( ...the hell is...this ? )
Katherine couldn't understand why the King was so adamant on having her as a daughter-in-law. Was there something about the original Katherine that she didn't know?
Who was this prince Liam and why didn't the original Katherine have no memories of him and what's with Fin's reaction to her marrying him? She wondered.
"Either way, it must be better to marry him than the scum prince, I mean the crown prince." remarked Ker. Katherine agreed but couldn't say anything.
'If he's not in the original Katherine's memories means he isn't some flashy prince, which means he must be decent. Right?' she thought.
"What do you think ,Lady Katherine? You will marry my first son, right?" The King smiled softly, as innocent as he could be. Katherine almost rolled her eyes at him. Did she even have a choice on the matter when he has already decided an edict.
( What a sly fox… )
"Of course, your majesty, I'd be honored to." She said with a slight bow.
Something about the way she agreed didn't sit well with Fin. Did she really not love him anymore? Why does the thought of it irritate him?
( So hateful )
'It's probably because she's doing it to catch my attention. Yeah, that's it.' Fin convinced himself, prompting him to smile narcissistically.
*****
Once they were out of the king's presence, Fin abruptly stopped Katherine. "What are you scheming? Why would you agree to marry my elder Brother? Did you think you could get back at me by marrying my brother because I chose your sister over you." He taunted.
Katherine turned to face him, "I believe there's nothing more between me and your highness, so whoever I decide to marry is none of your concern." She said in a calm and mature voice, displaying her noble demeanor
"It is when the person you're marrying right after we broke off our engagement is my brother!" Fin was starting to get agitated.
"I'm sorry but, remind me. Did I make it my concern when you decided to marry my sister even before breaking off our engagement." Her remark rendered him speechless. He didn't have a retort to that.
"If we're done here, I'll take my leave. After all, I am still recovering." She said and was on her way.
'Was Katherine always so bold?' Fin couldn't help but wonder.
*************************************************
( Step-step )
In a luxurious chamber, a young man laid on his daybed leisurely reading a book when his aid Nicholas walked in holding an edict.
"What's that?" The young man calmly asked, lifting his eyes off the book for just a second. Although he was resting on the bed, his royal aura around him caused him to resemble a celestial who was abandoned by the gods, a banished immortal from nine heaven.
"An edict from the King." Nicholas stated the obvious.
"Of course, I see it's an edict. I'm asking what's on it."
"Oh, the king has arranged your marriage." Nicholas went ahead and explained what's on the edict rather than reading it.
"Hm….A marriage arrangement? With whom?" The young man asked with a confused expression, gently rubbing his chin while looking both surprised and funny.
His pair of grey eyes flutters their brows, beautifully captivating the heart of those spirits existing in each particle of creation.
Why would the king arrange a marriage for him all of the sudden? Did something happen? The young man pondered silently, failing to comprehend the situation.
"It's with Lady Katherine Mooncrest." Nicholas replied to the question.
"Hm…." The young man arched his right brow up, looking rather amazed by the sudden explosion of information received from his subordinate.
"Mooncrest? Isn't that the crown prince's fiancé, why is she engaged to me all of a sudden. Did something happen? Why would she accept to marry me, the sick first son with no power other than his royal lineage over the crown prince?" The young man was none other than the first prince, Liam. He asked a series of questions to no one in particular, as if just taking a breath under his nose.
"Nicholas, go and gather some information about my said fiancé." Liam calmly ordered his subordinate to which Nicholas went out. "I guess I need the next volume." Liam said as he put down the book, he was reading.
***************************************
Back at the marquis mansion, Katherine sat at the coffee table in her room taking a cup of coffee.
"What do you think the first prince is like?" Ker asked with interest.
( sigh )
"I don't know Ker, I've tried to check the original Katherine's memories but there's nothing about the first prince, proving the lack of information which this body possesses about this mysterious prince. Other than that, his name is Liam and that he has been sickly since birth. There's nothing on him." Katherine replied helplessly, signing deeply.
"Did you say something, Mlady?" Lilly, who was standing a few steps beside her ready to wait on her, asked as she heard her mistress say something she didn't quite catch.
"No, don't mind me." Katherine said dismissively.
"Not having a mind-link is really going to be a bitch." Ker reminded her.
"I couldn't agree more." agreed Katherine.
The original Katherine didn't know much about politics or even the kingdom she was born in. She just knew the basics like, its name, how old it is and who the current ruler is. She never bothered to learn more about it, which is surprising given the fact that she was supposed to be its next queen.
Her memories were useless to the current Katherine.
"We need information." Katherine said standing up and walking towards the bookshelf in the room.
Katherine's face darkened the more she went through the books on the bookshelf. "What the fuck is this?!" she exclaimed.
The bookshelf was filled with romance novels of all categories. From teen romance to dark romance, you mention it. Not a single book was about history, politics or even etiquette. "I get why the crown prince didn't like her. I mean even I wouldn't like her if I was him. If this is all that she read, I bet they didn't have any conversations he would have enjoyed." She remarked.
"Lilly!" Katherine called out.
Lilly who had been watching Katherine talk to herself and ruthlessly scavenge through her bookshelf was startled at the mention of her name.
"Yes Malady?" She responded as soon as she recovered.
"Are these the only books I have?" Katherine asked with a slight frown.
This confused Lilly. Did her mistress lose some of her memory when she fell off the balcony? She wondered. "Ah, yes Milady, are you looking for a particular book?" she asked humbly.
"Yes, one about this kingdom's history." Katherine replied with a low nod which surprised Lilly even more. Did her lady's break up really affect her so much that she's now interested in the kingdom's history? She wondered but couldn't dare voice them out.
"All the history books are in your father's library, but you're not allowed in." Lilly replied. It did surprise Katherine that she wasn't allowed in her own father's library. The marquis didn't even try to hide the fact that he didn't like her, but what she couldn't understand was why he didn't like her.
"But we can go to a bookstore in town." Lilly suggested.
"Great, go and get a carriage prepared." Katherine asked her to prepare for the carriage.
Lilly got a carriage prepared. Of course, it wasn't as flashy as the crown prince', but it was flashy enough to flaunt the Mooncrest wealth.
The ride to town was a thirty-minute ride. As soon as they arrived at their destination, Katherine didn't waste time to get into the bookstore, she didn't even have time to look around.
As Katherine entered through the grand doors, the hushed atmosphere enveloped her, as if whispering tales of countless forgotten worlds. The towering bookcases, fashioned from rich mahogany, reached towards the ceiling, their shelves lined with endless rows of leather-bound tomes, ancient scrolls, and parchments. The scent of aged paper filled the air, mingling harmoniously with subtle hints of cedar wood and polished brass.
Sunlight, filtered by stained-glass windows depicting scenes of mythology and glory, delicately bathed the room in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Soft, plush carpets in deep crimson adorned the polished parquet floor, absorbing any hints of sound and cushioning the footsteps of those who wandered among the shelves.
A network of spiral staircases, gracefully crafted from wrought iron and embellished with intricate floral motifs, allowed access to the higher shelves. Decorative ladders, complete with polished brass handles, slide effortlessly along a complex rail system, ensuring even the most unreachable volumes were within reach.
Several cozy reading nooks were scattered throughout the library, inviting visitors to sink into plush armchairs upholstered in velvet and silk. The ornate chandeliers, crafted from crystal and gold, cast a warm, dappled glow, further enhancing the air of enchantment within the room.
With the help of a librarian she found the book she was looking for and started to read about Celestia's history.
.****
The history of Celestia began in ancient times, when the land was inhabited by various tribes. But it was the great King Aurelius who first united these tribes, forging a strong and prosperous kingdom. Under his wise rule, Celestia prospered and grew into a land of peace and harmony.
King Aurelius' descendants continued his legacy, ruling the kingdom with justice and compassion. They built magnificent castles, gardens, and libraries, each reflecting the culture and values of the people. The citizens of Celestia were known for their ingenuity, artistic flair, and deep connection to the natural world.
Over the centuries, Celestia faced many challenges and trials. It weathered invasions from neighboring kingdoms, as well as internal conflicts. However, the kingdom always emerged stronger, guided by its resilient leaders.
One of the most significant events in Celestia's history was the Great Mage War. It all began when a powerful dark sorcerer, named Malacar, rose to seek control over the kingdom. His dark ambitions threatened the very essence of Celestia. Realizing the imminent danger, an alliance was formed among the citizens, the royal family, and the Order of the Silver Star, an ancient guild of mighty mages sworn to protect the realm.
The Mage War raged for years, but through their unity and unwavering determination, the people of Celestia prevailed. The kingdom emerged from the conflict stronger than ever before. In honor of their bravery and resilience, a monument was erected in the heart of the capital city, a constant reminder of the kingdom's ability to overcome adversity.
In later years, Celestia experienced a Renaissance period, where scholars, artists, and explorers flourished. The kingdom became a center of knowledge and innovation, attracting thinkers from all corners of the world. The Celestia universities and academies were renowned for their pursuit of wisdom and the arts.
Today, Celestia stands as a beacon of light, a realm where magic and tradition intertwine with progress and enlightenment. Its lush landscapes, vibrant cities, and abounding wealth inspire awe in visitors and inhabitants alike. The kingdom's governance follows a constitutional monarchy, with a wise and benevolent monarchy working alongside…
*****
( Thud )
Katherine was disturbed by the sound of falling books. She raised her head from the book to see what caused the fall.
As soon as she raised her head, she was hit by a sweet scent commanding her attention. The aroma, intoxicating and alluring, invaded her senses, making her heart race and her feral instincts go haywire. It was a captivating fragrance, a mixture of wild berries and blooming jasmine, with a subtle hint of calm ocean breeze. This scent, so enticing, held a mystical power over her, pulling her towards its source.
Unaware of her surroundings, her eyes followed the enchanting fragrance, her gaze fueled by the captivating allure. Her breath hitched as she drew closer to the origin of this bewitching aroma.
And then, emerging from fallen books, a man materialized.
He looked sickly but possessed an ethereal yet delicate beauty that captivates all that lay eyes upon him. His enchanting charm was augmentented by his pale complexion, giving him an otherworldly demeanor. He had striking features, sculpted cheekbones, piercing grey eyes, and silver hair.
His slender frame was adorned with immaculate attire tailored to perfection, emphasizing his aristocratic lineage.
Despite his frail appearance he exuded an air of elegance and grace that draws people towards like moths to a flame and something else that Katherine couldn't quite put her finger on.
"Ker, what's happening to us? Last time I checked, Alpha Royals don't get a fated mate so why do we find this man attractive?" Katherine whispered, barely making any movement on her lips.
"I don't know, but he's not our mate. I know that much." Ker responded with uncertainty.
"Are you okay?" Katherine softly asked him while she hadn't even noticed when she moved to where he was. The man also looked at her stunned, as he didn't notice her getting close to him at all.
"I'm fine, thank you." The man said as he helped himself up.
"M'lady, it's almost past your curfew." A panting Lilly said to Katherine, it looks like she was running. Katherine turned to face her.
"I have a curfew." She asked. It felt foreign to her. As alpha Queen, she never had curfew. But she wasn't the Alpha Queen any more.
When she turned back to ask the man for his name, she found that he had already left.
Who was that man?