I just arrived at court again. It's dark and cold. Fire is litten on the castle grounds which makes shivers run up my spine for the scary image. I can't realize that Arthur seriously persuaded me on coming back here, but I will rather come back then be called a whore or mistress behind my back, don't forget that my and my brother's image would be more ruined then it is already.
"The King is expecting your presence, Victoria." Arthur said to me as I jumped off my horse.
"How- How does he know?" I stuttered. It felt like my every move was being magnified, I didn't like this. Arthur looked down at me and his eyes were different from how they were a moment ago, they're cold and emotionless now unlike before.
"I informed the guards." He answered shortly, like it isn't disturbing at all.
"When?" I asked flabbergasted, this was ridiculous.
"When you didn't see." He said. I realized that, otherwise I wouldn't have asked the question. I didn't want to get into an argument with Arthur before I had to meet Isaac.
After that he didn't say more, he walked behind me, watching me. Three guards walked next to me, I felt like a prisoner. When we walked inside I was comforted by the warmth but also by disgusted looks that were given to me. I could hear the passing maids whispering about my appearance or situation. I looked like I had just awoken from the death, my face probably as pale as possible,the guards had hit me which probably left a mark. My hair was everywhere and my clothes were covered in mud, everytime I placed a step I could hear the sound of mud on the white marmer tiles, but no one said anything and let me walk with a mud path following me.
When we stood in front of the big closed doors I didn't know what I could expect. Of course I feared for what was about to happen and most of all I feel stupid that I truly believed running away was the answer. I also feel relieved that Isaac came back on time but I don’t want to know how he will treat me when I walk through these doors. The doors opened and I lowered my head, as I walked closer to the thrones. I sat on my knees on the cold marmer floor. I heard my name from people's mouths, as I looked around the room was filled, diplomats, my brother, The Queen, Arthur, everyone was present, this is humiliation. I wanted the world to swallow me. I felt the Queen's awful gaze burn through my skin. This was the ceremony. I somehow believed that it was canceled but it wasn't. This is somehow better than it would’ve been with the Queen only.
"Victoria Bordeaux, Your Majesty." The guards behind me said to The King. Isaac was looking at me I could tell, I couldn't face him.
"I am aware," The King started. The room grew quiet and everyone's gaze fell on me and Isaac.
"I was told that you came back willingly, is this true?" Isaac started, I lifted my head from the ground and everyone could see my awful face, a few people started whispering again.
"It's true, Your Majesty." I said. My eyes are starting to close on their own, it's almost morning and I haven't slept a second as horrible as this situation is. I just wish I could sleep. My body is limp from all the adventures. Isaac murmured something that I couldn't hear and my head tilted back to the ground.
"If you came back, why did you leave in the first place?" He asked me. Everyone grew silent and waited for my answer. I was looking in the corners of my eyes and saw my brother standing and looking at me. His eyes showed anger, frustration and sadness at the same time. I don't know how everything changed so quickly.
"Because, I didn't want the possibility that I might suffer for a crime I'm not guilty of." It was better to lie, if I would've told the truth Charlotte would have a win and that can't happen. You could hear gasps and murmurs from the crowd. Isaac looked at me and blinked multiple times before a new emotion flickered past them.
"That's a lie! The guards saw you running out of The King's chambers!" The Queen shouted through the room as she sprung from her chair. Everybody started murmuring harder. I won’t deny that I’m not scared of her but somehow I’m feeling that I’m winning this situation.
"It's true that I stayed at the King's chambers till night, but we were talking purely about strategy and politics." I answered calmly, the room grew slightly silent. The Queen still had an angry expression on her face, Isaac was sitting on his throne and fummed at the both of us.
"That's not true!" The Queen shouted once more. I started to get up slowly, the floor was too cold to be sitting on and I needed to show that I didn't fear this idiot of a monarch.
"So you believe I tried to seduce the King, my King, if that's true, then why would I run out of his chambers?" I said louder. She scoffed at me before opening her mouth to shout something horrible to me again.
"Stop this! Lady Victoria didn't do anything wrong, we only talked politics, as she said. I brought her here this late to prove and tell the world that nothing happened, she ran out of my chambers because it was late and didn't want anyone to notice!" Isaac said as he stood up and shouted the words into the room echoing for a while. Everyone started talking and Isaac stood up from his throne and walked straight past me, not sparing me a glance. The Queen was still murdering me with her eyes.
I was followed out of the chamber by guards, they followed me until I reached my chambers. It was so late that it was early. The morning sun already shone through the curtains. I asked my maids to prepare a warm bath for me after a few hours, now I'm going to sleep.
I put on clean clothes and washed my face before jumping in the familiar bed, I stared at the canopy of my bed and studied the patterns before my eyes closed on their own.
I walked down the flower covered aisle and stared at Isaac who was watching me, a tear rolled down his cheek at the sight of me. A soft, warm melody was played by musicians. My dress was beautiful and the veil that covered my eyes made my eyes water, but I didn't mind. Isaac stood in his impressive posture and his crown that rested on his head, he will be my husband in a few minutes.
As I reached the end of the aisle, Isaac gently touched my hand and drew circles on the skin. He smiled as we exchanged rings, his hands are so big and mine, well not. His hands gently took my fingers as he shoved the ring on my ring finger.
"You may kiss your wife," The priest spoke, as his hands went to move the veil from my face and I closed my eyes. When I opened them...
Edward stood in front of me.
I woke up gasping and sweat covering my face. What was this dream? Am I going insane? It's probably because of the entire situation.
Maids had already done my bath and the water had even grown cold, how long have I slept? I called my maids again, and they poured some warm water into the bath and left the room. I stripped out of my clothes and sank down in the bath, I relaxed my sore muscles and cleaned all the mud from my dirty body.
I heard the door open, I thought it was just my maids, who were going to clean my room or leave my clothes. But it wasn't them, it was the man I feared, the man I needed to marry.
Edward.