her finger before he wrapped his arms around her. Everyone in the room was applauding them while I looked towards Jace who was staring back at me.
"Congratulations, Jonathan. Now, Clarissa, please choose who your husband," my father commanded.
I walked slowly towards Jace, each step decided my future. I watched as Jace's face was devoid of any emotion as I stood in front of him.
"Prince Jace, would you accept my rose?" I asked him shyly.
Jace took my rose in his hands before he bent down on one knee. He pulled something out of his back pocket and started, "Princess Clarissa Sophia Morgenstern, I have had the chance to get to know you and understand you. I have to say that we have had our fair share of ups and downs even in this short amount of time, but you have forgiven me even in my darkest hours. Clarissa, I want you to know that I have completely fallen in love with you and I hope that you feel the same way. Clary, will you marry me?"
I didn't realize that tears were spilling down my face until Jace jumped up to wipe them away. I looked into his eyes and tried to show him all of my feeling as I answered, "Yes."
Jace froze for a moments before putting the ring on my finger and wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. We heard clapping around us, but we did not let go of each other for fear that this might not be as real as we hope.
I realized then and there that I loved Jace and nothing can ever stop that. We needed each other like water needed fire, or like salt needed pepper. Jace was my rock that kept me from floating away and I was his as well.