Neon's Curse

4

There was a custom in the kingdom of three feasts with the family of the almost-wed and on the third feast, they would be wed.

I didn't want to marry Lord Frederick. I didn't know much about love, but the way Neon talked about it in his books, it felt like there was more to it than just producing offspring. I wanted to know how it felt. I wanted to be chosen by the one I would feel affection for, not one I was forced to marry.

After another beautifully written excerpt was read, I made my way home. My house was located at the outskirts of the village almost at the border. My father said it was for safety purposes and that we would hear information first even before it reaches the king. It was not so good now as when King Eros was invading, he was going to start from our house. I heard my name being called, I looked around, I was the only one in the street. It was strange. I quickened my footsteps, I was not about to be among the border kidnap stories.

Francesca.. My name was called softly, almost like it was in the wind. I paused and looked around. The bushes by myself swayed in the cool evening breeze, undisturbed. It was unlikely that anybody was hiding there. I picked up small rocks and threw them into the bush at every side and ran towards home.

The house was quiet when I arrived. My stepmother, who was mostly at home, had likely gone to see her sister or some of her friends, that is, if she had. My step brothers had maybe gone to hang out with their friends or prank innocent villagers. My father was in his shed. The faint sound of beating iron made his presence known. I opened my collections and the orb had caught my attention. After my first experience with it, I put it in the box and forgot about it. The faint glow from the orb whenever I touched it made me wonder what it was. I decided against asking Killian about it because he might have collected it back, or he might have told me about it. He was unpredictable. I made myself believe it was connected to me in some way, and it glowed whenever it wanted to tell me something. I would take any thought that came into my mind as a message from it. I rummaged through the box and saw I picked a silver and amber bracelet Gihon gave me. I was so happy, I hugged him. I smiled to myself, good days.

Footsteps outside signaled the boy’s entry. I packaged the box and pushed it under my bed.

“Francesca," I heard my name called outside. I went in the direction of the voice and saw Gihon and Killian drinking water from the jar.

“Have you seen mother?” Gihon asked me, cleaning the water from his jaw.

“No, I have not.” I replied, taking a seat on the stool at the edge of the door. Any small push and I would be rolling face first outside.

“I have taken a maiden for a liking, ” Gihon said, smiling, looking proud. I was disgusted.

“Is she with child?” I asked, thinking of how they would have met. In a s*x house maybe. Who would want Gihon?. He looked visibly annoyed.

“No” “She is not!” He was defensive. “She is a respected maiden." He looked at his brother.

“Go on, Kiliian, tell her,” Killian looked at Gihon and then at me. The room was quiet, we all waited for Killian to say something.

“He courts her, but she refuses,” he said calmly, taking a sip of water. “Not that he ever stood a chance. ” Killian continued. I snickered, almost falling off the seat. Gihon was stunned. I held my palm to my mouth in a bid to hide my laughter. Gihon flung his cup and made his way to his room, muttering how we always looked down on him. I looked at Killian, and he was smiling to himself. He was a menace.

***

Preparations for the first dinner with Frederick had commenced. Even though we were in debt, my father wanted to show that he could still cater for his family. My stepmother made three new dresses, one for each feast.

Lord Frederick arrived at the dinner like he was Lord over us all. He was given a seat at the head of the table. Everybody stood as he entered, and I immediately went to the kitchen with my stepmother. I was to serve everybody at the feast to show I was capable of wifely duties. I brought in the freshly cooked pork and put it in the middle of the table. Lord Fredrick watched me as I moved. His eyes burrowed into my cleavage every time I bent down. My stepmother made me wear this dress. I didn’t refuse. When we were married, he was not only going to be seeing it. I poured wine for him and mistakenly spilled it on the table. The table laughed, my father called it nervousness at my fiancé’s presence. Lord Frederick seemed irritated. He shoved me away from him and scratched his beard, hissing. He took a huge bite from the pork on his plate. It seemed the taste pacified his anger as he sighed and relaxed more into the chair.

After I took my seat, nobody spoke a word. Only the clinging of utensils on plates could be heard with Lord Frederick's occasional huff and chuff. My father also stole glances at Lord Fredrick and then back at me. Killian did not look like he was having a good time at the table and Gihon was indifferent. It seemed like a normal dinner to him, just that he didn't speak unless spoken to.

“Lady Benedict," Lord Frederick said all of a sudden, as if he had just remembered something.

“Call me mother," my stepmother said calmly. “You are to marry Francesca soon, we are no longer strangers.” Frederick nodded, smiled then corrected his sentence.

“Mother.”. My stepmother smiled and nodded at him to continue.

“I have a gift for you,” My stepmother gasped and covered her mouth with her palm. We could all see through her fake surprise. She detested Lord Fredrick and was only nice to him because of our situation. Well, weren’t we all.

“Oh, my”, “I surely cannot wait to see it.” Lord Frederick slid a box to her and as she opened it, her eyes widened. The box was empty. The table was silent, more like everybody was baffled.

Lord Frederick roared in laughter, stopping every few seconds to catch his breath. He would look at the facial expression on my stepmother's face and would erupt in laughter.

“I have given you all the gifts in the world by marrying Francesca. You think I have not heard of the huge debt you owe?” It was a little funny. He knew we were using him.

My father cleared his throat. He told Lord Frederick that even if there was a huge debt in our name, we wouldn’t want to take advantage of him. Lord Frederick scoffed, clearly unconvinced.

“Well,” he continued. “I've decided to marry Francesca, so I'll settle the debt.” He drank from his wine cup. “My in-law’s problem is mine too, right?” He mocked, breaking into a scornful laugh. This time, everybody laughed along, wanting to lighten the mood.

“Francesca,” Lord Frederick called.

“Yes Lord Frederick,” I stood up from my seat.

“Come to my side.” I walked slowly to his side. My heart beat with every step. He beckoned on me to get closer. He held my hand and looked at my father.

“I don't like women sitting at the table with men.” My neck snapped to him, and then to my father, confusion written on my face. He pulled me closer. Any closer and I would be a part of the table. I was visibly tense. He continued.

“I only respect Lady Benedict here because you are the man of this house,” he looked me up and caressed from my shoulder to my palm. He then looked at my father.

“Francesca, sit down.” I made to go, but he dragged me back. “At my feet.” I was uncomfortable. My gaze shifted to my father for help, but he looked away. My heart sank. I sat on the floor. Lord Frederick was pleased with my submission. He made jokes and laughed at the table, my family members playing along, not finding his gestures amusing.

The rest of the dinner was uneventful. No more food was given to me and my stepmother was made to serve the table as he said I was tired and was resting at his feet.

Lord Frederick bade my farewell and pitched my cheek. I was disgusted. He was amused. He called me cute and promised that he would bring me a gift during the next dinner.

I entered my room and locked it. Nobody called upon me, having seen the disgrace and embarrassment I went through. Even my stepmother understood. The only person that spoke after Lord Frederick left was Gihon.

“That was intense…” was all he said as he drank the last cup of wine and retired to his room. Killian just walked into his room. My father tried to talk to me after dinner, but I avoided him and locked my room.