Married to the Beast

ROYAL EMBARASSMENT

Rose

As I neared the large gold decorated dining hall I could hear chattering. I took a deep breath and tried not to show my nervousness. I have to admit that I'm a little excited to meet the royal family. Seated at the table were two beautiful young girls and a tall red haired man. One of the girls had blonde hair and the other brown and they looked almost identical, could be twins except when you got closer you could see that one was older than the other. They were beautifully dressed in matching yellow dresses and you could tell from a far they were full of themselves by their body language. The blonde haired girl looked up at me with her eyes wide and whispered to the brown haired one.

“Oh my heavens is she sitting with us?!"  she looked me over and shrugged "Well at least she’s pretty” 

The brown haired girl rolled her eyes and her lips curled in disdain “Imagine we have to sit with a commoner, this is degrading. It’s like eating with the servants!”

They both started giggling and smoothing out each others perfectly done hair while I stood there like a statue unsure of what to do. I felt out of place. They were talking so loud I'd have to be deaf not to hear them and I didn't quite know what to do.  I started to feel self conscious and started to fidget with the sides of my dress starting to feel the tears I've been suppressing from earlier on creeping at the back of my eyelids.  So I pushed forward and moved to sit at the center of the large table because I didn't know where exactly to sit. I pretended to not hear the girls as I made my way to the seat but they just continued. 

“I heard she’s a farm girl, I wonder if she smells like animals” the blonde sniffed the air.

The other the laughed throwing her head back before covering her mouth and fake gagging. 

“I think I’m going to throw up"

I was so shocked I almost bent down and sniffed myself. I closed my eyes for five seconds and breathed in deeply. The words hurt and I’d come to realize that I was in a very judgemental environment. This wasn't my playing field but I will not be trampled on. Though what do you do when you are being laughed at by people who could have your head on a spike at any moment. 

Another laugh erupted and I could feel my anger rising and the fire within me burned and without thinking I responded.

“Yes I am sitting with you!" I directed at them. I had slapped the table so hard my fingers stung.  " You know being pretty on the outside is of no merit if you aren’t the same on the inside and no I don’t smell like animals to the best of my knowledge but it’s impolite to chatter so rudely like hyenas about people in their presence!” I clenched my teeth trying to calm myself and then I narrowed my eyes at them both. “Or even out of it.”

I sat down in the chair with a loud thud and the chair screeched loudly as I pulled it forward. 

I didn’t care if this started a fight, royalty or not. Whether I would be punished or not this farm girl was not going to take it. This place was starting to feel like a nightmare. I was already stressed as it is being picked for breeding the cruel man's children and now subject to these chattering hyenas. The girls were shocked, their faces were turning red and they looked straight ahead avoiding eye contact as if they thought I would leap over the table if their eyes and mine met. I then started thinking of all the horrible things they would have done to me for my outburst when the silence was broken by shaking cups and utensils. The red haired man started laughing loudly and hitting the table and the surprise on the two girls face were replaced by a scowl.

“Glad to see you have some fire in you! You’ll need it”

For the first since entering the room I really looked at the attractive red haired man sitting across from me. Taking him in he had small blue eyes, a long slender nose with freckles scattershot across his cheeks and a beautiful smile. He reminded me of summer from the bright blue eyes, red hair and smile. He did not resemble the King or the girls and he was quite handsome.  

The room then became quiet and in strode King Kadmus accompanied by a large man very heavily built with the brightest blonde hair I’d ever seen. Kadmus was dressed in a dark grey shirt with gold embroidery and matching pants. The other man with the blonde hair was dressed in the army’s armor. The large man could’ve passed for his father. I bit  my lower lip putting it together he must be the past king's brother which would make him King Kadmus' uncle.

When sitting I couldn’t help but watch to see if the chair could support the large man with the blonde hair who sat beside me at the table. I didn't realize I was holding in a breath until I noticed the chair didn't budge. It was a miracle. Once they were seated the red haired man across from me smiled devilishly at the King.

“Kad you must at least introduce the new guest?” with a tilt to his eyebrows.

The King looked under his eyes and motioned for food from the servants who were waiting by the door ignoring the man’s request. I looked over to the red haired man and took the initiative and softly replied.

“ I’m Rosemarie but call me Rose”

“Great! Beautiful name for a very beautiful girl. I’m Jonathan best friend and advisor to the king, this is Lily and then Jasmine the King’s cousins and Lord Barathemus the King’s uncle” 

I quickly bowed my head.

 “ Nice to meet you all.” and Lord Barathemus gave me a charming smile and well the two hyena sisters from earlier pretended as if they didn’t hear the introductions.  Couldn't say I was surprised. I've heard of Lord Barathemus and I was fascinated. He was infamous in our kingdom with a large reputation, highly decorated and leader of the army. I could have almost kicked myself for not recognizing him from the infamous bright blonde hair and resemblance.  Then again these thing were more Claire's speed. I always just pretended to listen taking in bits and pieces here and there.

Everyone then started eating in silence and it felt slightly uncomfortable and somewhat empty as I'm used to my family meals at home being vibrant, full of life and chatter. Plus to add to the nervousness that was forming knots in my stomach King Kadmus sat at the head of the table and he looked and felt so intimidating. 

I could hear everyone swallowing, chewing and gulping. I tried to focus on eating and not over think using simple utensils. I think this played on my nerves and what followed suit is the most embarrassing thing to happen to me a part from fainting since I’ve arrived at the palace.  Fate was determined to have me be the court clown. A piece of carrot I was cutting skittered across the gravy in my plate while I fought to grab it and landed next to the king’s hand. There was a brief moment of silence and then his nieces started laughing and I could feel the humiliation and warmth all the way from my cheeks down to my back.

What the king did next was worse. The room went quiet again and he placed down his napkin, looked at me with disgust as if a rodent sat in front of him and said “I think I’ve just lost my appetite. I will see you Uncle and Jonathan in the library”

And just like that he rose and left before either of the men could have said anything.

The embarrassment came but what I felt after was humiliation and degradation. My cheeks felt incredibly hot and my palms were suddenly clammy. I looked up and realized everyone was staring at me. 

Putting the fork quietly down I then asked to be excused and without waiting for a response I walked as fast as I could in the direction of what I hoped was my bedroom. I could hear the girls laughing in mockery and their father shushing them. One of them blurted out.

“ She’s an i***t. She can’t even eat a proper meal without making a fool of herself”

I picked up my pace to get away from the voices as much as I could. 

This was now my life. 

“Rose!”

I looked behind me to see Lord Jonathan slowly jogging to catch up to me. I stopped in my tracks. 

“Don’t take it personally Kadmus can be a little cold”

“ Yes” I quickly tried to swallow the lump in my throat trying to hold my tears in  “ My Lord”

 I whispered and continued walking as I rounded the corner and reached my room. Once I was in the safety of my room and the doors closed behind me I took deep breaths. I wasn’t going to cry. I already did that last night. This room was now my refuge from my dreaded reality. 

I closed my eyes and saw his face looking at me with disgust. Is this how he would always look at me, the man I’m supposed to marry? I felt the tension building in my stomach knowing they would probably treat me horribly. I don't want my children to be monsters or to see their mother being constantly shamed and mistreated. Would I even be allowed to raise them once I had them or would they take them from me? These were questions I hadn't even asked myself and with the way how the royals were now that I had met them I started panicking.

A sob escaped my lips as I tried my best not to let the tears fall. I don't want my children to live like this and I don't think I could survive having them taken away from me. As for the King I knew he wouldn’t love me but at least be cordial. I walked over to the windows placing my hands on the still to steady them while staring out thinking over my life. 

How do you negotiate with a ruthless man who hates you and whether you agree or not has control over you? I breathed  deeply in and out, I was always a brave and strong girl. I had to find a way out of this. As I stared out across the green open grounds a bright idea then came to me. I needed some light in this dark situation I was in, if even some small measure of happiness. I decided that I was ready to see the King.