The Curse of the Moon

Three

“Stop frowning, you look beautiful,” my mother’s hand cupped the bottom of my chin as she looked me over. Standing in front of the floor length mirrors, I knew she was right. My make up was perfect and the dress was flawless. It was a fine black lace hugging around my torso, pair with a indigo cascading skirt. On any other occasion I’d be twirling around, grinning from ear to ear, but my father’s words were haunting me. I don’t need a man by my side to run this kingdom, I was perfectly capable of doing it on my own. Couldn’t he see how hard I’d been working for this? I was ready to take over for him, to rule.

When I didn’t answer her, my mother let out a sigh. “Whatever’s wrong with you, fix it. You need to be downstairs in ten minutes,” With that, she took her leave. In her absence, Joelle took a step closer at my side. She could see far more than my mother could, she knew me far better. But there truly was no one who could solve the tumbling thoughts filling my mind and causing this cloud of misery that had overcome me last night. In 10 minutes our guests would begin to arrive, I would put on a smile and pretend everything was alright for them, because that is what queens do.

“Did things not go well with Caleb yesterday? From my eyes it seemed the two of you were really getting along,” Joelle said as she added a tad more blush to my cheek bone, yet not too much as to draw any extra attention to my face. Neutral and subtle are the only ways a woman’s make up should be done, according to my mother, whom would mock anything otherwise.

“Maybe a shade darker on my lips?” I suggested as I pulled a loose curl from my bun, allowing it to fall into my face. My hair had been pulled so tightly back, the icy blonde hidden into a smothering bun.

“Your mother won’t approve of any of these colours,” Joelle announced, but still she set them on the table in front of me. “Tell me why today, of all days, you’ve become so determined to piss her off?” Joelle and I locked eyes as I dragged my fingers over the assortment of colours. It wasn’t really about my mother, I was angrier with my father. Somewhere along the road though my mother must have agreed to his actions, agreed to passing the throne off to a king rather than their own daughter. She can’t say she never knew, and if she did I would call her a liar.

My hand closed around a deeper purple colour and I extended out to Joelle, who cautiously took it. She stepped closer, applying a coat to my lips then clearing the mirror so I could gaze upon my reflection. Finally, I smiled. I’d never worn a colour like this before. Not out on presentation, at least. Turning away from the mirror, I made my way towards the exit. Giving my skirt one last twirl around to fluff it up, Joelle’s hand grasped the door handle.

“Tell me what has happened? Did Caleb do something? Your mother?” She searched my eyes for answers but now was not the time or place for it.

Finally, I looked to her eyes and admitted the only truth I could will myself to say. “There’s nothing that can be done about it now, perhaps in another lifetime my marriage will be more about bringing a man to the throne,” Joelle’s jaw dropped open in shock but I continued to move forwards, fully composed. “Come Joelle, we are going to be late.”

One foot after the other, I made my way down the upper hallway, greeting Caleb at the centre staircase. He looked just as focused as he had yesterday, but that kind smile never left his lips. A smile I had almost let convince me he was anything other than the heir to my throne. He glanced over my briefly, clearly surprised by the colour of my lips, but I was sure he wouldn’t be the first of the night.

“Catalena, you look wonderful,” he finally piped up to say and immediately I turned my side to him, readying my hand to take his arm. “Oh,” he muttered under his breath, extending me the crook of his elbow.

As I wrapped my fingers around it and took a step closer to the stairs, I spoke in a hushed voice just loud enough for the two of us to hear. “That is Princess Catalena to you, Prince Caleb.”

Not allowing him the chance to reply, I began leading us down the first set of stairs. In a scurry, Caleb caught up and I couldn’t help but sigh to myself. How easily men are intimidated, they can’t even dare walk a step behind a lady out of fear it might make them seem less masculine. Caleb and I walked side by side into the dining room, although in his mind I’m sure he would say he had been leading me. Long tables had been set throughout the room, villagers from all over were joining us in the hall as they sought out their seats. The room smelled already of fresh baked breads and warm soups that on any other day would have had me salivating. Right now though, my appetite had entirely been lost.

“Have I done something to offend you?” Caleb whispered in my ear as we approached our table at the front of the room. A two person table had been set at the front of the hall, with a pair of similar tables behind us where our parents had already gathered. The four of them gave us beaming smiles, my mother’s looking more forced than ever as she eyed my lipstick choice. Meeting my father next, he gave me a strong nod which I fought myself before returning. It felt wrong, to nod to the man who’d lied to me, but being my father it was hard to refuse him.

“Should I be offended?” I answered Caleb’s question with a little attitude of my own which clearly threw him off. He shuffled on his feet, nervously moving around his serviette on the table cloth. I nudged him with my elbow, a kings gaze should always be on the crowd. Has he learned nothing from his kingdom?

“Well is everything alright?” Caleb faked concern for my sudden mood change from yesterday but I had no interest in entertaining him any longer.

“I stopped by my father’s study last night,” I said, starring forwards to the dining hall as our guests too their seats. Families I’d known my entire lifetime were gathering around the tables. All of these people I thought I’d one day serve as their queen only to now be pushed to the sidelines by this stranger.

Caleb was silent at first, pondering over what I’d just said until, finally, he clued in. “You were eavesdropping?” His hand closed around my wrist, jerking me to finally face him. His face didn’t show anger though, as his accusation suggested. I wasn’t even sure what anger might look like in brown eyes as gentle as his. “You overheard us,” he repeated himself with more certainty this time, concern written into his voice.

“This throne is my birth right, I’ve trained my entire life for it,” I kept my voice flat as I spoke, not giving him an inclination to how the words burned my throat on the way out.

“I’m not taking away your throne from you, you will still be Queen-” he tried to justify but I was quick to cut him off.

“Not in the way I was meant to be. I will be queen in the way my mother is queen, and all the woman before her. I will stand by with my hands neatly folded in my lap waiting for the actions of a man to save my kingdom. I’ve spent my life training to rule, not to stand by a king,” with that our conversation had come to it’s end. My attention drew back to the crowd as the last of our guests took their seats, while Caleb stood dumbfounded, his gaze still not meeting his prospects. This man was no king, and yet he would rule my kingdom.

In a matter of moments waitresses and waiters began circling the room, bringing out courses of food to all the tables. Fine wines were poured into every glass and chatter began among the crowds. I found myself staring into the distance while aimlessly stirring my soup when Caleb’s hand brushed over mine under the table.

“Catalena,” he began and as I narrowed my eyes on him he quickly corrected himself. “Princess Catalena, I think you will make a wonderful queen.” His words meant nothing to me now though, coming as just a plea to get on my good side again. “Truly, I think your father must be mad if he can’t see that. This responsibility that we are taking on is highly intimidating but I believe you and I will serve our people proudly. I couldn’t do it without you by my side.” I nodded to Caleb, unsure what my next words would be. While his words did provide me some comfort, it wasn’t enough because one thing was still true.

“We may hold the kingdom together, but only one will sit on the throne, only one will claim my father’s crown, and only one will reign,” My voice was as cold as ice as it left my lips. There was no room for Caleb to offer any sort of comfort to that because we both knew very well that it was true.

Speeches began with my father’s first, thanking everyone in the kingdom for having him as their king for the past decades, and thanking everyone for being here tonight to celebrate the union of his new heirs. I noted how carefully he tiptoed around mentioning who the true heir was. Next, King Gilles stood with his wife at his side. Another man who would speak for the two of them. They offered their gratitude once more for being welcomed to the kingdom. Then finally, all attention turned in my direction.

Caleb popped up so quickly I thought his chair might topple over. He’d claimed his right to speak first, as if he though I was going to steal it from him. At his side, I gently stood, catching the guilt in his eyes for just a moment before turning to the crowd.

“People of the Western lands of Evernia, I would like to begin by saying thank you to each and every one of you for being here tonight to celebrate mine and Princess Catalena’s marriage. I am new to this land, but I’m happy to now be calling it my home, and I hope that I can serve you all just as well as King Hayes has. We look forward to seeing all of you at the ceremony tomorrow,” with his speech concluded, Caleb’s hand wrapped his wine glass and he raised it in the air.

All eyes turned to me, waiting for me to join in on the speeches, to make any sort of movement but I was frozen. Caleb had already said all there was to be said. This may be my kingdom, but it would be his throne in my father’s eyes. It would always be his throne. My hand forcefully closed around my wine glass. I knew I should raise it and finish the toast. Caleb’s hand suddenly brushed my back, indicating I was taking too long but something inside me had brought my body to a halt.

Stuck in my own head, my thoughts went to war between my duty and my desire. I wanted to make my family proud, to serve my people well, but this wasn’t what I thought it would be. I was capable of more than this. I would be a good queen for my people. I hadn’t wasted my entire childhood studying and training just to stand on the sidelines and watch a man rule, a man who knew nothing about these people. I couldn’t allow that. I wouldn’t allow that. Not only was I losing my right to the throne today, but also my hope at a happy marriage and well, love. My eyes shifted to Caleb’s for a short moment. Those soft brown eyes I might have been able to learn to love. I didn’t want to learn though, not when I had to give up so much already.

Losing all rational thought, my body acted without regard for the consequences. I spun on my heel, sprinting from the table and across the grand hall. Caleb’s hand may have reached for me, but I was too far gone. Another set of feet followed mine as I hurried down the front stairs of our home. “Catalena!” He called after me but there was no stopping me now. My feet carried me forwards, pushing faster and faster as I headed towards the trees.