"What about my engagement? I should have you thrown in jail for coming into my room like this. What on earth would you want to tell me about my engagement to Alexander?" Catherine knew the man to be nothing more than a leech sticking close to her brother to reap the benefits of being a yes man.
"I have a lot to say actually and you could try throwing me in jail but I have to remind you of how easily I will be released. I know you are not a stupid girl although many like to believe that. You understand your position in this palace has limited power. You can order the maids to fetch you something or for the guards to protect you on a walk. That's what your power is."
"What are you getting at? I am the princess of this kingdom. My brother-"
"There it is!" Mister Garfield got excited as he had been waiting for her to bring up her brother. "You also get power from running to your brother. Your brother is king Catherine. He cannot continue to allow himself to be concerned with your problems. Personally, he should have listened to my advice to have you married off somewhere. We could've gotten some gold or allies in exchange for you. Such a shame."
"You cannot speak to the princess like this, mister Garfield. At the end of the day, she is still a princess and you are a mere court member. You answer to the royals. Never forget that." Alexis stepped up in defense of the princess. No matter what anyone personally felt about Catherine, she was still a royal and deserved to be respected.
Mister Garfield didn't pay any mind to Alexis' words because she was far below his status. Why should he care about what she had to say? "Even though you are a princess, your position with power is nonexistent. You might be thinking you hit the jackpot because you are getting married to the love of your life but this really isn't about you. The king needs Alexander for some odd reason. There are other skilled men here in my opinion but whatever."
"I know Darius is getting us married for his own gain. I am not ignoring that fact and if that is all you have to say, please leave. You might think I lack power but I disagree. Do you want me to have the guards throw you out onto your behind for all your peers to see? That would be quite embarrassing, don't you agree?"
Mister Garfield chuckled at her failed attempt to threaten him. "You might be aware but you haven't been around your brother for the last few days. Alexander's family will come to visit the palace soon and will be informed of the engagement. You should know your brother doesn't get along with the Mclane's, particularly Alexander's father. We should honestly get rid of the ones who don't bow to the king."
He continued to say, "When they visit, I want you to be like the pretty doll that you have always been. Sit still and look pretty. That's all that you are good for. And no more sending letters to Alexander's father. I have overlooked them in the past but now they are starting to annoy me. We don't need you to be the one informing his father of what the king is up to. Do not mess up what the king has planned. Good day," he turned around without bowing to her and left the room.
"How could he come into your room and disrespect you? Princess!" Alexis exclaimed when Catherine stormed out of the room. "This won't be good," she panicked. Alexis was expecting to see Catherine go after mister Garfield but she went the opposite way.
Catherine was going in the direction of her brother's bedroom to talk about the disrespect she just faced. Her brother needed to do something about how much he filled up the court minister's head and how much power he gave them. How could anyone just be allowed to barge into her room and tell her to just be pretty? He should be punished for his actions but she knew he was right that he could be released right away. Life wasn't fair for her.
"Open the doors!" She commanded the guards on the outside of the king's bedroom. "What on earth are you waiting for?" She asked when they didn't move. Not everyone in the palace respected her commands even though she was a princess.
"The king is busy at the moment. Come back once he is finished, princess."
"Who are you to tell me what to do? Why should I listen to what a guard has to say? Open the doors or I will do it myself. If you try to stop me, I will scream at the top of my voice," she paused and waited for them to open the doors but they didn't. "Fine," she took a step forward to open the doors herself but the guards placed their weapons to block her.
"Darius!" She screamed at the top of her lungs for her brother to come outside. Moments later, the doors opened revealing her brother trying to cover up himself with a rob. Clearly, he had been entertaining himself with a woman based on his appearance and the kiss marks on his cheeks. "We need to talk about mister Garfield. He barged into my room and told me to just be a doll-"
"And what? Do you have any idea how early it is for you to be bringing your problems to me? Screaming like that is child behavior, Catherine. I thought you had grown up by now. Maybe you should have taken his advice. I am busy," Darius closed his doors to get back to his activities.
Catherine stood in shock that her brother hadn't listened to her complaint. How many people were going to be rude to her these days? She clenched her fist disliking the fact that mister Garfield was right about the power she had as a princess. Unbeknownst to Catherine, a person in the shadows had taken interest in her anger.