Commited a Sin

Though it should be a difficult question, it took her only a second to find the answer. She didn't know if it was the right one or just impulsiveness, but that didn't matter. Right now, she felt like it was the most natural thing in the world, the only choice there was. She wanted to see Nathaniel happy.

"I swear that I will be that person for him. I will put him above..." Her voice halted when she suddenly remembered her revenge. The whole purpose why she stayed with him, the reason she came to the Capital, was to get revenge for her parents and the orphans in the woods. How could she forget about this? What if promising this meant giving up on revenge?

But that wasn't necessarily the case, was it? If he liked her just a bit, surely he would help her realize her goals, too. The one thing had nothing to do with the other. Despite this, she felt a bit guilty when she ended: "Put him above my former country."

"Wonderful!", the King exclaimed and shook her hand vigorously. It felt like the embrace of a big lion that couldn't regulate his strength. "That's the spirit! Then you don't mind marrying tomorrow, right?"

"Tomorrow?!", she shrieked.

"Exactly! In a few weeks, the war between our kingdoms might erupt, so you should marry before that. And it just so happens that tomorrow every noble of the Icelands is present to witness the medal ceremony! That's the perfect opportunity, don't you think?"

The King observed her expectantly. What reason was relevant enough in front of a king and his death-threat? Katherine had no choice but to agree with a forced smile. "Of course. Perfect."

As soon as the King nodded, Katherine realized: 'I'm dead either way'.

How the hell should she explain this to Nathaniel?! He was right to say she shouldn't come. It was naive to think she was safe here as long as they wouldn't kill her. Now she agreed to a marriage when she wasn't even a real betrothed to Nathaniel. If she didn't attend and pretended to be ill, this wouldn't have happened. Damn, Nathaniel would be so angry. Hopefully he would hear her out before he decided to never speak a word with her again.

And she herself was angry, too. While the King sounded like he was only worried for his vassal, he practically forced her to marry Nathaniel. He was restricting her freedom, misusing his power. He put her in a prison out of words and might, and she had no choice but to go inside willingly.

If not for her wanting to marry Nathaniel anyway, she would have stood up against the King, regardless if it made any difference, and regardless if he would kill her or not. Even now she felt the urge to fight him, but the few months since her parent's death had taught her to be more cautious. It wasn't always the best way to bluntly tell her opinion.

The King had let her hand go, but she didn't feel free anymore. She was worried for her future. With the eyes of the King on her, could she ever do what she wanted again? And how would her relationship with Nathaniel be affected?

They continued the dinner, but the food was bland in Katherine's mouth. The King wasn't the only one with his eyes on her. Everyone was stealing glances at her, and at least half of them seemed to be dissatisfied. Slightly amusing was that it was parted in table sides.

While everyone opposite her had dark faces - some weren't even caused by her directly, but by the neglectance they received - Aston's grin had become brighter, and the veiled Lady even patted Katherine's arm reassuringly.

"You passed", she whispered, the thin gauze moving with her breath.

Katherine didn't answer. Her thoughts had wandered into the future, and she dreaded every second of it. As soon as she entered the guest house, she would have to face an angry Nathaniel. He would again be the demon she first knew, and this time she really committed the sin she was blamed for.

She thought that she was strong enough to stand through this evening unchanged. She was wrong. Maybe before midnight she would have lost everything she had worked for. And with it, her heart and soul.

How could Nathaniel mean so much to her after such a short time?

"Lady Balder?" The soft voice of a woman broke into her thoughts.

"Yes?" She looked up, only to notice that the dinner was over. The cutlery was removed, the seats empty, and she was the last one remaining.

Blinking, she looked down at the lonely fork in her hand. He brain had been stuck in such a slump of despair that she didn't even notice she was eating air.

Trying to seem nonchalant, she slowly put it down and turned. The pitying eyes of the woman behind her showed her that it was for naught. But Katherine was only shortly embarrassed. The woman behind her was of such fragile beauty that it seemed nearly impossible.

The veiled woman had finally revealed her face. Before, Katherine had only seen the thin and graceful build, now she didn't wonder anymore what Aston liked on her. She just thought it was a shame how such a peerless flower ended up in the hands of someone who wouldn't treasure it the way it deserved it. Even as a woman, she felt the urge to protect and support her.

That was until she saw the slight wrinkles on the corners of her eyes and mouth, and shockingly caught grasp of the truth.

Aston didn't attend the dinner with his great-aunt and a pretty plaything. No, the woman on his other arm, the one that sat beside Katherine for the whole dinner, was his mother. It turned her picture of him upside-down.

"Expected someone younger?" the lover of the King asked amused.

Before she knew what she did, Katherine nodded. Then she blushed upon the improperness of her response, and added: "You are beautiful."

'I can understand why you caught the King's interest', she added in her mind. Aston's mother was the complete oposite of the poisonous flower that was the Queen. She was like a diamond in the dark, the pureness of her soul making her shine regardless of age. For someone who was caught in a net of intrigue and death like a King, it had to be irresistible.

The woman had a slim face and water-clear eyes, and when she laughed like she did now, one couldn't help but smile along. Katherine also did so, despite being in a bad mood seconds ago. "So you expected me to be young and ugly? My son must've made a bad impression on you."

Katherine blushed even harder. "I-I didn't mean it this way."

But the woman waved her hand carelessly. "Don't worry, I won't hold it against you. I know my son is not what you call an angel. His brother was much more like this in certain ways... Anyway, I hope you know what is waiting for you now?"

"What?", Katherine asked with a frown. She had hoped the day would finally be over, and she could face her impending doom. But it seemed there was more?

"Fitting your wedding dress, of course", the woman said innocently. "There is so much to do before the wedding. I don't think you will get much sleep. And of course, tradition forbids you to see your groom before the ceremony."

Katherine paled. How would she be able to explain herself now?