Authors note: Thanks for your support. Here you go, as promised.
The next day was a flurry of activity. Servants ran to and fro making sure the castle was to my fathers demand. The butchers had all brought in their meat hours earlier. The baker had been baking since early morning. All was being prepared for the celebration. Even me.
My maidservants had forced me into a deep emerald dress with diamonds sowed into the fabric. It was a pretty dress. But the corset had to come on first and that was just torture. The corset was made super slim. It was tight around my already small frame. The maidservants had to all pull to get the strings tied. It was a nightmare.
When the dress was finally on it was time for my hair. The two woman pulled and twisted my hair into an elegant up-do. It was clipped at the top and was free flowing at the bottom. Then they puffed rouge onto my cheeks and added some pink powder to my lips. When i looked into the mirror, i almost didnt recognize myself.
I looked like a princess. I usually ran around the castle in just a simple dress. My hair always billowed behind me. I never have looked this put together. The pink powder had made my lips a different shade. I didnt know who i was.
When they were finally done they stepped back to admire their work.
"Shes a beautiful one."
"Yes, she shall make one suitor very lucky."
"Her father will be pleased."
I let them ramble on. I paid no attention to the maidservants. They were all under my fathers rule. I couldnt trust them. They acted pleasant enough but could tell on me at any moment. I always kept my mouth closed in such company.
They soon left to do other things that were required of them. I sat on the edge of my bed and tried not to cry. I didnt want my powders running down my face. My father would be mad if i showed up looking like a harlot from the brothel.
Today was the day. Today was the feast. Today was the day i would die. The Clarissa Morgenstern i had always know would wither away. To be replaced by the one my husband chose. I really didnt want to go. I almost contemplated an escape plan but i knew it would never work. My father would catch me and punish me. I had to go to the feast.
I looked out the window at the many flags. Suitors had come from thousands of miles around. I couldnt make out the sigil from this distance. But i knew there were to be many. Each royal family would present there best candidate and the riches that came with it. Then a battle would commence to see who had the most prowess. The winner of the battle would then win the prize. Me.
I at least hoped he was handsome. I hoped that he was nice. I hoped that he would make me be a better woman. I tried to scrape together any thoughts that would make me more at ease. If i had to pretend the whole evening than so be it. I would not cry and act like a child. I was a lady. I was raised in the fine arts of the royal circle. Any displeasure and i would be punished. For my sake, i hoped that i would find a good enough match to please my father.
I heard the bannerman trumpeting the song of our realm. There were hundreds of people camped out in the outer walls of the castle. They were all excited to see who the Morgenstern princess would marry. I on the other hand didnt want this day to ever happen. I wanted to be the girl in my dreams, not the girl to be married off like cattle.
A knock on my door aroused my sense. I bid them enter. It was my fathers mage of the castle, Magnus Bane. He usually assisted in the sick, being as he was more healer than mage. He was still a person of power, not to be trifled with.
"Come on child, its time for you to be presented." he said softly. I could tell he felt pity for me. I shrugged his pity off, i didnt need it.
I stood up tall and straight and followed Magnus out the door. He escorted me to the royal hall. I was early, many of the people hadnt been allowed in yet.
"Your to sit beside your father at the high table, once everyone is seated and the feast starts, you will stand as your name is read." he said ceremoniously.
I nodded respectively, and tried to push down the fear inside my heart.
"Dont worry, you will do fine." Magnus whispered.
I gave him a weak smile and entered the hall. My father was already seated, as was my brother. There were three chairs upon the dais, one was empty. I walked past the long table and sat down in my assigned seat. My brother was glaring at me the whole time. I didnt return his gaze. I sat with my eyes downcast. The royal guard was allowing the guests in.
A group of loud cheery voices were heard coming to the door. So many people, of all descents and origins filled the hall. Such a range of outfits and accessories. Most of them were men, but a select few were woman. I took them to be lesser members of the royal houses hoping to maybe get their own marriage proposal.
I tried to appear happy and excited but i knew i was failing. My brother who was seated next to me, gave me a kick under the table.
"Act more pleased!" he hissed at me.
I faked a wider happier smile.
When all the people were seated my father took stand.
"Welcome all guests from the royal families! I welcome you here today on a very special occasion. Today my daughter will have a husband. And a damned good husband he'd better be!" Everyone laughed at the kings words. Except me.
"I welcome you with food and drink so that we may join together before tonight's festivities. Eat up! Drink up! And enjoy this wonderful occasion!" my father bellowed loudly through out the hall.
"I know put forth my daughter Clarissa, the beautiful Morgenstern princess." My father said loud enough for all to hear. I stood up as fast i could. I smiled at all the greedy faces looking up at me. I tried to not linger on any special one. My father nodded for me to sit. I sat back down, glad to not be the center of attention anymore.
Cheers erupted from the table. I noticed a few hungry eyes trying to catch my attention. I ignored them the best i could. The servants began to bring in the food. Before long the table was groaning, i didnt know how anyone could eat this much food.
Wide ranges of dishes, from roasted pork, to fried liver, to fire spitted duck. I had never in my life sat before so much splendor. I scooped some roasted potatoes and garlic onto my plate. My father and brother were grabbing everything like animals. I ate with dignity and composure.
The whole hall was busy eating and talking. I sat silently and ate as much as i could. I was terrified down deep into my soul.
When the eating was done the people were escorted back out onto the grounds. Me and my family were escorted through a different way. We couldnt be sure if there were assassin attempts out on us in the crowd. We took our own way to the arena.
The battle arena was a wooden encampment. It was a wide circle with enough seats for everyone to sit. The middle platform was for the Morgenstern heirs. We climbed the steps to take our seats. Next the selected suitors would be set of in pairs until only one was standing. They each before the battle would declare their royal house. Which would let my father know the riches that came with the man. I detested this mockery of bravery.
The first two men were brought forward. He declared himself of the Penhallow royal family, the other one was a Garroway. Battle commenced. I watched the men spare each other, all hoping to receive my hand. I kind of liked the look of the Garroway man. He looked alot nicer than his opponent. Garroway was sadly defeated.
I watched battle after battle. Penhallow was then matched against someone from the Carter royal house and then he too was defeated. Too anyone looking up into the arena, i appeared watchful and respectful. But my eyes had glazed over a long time ago. I was pretending to watch. The sun beat unmerciful upon the spectators. I was at least shaded up here on the platform. Even so, it was still to hot. My corset made it hard to breathe. This battle was the entertainment of fools.
Different men of different houses all came forth, and all began to fall. I had hopes that maybe there would be no victor. But then that would mean i would have to marry Jonathan. I didnt want that the most of all.
After hours in the hot sun, i was beginning to wish that my father would hurry up and just pick someone. It was then that i noticed someone that was different then the rest. For the best part of the battle i hadnt been watching what was going on. I had missed all that had were two men in the arena now. The one stood out from the other. He was a tall man, with dark hair and even from this distance, i could see his beautiful blue eyes. I leaned forward and tried to see what was going on.
I hadnt been paying attention and i hadnt realized that these were the last two suitors! The losers were all bunched up by the side of the arena. Scowls lined every single face. They all would be sporting bruises on the morrow. The dark haired man was up against a big brute. He had to outweigh me by three hundred pounds! Please dont let him win! If there are any gods in the heavens above, do not let me marry that man!
The dark haired man fought well. For every blow the brute swung, he easily parried it. His lean body meant he was faster than his opponent. I leaned forward and hoped that he would win. He swung his blunted sword with grace. Smacking the brute on the side of his head. The brute didnt like that. He charged at the smaller man. My teeth were clenched so hard i feared they might break.
The man ducked down at the last second and the brute tripped right over him! The crowd laughed. The brute had landed hard on his back. The dark haired man was quick. He rested his blade right in front of the brutes thick neck. He had won.
Cheers erupted loudly from the crowd.
The only thing i thought, was thank god.
Imagine being married to that big thing of a man.