Royals in Toledo

Chapter 1

TODAY, I was told I am set to marry Jacobo, the Prince of El Burgo. Or should I say, the Prince of Hell? I was only five the last time I saw him, but I remember him being very annoying. He even called me fat and ugly! He is so different from Jacinto, his older brother who is always kind to everyone. Jacinto is the real prince charming if there is ever one. The following summer, after their last visit, their mother died from a vehicular accident, and I've never seen them again. 

This big family hall in the palace is sacred to us. Only my parents, Ara and I are allowed to use it. I used to enjoy coming here because it is the only place where we can be ourselves. We can be silly and act like we are normal -- like a commoner. But today? I felt like I was in prison.

"Papa, I don't mean to disrespect you, but I am only twenty and has a full life ahead of me. Why can't Ara marry him instead? She's old --"

"Casta."

"Ara is older than I am. She's supp --" She's supposed to get married first is what I was going for, but he cut me off. 

But my father cut me off and asked, "Are you challenging my decision, Casta?"

When my father uses this tone, I know my fate is sealed. It's done, and no one can change his mind except for my mother, Cayetana -- the Queen. But most likely, she would support my father on this. 

I looked at him straight in the eye and answered him. "No, Papa." I was simply trying to ask why it has to be me. I wanted to add.

"Very well. The wedding is set a year from now after your graduation. You may leave."

As I was walking back to my room, different ideas flooded my head. There is no way I am marrying the Prince of Hell at twenty-one. But if it was Jacinto, would you?  Truth is, I don't know. He may be the lesser evil of the two but whatever. The point is I don't want to be tied down yet. Besides, I don't even know what he looks like now. Maybe he is the one who grew up ugly and fat. I chuckled at the thought. 

I was about to open the door to my bedroom when I heard my mother call my name.

"Casta," she said.

I closed my eyes and composed myself. Is Mama going to convince me to marry Jacobo? If you've met the Queen, you will succumb to her requests. She has the softest voice and the most beautiful face I've ever seen in my life. When I was a little girl, I heard stories about her from my nanny that Mom is an angel sent down here to make sure I grew up nicely. Of course, it was just a joke. 

"Mama, what can I do for you?" I tried to look as relaxed as I can, but I am her daughter, and she knows me more than anyone. 

"Nothing really. I just wanted to know how you are. How was school today?" asked the Queen.

"School was fine. Should we talk inside? My legs are getting tired," my mother nodded.

I have been standing back in the family hall when my father told me about the marriage from hell. If you have been to a palace, you would know how big it is. And if you didn't grow up there, it would be easy for you to get lost. It was a long walk from the hall to my room, I can tell you that much.

I opened the door and asked her to go in first. She did and walked as graceful as she ever was. She chose to sit in the tufted cream chair near the bay window. I followed her there. Instead of sitting on the chair across from her, I decided to sit on the window ledge closer to her. 

My room screams luxury and everything a girl would want is here—a queen-size, four-poster bed clad with Egyptian cotton. The walls are painted with neutral colours. The room has a combination of both silver and blue accents. There's a divan in the corner. In addition to all of these, I also have my own bathroom. Honestly, it's more like a spa with its style and size. And now I see it as a cage, thanks to Jacobo.

The King didn't give me a reason why I have to marry next year. It was simply put like it's just time. I've been a good daughter -- well, I would like to think I was. I did have a few mishaps here and there -- I am only human but nothing too serious enough to send me off for marriage to someone I barely know. Scratch that -- someone I do not know.

"Did your father tell you?" she asked.

I nodded. "A few minutes ago."

I didn't hear her sigh, but she did ask another question. "What did your Papa say?" 

"He said that I will be marrying Jacobo next year after I finish my studies."

"And what did you think about that?"

"I don't know."

"Let me rephrase my question. Do you like Jacobo?"

"I don't know him enough to like him."

"And you don't know him enough to dislike him either," she chuckled. 

When I looked up at her, she was grinning from ear to ear. I don't understand what that was for. Is she teasing me? 

"Mama, you knew him since we were kids. He's very annoying. He even chases me with a caterpillar on a stick!" Just the thought of that made me shiver. I am petrified of caterpillars and for him to chase me around with it sends me crying to my mother. 

The next thing I knew, my mother was howling. I have never heard her laugh like that before. Has she gone crazy? So I added some more.

"He even called me ugly!"

"And fat. Isn't that right?" said Mom, who's wiping a tear from her eyes. She was laughing so hard earlier to the point of tears. 

"Yes." 

"Well, you don't have to marry him if you don't want to. School is over anyway. Why don't I send you backpacking in Toledo with just enough cash to start you off? You can do your classes online anyway, and you are on your last year."

I saw a spark of hope. "Please tell me more, Mama."

"The money is only enough for three days. You have to find a job and a decent place to live. You can do whatever you want to do for a year. And when you come back, and you still feel the same way about the marriage your father arranged for you, then I will tell him to break it."

"Mama --"

"I know how much you wanted to live like a commoner. Here is your chance. I am giving it to you."

"But what about fa --"

"Are you in or out?" Her voice was firm.

It didn't take long for me to nod. "I'm in."

"Good. You leave tomorrow at dawn."