Queen of the Moon

4: Dignity Stolen

Morning came, I suppose it was morning, here it was always dark. I caught a glimpse outside the window, the curtains were always drawn because there was only darkness outside. An inky blue wave of water always cascading in over the rocks, haunting and soothing at the same time in its perpetuity.

 I was brought down for a meal, they didn't have the typical breakfast stuff. Had roasted a whole pig for this meal. I didn't have the appetite for something heavy but knew how rude it would be to insult them by not eating so I ate most of it. Cory came down to sit beside me, reaching over to kiss me on the cheek which I couldn't help but pull away from, then cringe at his touch. There's no way I let this guy inside of me, he disgusted me. He wasn't a bad looking guy there was just something about him that was...unsettling.

"Good Morning, Dearest. Did you sleep well?" he said eagerly, despite my obvious distaste for him. I even found myself feeling sorry for him. I dropped my gaze to my plate.

"Slept heavily...thank you," I said, trying to be polite.

The King and Queen joined us for breakfast, and some others from court, speaking amongst themselves excitedly about plans of this wedding. I was introduced to a lot of people whose names and titles I forgot. I figured I could at least reason with Prince Cory, whom seemed to at least have some kind feelings for me. Maybe he was the one to talk to about my displeasure.

"Prince Cory," I said, meekly, after half finishing my meal. He looked up at me hopefully.

"Yes, dearest?" he said.

"I just wanted to let you know, I'm not sure how this happened. How I winded up here. But my intentions were never to marry you, or anyone else outside of Lord Andrew. We've been engaged for years now, were supposed to marry in springtime. I really do not have any space in my heart for anyone else. I hope you understand. And I really, all I want is to go home. Please help me to get back to my family. I'm sure this was all just a misunderstanding," I said, as nicely as possible, looking for any bit of spare hope in his eyes. His eyes did falter at the mention of Andrew. His gaze dropped to his plate throughout the whole thing.

"There is no misunderstanding," he said. I brightened up, with hope, thinking he saw my side.

"Tonight you will become my wife. And no one will ever love you, like I can," he said.

I started blinking in absolute confusion. How could love even be in the equation? I just met his guy. But I could tell in that moment there was no swaying him. And I was starting to feel really sick again and tired.

"Um..." I started to say something, ready to speak of how I felt dizzy or something but instead just put my head onto the table. I can only recall flashes of what happened next, dizziness, a bit of vomiting, some water given to me. The water made my head feel funny, like I was floating.

I somehow made it to this wedding. I felt dizzy the whole time, unable to function as many smiling faces introduced themselves to me, shook my hand, kissed me on the cheek. It was like I was drunk the whole time. I remember even trying to protest or saying something whilst the ceremony was going on and everyone just laughing at me as if I said something funny. Then the reception, I didn't even dance, I could barely stand. Lots other did. I sat with my head in my hands most of the night while the room spun.

"Are you okay?" I heard Prince Cory say. I shook my head no. Thankfully, he took my arm and lead me out of there and back to my room. What I thought was a nice gesture until he disrobed himself and climbed in with me.

"No," I said, pushing him away, but that was all I could do was feebly, push him as he did what he wanted anyway. This weird sort of system went on for at least two weeks. I'd wake up, feeling like all sorts of shit, bathe, eat breakfast which I could barely force down, be sick most of the day, then at night Cory would come and have his way with me.