Declared as his

Chapter 4

Calla POV

“I told you before we went there that I’m not interested in the fairy tale life. You just took over and now they think I’m going to agree to this ridiculous proposal. Are you completely insane agreeing to think about it. So you’re just fine with the fact that I’ll be engaged at the age 14 to a guy I don’t even know and be shipped of to who knows where! You won’t be able to see me for four years! I will be locked up, I’ll have no life! I have a plan for my life and this isn’t it!” I had silently fumed on the way home, but once we got here I went off. I feel betrayed by my mother. She didn’t do anything to help me today. She let me go on the walk alone with him and she promised to think about the proposal. Maybe if he didn’t kiss me he wouldn’t want this. He is only 17 doesn’t he see that he still has his entire life in front of him. I looked him up and he always has some girl hanging around. I can’t think that he suddenly wants to give all that up. In fact he doesn’t seem to conform to the rules society expects from him, but now he is ready to be engaged to a seemingly nice girl and take life serious. I call damn bullshit.

“Come on, Calla you are over reacting to the situation. I know you said you didn’t want this, but I was sure if it became a reality you would feel better about it. Think about it you will be a princess and then when he takes over from the King you’ll be a queen. Just imagine it. It’s going to be amazing.” I swear my mother doesn’t know me.

“No it won’t be amazing! That is what you want, I don’t want that. I’ve never wanted to be in the spotlight. I like fading into the masses. I like dressing normal and having a normal life. Can you just imagine it having to go through four years of training just to be his wife!” Everyone will always be watching me waiting for me to make a mistake. I fell down on my bed face first, smothering myself would get me out of this I’m sure of it.

“Calla you told me about your kiss, you said it was amazing. You like this boy. You’ve never liked anyone. Are you really willing to lose him completely just because you’re afraid of the spotlight.” now she is turning this on me, I shouldn’t have told her about the kiss, but she was asking why I was flushed and what happened. I just let it slip and then she only had more questions.

“Yes I like him more than I’ve like anyone before, but that is because I’ve never attempted to like anyone. I only like him because it’s the first time someone actually pays me such attention. It doesn’t mean that I won’t like anyone else ever again.” There was something about him though about the things he said. I was ready to escape, but I like the feeling I got when he declared that I will be his. I would have liked to spend more time with him, maybe even be friends, but in the end it would always have ended because I don’t want his life.

“This is an amazing opportunity for you. You are always talking about how you want to travel…as a ruler you will get to travel. There will always be parties all over the world and not only that you’ll get to go on a royal tour. You’ll be seeing such amazing things and you’ll meet all these interesting people. Most importantly you’ll be doing it with him.” I don’t know why my mom thinks that mentioning it will be with him will suddenly make it seem better. Although I do think that he can make any occasion a fun one. He is considerate in a way, like when my shoes got caught in the grass he had helped me and then he took his off as well to ensure I didn’t feel awkward about it all. That was very sweet. The way he just swept me up in his arms as well…it took me by surprise, but none of that would make me marry him, a complete stranger.

“Calla you know that you are going to inherit all of this one day, but be honest with yourself. You want to marry some ordinary person and have this ordinary life. Your husband will be incharge of the estate, no ordinary person will be ready for the commitment of marrying a duchess. We might not be as involved as the royals, but there will always be some expectancies from us. He won’t cope and on the best case scenario the money will get to his head, worst case he will be overwhelmed by it all. I know this isn’t the life you’ve wanted, but unfortunately for you it is the life I wanted and you were born into it. I would have never guessed that I’d have the one child that wouldn’t want this.”

“So you’re saying that before I was even born my life was planned out. That my dream for a normal life will never happen because I’m not a normal person. You want me to marry the prince because he will be able to handle this life since his is more complicated than ours and I will have to give up on all my dreams and give in to what is expected of me. I will have to throw myself into this world and just deal with the fact that I’ll be unhappy.” I understand my mother point in all of this, but seriously I need her to understand my side too.

“You are just being ridiculous. Have you considered that I know what I’m talking about and maybe it won’t be as bad as you make it out to be. I think that you could have a wonderful life with him. I’m also over this conversation now. You are just a child and as your mother I’ll be accepting this for you. It is beneficial for both families and an arranged marriage is what is best for you, you are to immature to understand what your life will become. You can’t hide from what has been laid out for you since before you were born. Pack your stuff. Tomorrow we will be going to the castle and accepting their proposal and this was the last time that I’ll hear you complain about it.” Doesn’t seem that I have an option in this. No matter how much I tried she just doesn’t listen. Instead of packing I did some research on arranged marriage and it was exactly what was happening her. It is an arrangement between my parents and the King. I don’t know if the prince really wants to marry me. I mean the only thing he said was my mom wasn’t allowed to see me for the four years. Maybe it was his fathers decision. His father was the one to present the proposal. Maybe I can talk him out of it tomorrow. He probably just want to date me, his father must be the one pushing for the marriage.

My mom ended up packing my things after I had avoided doing it. Unfortunately she left all my jeans and shirt. Only packing my dresses. I should have just done it at least then I could have packed whatever I wanted. We’re almost at the castle and I have a mission plan. I’m going to get Marcus alone and talk to him. Hopefully we can sort this mess out and I can go back home. As we arrived two servants came out the one taking my bags while another asked us to follow him. He escorted us to the same drawing room from the previous day. The King and prince was already waiting for us. They got up and we greeted them like we always do and then we sat down. Before we could start with the idle conversation that was bound to take place I decided to jump in.

“Could I please talk with Prince Marcus alone, please sir?” I asked to softly for my liking I wanted to sound strong and sure about myself.

“Yes we can come on.” Marcus said holding out his hand for me. I took it and let him lead me away. We walked awhile until we reached another drawing room that looked almost similar from the one we just came from.

“This was my mothers favorite drawing room, my father never comes here. We can talk freely here.” That’s good. We can finally talk about this nonsense. Just as I was about to air my feelings he pulled me to him his lips crashing against mine. They were moving faster and harder than the day before. The kiss felt earnest and out of control. His one hand moved into my hair pressing his lips even harder against mine. His other hand was on my hip griping onto it like he was holding on for dear life. I closed my eyes and gave into the kiss. It felt like forever when he finally stopped kissing me. He placed his forehead against mine. We were both breathing raggedly.

“You have made me so happy.” He whispered to me. Leaving me even more confused. He must be talking about the kiss. I pulled away and walked a bit back putting some distance between us.

“I wanted to talk to you about this whole engaged thing. Are you really fine with an arranged marriage. You are still so young. Don’t you want to date and meet new people?” He actually started laughing.

“For me it isn’t an arranged marriage, I hoped that you decided to do this of your own free will, oh well right…Calla it was my idea. I told my father that I wanted to marry you. According to our laws I need his approval which is why he approached your mother about it. To be honest he was against it. I threatened to abdicate my thrown, if that is the only way we could be together.” This was all his idea. I’m talking to the wrong person. I should have raised my concerns with his father.

“Marcus…”

“I love hearing you say my name. Think in just four years you’ll be my wife.”

“Marcus this is crazy, you do know that, right? I’m fourteen and you are seventeen. We aren’t supposed to make such big life changing decision yet.”

“Now is the perfect time for all of this. It gives us time to prepare for what is to come. Look I can see you are unsure about this all. I saw it yesterday…it hurt to see your face pale at the idea of marrying me. It just that from the moment I met you I knew that I wanted you. It didn’t take me long to realize in what way I want you. The thought of not knowing you, of not having you in my life is not one I think I can live with. It is scary, we are young, but if something feels so right do you think it can be wrong?” He is so good with his words, he makes me want to jump in eyes closed arms open. This is so insane.

“Just give it some time and you’ll see that it’s right. Let me get to know you.” He continued. I want to know him, it’s just everything else that is scaring me.

“I’m going to be locked up for four years, how d you intend to get to know me?” I asked him honestly curious about his answer.

“I’ll write to you long letters every week. I’ll tell you about exactly what is happening in my life. It will feel like you’re a part of my life. I won’t be able to visit since I will also be going through training, but after this four years when we see each other again I’ll never let you go again. I’ll be your friend and husband. You can trust me Calla. All I want to do is make you happy.” He is really good with his words.

“Okay I’ll marry you.” How did those words even escape my mouth. Then he shocked me even further and went on his knee. He wouldn’t, would he?

“I know I didn’t do this in the right order, but I want this to still be a moment you remember, with that said. Calla, will you marry me? Will you be my further Queen?” I was frozen admitting that I will marry him was fine, but him asking me like this feels unreal and crazy, this is crazy. I can;t say anything, my voice has abandoned me. He took my hand and placed the ring on my finger. How did he even get a ring so fast.

“I’m guessing it’s a yes, because only moments ago you said you’d marry me right?” I just nodded looking at the ring that is now on my finger.

“I’m glad it fits it was my mothers engagement ring. I haven’t had time for re-sizing,” I looked back up at him and then to the ring, this is insane!

“Come on lets go give our parents the good news.” He took my hand and led me back to them. I’m engaged. How did this happen. We came walking into the room, we were hardly through the door when the King started to talk.

“I’m sorry Marcus, but I said I would only accept this if it is of her own free will and according to her mother she is against the idea and only here because her mother has accepted on her behalf.” Wait what there is an out after all.

“It is of her own free will she has just accepted my proposal.” He lift my hand up so that they could see the ring.