Marks of Power

Play Your Part

       "Your doing what?" Mauve screamed as I relayed the events that took place just last week when Jabari informed me of our rushed engagement.
       Mauve works in the palace kitchens. She is an x who has a long line of ancestors who have all worked somewhere in the palace. Mauve has light brown hair and sparkling brown eyes to match. She was truly beautiful, unfortunately a tiny mark on the inside of her wrist, that signified her status, held her back.
"You know it's not like I really want to! It's just what's better for the people," I explained.
"So you getting married is what the people want from their government?" Mauve questioned with an almost angry tone.
       "Mauve, you know that's not what I mean. You know I hate this just as much as you do," I pleaded.
       "Whatever. Ok look, I just don't want you to get too caught up in anything too quickly. I'm just trying to protect you, that's all," she smiled. Mauve always hated it when I discussed anything that had to do with status or duty. I usually tried not to talk about any of that near her anyway, she had enough to worry about. About a year ago her mother died and now she was left to take care of her two younger brothers.
       "I know, but I don't think I have a choice in the matter. Anyway, how do you feel about being the maid of honor?" I quickly tried to change the subject.
       "Oh no, I couldn't-"
       "Don't start with that, I want you as my maid of honor and that's that!"
       "Rose, you know I can't- it will look terrible. I'm a x," she rambled.
       "Mauve, you of all people should know that I don't care about the system like that," I looked at her trying to hold back my glare.
       "Your right, I'm sorry. Yes, I'll be your maid of honor,"  Mauve smiled.
       "Good! I guess we'll start looking at dresses tomorrow then!"
       Before Mauve and I could discuss anything else about the wedding a castle servant came bursting through the doors. "Your highness, Mr. Duval is asking to see you now," she quickly said.
"Of course, lead the way. Goodbye Mauve," I answered trying to keep my voice sounding formal.
       The servant quickly led me down the halls towards Mr. Duval's office. Mr. Duval was one of my parents' advisors. They had one for public image, one for army strategies, one for laws and law enforcement, and finally one for foreign relations. Mr. Duval was the one for public image. He was around my mother's age yet looked nothing like her. He had light brown hair, big blue eyes, and a deep gravelly voice.
       "Hello miss," Mr. Duval said as we entered into his ornate office. I had the only been in here once before when I was around fourteen and snuck in because I was bored along with Mauve and Sebastian, but it hadn't changed since then. It was still covered in god-awful pink damask wallpaper and elaborate impressionist  paintings (my mother decorated it and the rest of the palace).
       "Hello sir," I answered while curtsying.
       "Hello miss, Take a seat please," he said while motioning to one of the two seats that matched the pattern of the wallpaper except they were white. I took his offer and waited for him to tell me why I was there.
       "I would like to discuss your upcoming wedding with you Miss Rosemary," he finally answered my unspoken question.
       "Sir, don't you need both Jabari and I in here for that?" I questioned while he just smiled.
       "I would much rather discuss it with you if that's ok?" I nodded happily to answer  while  he laughed. "Good, first order of business, I would like to ask you what you think of this whole ordeal."
       "Well it's stressful to say the least sir. I haven't even started looking at dresses yet," I nervously admitted.
       "Well, we better start doing that soon then. However, I'd much rather discuss how we go about this wedding. First order of business we need to project an image of two adults who are ready to rule and unite an empire, not two juvenile newlyweds. Yes?" He asked seriously.
       "Yes, yes of course sir."
       "Good, now Rosemary, I'd like to ask you a much more personal question if that's ok?" He leaned in closer as if to let me in on a secret.
       "Well, sir, it depends on what that question is."
       "Good answer Rosemary," he smiled then continued to ask, "do you love Jabari? Remember, you are not obligated to answer."
"Well sir," I tried to decide on an answer. I hadn't even thought about if I loved him or not. I knew I didn't, but I also knew that I had to act like I did. Jabari was charming for sure. However, that isn't enough to make me fall for him entirely. Whenever I talked to him I couldn't help remembering how Sebastian had said how all bad people seemed charming at first. The more I thought about it, the more I decided he was right. "He's um- he's very charming."
       "Rosemary, that was not the question. Some one can be deeply charming but that doesn't mean you love them. I like to believe that I am charming, but do you love me? No. Now answer the question I asked you, do you love Jabari?" He insisted.
       "Well, if I'm being honest, no. I mean, not yet. I really want to love him, but I really don't know him," I finally let the truth off my chest. Maybe I shouldn't have answered him, but for some reason it seemed like I had to. It felt like I had to be honest with someone and he was the only logical person. He was the public image advisor, if anyone could handle this the right way it was him.
       "Well Rosemary, we can work with that. I hope your a good actress?" He finished with a question.
       "I'll try sir."
       "Good. I'll see you later Rosemary. Does tomorrow at 12:00 pm work for you?"
       "Yes sir," I answered formally.
       "Great. I'll see you tomorrow then along with Jabari to plan the wedding," he finished as I got up then walked out the door through the long corridors of the palace wondering if I could ever love Jabari. If anything I had to at least pretend, for my country, for my legacy, and most importantly, for my parents.