Time seems to stop for a moment, a month is not even enough to process the shock of marrying someone you have no idea of, let alone be prepared for it.
"Just like that?" It comes out of my mouth unexpectedly. I am not sure if it is a question or a statement, and I don't know to whom I am directing it to.
"Did you say something?" The king's voice comes through my mental haze. He tilts his head to look at me, it's like he can't believe I talked without his permission. I am surprised, the words just came out.
"Pardon me your majesty, allow me to ask why you would subject Laurel to such kind of marriage in a short period of time?" At the end of my statement, I could hear gasps in the room. The king might be my father but speaking without his permission is considered rude. And questioning him especially in the presence of other people is great disrespect and is intolerable.
I don't have to look at my mother to know the state of her fury, she does not tolerate anything that is considered improper conduct. This we definitely land me in trouble.
"Laurel understands that her duty is to the kingdom and her people and when duty calls, there's no such thing as short period of time", he answers back a little irritated and his voice is raised.
I can say that my relationship with him has always been excellent, ever since I was young. I have no doubt of the love he has for me and my siblings. Even with his busy schedule he usually creates time for us, always gentle with his words and stern in disciplining.
"Father please do not subject Laurel to this kind of marriage ....", my voice is pleading but he cut's me off.
".... It is the responsibility of every royal to provide the very best for their kingdom, it is what we've been doing....", he suddenly stands and leans forward his eyes fixed on my seated frame. He is not impressed with my behavior, if I was not his daughter, the guards would already be at the door dragging out my fragile, poor body.
My stepmother places her hand on my shoulder almost like saying 'I am right here Erica, but what can I do? it is the king you know', Sebastian's hand is squeezing on my knee under the table and am not sure if he is encouraging me to continue or if he is telling me to stop.
"I understand father, I.....I shall be ready when time comes", Laurel's meek voice is almost inaudible as she interrupts the king.
Everybody's attention shifts to her, she is trying to dissolve the rising tension in the room, probably trying to protect me from what might follow if I continue my nonsense.
She always been a peacekeeper, calm, even if it means burying her own emotions. But today she is failing to bury them, her eyes are starting to glisten with unshed tears and the stuttering voice is enough to raise an alarm; she is not okay with this.
I want to reach out to her, to tell her not to agree to this, to fight for her happiness and that I am going to be there for me, just like she has always been there for me. But I know better, she will never go against the king, even if it means losing herself, she will do what she's been told to. She is a good girl, diligent, respects authority and does not know how to fight for her own happiness. And right now, she is scared of what is coming her way.
"I always have faith in you....", he turns his head and looks at her softly, his voice also soft. I know he love her, he never hides it, but can't his love for her go beyond his duty as a king and at least allow her to find her own happiness? Maybe even love?
"You've always taken your duties and responsibilities to heart, and this is no less different", he finishes his sentence and turns his head to look at me, his form is huge like he can adjust his height to intimidate any resistance, and my heart skip a beat with that. I lower my eyes so that I don't seem like I am challenging him because that is not what I am trying to do.
He raises his brows like he is asking me if I am done and that I won't achieve anything talking like this, and I avert my eyes to where my sister is. She is trying to control her emotions, fighting the tears and my own eyes start burning. This is not how I expected my sister's marriage announcement to unfold, but I am aware that this is how all marriages of noble families are done, marriages of convenience.
Political alliances.
Wealth creation.
And even offers of apology and this mostly happens when a woman's family has done something wrong and offers their daughter as a way of apologizing. Just ironical because you'll be expecting the same people you are giving your daughter to, to be angry in some way and might use her to exert revenge. The suffering that these women will undergo in the hands of their husbands and in-laws is simply unimaginable.
"Sacrificing her happiness in the name of duty and responsibility?" I suddenly lost it, finding myself standing and facing my father. I am shocked that I did this, and I try to locate my feet just to be sure I am not imagining things.
For the first time I can see my father's fury being directed at me, it has never happened before. People always say that I am his favorite and maybe they are right, but right now the blazing flames of fury should be enough for me to know that I crossed the line moments ago, that I have tested the waters and right now I am in a deep sea of trouble.
I hear chairs shuffling, and I see my mother stand up swiftly, she is so angry and I should prepare myself for a great punishment from her, mostly physical. She is a fierce supporter of her husband after all and will not stand watching any misbehavior.
My stepmother is already standing on my side holding my arm, she has done this countless times when trying to defend me from my mother, how ironical. Children have always complained of stepmothers' abuses, we have never encountered anything close to abuse with her, she treats my brother Humphrey just like he treats Theodore and Seb and treats me and Laurel with everything that represents a mother's love.
My three brothers are all on their feet behind me waiting for an eruption. My sister is still on her chair shocked from what is unfolding in front of her eyes. Estelle is sitting calmly indifferent to whatever is happening, and I am unable to turn and look at Father Matheo, he is probably muttering a prayer.
Every pore on my skin is sweating, I've seen my father angry but the person in front of me right now is an angry king and I am not sure how to go about it.