Caladan, the planet of House Atreides, the beautiful oasis of nature and life, where rain does bring a certain smell to the air, where liveliness can be found at any point.
House Atreides, one of the Great Houses, with traces dating back to Old Terra. The house of Dukes and warriors, one of the bloodlines taking part in our breeding program which will leads us to our Kwisatz Haderach, the one who will be able to breach space and time.
Over generations, House Atreides has been monitored by the sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit, skilled women trained in politics, combat and poisons. Through careful connections and observation, we were a step closer to our goal. No one knew exactly when the day would come, but we were all sure of it.
"Princess, Revered Mother Mohiam is waiting for you," one of the servants announces as she makes her way into my room. "She said it was important that you reported to her immediately."
Here, on Wallach IX, is where I have spent most of my life, while my sister was trained back home on Kaitain. As the second daughter of Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV, I am important to the sisterhood, seeing me as a political pawn in the scheme of greatness.
I stand up from my chair and follow the servant down to Reverend Mother Mohiam's office, where she waits for me while overseeing everything from the window. I walk in slowly, fearing what was to come.
"I must not fear," I mutter, walking closely towards the Reverend Mother "Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain," I continue, attempting to keep my composure. "Reverend Mother, you said you wanted to see me."
Reverend Mother Mohiam turns around and studies me carefully through her vail. I knew for a fact that my eldest sister, Irulan, was her favourite, no matter hard she tried to keep those sentiments at bay.
"Princess Chalice, I have called you here to present to you your next quest," she tells me, extending her hand to me, indicating me to come closer.
"Whatever the quest is, Reverend Mother, I shall not disappoint the sisterhood or you," I say confidently.
"Very well then," she nods. "You know about Lady Jessica's disobedience towards our orders, am I correct?" she inquires.
"Yes, you are, Reverend Mother," I answer, trying to understand what Lady Jessica Atreides had to do with my quest.
"We want House Atreides to be back under our control, and in order to do so we have chosen one of us who shall go to Caladan and be our eyes and ears within the household," Reverend Mother Mohiam explains. "And we thought what Bene Gesserit would be perfect for this task either than the Padishah Emperor's daughter herself."
"Reverend Mother, are you talking about my sister or me?" I ask.
"Your sister's presence near your father is important," she begins to explain. "Her counsel to your father has proven indispensable," she adds. "Which is why we have chosen you, Chalice. You shall be the one who departs for Caladan and reports to us."
"But what about my training and education?"
"You shall be trained and educated there, Princess, but not only in the Bene Gesserit way, but also in the ways of the household you shall join," the Reverend Mother answers. "I know that you expected your hand to be given to Baron Harkonen's nephew, Feyd-Rautha, but certain aspects have changed."
"I'm not going there just to observe and report, am I?" I ask. "You're sending me there to be a concubine."
"With your status, the title of concubine does not fit," she says. "The title of wife is better suited."
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To Belong ✰ ✰ ✰ Paul Atreides (ON HOLD)
Fanfiction✧.* In the shadows of Arrakis lie many secrets, but the darkest of them all may remain, the end of House Atreides. *.✧ ⋇⋆✦⋆⋇ When sent to the planet Cadalan to observe and report about House Atreides, Princess Chalice Corrino finds herself in a diff...