May 2002
Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..
Chapter 22
Selenity stepped out of the limo and into a sea of reporters. Bulbs
flashed and she smiled on reflex, putting her best face forward as Charles
closed the door behind her. Her father offered his arm and she gently
placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, as was proper. He escorted her
through the reporters, taking on the responsibility of saying "No comment",
and "All of your questions will be answered inside". Finally they stepped
through the main doors of the City Hall and quickly stepped into a
restricted area off to the right. Selenity breathed a sigh of relief and
stepped away from her father. Ice waters were in a small fridge in the
conference room and she quickly retrieved two, offering one to her father.
He nodded his thanks and cracked the seal as she took a long pull on her own
bottle.
"I hate this."
Francis finished taking a small drink and looked at her quizzically,
"Only now? You used to love talking to the press."
She sighed, taking a seat, "That was before I had a private life,
father. What will they do when they find out the reasons for breaking my
betrothal?"
Francis walked over to her and placed his hands on both of her
shoulders, "Selenity, I know I have not been the most supportive of parents,
and sticking to my principles and beliefs in this matter has not helped. I
will tell you this. I am very proud of you. You have not wavered in your
determination to dissolve this betrothal, nor in your intentions for whom
your intend to marry, regardless of his upbringing or blood. You are a
bright young woman, who is a lot stronger than I thought. Whatever the
press has to say, or whatever they print, you will survive. Your mother
would be proud of you."
Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked rapidly, trying to get rid
of them. On impulse she threw her arms around her father's neck and hugged
him, "Thank you, daddy."
He chuckled softly, surprising her by returning the hug for a moment
before stepping away, "I speak the truth. She never wanted you to marry
Martin. She felt the age gap was too big. Among other things. Dry your
eyes, child, and smile for the reporters. Today you take your steps into
independence."
"Will you stop trying to make decisions for me?"
He nodded, "To a point. I cannot say I am happy with your choice in
future husband, but I will try and accept it. However, that is not the
point of today's conference, is it? Exactly how much of the reasons for
breaking this betrothal do you wish to be made public?"
"I do not want to be a martyr, daddy. By painting me a rape victim,
I would be doing just that. I do not want people to feel sorry for me, but
I will not let Martin trap me with his words. If it is alright with you,
could I make the opening statements to the press?"
Francis nodded, smiling a half smile. "Of course. I was hoping you
would."
"You were?"
He nodded, "People accept your words more than mine sometimes. Your
reasons, as told by you, will have a bigger impact."
There was a knock on the door and Charles stuck his head in, "I am
sorry for interrupting, but the press are getting restless. Five minutes
before we start."
"Thank you, Charles."
He nodded to the King and withdrew.
Selenity looked at her father but remained silent as he sank into a
chair and closed his eyes. Used to his mental preparation before a press
conference, she sipped quietly at her water and went over what she was going
to say in her mind.
The door opened after one soft knock several minutes later and
Charles entered, "It is time, Your majesty, Princess."
They stood as one and The King offered his arm to his daughter again.
Touched by his old style courtesy, she accepted it and exited the room.
They walked through a side hall and into a larger, main conference area.
The place was swarming with reporters and spectators. Television cameras
were aimed at a raised platform in the front of the hall. The King escorted
his daughter up the steps and then proceeded to hold her chair for her. The
crowd was quietly murmuring among themselves at the show of respect and
courtesy.
Selenity smiled as the cameras flashed folded her hands properly in
her lap. Martin made his way onto the dais and sat next to Selenity. She
fought the urge to shift her chair towards her father's and swallowed the
apprehension that rose inside her. She glanced at him and leaned forward,
towards the microphone.
Martin beat her too it. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, we'd
like to thank all of you for coming today on such short notice." His voice
was smooth, practiced, as he addressed the mass. His smile was charming as
he adjusted the microphone, "Today is a sad day on my part. My beloved
Selenity has called this conference because she wishes to break off our
betrothal. This is a sad day that weighs heavily on my heart and I can only
tell you this. I love her more than life itself. With her willing
departure from this union, I am going into seclusion. I have made
arrangements for my estate to be cared for. I wish the Princess all of the
happiness I will never be able to give her, but that which she has given
me."
Selenity was fighting too close her jaw as she stared at him
incredulously. What was he doing? She was forced out of it as her father
squeezed her shoulder painfully, and her jaw closed with an audible snap.
Martin had stolen her thunder! How dare he!
The King leaned forward before Martin could continue, "What the Duke
has said is true. I am officially dissolving this betrothal. My daughter
has expressed to me the wish that she marry someone closer to her age."
Selenity finally found her voice and smiled at the reporters, "Of
course, Martin and I will part ways peacefully. He is unmatched when it
comes to negotiations, and we will miss him at the bargaining table should
he choose to leave. However, I am 18 years old and I wish to experience
life a little more before I must settle down to raise an heir. If you have
any questions, please, feel free to ask them."
Almost every reporter in the place had their hand up as she finished
speaking. She nodded to a petite woman in the first row, "Sophie?"
"Princess, do you have someone else in mind for a future husband?"
"I only wish to be able to marry for love, as do other young women."
she replied cryptically.
"The little man in the mouse grey coat at the back." she moved on,
allowing only one question per person and no follow up questions.
"Does your decision to break your betrothal have something to do with
that Chiba fellow?"
Selenity swallowed. She'd been expecting the question but she still
wasn't sure how to answer it. Surprisingly, Martin came to her rescue,
"Selenity and I have decided to part ways. Mr. Chiba is simply a young man
who is caught in the middle. You, miss, with the glasses four rows back."
A tall red head wearing horned-rimmed glasses stood, looking up from
her note pad, "Your Highness, how will this affect the future of the Royal
line?"
"My daughter is extremely capable of choosing her own companion in
this matter. Her blood is pure. Her choice will stand, and will have no
effect on the royal bloodline." He glowered at the reporter as she sank back
down into her chair. "Richard?"
A young reporter stood near the left of the raised platform. He
couldn't have been more than twenty. "Duke of Eldrige, you said this was a
mutual parting. A short while ago you insisted that the Princess was as
eager as you to consummate this arrangement. What changed?"
Martin smiled obligingly, "The Princess and I have had a few
arguments during the last month or so. I simply had to thrust my ideas into
her mind." Selenity paled at his choice of words, her fingers curling around
the edge of the table and squeezing until her knuckles turned white as she
fought to keep her smile in place.
Martin continued. "She has a wonderful grasp of certain positions,
and is warm when it comes to embracing and accepting new possibilities.
However, the way she sometimes spoke to me you would have though she feels I
have stolen something from her! Imagine. I hold her in the highest regard
and hope, one day in the future, she and I might renew our acquaintance in a
civil manner. We have simply grown apart, she has gone one way, I another.
Perhaps, one day, we will again meet in the middle."
The King stood, addressing a stunned press. Martin's tone and words
had insinuated a kind of physical attachment between the two; a nasty sort
of pre-wedding attachment that royals weren't allowed to engage in. "We are
finished for today. Thank you for coming."
He ignored the outraged cries among them as he pried his daughter's
fingers from the table and escorted her from the room. Martin was slow to
follow, "I will answer a few more questions," he offered with a smirk, one
hand blocking it from the media.
The King glared at Martin, his lips thinning to a small white line,
"You will answer with simple a yes or no, or I will do as I said in our
earlier conversation."
Martin simple smiled wider and made a show of bowing to the King, "As
your majesty wishes."
The King and Selenity moved off as Martin retook his seat, smiling
pleasantly, "At his majesty's request, I will only be answering questions
with a yes or no answer. I would ask that you formulate your questions so I
may adhere to His Majesty's wishes. I apologize for the Princess' abrupt
departure; she is not feeling well. Now, does anyone have a suitable
question?"
A middle aged man in the middle of the crowd stood. "Do you intend
to claim the Princess on the basis of your betrothal contract?"
"No." he motioned to a slight woman who jumped to her feet, a feral
gleam in her eye.
"Lord Eldrige, have you anyone else in mind for a consort and are you
accepting applications in face of this new development?"
Martin's smile was amused, "No and Yes."
She spoke up before he could call on another reporter, "Would you
consider my application?"
The press laughed as she winked at the Duke. Martin fought back an
inappropriate laugh. "Yes, my dear lady, I would."
He fielded a few more dozen or so questions that had little or no
value to him before getting to his feet with a smile, "It has been my
pleasure. My regards to you, ladies and gentlemen."
The flashes followed him out of the room as he stepped into the small
room where the King and the Princess were waiting. Selenity was pale, all
the blood having drained from her face, her blue eyes blazing with outrage.
"How dare you," the King grabbed Martin and thrust him physically into a
chair, his tone low and threatening.
"I do not know what you are talking about, your Majesty. I simply
answered their questions."
Selenity stepped up and pushed her father away, glaring at him, "You
answered their question with unspoken words," she seethed, slamming her
hands down on the chair's arms and leaning in close to glare at him, her
eyes narrowed. "If I see any kind of speculation about our reasons for
breaking our betrothal, beyond what was actually said, not insinuated today,
I will take you to a court of your peers on slander charges. Do I make
myself clear?"
He chuckled, "You are indeed beautiful when you are angry, Princess,
but I said nothing today to smear your good name. I simply answered their
question in a fashion you did not like. I cannot be held responsible if
they print something that I did not say, and is based on speculation.
Freedom of speech, my dear."
She whirled, "Get out," her hands clenched at her sides, her back to
him. She was shaking, she was so angry, her hands wanting to wipe that
smug, self-satisfied smile off his face.
She heard him get up and walk slowly to the door. "I will see you
again, Princess, and at that time, you will be begging you to take me back."
She spun, an outraged cry breaking from her lips as the door shut
smartly behind him. "Daddy?"
He stepped into her field of view, "Yes?"
"I wish to be alone for a moment."
Francis nodded, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and left by the
same door.
Alone in the room, Selenity sank to the floor and slammed both of her
palms against the floor. What an infuriating man! How dare be presume to
tell her what would and would not be happening? She pushed herself to her
feet and brushed her skirt off. She wouldn't let him get to her. What's
done was done, she'd be honest with her story from now on. If Martin wanted
to fight dirty, she'd oblige him. Straightening her shoulders, she forced
herself to smile. He was in for a big surprise.
Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to
Jademax@hotmail.com
Unless of course you'd like to write a review!
On that note the next chapter is going to be a little late. Maybe a week or
two. Thanks for your patience.
Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max
Disclaimer: These character's aren't mine, but the story is..
Chapter 22
Selenity stepped out of the limo and into a sea of reporters. Bulbs
flashed and she smiled on reflex, putting her best face forward as Charles
closed the door behind her. Her father offered his arm and she gently
placed her hand in the crook of his elbow, as was proper. He escorted her
through the reporters, taking on the responsibility of saying "No comment",
and "All of your questions will be answered inside". Finally they stepped
through the main doors of the City Hall and quickly stepped into a
restricted area off to the right. Selenity breathed a sigh of relief and
stepped away from her father. Ice waters were in a small fridge in the
conference room and she quickly retrieved two, offering one to her father.
He nodded his thanks and cracked the seal as she took a long pull on her own
bottle.
"I hate this."
Francis finished taking a small drink and looked at her quizzically,
"Only now? You used to love talking to the press."
She sighed, taking a seat, "That was before I had a private life,
father. What will they do when they find out the reasons for breaking my
betrothal?"
Francis walked over to her and placed his hands on both of her
shoulders, "Selenity, I know I have not been the most supportive of parents,
and sticking to my principles and beliefs in this matter has not helped. I
will tell you this. I am very proud of you. You have not wavered in your
determination to dissolve this betrothal, nor in your intentions for whom
your intend to marry, regardless of his upbringing or blood. You are a
bright young woman, who is a lot stronger than I thought. Whatever the
press has to say, or whatever they print, you will survive. Your mother
would be proud of you."
Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked rapidly, trying to get rid
of them. On impulse she threw her arms around her father's neck and hugged
him, "Thank you, daddy."
He chuckled softly, surprising her by returning the hug for a moment
before stepping away, "I speak the truth. She never wanted you to marry
Martin. She felt the age gap was too big. Among other things. Dry your
eyes, child, and smile for the reporters. Today you take your steps into
independence."
"Will you stop trying to make decisions for me?"
He nodded, "To a point. I cannot say I am happy with your choice in
future husband, but I will try and accept it. However, that is not the
point of today's conference, is it? Exactly how much of the reasons for
breaking this betrothal do you wish to be made public?"
"I do not want to be a martyr, daddy. By painting me a rape victim,
I would be doing just that. I do not want people to feel sorry for me, but
I will not let Martin trap me with his words. If it is alright with you,
could I make the opening statements to the press?"
Francis nodded, smiling a half smile. "Of course. I was hoping you
would."
"You were?"
He nodded, "People accept your words more than mine sometimes. Your
reasons, as told by you, will have a bigger impact."
There was a knock on the door and Charles stuck his head in, "I am
sorry for interrupting, but the press are getting restless. Five minutes
before we start."
"Thank you, Charles."
He nodded to the King and withdrew.
Selenity looked at her father but remained silent as he sank into a
chair and closed his eyes. Used to his mental preparation before a press
conference, she sipped quietly at her water and went over what she was going
to say in her mind.
The door opened after one soft knock several minutes later and
Charles entered, "It is time, Your majesty, Princess."
They stood as one and The King offered his arm to his daughter again.
Touched by his old style courtesy, she accepted it and exited the room.
They walked through a side hall and into a larger, main conference area.
The place was swarming with reporters and spectators. Television cameras
were aimed at a raised platform in the front of the hall. The King escorted
his daughter up the steps and then proceeded to hold her chair for her. The
crowd was quietly murmuring among themselves at the show of respect and
courtesy.
Selenity smiled as the cameras flashed folded her hands properly in
her lap. Martin made his way onto the dais and sat next to Selenity. She
fought the urge to shift her chair towards her father's and swallowed the
apprehension that rose inside her. She glanced at him and leaned forward,
towards the microphone.
Martin beat her too it. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, we'd
like to thank all of you for coming today on such short notice." His voice
was smooth, practiced, as he addressed the mass. His smile was charming as
he adjusted the microphone, "Today is a sad day on my part. My beloved
Selenity has called this conference because she wishes to break off our
betrothal. This is a sad day that weighs heavily on my heart and I can only
tell you this. I love her more than life itself. With her willing
departure from this union, I am going into seclusion. I have made
arrangements for my estate to be cared for. I wish the Princess all of the
happiness I will never be able to give her, but that which she has given
me."
Selenity was fighting too close her jaw as she stared at him
incredulously. What was he doing? She was forced out of it as her father
squeezed her shoulder painfully, and her jaw closed with an audible snap.
Martin had stolen her thunder! How dare he!
The King leaned forward before Martin could continue, "What the Duke
has said is true. I am officially dissolving this betrothal. My daughter
has expressed to me the wish that she marry someone closer to her age."
Selenity finally found her voice and smiled at the reporters, "Of
course, Martin and I will part ways peacefully. He is unmatched when it
comes to negotiations, and we will miss him at the bargaining table should
he choose to leave. However, I am 18 years old and I wish to experience
life a little more before I must settle down to raise an heir. If you have
any questions, please, feel free to ask them."
Almost every reporter in the place had their hand up as she finished
speaking. She nodded to a petite woman in the first row, "Sophie?"
"Princess, do you have someone else in mind for a future husband?"
"I only wish to be able to marry for love, as do other young women."
she replied cryptically.
"The little man in the mouse grey coat at the back." she moved on,
allowing only one question per person and no follow up questions.
"Does your decision to break your betrothal have something to do with
that Chiba fellow?"
Selenity swallowed. She'd been expecting the question but she still
wasn't sure how to answer it. Surprisingly, Martin came to her rescue,
"Selenity and I have decided to part ways. Mr. Chiba is simply a young man
who is caught in the middle. You, miss, with the glasses four rows back."
A tall red head wearing horned-rimmed glasses stood, looking up from
her note pad, "Your Highness, how will this affect the future of the Royal
line?"
"My daughter is extremely capable of choosing her own companion in
this matter. Her blood is pure. Her choice will stand, and will have no
effect on the royal bloodline." He glowered at the reporter as she sank back
down into her chair. "Richard?"
A young reporter stood near the left of the raised platform. He
couldn't have been more than twenty. "Duke of Eldrige, you said this was a
mutual parting. A short while ago you insisted that the Princess was as
eager as you to consummate this arrangement. What changed?"
Martin smiled obligingly, "The Princess and I have had a few
arguments during the last month or so. I simply had to thrust my ideas into
her mind." Selenity paled at his choice of words, her fingers curling around
the edge of the table and squeezing until her knuckles turned white as she
fought to keep her smile in place.
Martin continued. "She has a wonderful grasp of certain positions,
and is warm when it comes to embracing and accepting new possibilities.
However, the way she sometimes spoke to me you would have though she feels I
have stolen something from her! Imagine. I hold her in the highest regard
and hope, one day in the future, she and I might renew our acquaintance in a
civil manner. We have simply grown apart, she has gone one way, I another.
Perhaps, one day, we will again meet in the middle."
The King stood, addressing a stunned press. Martin's tone and words
had insinuated a kind of physical attachment between the two; a nasty sort
of pre-wedding attachment that royals weren't allowed to engage in. "We are
finished for today. Thank you for coming."
He ignored the outraged cries among them as he pried his daughter's
fingers from the table and escorted her from the room. Martin was slow to
follow, "I will answer a few more questions," he offered with a smirk, one
hand blocking it from the media.
The King glared at Martin, his lips thinning to a small white line,
"You will answer with simple a yes or no, or I will do as I said in our
earlier conversation."
Martin simple smiled wider and made a show of bowing to the King, "As
your majesty wishes."
The King and Selenity moved off as Martin retook his seat, smiling
pleasantly, "At his majesty's request, I will only be answering questions
with a yes or no answer. I would ask that you formulate your questions so I
may adhere to His Majesty's wishes. I apologize for the Princess' abrupt
departure; she is not feeling well. Now, does anyone have a suitable
question?"
A middle aged man in the middle of the crowd stood. "Do you intend
to claim the Princess on the basis of your betrothal contract?"
"No." he motioned to a slight woman who jumped to her feet, a feral
gleam in her eye.
"Lord Eldrige, have you anyone else in mind for a consort and are you
accepting applications in face of this new development?"
Martin's smile was amused, "No and Yes."
She spoke up before he could call on another reporter, "Would you
consider my application?"
The press laughed as she winked at the Duke. Martin fought back an
inappropriate laugh. "Yes, my dear lady, I would."
He fielded a few more dozen or so questions that had little or no
value to him before getting to his feet with a smile, "It has been my
pleasure. My regards to you, ladies and gentlemen."
The flashes followed him out of the room as he stepped into the small
room where the King and the Princess were waiting. Selenity was pale, all
the blood having drained from her face, her blue eyes blazing with outrage.
"How dare you," the King grabbed Martin and thrust him physically into a
chair, his tone low and threatening.
"I do not know what you are talking about, your Majesty. I simply
answered their questions."
Selenity stepped up and pushed her father away, glaring at him, "You
answered their question with unspoken words," she seethed, slamming her
hands down on the chair's arms and leaning in close to glare at him, her
eyes narrowed. "If I see any kind of speculation about our reasons for
breaking our betrothal, beyond what was actually said, not insinuated today,
I will take you to a court of your peers on slander charges. Do I make
myself clear?"
He chuckled, "You are indeed beautiful when you are angry, Princess,
but I said nothing today to smear your good name. I simply answered their
question in a fashion you did not like. I cannot be held responsible if
they print something that I did not say, and is based on speculation.
Freedom of speech, my dear."
She whirled, "Get out," her hands clenched at her sides, her back to
him. She was shaking, she was so angry, her hands wanting to wipe that
smug, self-satisfied smile off his face.
She heard him get up and walk slowly to the door. "I will see you
again, Princess, and at that time, you will be begging you to take me back."
She spun, an outraged cry breaking from her lips as the door shut
smartly behind him. "Daddy?"
He stepped into her field of view, "Yes?"
"I wish to be alone for a moment."
Francis nodded, placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and left by the
same door.
Alone in the room, Selenity sank to the floor and slammed both of her
palms against the floor. What an infuriating man! How dare be presume to
tell her what would and would not be happening? She pushed herself to her
feet and brushed her skirt off. She wouldn't let him get to her. What's
done was done, she'd be honest with her story from now on. If Martin wanted
to fight dirty, she'd oblige him. Straightening her shoulders, she forced
herself to smile. He was in for a big surprise.
Author's Note: Comments, Questions, Suggestions, flames... all go to
Jademax@hotmail.com
Unless of course you'd like to write a review!
On that note the next chapter is going to be a little late. Maybe a week or
two. Thanks for your patience.
Thanks for reading!
Jade_Max