Katherine

While dawn crept upon the kingdom, a loud and unwelcome knock arrived at Katherine's door that had awoken her from her sleep. She felt that perhaps it would be best to ignore it, alas more knocking came about from the irritating guest outside.

"Shut up!" she shouted. "Make yourself of good use and leave me to sleep more!"

"Your highness, it is an urgent matter," declared the knocker at the door. "Your father the king has requested an audience with you in his throne room at once. Not another second to waste."

Whatever this urgent matter, it could certainly wait. What announcement could be vital at an unholy hour? Yet, the knocker did not give up his knocking leaving Katherine to scream as she had never screamed before.

"Fine, I'm up. Allow me to fit into something presentable."

"No time! The king requests your presence at this very minute and does not care about the state of your appearance. Perhaps he will allow you to sleep once the announcement is finished."

No time to be presentable? This was certainly a first. She had no desire to beautify herself and immediately left the room with the royal-appointed slave guiding her at hand. It seemed that this was urgent with the slave walking at a quick pace. As this was not a normal circumstance, she did her best to hold her breath whilst the filthy slave held to her. From a distance, the princess could hear drums beating in anticipation of her arrival. In a short time, the girl was in the presence of her father the king. The man of royalty lifted his hand which allowed the drummers to stop. A few others also stood in the room awaiting the news. The princess pushed the slave away allowing him to fall to the ground.

Katherine wanted to speak and complain. She also desired to complain about the slave who held her hand in a rush as the king sat there and glared at her in silence. It was a silence that overtook the room while everyone was eagerly awaiting. Alas, he finally did speak.

"My daughter, you are aware of your brother's unfortunate death." Another pause was held for the king to allow himself to cough. "You are also aware that I am but an aging king." Again, he took a moment to not speak and with all his might, stood up. "On this heavenly morning, I say to you to prepare for a royal ball one week from now. The night of Saturday shall be a merry time of feasting, joy, and laughter. Come midnight, you will be presented with Darrian the second prince of Oakwood. I am allowing a day following for the two of you to spend time and grow comfortable amongst each other. You are to marry him and be his wife. I have spoken. You may now go."

Go? With such an announcement, Katherine could simply not go. She had words to share with her father the king. She would speak the words of her mind and not consider the consequences.

"Excuse me father, but I would rather eat the vomit of a dog than marry the second prince of Oakwood."

These words caused the king to make slow steps toward her daughter until they were finally faced to face with every soul in the room watching.

"I am sorry Katherine, but you do not have much choice in the matter. You must marry Darrian for it is your duty and destiny to preserve and save this great kingdom."

Not a soul expected Katherine's response following what her father the king informed her of, but perhaps some of them may have had that very thought. It was the response of laughter. The king certainly did not appreciate this response and expected more of her.

"My duty to save and preserve this great kingdom? Pardon me father, but last I heard, the knights of this great kingdom have been laying down their helmets largely due to this great kingdom being on the verge of bankruptcy. Might I also remind you of how many of our citizens we lost during the height of The Great Plague? We reside on a damn island! Surely, it should have been possible to prevent those deaths from taking place. And I would have the slightest surprise if the slaves were outnumbering us."

"Enough girl!" the king shouted with a threat to slap her. "Yes, this kingdom may be facing difficult times, but there is a season for everything. Once you marry the prince, two nations can come together and strengthen one another. Our citizens shall not have to worry about finances and we can strengthen our army again."

Katherine searched the room with her eyes with the king waiting for her response. It seemed that every soul in the room anticipated her response.

"And what of the Asharanites? Shall I expect them to behead me once they reach the island?"

The king laughed just as his daughter had done moments before. Compared to her laughter, this seemed to be the laughter of nervousness accompanied by a scratch to the head.

"Unlikely they should reach us. It shall surely be difficult for thousands of fighting men to cross the water and rampage this island. Not a need to worry."

And yet, our kingdom held the most deaths from The Great Plague. Let us not forget that I lost all of my brothers and the queen your wife. Your poor leadership has allowed no availability to be left in the House of the Charlettions. The late queen would be disappointed in you. She would spit in your grave."

Without a thought, there was no threat of a slap for the king did not hesitate to slap his daughter with all his might. It was as if he forgot about everyone who had been watching in the room. Some chants of gasps could be heard from a few individuals. Most were quiet in fear and discomfort.

"How dare you speak of your mother in that way! How dare you!" The man's face was blood red. "She was a woman of greatness and nobility! She showed virtue and love! She nursed every single one of her children when a maid should have done so! She served our kingdom in many ways unimaginable! She would spit in your grave, for you are a woman of cowardness! You are no woman at all! You are a girl! A stupid girl if I might add! You shall never be like your mother! Never!

The blood of Katherine was boiling hot as her breathing grew fierce. All self-control over her speech and actions had been lost. Taking off her shoe, it slammed through one of the windows leaving it to be shattered and unrecognizable.

"If I am nothing like my mother, I may as well not be the queen."

The advisor did not find himself smiling. No, his face showed great sadness while he stood with the king and watched the poor girl storm out of the throne room with a knight also taking the opportunity to lay down his helmet.

This concludes the fourth chapter! The kingdom certainly seems desperate. Hope this chapter was enjoyable. Please do comment and vote. A new chapter will return next Saturday!

Do you think Katherine will marry the prince of Oakwood?

Would you marry the prince of Oakwood?

Thoughts on the relationship between Katherine and her father?