13. Christian
Cataleya pops a blueberry in her mouth. Together, we sit on a picnic blanket in the middle of one of Solvaria’s many white sand beaches. The blue sky and the white clouds above award us with a beautiful view, but I must admit that Cataleya’s beauty transfixes me more than the world around us.
The more we spend time together, the more prevalent these thoughts become. Alex, my brother, tells me that I have all the hallmarks of an enamored man, but that’s not possible. I’m not in love.
“Feeling okay?” Cataleya asks, bringing her knees up to her chest. Her white sundress billows nicely in the breeze. “A lot on your mind, maybe?”
“Preparations for the wedding. Yeah.” I glance at my watch, realizing that I’ll soon have to go back to the castle for more discussions about the wedding details. If only I could shove these duties into the arms of someone else, I’d be a happier man for it. “But I’m glad we could spend time together like this.”
Cataleya laughs, wiping her blueberry-tinted fingertips on a napkin. “Same here. I think I’d be going crazy if we didn’t take some time away from the palace.”
Like me, Cataleya has been swarmed by planners, advisors, and assistants who want to help her nail down her vision for the wedding. After a while, the attention gets tiring. I understand that.
As the future monarchs of Solvaria, I suppose it’s good practice for the life ahead of us. Our fa?ade will be embraced with open arms once Cataleya becomes my wife. The papers and online forums are already buzzing with anticipation for the wedding.
It’ll only last a year, so soak it all up while you can.
“Three months to go, huh?” Cataleya muses, brushing her hand alongside mine as we stare out towards the ocean. “Seems like only yesterday I wanted nothing to do with you back in the States.”
“Change comes quickly,” I agree. “You’ve made the whole process a little bit more bearable. That’s probably because you know better than anyone else the obligations that are currently on our shoulders.”
“It’s a good thing you stuck with me, then,” she replies.
I raise a brow. “And why is that?”
“I don’t see anyone else being able to handle someone like you,” she says rather proudly, flaunting a sweet smile. “You’re the Crown Prince. By design, you’re an inimitable person. That’s a lot to deal with, and I don’t think any other noble girl would be able to handle this pressure without crumbling.”
Questions linger in my mind that I don’t vocalize, but I wonder where that sentiment is coming from. Does she truly think that I couldn’t find anyone else capable to take this position?
Or is it because she just doesn’t want to think about another woman by my side?
Caesar whistlesat the polished pair of black shoes that have been chosen for my wedding outfit. “My God. Can I borrow these for a night or two? I’d like to take Vivi out somewhere nice soon.”
Adjusting my cufflinks, I send my younger brother a quizzical look. “You’re asking to borrow my wedding shoes?”
“Oh, sue me for trying to look good.”
With the fanfare surrounding the leadup to the wedding, my brothers and their wives have immersed themselves into the planning as well. I let them help wherever they want to. More work for them is less work for me, and I have better things to do than to choose what shade of blue the napkins should be.
“Have you spoken to our father today?” I ask, trying to distract Caesar from slipping away with the shoes like the rascal he is. “He’s been up to something, I can tell. He’s not willing to talk about it, though. He always switches the conversation back to my wedding.”
“The whole world is talking about your wedding. Can you blame him?” Caesar asks. Finally, he leaves my shoes alone and takes a seat across from my study desk. “Last I heard, he was talking about flowers with Cataleya.”
Caesar laughs aloud, noticing how I keep doing and redoing my tie in the mirror.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous,” he says.
“I’m not nervous.”
“Maybe we should get Cedrick in here to check your blood pressure.”
Just as I’m about to tell him off for his juvenile comments, a knock comes at the door. One of my father’s men comes in and bows deeply. Then my father comes in, assisted by his walker. Caesar hops up from his seat and bows alongside me.
“Ah,” my dad breathes. “It’s so good to find you two here. Christian, I’ve had a lot on my mind regarding your wedding and I’ve been struck with a wonderful idea.”
“I’d love to hear it,” I reply. Caesar places his hands behind his back, sending me a wide-eyed look.
“Why don’t you and Cataleya register the wedding before the big day? I’ve already discussed the idea with her and she agrees.” My father grins weakly. “It’ll be a small occasion. Just family and friends.”
I should have known my father was up to something like this.
But I can’t fault him for that. In fact, I should thank my dad profusely. The whole world will get to see the spectacle of my wedding. A small ceremony will be just for us. Our eyes only.
“Father,” I begin. “That’s an amazing idea.”
And so, one week later, Cataleya wears a simple white dress to match my own white suit. Behind us, our families stand happily as we finish the exchange of vows. All of my brothers and their wives are here. Cataleya’s parents, Mariana and Samuel, both look like they are holding back tears. Samuel supports his wife with an arm throughout the whole ceremony.
“Now,” the priest declares. “You may kiss the bride.”
With a small smile, I turn to face Cataleya. She looks magnificent today. Humble yet modest, with a dress that brings out the beauty of her complexion. My father decided that the private royal gardens would be a good place for the occasion, surrounded by the sounds of the marble garden fountain and the soft tune of a harp.
Cataleya beams at me sweetly. As we lean in for the kiss, our families erupt into furious applause. I can only wonder how the public will react on the actual day. Visions of crowds swarming the streets, waving tiny Solvarian flags come to mind. A sudden sense of pride fills my heart.
Not only because I’m fulfilling my duty to Solvaria, but because I’m marrying such a wonderful woman. She’s the one who will stand beside me, who will take my hand, who will walk along with me as we wave to the crowds.
It will only last a year.
“Good job, Christian!” Ishmael flashes me a thumbs up from where he stands.
Caesar and Alexis both whistle while they clap, while Cedrick’s smile warms up my heart. My brothers are all thrilled with Cataleya, and from what I’ve heard, so are their wives. They have already organized lunch dates with each other. My sister-in-laws have been efficient at claiming my wife as one of their own.
My father steps forward, helped along by one of the servants. Cataleya and I meet him halfway. The King claps a strong hand on my shoulder.
“My son, I knew you’d make an excellent choice when choosing your wife,” he says. Then he turns to Cataleya. “You’ll be a wonderful Queen one day.”
The happiness, the smiles, the applause. Everything would be so much better if it wasn’t marred by the reality of Cataleya and I’s engagement. While everyone is convinced this is real, she and I know the truth.
Our knowing glances speak of untold realities that we can’t tell anyone else. And it hurts my heart to think that, one day, this will come to an end.
What if it doesn’t? It doesn’t have to end.
I swallow thickly, knowing that these thoughts are coming from deep within my heart. From a place that is deeply personal. In such a brief amount of time, Cataleya and I have been able to bond easily as a result of our hasty union.
During that time, I’ve convinced myself that there might be a semblance of something genuine between us. That there’s something more behind those easy smiles, brief gazes, and lingering touches that Cataleya gifts me.
We’re under an agreement, though. We aren’t supposed to fall in love with each other.
In a year, this will all come to an end. At least I’ll be left with these memories, reminding me that there was a time that we were all together. And we were all happy.