The Felinites

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Dexter’s POV 

        Priscilla led me to Abby’s cave and then promptly after arriving, she pushed me out the entrance and told me to leave. She did not give me any explanations so I do not know why she made me leave. I suppose it is probably for the better. I need to go find Princess Cleo. I have not seen her in a while. When I arrive at the castle I find servants oddly bustling from one room to another with seemingly no destination. I immediately go to the princess’s room. I ascend the stairs and find her sitting on her rug glaring at Shyanne, who stands guard, while a book lies in her lap.

         “I have returned, you can go, Shyanne,” I announce. Shyanne nods before withdrawing from the room.

         “Hello, Dex,” Princess Cleo greets me as she changes her position on the floor from sitting to lying on her stomach. “I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to return.”

         “I was busy doing something for your farther,” I reply as I lean against the wall.

         “Ah,” is all she says in reply.

         “What did you find to occupy your time?” I ask.

         She sighs in distress, “Planning an engagement party and a wedding.”

         “It will be the most popular event of the decade, for certain,” I say in encouragement. Princess Cleo does not reply for a moment. She fiddles with a book lying in front of her, flicking through the projected pages without really taking the time to look at them.

         “What is that?” I ask her.

         “A book,” she replies as I sit down beside her. At my stern look she adds, “With details for my wedding in it. The maids have been very eager to take care of all the details. I just have to approve.”

         “So flicking through the pages without comprehending what is on them is how you approve of you wedding arrangements?” I ask.

         “Why not? It is not truly my wedding, anyway. If it were then I would not have been betrothed to Prince Cornelius long before my second birthday. If it were my wedding, I would not be marrying Prince Cornelius at all. This is not my wedding, this is Filinus’ wedding. My people are who I am doing this for,” she states as she shoves the book away from her. The book hits the wall across the room and Princess Cleo just stares at it.

         “I was not aware that you felt that way about your upcoming marriage,” I reply. “You and Prince Cornelius always seemed so happy together.” I think back to all the times I watched Princess Cleo laugh with the prince, dance with him, whisper to him about who knows what, and even a few of their shared kisses I managed to steal a glance at. Yes, they did argue, but Princess Cleo had never voiced a complaint. At least, she had not until now.

         She sighs, “I just suppose I realized that it was never my choice, and is love not supposed to be a choice?”

         “I see your point,” I agree, “but sometimes we do not get the luxury of choice.”

         “I know, I guess I am acting spoiled. I can do this one simple thing for Filinus,” she gives herself a pep talk.

         Trying to change the subject I ask, “Are you excited? I mean I know you basically just said you do not want to marry Prince Cornelius, but surely you are excited for what is to come after. Have the two of you decided which planet you will rule on? Satera or Filinus?”