Catharina

Chapter 11

Annalise

"She was spotted with a man in a village a ways from Igathod," Mother said. I stood up from my spot by the door and ran to my room. I closed the door behind me and went to my dresser and pulled out a map. "Poor, Catharina, kidnapped by some man. He just wants our riches," I said. I found Igathod on the map. "Where is he taking her?"

Knock! Knock! I jumped and shoved the map back in the drawer. "Come in," I said placing my hands on my lap. Clarissa appeared and closed the door behind her. "Clarissa, what are you doing here? I thought you would be in the library," I said.

"I am not all books for your concern," Clarissa replied snappily.

"What do you need, Clarissa?" I asked.

"I know you've been listening in on Mother and Father's conversations, Annalise. That's not wise of you especially as a princess. Our parents should be very ashamed," Clarissa scolded.

"Have you just come here to nag?" I asked.

"Of course not. You want to know what's going on and from seeing you run to your room, I assume you know something. What is it?" Clarissa said. I looked at my hands then back up to her. "Our dear sister Catharina, was spotted with a man around Igathod in some village," I told her.

"And she didn't try to escape?" Clarissa asked. I shrugged. "I suppose not. He could have threatened her, Clarissa. Isn't that what the bad men do in your stories?" I asked.

"I do not read those any longer. I read knowledge and history, things that are important. Those childish books are no longer important to me," Clarissa answered. I stood up and walked over to her, grabbing her hands. "They might be of good use to us, sister. If you reread them, maybe we can find a way to be a step ahead of this man," I suggested.

"You really think this man got his planning from a storybook? Annalise, you're mad if you say so," Clarissa scoffed moving her hands out of mine.

"But Clarissa-" I started.

"No, Annalise. I am not going to pulled into your crazy ideas. You're still a child, you do not know responsibility as Catharina and I do. You'll understand when you're older," Clarissa told me. She turned around and walked towards the door. "I am not a child! I may be younger than you but that does not mean I am some little child. I'm not playing dolls with you anymore, I understand what's happening," I argued.

"But you don't. This business involving Catharina has nothing to do with either you or I. Mother and Father shall take care of everything and Catharina will return home and take the throne after her marriage to Prince Samuel," Clarissa informed me.

"Marriage? Who said anything about Catharina getting married?" I asked. Clarissa turned to face me. "Catharina must marry to take the throne. Everyone has done it since the dawn of time. That is how our parents took the throne. I don't know if Catharina was in knowledge of this or not but it will happen whether she likes it or not," Clarissa explained.

"An arranged marriage. Clarissa that's not love," I objected.

"It doesn't matter if it's love or not. It's what is best for the kingdom," Clarissa said. I crossed my arms. "It sounds to me like you should rule the kingdom not her," I replied.

"Annalise-" Clarissa started. The door opened up and Mother walked in. "Mother, what a pleasant surprise," I greeted. Mother smiled at me before looking over at Clarissa. "Clarissa, what are you doing in here?" Mother asked.

"I needed to ask Annalise a question. It was nothing really," Clarissa said, "If that will be all I shall be leaving." Clarissa curtsied before opening the door and closing it behind her. "What do you need Mother?" I asked.