7. Christian
“I’ll cut straight to the point. Considering you’ve wasted my entire day and interrupted my dinner needlessly, I find it appropriate to keep things short and sweet.”
Cataleya fidgets uncomfortably in the seat before me, picking at her wrinkled clothing. It looks like she fished it straight out of the laundry hamper. As much as I want to laugh in her face about that, I find it better to move on.
“I want you to marry me for a year.”
Her mouth falls open slightly. Then a mix of anger and confusion flashes across her face. Just as she’s about to respond, I continue speaking.
“It’s just for a year. Once I ascend the throne and everything settles down, we can get an amicable divorce. It’ll be the easiest thing in the world. You’ll get money, properties, cars, whatever you want. You can even return here to New York City when everything is said and done.”
She blinks slowly. I notice her right hand slowly bunching up into a fist. “Are you fucking serious?”
“I’m entirely serious. Oh, come on, Cataleya. Don’t make things more difficult than they need to be. You’ve already done enough of that today alone,” I say, neatly placing my used napkin upon the table. “It’s a financially lucrative opportunity. What more could you want?”
“I don’t want to marry you,” she whispers. “I don’t want your damn money. Or your stupid cars.”
I roll my eyes, already feeling the same frustration from before trickling its way back into my body. “Stop being ridiculous. You have a lot to gain by agreeing to this proposition.”
“You want me to be your wife so you can be seen as the respectable young King. You want me to be your arm candy. Fuck that, Christian. I’m so much more than that.”
Cataleya points an accusatory finger at me.
“I worked my ass off to be a lawyer. How dare you try to come here and dictate my life when I have established a life and career already? All of this is just to benefit you, not me. I hate the idea of an arranged marriage, you know that. And I hate that I’d have to give up my freedom and autonomy just to please someone like you.”
She says those words with so much disgust and venom that it nearly hurts my feelings. Still, I’m failing to see things from her perspective. This proposal would be a dream come true for anyone. She would be able to retire early and enjoy her life peacefully. All she has to do is sacrifice a year and spend it by my side back in Solvaria.
Is that truly such a big issue?
I pinch my nose bridge between my fingers. Cataleya keeps at it with her tirade.
“Maybe we should break this tradition of forced marriage altogether. How about that? You’ll be the King of Solvaria one day. You can enact changes.”
“You have no reason to make things so difficult, Cataleya.”
“Bullshit!” Cataleya’s chair quivers at the outburst. “That’s such bullshit. If I marry you, I’ll have to be a modest figurehead with no real power. I’d have to be dignified and humble and meek. That’s not who I am! You’re asking me to change my whole personality for this to work!”
“You know, I didn’t have to stick with you.”
“What?”
“I could have settled for another woman. I bet that would’ve been the better choice,” I remark bluntly, unable to hold back my callous words. The anger makes it difficult to think clearly. “I’m sure there’s a woman here in the United States, or even in Solvaria, who would love to be my wife.”
Cataleya narrows her eyes at me. Then she leans back in her seat and crosses her arms. “Then why don’t you go find her, then?”
And risk ruining my relationship with Cataleya’s parents? Mariana and Samuel Fitzrelzon are people I want on my side. Their wealth, connections, and influence are assets to my family.
In fact, it was Samuel and my father who planned this arranged marriage in the first place. If I were to disregard that contractual obligation, they would blame me for it. I wouldn’t be seen as a trustworthy ruler, but rather, one who does whatever he wants whenever he wants.
As much as Cataleya dislikes me, I can’t let her go that easily. It’s not possible. The future of Solvaria rests upon my shoulders. My people need a ruler they can look up to, not one who breaks promises.
All of this is contingent on Cataleya’s agreement to my plan. As it stands, she’s staring at me like I’ve burned down an orphanage. I haven’t done a good job at persuading her.
The more I think about it, the more blame I put on myself. In a way, she’s right. I barged into her life and disrupted everything for her. She glances at her phone, notifications flowing in. She’s a lawyer with an intense workload, and I’ve done nothing but distract her.
Give her some grace. Cataleya’s always been a free spirit. She hates the idea of being tied down. It can be a blessing and a curse to be that way.
Sighing, I offer her a quick nod before rising from my seat. “I want to give you time to think about this decision, Cataleya. Just know that you’re not only making this decision for yourself, but also your parents.”
Cataleya perks up. “Why are you mentioning my parents?”
“They would want to see this union pull through. That’s all.”
I re-button my blazer and straighten out my suit. The look in her eyes makes me pause for a moment. With just one expression, she makes me forget about how frustrated she makes me feel and instead fills me with sympathy.
That’s what happens when you spend time with a person you have history with, I suppose. They always have a special spot in your heart that’s softer than the rest.
“I hope this doesn’t seem ingenuine, but I respect your determination regarding this decision,” I say. “Most people would have caved in at the offer of money and properties. It’s impressive.”
“I…” Cataleya tightens her grip on the armrests at her side. “I’m doing what’s right for me, Christian.”
“Understandable, but I still want you to think about this,” I reply, turning towards the door. “I have no business here in New York City, so I’ll be returning to Solvaria promptly. When you make your final decision, let me know. I suppose silence from you will give me enough of an answer, as well.”
Cataleya sends me a small nod, which I take as my cue to leave. I head for the suite door and nearly stop myself. A tiny part of me wants me to make up a silly reason to stay and talk to her more. When she’s calm, she can be quite the fascinating conversationalist.
But I tend to rile her up easily for one reason or another. It’s a shame. We’d be a beautiful couple if we could just set aside our egos when we’re around each other.
Truth be told, I’d be honored to have a woman like Cataleya to call my wife, but I’m also a man who weighs the risks and benefits of most decisions. I want this to work for the sake of my future rule, but I understand I can’t control her. I certainly can’t tie her down against her will.
As I exit her suite and shut the door behind me, a sobering realization dawns upon me.
It’ll take a miracle for Cataleya to accept this deal.
“David,” I call out. He and the rest of my bodyguards emerge from their positions down the hall. I gesture towards the elevator. “Let’s go. Coordinate with Paul to get me a flight back to Solvaria tonight.”
“Right away, sir.”
A heavy weight settles itself on my chest as my bodyguards and I make our way down to fetch our vehicles. It’s the fear of the unknown that’s killing me on the inside. I don’t know what to expect and I don’t like that.
The uncertainty robs me of any semblance of control.
What am I going to do if Cataleya decides that this isn’t the right choice after all? How am I going to explain this decision to her parents? To Father?
“Are you alright, Prince Christian?” David asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I swallow hard and nod firmly. “A bit exhausted, that’s all.”
No one has to know to what extent Cataleya confuses and fascinates me all at once. That’s a secret I plan to keep within the confines of my mind.