The broken Princess Reborn to be His Duchess

Contentment

Catalina POV:

"Who is it?" Asked Mira, her voice booming through the chatter, "the impropriety, the dishonour," she was feigning shock, which I knew was not even possible for her character. "Who is this man that you soil your reputation with?" Rang the King's voice, it was so sharp it cut through the noise in one swing. I dared look him in his eyes, "Duke Cassian." The chatter erupted again and the look of mortification was replaced with confusion, "dear Catalina," he said his voice filled with warmth once more, "Duke Cassian has been asleep for five years, there is no chance that he will wake let alone—" I cut him off, "your majesty, I have loved him from afar for so long, please even a day with, married to him will be enough to let me die a content woman. I will take the hardships and the consequences of this match as my own. Please honor my wish as you would my father's." I pressed my head to the cold patterned tile, my eyes stared into the squares and circles intertwined in red and blue.

I didn't know Cassian except for one moment of kindness when he had visited the palace and I had been abandoned by Alaric who never showed and then humiliated by Mira for being incapable after five years I failed to produce an heir. It was Cassian who in his wheel chair lifted my hand to his lips and said that if he was awake when I came of age he would have fought for my hand in marriage. I had blushed even though I knew he was just saying those words because he felt sorry for me. But when I think about it, those words, it made me feel stronger, happier, at least enough to confront Alaric and enough to throw myself off that tower.

"Rise Catalina," and slowly I stood, my eyes still focused on the intricate pattern on the tiles, these tiles had seen everything from my joy to my tears to my blood. I wonder what it will see today. "Would you accept Alaric's hand in marriage if I offered it?" Asked the King and I looked up, eyes defiant, "Your majesty, accepting Alaric would be like marrying my own brother it would not fill me with the contentment that only the thought of Duke Cassian could bring to my mind and heart." I dared not look anywhere besides where I was looking now. I dared not break his eye contact.

The light from the candle lit chandeliers were the only sound in the silent hall. My ears twitched to the sounds of the wicks crackling faintly. I watched the King's face change from a mask of calm to a bright smile that reached his eyes. "Very well Catalina, you shall be married to my brother Duke Cassian." I let out a breath and empty cheers erupted as the King raised his goblet, "a long life to you and my brother my dear."

I bowed, and turned to leave. I wasn't stupid. I pushed through the bodies of people smiling and dancing, some chattering away about the events that had just transpired. People would talk for a long time but this time it wasn't about me alone, it was also about the rejection of the crown prince and that made me feel better.

As I left the hall towards my room, a strong hand caught my wrist. "What was that about?" Asked Alaric, I narrowed my eyes at him and pulled my wrist out of his clutch, "I confessed my feelings for your uncle, how is it any of your business?" He grabbed my wrist again, squeezing a bit harder this time, I watched as the maroon curtains shifted behind him, "it is my business when you reject me in front of everyone." I rolled my eyes, "then make haste and marry Elaine, the chatter will disappear after that." Shocked by my words he loosened his grip and it was enough for me to pull away.

"Your highness," greeted a maid who had just appeared, "Her majesty is requesting an audience in her private chambers." I knew what this was about, in my last life I had walked through her turquoise themed chamber, decorated with gold and silver crafted into thin threads and embroidered into her curtains and bedding. I remembered the detail and I remembered how she welcomed me with airs and graces and beamed at how happy she was that it was me. Yet when Alaric had started beating me and refused to take me to bed, it was her who first turned a cold shoulder to me, allowing all the court ladies to shun me. She knew it would be the end of me, and she didn't care.

Now I was back walking down the dark corridors illuminated by candles and torches, except this time I wasn't a meek lamb walking into the lions den. I was a wolf with nothing to lose.