Part 4

Caitlin took a deep breath before knocking on the door of her mother's office.

"Come in." came her mother's voice

Caitlin walked in closing the door behind her.

"You wanted to see me mother." Said Caitlin

"Sit down Caitlin."

Caitlin sat down in a chair across from her mother at her desk.

"Mother what do you want?" asked Caitlin

"I hope you understand that you will be going through with this marriage if that is what your father and King Henry agree too. It doesn't matter if you like Prince Bartholomew or not."

"Mother, dad promised me I won't have to if I can't stand him."

"Caitlin, you have a duty to our people. Your duty comes before your feelings. If I let my feelings get in the way I wouldn't have married your father. My father arranged my marriage to your father. I was not happy that I was given no say. But I did my duty. You will do the same."

"Mother, I am not you. While I find the idea of marrying the Prince less offensive than Zoom. I will not marry him if I can't stand to be in the same room as him."

"You will do as you are told. I am not just your mother but your Queen. You will follow orders."

"Mother, why should I listen to you? You have never given a damn about me! You have only cared about Charlie. He is the only kid you wanted. So why was I even born?"

"Don't you dare speak to me like that. Charles is the future King. He understands his duty. He is going to marry in six months."

"To a woman he got to choose and actually loves."

"That is something that I never agreed with. But Erin is a good choice. She understands that the people come before anything else. Something that you need to learn since you are going to be Queen when Bartholomew becomes King."

"Mother, I stopped trying to please you a long time ago. I will never be who you want me to be. So stop with this acting like my mother. You may have given birth to me but you have never been a mother. I spent more time with the nannies and tutors then I ever have with you."

Caitlin stood up her eyes glowing a frosty white and stormed out of the room. Her mother's assistant cleared out of the way seeing the cold mist coming off of Caitlin. Luckily the woman knew the Royal Family's secret and wouldn't say a thing.

"Is everything alright you're majesty?" asked Lady Cecile

"Fine Cecile."

"I only ask because the Princess seems upset. It is just there are times she has lost control when she is upset."

"Lady Cecile, you are to stay out of my family's matters is that clear?"

"Yes my Queen."

Cecile headed out but knew that only the Queen had the ability to upset the Princess to this degree. So far no one has been able to calm her. Hopefully the Prince will be just what she needs.

After leaving her mother's office Caitlin headed for the stable and had one of the hands saddle her horse. A pure white mare that didn't let anyone but her ride. Once the horse was saddled Caitlin mounted and took off on a ride to calm down. She rode to a stream a few miles from the palace. The stream started somewhere high in the mountains of the Mountain Kingdom and down into the foot hills that made up the Snow Kingdom. For all Caitlin knew it may flow even further, maybe as far as the Central Kingdom. She knew that it was a good ten hour journey my motor coach to the Royal Palace of Central Kingdom from her own home. She was thinking that maybe it might not be a bad thing to marry the Prince. It would get her away from her mother. She had been sitting by the stream for an hour when she heard more horses come out of the woods. She turned to see her brother and four members of his protection detail. He signaled them to stay back as he climbed down and came up to her.

"Lady Cecile told me that you had a fight with mother." Said Charlie

"When do I not?"

"Caitlin, I have no idea why she is so cold to you. But you will need to learn to control your temper better."

"I thought I did rather well. I didn't cover mother's office in ice this time."

"Maybe so. But you don't want to scare Barry right after you meet him right?"

"Barry?"

"Yeah that is what Prince Bartholomew likes to be called unless protocol states other wise. Like how you always call me Charlie or I call you Caity."

"Charlie do you think that dad will leave mother here when he takes me to meet the Prince?"

"Of course. I have to stay here anyway. Mother is going to have to work with Erin to prepare her for her life after our wedding."

"I guess you are right. Charlie, you have met Barry right?"

"Yeah. He is a nice guy. But I can promise you that he will make it a mission to get you to show that beautiful smile of yours."

"He might have his work cut out for him. While I agreed to do this if I like him and he likes me. As human beings anyway. It doesn't mean I am happy about it."

"I get that. But I honestly think you will like him. That is why I suggested this to dad."

"I know. You have always looked out for me."

"Well that is my job as your big brother. Promise me that you will give him a chance. That you will not distance yourself from him like you have from every suitor here. I thought maybe you would have let Julian in."

"He is a pompous ass. He was only interested in me to get close to the throne. I was nothing but a trophy to him."

"Yeah I know. You about ready to head back?"

"I guess so. I just feel bad for the stable hand that will have to try and exercises Frost."

"Think she will let me? I mean that horse of yours is very temperamental."

"I'm not sure. She has thrown everyone but me."

"Well when we get back let's see. I would feel better to try in the paddock."

"Sure. I will talk to her."

"Good. Once we know if this is going to happen arrangements will be made to have her brought to you."

"I know. Let's race home."

Caitlin got up and ran to her horse with her brother right behind her. They took off at the same time to return home.