In the next few days i remained content. I spent almost every night with Jace. Sometimes we stayed in my chambers, and others we ventured onto the grass. Sometimes we spoke, and sometimes we enjoyed each other. It was a fair share of both. I was as happy as i could ever be. Me and Jace shared many stories of our life. We joked and teased each other like we had known each other forever. And after some time, i genuinely felt that way.
I learned more and more as time went on. I learned that he had a little sister and a brother of young age. I knew that his father was a kind and noble man. I asked him what his father thought when he moved to the castle, to which he replied.
"My father has always listened to me. He has always supported me no matter what decision i make. I told him that i had met you. I told him that i planned to keep seeing you. He said that i was foolish, but he also said i was very brave. To risk my life just to see you everyday is the bravest thing, he said. He knows my intentions, and he knows i mean well."
"Thats nice to hear. My father hasnt the time to listen to me, nor does he want to." i replied.
"Then that tis a shame" Jace said smiling. I got lost in his smile and nothing seemed to matter.
When it was a week and a half til the marriage, I was summoned to a feast with Alec's family. I nervously prepared with the help of a few maidservants. They dressed me in a fine grey dress and powdered me again with powder. My hair was left flowing past my shoulders. I looked like a regal princess. My father would have nothing less. He instructed them to make me as beautiful as they could manage. Alec's parents and i had not even met one another. This would be our formal meeting.
The wedding was scheduled in a around ten days. It was to be a marvelous occasion for all except me. I dreaded this event more than anything. I just wanted to be with Jace. I didnt know what choice i had in the matter. I did as i was bid. My father would punish me if i didnt.
When i was ready, i was escorted to a small feasting hall. It was set over in the residential wing of the castle. It was primarily used for royal or important visitors. I was to meet the family there. I was nervous. I was afraid that i would make a mistake. I hadnt met his family or even seen them. He had a mother, father, and a younger sister. They would all be present.
What was i to do? Could i act normal? I could try. I would have to pretend to be smitten with Alec to avoid suspicion. It would be a difficult task for both of us. I didnt enjoy pretending i had feelings that i didnt feel. But i had to do what i had to do. I must not arouse suspicion.
I entered the hall with a straight back. I kept my head held high. Alec was already there. He was set next to an empty seat. I curtsied to the family who gazed upon me.
"Hello, i am Princess Clarissa." i said courteously.
Alec stood up, "This is my father Prince Robert, my mother Maryse, and my sister Isabelle." He introduced and gestured to each one. His mother and father looked polite enough but his sister was giving me daggers in her eyes. Why did she not like me? She knew her brother was gay, so why was i to blame?
I nodded at each introduction, and went to give Alec a kiss on the cheek. He didnt back away or anything. He accepted the kiss, and we moved on to eat. I sat next to him and tried to appear the way a princess should. His mother Maryse broke the tension.
"What a beautiful girl, Alec. She shall give you many beautiful heirs."
"Yes, i agree mother. Her beauty is one of the best qualities she possesses" Alec replied looking to his mother, he was smiling but i could see he didnt mean it. His father then began to say, "I am eager for this match." I smiled and tried to appear eager as well.
"It has been a long time that i have waited to get Alec a good bride. The Morgenstern Legacy is nothing to be laughed at. It is a proud noble name that all over the realm are awed by its sound. I am proud to welcome you into our family Clarissa. May we all have many years of joy." He said in a joyful tone. He appeared genuinely excited over the match. His mother too, didnt seem to argue much with it. His sister though was another story.
Maryse engaged Alec, and Robert joined in with the chatter. I was at relief to eat in silence. His sister leaned closer.
"I dont want my brother with you. We both know he wont ever be happy." she hissed softly. I looked into her black eyes and looked away. I had no answer for her. She appeared puzzled by my silence.
"Didnt you hear me? Or dont you care?"
"I have nothing to say."
"Then dont marry him!" She still was hissing her words. It was hard for me to hear her which was her intention. She didnt want her parents overhearing.
"We have to." i said just as soft as she did.
"You dont have to do anything! Call it off or you will regret it. Our whole family will hate you once they know you married him for no reason."
I tried to keep my composure. She was a younger girl, of about 15. I couldnt slap her in her smart mouth like i wanted too. She knew nothing about the situation. And yet she blamed me. Maybe Alec would hate me, but i couldnt disobey my father. I was scared just thinking about it.
"My father would be pleased to know that threats are already being made against his daughter." I said smug. Her eyes went fearful. Ah! She did know the terror that was my father. Even she was scared of him. I turned my eyes away from her and continued to eat off my plate. I wanted this dinner to be over with. His parents were alright, but that sister was a brat.
After some time, his parents called it quits. They wanted to retire to their chamber for the night. I didnt blame them. Alec remained the dutiful betrothal and walked me out. He stood with his arms crossed once the door was shut.
"Your display of etiquette could use some improvement." he said coldly.
"My display? What about your sisters? Hissing at me like that all through dinner. It took all my strength not to slap her cheek."
"My sister had twice the amount of decency you posses!"
"Decency? How is that so. Hissing at her betrothal at her family dinner? How is that ladylike?" i asked.
"Your as stupid as you are vain. If you opened your eyes, i gather you would see a lot better." he declared. He turned and went back into the hall. I was angrily still by the door. How dare he talk to me like that. How dare he say his sister was composed of more decency than me. I was more than a woman then she was. I was mad the whole time i walked back to my chambers.
I opened the door and ran into my brother.
"What were you doing inside my chamber? i cried angrily.
His ice cold glare made my shiver involuntarily. "I came to see you."
"But you were inside my room!"
"I was checking to see if maybe you had fallen asleep somewhere awkward. Like on the floor, or perhaps by the chamber pot..."
I pushed past him and went to close the door behind me. He put his hand to stop me.
"I told you i came to see you." he said with no warmth in his gaze. What could he possibly want now? Jace would be along any minute or so. I decided to get it over with as quick as possible. I stopped trying to shut the door and instead turned to sit at my vanity table. I picked up a brush and acted busy with brushing my hair.
He stood behind me, i could see him in the mirror. I acted as if he wasnt even there. I wasnt happy marrying Alec, but at least then i would be away from Jonathan! I didnt even look at him. He stood behind me watching me brush my hair. I could see his eyes moving with my brush strokes. I acted indifferent to his presence. At last, he spoke.
"How are you and Alec."
"Fine, thanks."
"Thats good to hear, i was a little worried that he might be a little...weird. Its just a feeling i get when i am around him. Do you get such feelings?"
"No...I dont know what your talking about." I didnt waver my pace, i brushed my hair normally. I avoided his gaze on purpose. I didnt want to see those coal black pits from hell.
"Ah, the i fear that it is only me. Are you excited over the match?"
"Im excited as i will ever be." i replied coyly.
He smirked, "You dont seem half as excited as you should be."
"Oh i am." i curtly replied.
"Its funny but i thought you'd be more nervous, or excited. I will never forget the first time i had a woman. But maybe it is only men who feel such things."
His gaze was on mine fiercely. What was he trying to learn? What was the point in this endless drabble? I didnt anwer him. No proper lady talked of such things, especially not to their kin. I just brushed as i had been brushing.
I could tell i was angering him. Good thing that i didnt care. His face now betrayed emotions. I could see anger coming on thick. He was mad at me. But i could care less. When he saw that he wasnt getting a rise out of me, he left the room in a huff.
I waited until i was sure he was gone, and then i stopped brushing. Why was everyone acting so hostile toward me? Alec usually acted indifferent, but today he acted rude. Jonathan was just a prick by nature. I resolved to not think of these thoughts anymore for the night, Jace was coming.