Cecily (Prince!SteveRogers AU)

2

We are led into the castle where my father and I join the King and Queen, and also the prince for something to eat and drink before we take a walk around the gardens. That will be the time for the Prince and I to start getting to know one another before we marry tomorrow.

I have barely any appetite and it seems that the Queen notices this. "Are you not hungry Lady Cecily?" She now looks at me and then at my plate.

I smile weakly, noting my father watching me carefully out of the corner of my eye. "I am just a little tired from the journey. I am sorry if you think I am causing offence..."

"Oh, not at all. I simply wondered whether you were feeling well". Queen Sarah smiles kindly and brushes it off. "After all, tomorrow is a big day".

"Leave the poor girl be Sarah". King Joseph now eyes her in a rather scolding manner.

"I was just..." She begins but then her son intervenes. I heard her call him Steve; however, I am unsure as to whether I will be calling him that or just Steven. I have a feeling that it will all be rather formal.

"She was only asking father, she's not exactly doing any harm" He says, eyes falling onto his mother who flashes a brief smile. It is clear that she dotes on him, and that he must care for her so. He seems to not possess much of the King's traits judging from what I've seen so far.

I do not really touch my food and spend most of the talk over dinner simply sat in silence, eyes cast onto the tabletop, or even my full plate. I don't really want to look at anyone for fear of them asking me more questions.

We walk the gravelled paths in the gardens that seem extensive on first glance. My father chaperoning us along with the King and Queen. Like Steve is about to have is way with me in the rose bushes - we've only just met and have spent most of the time just not talking to one another.
I can very much see myself hiding out here most days. Steve and I walk next to one another in silence that is so awkward I just want to break it to get it over and done with.

But I'm too scared.

"Do you usually spend time outside when you are at home?" Steve finally senses that he will need to talk to me and on this, I nod.

"When the weather is pleasant. We have a nice little shaded area by the fountain where I like to sit and read".

He looks at me. "You are an avid reader".

"Latin mostly. My father believed that I should be educated to a high standard considering that my mother died when I was young. I spent a majority of my time with my governess. She taught me all that I needed to know".

"So, you can write".

"I can, although most ladies of my standard do not have that privilege". Most women can only read and write to a certain standard unless they have been educated like I have. There is no need to learn the same as boys do. A woman's duty is to be a good wife and to manage a household. "Do you like to read?" I decide to ask him.

"When I have the time". He replies. "Which is rare".

"I suppose being the Prince comes with its own forms of duty".

"It has to if I'm to take the throne from my father when he is gone". Steve states. "I was tutored from a young age, by my father and a tutor who schooled me. Both very different forms of education".

I glance across at him. "Do you feel pressured? Knowing that one day you will have to run a Kingdom?"

"No. It's what I've been prepared for". He says this so naturally that it's clear his duty has been drummed into him since he was a child.

Well, that answers my question then.

We fall back into silence, the gravel crunching under our feet. "So...tomorrow we are to be married..." I eventually break the silence.

"Yes..."

More silence.

And that's how it continues until we finally take note of the changing weather and make for inside. Stopping at the bottom of the staircase before we part so as I can go to the room that shall now be mine.

"Well...I suppose I shall see you at the alter". I tell Steve, toying with the sleeves of my dress once more.

Is this what our marriage is to be like? Sittingn in silence for the majority of it? He thinks me a child, I am sure of it. It makes me wonder whether we actually have anything in common.

"Sleep well, Cecily". He smiles briefly but remains formal.

"And you too, sire".

"Call me Steve. I'm sure we'll get to know one another a bit more as we go along".

I don't look at him. "I am sorry if you think me quiet and awkward".

"We met just this afternoon and are getting married tomorrow - I think that we can feel as awkward as we want to about the situation".

As I go to climb the stairs I stop halfway up and look back down at him. "Do you even want to marry me?"

Steve looks up at me. "It's my duty. It's our duty".

That means no then, but we have no choice in the matter. Both my father and the King do, and this is a matter that they will not be persuaded otherwise on.

Girls who are younger than I are marrying men they do not know, some a considerable amount older. I should count myself lucky that my father didn't try to arrange something like that for me, because I truly couldn't think of anything worse.

I may be marrying a man I've never met, but at least he's not old enough to be my father.

Now all I have to do is just get through the rest of my life with him...