Today was the day when my whole world fell apart. I had been up for hours dreading this event. I had watched the light creep away from the crack in the wall. Pretty soon it would be time. I could do nothing but sit and wait. Finally my waiting had ended. I wearily heard the sound of footsteps outside my towers door. I was roughly escorted through the halls. I needed to be prepared for the wedding.

They threw me into a room with four maidservants and two guards. I would not be able to escape. The maidservants pushed me into a bath of hot water. They scrubbed all the muck and grime from my body. I felt scoured alive when they finally dragged me out. My body was red from all the hard scrubbing. They all took turns preparing me for the nights occasion.

I was squeezed into a corset that took my breath away. I couldnt breath in this thing! My wedding dress was then put on. It was a lenghthy affair of silk and cotten. Diamonds were embroidered all along the hem. It was a beautiful dress for a worthy disaster. I fought them all the way but the maidservants did their job. The King would be displeased if they didnt.

They took my hair and brushed it til it shone. They jammed my veil down around my ears and pulled the hair through. I itched to tear it away. I didnt want to wear this monstrosity. My heart was beating wildy in my chest. I didnt want to do this, i didnt want to marry Jonathan. I had no choice.

Somewhere in this castle he held Jace prisoner. I dreaded to think what he would do to him if i refused. I fought back but only half heartedly. I didnt have much strength in me. I followed along as they finally got me ready. The wedding was not for a few more moments. We were celebrating it out in the courtyard. Everyone who was invited would be there. I didnt know how on Earth i would get through this day.

I was led to the front gate on the castle and escorted outside. I follow along meekly. I didnt have any other choice. I could see the white awnings from here. I could also hear voices and laughter. Everyone was having a good time but me. I walked as regal as i could. My chest pushed out and my head held high.

I entered the side of the awning into a small room. I was ushered to wait. I tried not to run from the tent with my arms held high. But i resisted the urge, i would be caught and drug back. Jonathan would not be too happy with me. I clasped my hands together in a state of nervousness. I waited patiently for the signal.

A lady in waiting came from under the tent flap. She wordlessly handed me my bouqet. I clutched it tight in my grasp. She then took my hand and led me out into the isle. I had heard voices but i hadnt guessed there would be this many people. I was surprised that this tent held this many. I looked around at all the unfamiliar faces. I swallowed nervously.

The sound of harps were being heard as i walked down the isle. I tried to keep my eyes straight. Jonathan stood at the end. He looked handsome in his all white jacket and trousers. His eyes were gleaming evilly. Oh how i hated him. The lady in waiting took me before him and put my hand in his. His hand felt ice cold.

The priest stepped up to the dias. I didnt recognize half of the people around me. They all seemed happy and joyful. I wanted to scream at them. I turned my eyes back to the priest. He was going on in an annoying drabble about the sacridity of marriage. When he finally got to the part, Jonathan stepped closer and lifted my veil.

I looked into his dark dead eyes and felt bile rising in my throat. His eyes gleamed with the power he had over me. He stepped closer and whispered, "If you anger me, you know what will happen..."

He didnt have to say anymore. He stepped back and watched the priest. I knew what he had meant. I knew that he held Jace's life in his hands. I couldnt let anything happen to Jace! I tried to calm my beating heart. I had to remember my lines.

"Do you Jonathan Morgenstern take Clarissa Morgenstern as your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest asked solemnly.

"I do." Jonathan declared loudly.

"And do you, Clarissa Morgenstern, take Jonathan Morgenstern as your lawfully wedded husband?"

I didnt want to answer. I wish i had the power in me to scream "Hell no!" to the priest. But if i did, then what would happen to Jace? I swallowed drily in my throat.

"I do." i said softly.

The priest smiled, "Then by the power that is vested in me. I now pronouce you man and wife! Jonathan you may kiss the bride."

Jonathan smiled and leaned toward me. I would like nothing more than to turn away but i had no choice. His cold lips pressed hungrily into mine. I resisted the urge to smack him. I couldnt let him hurt Jace. I could suffer this for the one i loved.

Soon enough, Jonathan pulled away. The crowd roared from their seats. They did not care for us. They did not care for me. They only cared about the free events that went on for today. I hated these people as well. How could they not see the fear in me? How could they not see my unwillingness? Either they couldnt see, or they wouldnt. My brother had put forth fear very well into the people.

I lowered my head and let Jonathan escort me out of the tent. His hand felt foreign in mine. I didnt want him touching me at all! But i had no choice. I followed along as slowly as i could. I didnt want him celebrating his wedding night, especially with me. I would have to get by as easily as i could. I couldnt stomach the thought, so i tried to ignore it.

He led me to tables set all along the courtyard. We took our seats at the head of the table. The rest found seats wherever they could. When we were all seated the cooks began to bring out the food. A large roasted pig was set before us. Vegetables of all sorts. Meats of all sorts. The bakers even brought forth more sweets than i had ever seen. The table was ladened with pounds of food. I didnt know how we were to eat it all.

I knew i couldnt eat but i forced myself to. I spooned a little soup into my bowl and started to sip slowly. Jonathan was eating so much i couldnt believe it. His plate was filled with overflowing food. I kept my gaze to my plate. I didnt want to look at him more than i had too. I waited nervously through all the eating and merriment. The many voices made it hard for oneself to think! I tried to remain content as the time slid away.

When all the plates were clear, and everyone had ate their fill, Jonathan stood up to address the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming to this marvelous occasion. My wife and i are pleased to see all the wonderful people that have graced us with their presence." The crowd cheered at that. The one thing the Morgensterns knew how to do, was please the crowd.

Jonathan took my hand and led me over to where a gigantic white cake laid on a table. I was surprised that they found a table able to hold the monstrosity. It must have taken the bakers hours to make it. Jonathan cut the first slice and handed me it. I held it limply in my hands. Jonathan then stepped aside to let others get a piece. I stepped back and tried to remain hidden.

After the cake, i was led onto the courtyards stone ground. Jonathan took me in his arms and the music started to play. He twirled me around in all the usual steps. My hem twirled with every step. I thought that this event would have been magical if Jace was the groom. But Jonathan made it all horrific and undesirable. I let him twirl me around. I had no emotions. I was lifeless in his arms.

His eyes were shining the whole time. I could see he was enjoying himself. I cursed him silently in my head. I would do everything in my power to thrawt him! I couldnt let him take me as a husband. The thought made me absolutely sick. I resisted the urge to throw up right at his feet.

When the stars were finally beginning to come out, the event started to died down. The dancing was brought to a halt, Jonathan once more addressed the crowd.

"My wife and i would like to thank all of you that have shown up here today. I am a very happy man. I bid all you a farewell. My wife and i have things to attend too." He said smiling, the crowd laughed. Guards escorted the townsfolk out through the main gate. I was shaking with fear. I was not ready! Jonathan came and grabbed me by the arm. His smile covered his whole face. He saw the fear perfectly shown and chuckled softly.

"Dont worry Clarissa. I will be soft." he paused, "At first."

I clenched my teeth together to stop from retorting. I wanted to hit him where the sun didnt shine! I let him lead me through the halls. All the servants stepped aside with knowing smiles of their faces. I felt nothing but nausea creeping up on me. Jonathan led me to the Kings bedroom chamber. He had apparently taken residence after he murdered our father.

I didnt want to believe Jonathan when he had told me, but today was proven evidence. My father was dead and buried. There hadnt even been a burial ceremony. Valentine was dumped in a wooden casket and buried in the family cemetery. I couldnt believe that Jonathan hadnt put him in his tomb in the mausoleum. That was blatant disrespect. I didnt share any warm feelings for my father, but i still would have buried him properly. I would have seen him to the gods in the proper way a King should. No matter that he was a monster just the same as his son that was made from his loins.

I felt no remorse for my father. He was murdered at the hands of his kin. How dreadful! I wouldnt have had the nerve to murder him, but Jonathan was a whole different story. He had been poisoned from the day of his birth. My father had ruled him and shaped him into the monster he had become. My father had no one to blame but himself. I didnt feel any pity. My father died as he had lived. In the battle of lies.

Jonathan opened the door and bid me enter. I stepped into the room i had never seen and my mouth dropped. The bed was the biggest i had ever seen. Its canopy was a dark red. It had bed posts that were carved exquisitely. The room itself was big in contrast to what i was used too. I had never really entered this room before. My father and i had no reason to be together in this room. The room was basked in candle light. If i had the right man here, everything would be perfect. Instead i turned my eyes back to the monster.

His eyes gleamed hungrily, sending flickers of light across his eyes from the candles. His lips parted and he spoke softly,

"Come to me Clarissa...succumb to me."