The broken Princess Reborn to be His Duchess

Cold

Catalina POV:

I sat in front of the vanity table as my maid servants, Anthea and Jocelyn combed through my hair, braiding it into a beautiful crown that they placed delicately on top of my head. Anthea started pinning the pearls into my hair, while Jocelyn painted my lips and powdered my cheeks. "You look beautiful, your highness," said Jocelyn stepping back. My eyes darted to the reflection of the stranger in the looking glass and I stared at her beauty. I hadn't seen myself look this beautiful in my past life, my dresses were always muted and unflattering colours. My hair was always haphazardly done, and no one bothered with my make up. Plain Catalina. But these ladies had turned me into a breath of fresh air.

My hand hesitantly touched my lip, feeling the vibrant pink colour. "Thank you," I said, meaning every word and feeling complete genuine appreciation for these two ladies. They giggled and curtsied. The door opened and in stepped Lottie, "You look very well your highness," she smiled, "Duke Cassian awaits you as the carriage is ready." My stomach twisted at the thought of Cassian, his treatment this morning had left a bitter taste in my mouth. I rose slowly, my blue chiffon dress embroidered with golden roses glittered as I moved.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and with all the grace and poise I could muster. I followed Lottie to the door. My hands were trembling as I gripped the bannister, the silky wood beneath slipping under my hands. I kept my face passive and cold as I took a step closer and closer to the bottom of the stairs. The heels of my shoes clinking against the marble. Cassian looked up at me in that moment, and froze, but I dared not show any hint of surprise or hurt. He wore a beautiful black tailored shirt with similar gold roses embroidered onto the hems of his sleeve. He extended his hand arm as I approached and with the temperament of a cat I ignored him and walked pass to the carriage.

If the gesture shocked him, I did not know because a second later he was on my heel; silently, following me as the door opened to the carriage and a footman helped me in.

The ride to the palace was silent. Uncomfortable, but a sort that I had years of experience with. He wouldn't be my first husband that treated me poorly. Finally, he cleared his throat, and I turned my chin slightly to look across at him, "you look beautiful," he said, and I huffed and turned back to watching the fields and farmers at work. Cassian continued to stare at me and I continued to ignore him.

The carriage slowed as we reached the palace gates, and my stomach twisted some more at the thought of being back here. Cassian was the first to exit the carriage and with a deep breath I followed, nearly stumbling as my ankle rolled, but before I could fall he caught me, his scent of mint and rosemary stronger than before. He lowered his face to mine and without warning I stiffened as he brushed a kiss against my cheek. "Cassian," I said, and his eyes glanced towards me soft and filled with an apology that still needed to be spoken.

"You've arrived," said Mira, she was dressed in an olive green dress, her hair braided thickly and decorated with golden flower pins. Her eyes were bright as Cassian helped me to step down, "how are you Princess Catalina?" She said, her smile bright and kind, the complete opposite to the Mira I had known and seen. I gave her a tentative smile, "I am well," I smiled and she nodded before moving her attention to Cassian, "Uncle," she said, the words rolling off her tongue in a way that I had never heard, Cassian gripped my waist tighter.

She moved like water towards us, all elegant and mature. She curtsied for him, "it is so great to see you again," her eyes lifted to his, strong and powerful. Something in my gut twisted, as I watched his eyes lower to her. "You are all grown up," he smiled easily, and she smiled back, tentative and restrained, a kiss of wind blew a strand of her dark hair across her face, and before I could let myself watch things play out, I cleared my throat. "I think your majesty is waiting for us," I said, and she nodded, submissively and turned to lead the way.

I took that as my opportunity to move out of Cassian's hold, and as he inched closer, I side stepped out of his reach. I refused to look at him, the man I thought was different but was the same as every other man in this world it would seem. My eyes burned, but I would not allow another man to make me cry. I was getting out of this and this time alive.

We were ushered into the great hall and Mira smiled more towards Cassian than me, before departing. "Brother!" Roared the King jovially, "it's so good to see you, I hope that your wedding night was beautiful and hopefully we will soon have little feet running through this castle to greet me." Cassian smiled as the King laughed, and Alaric choked.I forced a smile on my face and we were shown to our seats. Strategically, Mira was seated next to Cassian and I was seated opposite him so that the King was on my left and on his right.

Platters of food was brought in, and I remembered similar in my past life, the King being happy and Alaric laughing and talking away, and just like today I was on the outside. "I see Alaric is well enough to send me messages," said Cassian, his voice cutting through my thoughts, I looked up from the venison on my plate to see Alaric freeze, the goblet in his hand barely touching his lips and the table went silent.