Spicy Cinnamon Apples

Part 4
After wards

I had an interesting dream last night. It was one I had thought only males were supposed to get. I sigh and snuggle deeper into the deliciously silky feeling covers. The color blue is indeed very relaxing… wait.
I shoot up and look around. I’m still in the room… OH MY GOD I’M STILL IN THE ROOM! I roll to get out of the bed and promptly fall to the ground. I have become entangled in a knot of sheets. Growling I savagely rip the sheets off me, only to press them right back up against my chest when I realize I’m still naked! I look around for the red haired man but I am alone.

I stand on wobbly legs and walk over to my pile of previously discarded clothes. I grab the bundle and walk through the door I had noticed earlier. I had guessed right, it was a bathroom. I grabbed a small towel I saw and dipped it in the water pitcher. As I began to wipe off the fluids and blood on the interior of my thighs a felt drops of water hit my hand. Tears that I had tried to hold in since I had realized the dream was real escaped and cascaded down my face. Sobs and nausea arose in me and I sunk to the floor. I hugged my knees as I rocked myself and tried to stop the streams of tears and guilt.

When I finally calmed down, I rose and dressed myself as quickly as possible. I exited the bathroom and headed straight for the door. My hand grasped the knob but I couldn’t turn it. I took one last look at the setting of my shame and noticed a piece of paper on the edge of the bed. Ignoring protesting thoughts I walked over and grabbed the note and promptly tucked it into my dress. I didn’t care what it was, but I wanted to get out of here before I started crying again. I once again walked to the door, and this time, with no hesitation, I turned the knob and exited the room.

It’s been about a month since then. That man, that strange, beautiful man still haunts my dreams… and nightmares. I have told no one, I don’t think I ever will. No one had noticed me coming home; my parents had been too preoccupied with their hangovers to notice the late arrival of their daughter. Only the butler had noticed the time… and the tears. I passed it off as staying over with a friend and we had gotten into a little argument. He didn’t seem very convinced.

Everyday I struggled to hold in the my fear. I started to enthusiastically atten d every party and social event that I was invited to. My parents were pleased with my sudden change of heart and humble attitude. They must have thought I had my eye on some boy, and I did in a way.

The truth was I was terrified of seeing him. I would probably run the second I even caught a glimpse of him. His face and voice were burned into my memory. And yet I put on a brave face at every social gathering where I might meet him. I did this for one purpose; I wanted to know his name. I wanted to know his name, who he was, where he lived, all for the purpose that kept me going. Revenge.
I once again looked at the note he had left me. At least I assumed it was him who had left it, for it had no signature. It said;

Good morning my sweet honey! Sorry I had to leave so suddenly, I would have loved to spend more time with you, but I’m afraid I had urgent matters to attend to and certain people wouldn’t allow me to ignore them. So, I offer my deepest apologies for leaving you but I do not regret anything that happened. You are indeed quite unique my darling, and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together. ^_~ I hope to see you again if all goes as planned with my parents! Be safe getting home!

The cocky bastard!

And so I continued to ignore the dreams where I relived the moments where he was kind to me. Where he gently kissed me and whispered that I was special. Instead I focused on the pain and humiliation I had felt and still feel. Yet it has been a month and I have not seen nor even heard a whisper of a handsome red haired man. I was about to give up.

One sunny Friday afternoon my mother rushed to my room in a flutter. I had never in my life seen her look so happy. It was as if the king himself had sent for her. “Sweetie you won’t believe who we just received a letter from!” She said in an excited squeal. “Who mother?” I said monotonously, not curious at all. “The King himself” she screeched.

I stared at her. “What” I stated. “Its true” she gushed, her eyes sparkling. “We received a letter from the King that requests that you, your father, and I all go to meet with the King and his family!” Okay, now I was curious. “Why?” I asked. “Did we do something wrong?” “Of course not! I mean, I hope not” She said, the new idea seemed to startle her out of her happiness. There was awkward silence as we both contemplated any past actions that could be labeled good… or bad enough to receive an actual invite from the King.

“Oh, I’m sure its good news!” She said, her happy face back on. “Anyway, get yourself ready, and wear the most beautiful dress you own. In fact, we should go shopping! Oh my goodness what will I wear!” She seemed to forget all about me as her thoughts turned to herself. “Anyway, get ready; they want to see us tonight! We are leaving at dusk.” And with that she exited my room to go raid her closet.

I sighed, what in the world could the Royal family want to see us for? I was stumped. With another sigh I went over to my closet to pick out something to wear. Might as well look nice, it was the King after all.

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At dusk we left our mansion and headed toward the castle. Nervousness seemed to have taken hold over my mother’s vocal chords so we had a blessedly quiet walk to the Castle.

When we arrived we were promptly seen into the throne room. I swallowed nervously and walked behind my father, as if he could shield me from what was to come. When we reached the thrones we all bowed and curtsied in respect. “Arise Langfords, for you are welcome here!” The King said smiling. The three of us breathed sighs of relief at the happy tone in his voice. As we rose and I gazed at our rulers. The King and Queen were seated in fancy gold thrones and were dressed in extravagant robes. But that’s not what captured my attention. It was a red haired man who was standing proudly beside the King with very familiar blue eyes.

I couldn’t move. My body had turned to stone and all I could do was stare at him. His silky hair was braided back and he wore a fine black suit. He looked elegant and just as beautiful as I remembered. I shook my head and listened to the King’s words. “As you know, our son Prince Zelos is at a marriageable age and we trusted him with the choice of finding his own bride.” He nodded at my father. “Lord Langford, you are a well known member of this city and a trusted friend of many of my councilors. I am pleased to inform you, that my son has chosen your daughter to be his bride.” My parent’s excited words of gratitude and honor were not heard by me. The prince? Impossible. I had never even met the man. Unless… my eyes drifted up again to the red haired man. His eyes caught mine and he winked.

No…nononononNONONONO NO!!!! It couldn’t be! The air left my lungs; I bent over and tried not to faint. The prince, I had sex with Prince Zelos, I was raped by Prince Zelos. My vision grew fuzzy and I struggled to breath, which was made difficult by the fact that my mother was hugging me to death.
I was brought back to Tethe ‘alla to hear the King’s next words which were directed at me. “So my dear, do you accept to marry our son?” Everyone stared at me. I looked up at the Prince and saw a smirk on his face. Instant words of rejection leapt to my throat, I was about to let everyone in the throne room know what that smug bastard had done to me when I noticed my parents faces.

My mother had tears in her eyes. My father had never looked so proud in his life. Instantly I thought of the prestige and honor my family would receive if I accepted. Our family had worked our way up all the way from the slums to get to where we were. It was only in this past decade that they had finally achieved our high status in society. I knew if I didn’t accept, we would be disgraced and would end up right back where we started.

I looked down and held back tears. It wasn’t fair. Why must I sacrifice my life to a pervert for my family? Sure I would be a princess, and eventually a queen, but… I swallowed and wiped my eyes. “I accept your Majesty, thank you for this honor.” I graciously stated, and then I curtsied to them and to the Prince, my future husband.