This is my version of how it could have gone for Rosalie, a character created by Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter 6: Trapped
The day of the wedding was more beautiful than even I could have imagined. Not a drop of rain, just as I had predicted. Every rose in the city was adorning the grounds of the King Estate – my new home. Despite the beauty of the flowers, I knew that the only Rose people would be looking at would be me. My dress was spectacular and emphasized my slender figure.
I even wore real pearl earrings, a gift from my new mother-in-law. When she gave them to me I sputtered in gratitude, awed by the expense, imagining some sort of relationship in the offering. I now knew it was all a farce. She couldn't have me wearing fake pearls as I had planned, naively believing no one would notice. Oh no. How would that look to the self-righteous, judgmental high society types in her circle? The family name was all she had going for her. She couldn't afford any mistakes now.
Again, this self-realization wouldn't help me.
I would be saying 'I do' and promising myself to Royce for the rest of my life. A life filled with fear and emotional and physical pain. This situation could break me. When I looked into Royce's eyes, I knew that was what he wanted. He didn't want a spirited 'thinker' for his bride, he wanted a subservient little girl who would do whatever he said, who would be the beautiful ornament hanging on his arm as he completed all his societal obligations.
I also saw a hunger in his eyes that I had never noticed before. Maybe I did notice it, but I didn't recognize it for what it was. Royce also wanted this body. For the first time in my life I detested my beauty; I was disgusted by it. I'd spent my 18 years taking advantage of my looks without knowing it; I was even encouraged to do it. And others had benefited from my beauty as well. I hated my parents even more.
And as hatred begets hatred, Felix' leering 'Rosie' sounded in my ears again. What had been the plan that Monday night when I first heard and felt that threat? I shuddered. What did my future hold? I would be alone with Royce. He could 'arrange' anything he wanted.
Whatever my plan, I knew I had to carry through with the wedding. I needed time to think. I knew I would need strength that I feared I did not possess to survive before I could make myself free. I had to be practical. I would need money. I would need to figure out a way to disappear. And I would have to decide where to go.
I went through the motions. This was supposed to be the most beautiful day of my life. This was a day I had dreamed about as I doodled "Mrs. Royce King" on every scrap of paper I could find.
If there's one thing you can say about me, it's that you can take me anywhere. I knew what I was supposed to do and how I was supposed to act. I knew when to wear the smile, however fake it may feel. The photographers would never capture a sullen bride. No, our faces would plaster the morning newspaper and all reading the articles would know I was the happiest woman on earth; the lucky young lady who captured the heart – and fortune - of Royce King.
Money was suddenly poison to me. I had been raised to worship money - and status. I was about to marry into both, but at what price? A price I was no longer willing to pay. Still, I would have to bide my time.
Despite my determination to change my fate, the sheer beauty of the grounds took my breath way. This was all for me. Perhaps I was being hasty. Royce had looked at me with adoring eyes just last night. As I pondered, I unconsciously fingered the lace around my wrists, an effort to conceal the purple and blue finger-shaped bruises. What was I saying to myself? Was I trying to make myself believe that abuse was worth all this? Maybe that's why Jane's eyes appeared dead to me now. She'd sold her soul to the devil, and she'd done it willingly.
It was hard to think. I put on my dress then stood on a pedestal as my mother, Jane and Vera bustled around me, adjusting my dress, applying make-up, arranging the veil, and teasing my hair. This was the kind of attention a person who looked like me expected. I easily fell back into believing I was the center of the universe, as I had always been. It was so much easier to think of myself like that, it's all I had known.
And I was beautiful. The anxiety returned, why hadn't my mother said he was lucky to have me? The answer was so plain. I was a shiny bauble, nothing more.
Time to put on the damn suit again. Royce's contrived but even temper was beginning to thin. He'd had it with all this fuss. He tried to put on a diamond-studded cufflink but kept dropping it. In exasperation he threw it across the room just as Felix walked in. He caught it, one-handed. He laughed at his friend as he shut the door behind him.
"Hold it together."
Royce held out his arm for Felix to put on the cufflink. He slipped it in the button- hole and attached the back. He retrieved the jacket and held it out for him. Royce slid into it and stood in front of the mirror again, adjusting his tie.
"What am I? Your butler or your best man?"
Royce rounded on Felix with a fixed icy stare. He edged toward Felix, never breaking his gaze, willing Felix to blink first. Then he stepped back satisfied and turned to face his alter-ego in the mirror.
It took a lot to get to Felix, but the wild look about Royce made Felix swallow hard. Royce smoothed his ruffled hair and jacket. When he turned around to face Felix again, the smile was back, but the white-hot malice behind the eyes said 'stay out of my way'.
Felix adjusted Royce's tie. Unwilling to turn his back on Royce in this state, he backed up to the door and opened it. Regally he bowed deeply and said with a hint of sarcasm "after you, Mr. King". Royce checked the time on his pocket watch, cleared his throat, and walked through the door.
I peeked out onto the grounds. All of society's richest and most well known were assembled. They were here out of sheer obligation and not because they were particularly fond of me - or the King's for that matter. They came because the cameras would be here. This was the biggest event of the year. They were essentially forced to attend as well as provide an expensive gift. Meaningless, empty offerings. A hollow chortle escaped my lips. Ironic. They were as trapped as I was.
And there was my Prince. Oh he was putting on a show today; he was in rare form. He was glad-handing all of Rochester's finest, laughing, joking, promising business deals. Occasionally he would point to the bride's chamber and put his hand to his heart, explaining that he couldn't wait to see the love of his life on this most joyous of all days. And the people bought it. Of course they did. They'd shoveled the same manure for years. It was what they knew.
At the precise hour, a full orchestra started playing "Here Comes the Bride". I stayed to the rear of the room. My two brothers went out first, carrying rings on posh velvet pillows. Vera was escorted by her dear husband. My mother was then accompanied by Felix of all people. Fitting. And Jane was attended by my father-in-law to be. I was next. My eyelids fluttered as I talked myself into taking that first step. I put on my best counterfeit smile and stepped into the sun, light refracting off the jewels and diamonds on my gown and veil. There was an audible gasp from the audience as they took in my classic beauty. It was no surprise to me of course; I'd heard those sounds all my life.
Royce, who was already standing at the altar, gasped also – and at the proper time – he had to keep up appearances, didn't he? He smiled exquisitely as he watched me take my father's arm. My father had tears in his eyes. No doubt sparkling with the wealth that would vicariously be his. It took everything I had not to shrink away from him. He walked me to where Royce stood, playing the part of proud father perfectly.
Royce held out his hand.
I had to be honest. He was every bit as beautiful as I. The very expensive tuxedo befitted him. From the outside we were a smart-match. People were no doubt thinking what beautiful children would come from this union.
Children.
That almost wiped the phony smile away. Though I had always wanted to be a mother, I decided at that precise moment - no children would be born to this life. No child of mine would be made to endure such a hostile and entitled childhood. Create another Royce? I would rather die.
My father kissed my cheek and went to sit with my mother.
I only barely participated in the ceremony. The minister was talking to us, imparting advice and encouraging us to love and respect each other always. I watched Royce. Was he hearing any of these words of wisdom? I longed for a man that would treat me with respect, who would love me forever. It was not to be. I turned my head and looked at the flowers on the grounds. I smiled sadly. The flowers were so beautiful. But they would wilt and die by tomorrow. Was that my plight as well?
My disinterest in the ceremony was more apparent than I had intended. Royce gave my hand an unnecessarily hard squeeze to draw me out of my reverie. I wondered what was behind his eyes. Was he afraid I had figured him out? Was he afraid that I was stronger than initially assumed? I smiled at him, lovingly. Everyone in the audience saw the smile they wanted to see, but Royce saw the indifference. Anger tainted his baby blues and I knew I would pay for my overt insolence. I didn't care. I was going to pay anyway; I may as well make the fee worthwhile.
I was derailed when I heard the chuckle. A twinge of fear slithered down my spine and Royce almost laughed out loud when he saw it. I would pay, wouldn't I? My heart thudded with panic. His hands were so big.
As I hadn't heard a word the purchased minister had said, the sudden silence took me by surprise. Everyone was looking at me expectantly. I had to rewind to see where we were in the ceremony.
I recovered quickly, averting my eyes and bashfully saying "I do" as I looked into my tormenters eyes. The crowd smiled out loud.
I heard my mother nervously and a little too loudly exclaim "she's just SO nervous!" The disinterested crowd accepted the feeble explanation.
Royce put his lips to mine and kissed me tenderly. Against my will, my knees weakened. He had to quickly put his arm around my waist to prevent me from falling. Of course that further punctuated my mother's comment. My new beau made me weak in the knees. Royce loved that. Felix snorted behind us.
I hadn't realized how close Felix was. He pushed himself against my back. I could feel the buckle of his belt through my wedding gown. I was certain this motion was a terrifying foreshadowing of my wedding night. I let out a gasp. Royce put his lips to my ear in a gesture of adoration.
"You. Just. Wait." I heard the ferocity in his whisper as he enunciated each word separately. He kissed my cheek and turned for the camera.
Felix leered. I could feel his warm breath on my neck as he growled "Yes Rosie. Just. You. Wait." The photographer aimed and shot the first photo of the 'happy' couple.
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