Constatina, Part VI

I followed Terom into a storage building right outside of the palace with my head down low, like a child who got caught doing something bad. My cheeks were burning. I already had enough on my mind, I really didn’t need this.1

When we got there, Terom lit a candle and turned to me. “What were you thinking?” He asked quietly but angrily. “Are you mad? People will notice both your abscences and talk.”2

“He pulled me outside forcefully!”3

“Ator is a kind man. He would never force a lady to do anything. My family is very close to his, and he wouldn’t ruin that friendship.”4

“So are you saying it was all my fault?” He shrugged, and my mouth dropped open. “How dare you! We are friends, too, like you and him, and I respect you!” Now he had gotten me all worked up about this, and I found tears falling down my face.5

“This isn’t just about you and me, Constatina, it’s about society. What will others say? Your reputation could be ruined, and I very well can’t marry you then.”6

I leaned against the door. He was right. As much as I wanted to yell and scream and cry, I knew he was right and I couldn’t change that. And now that there was a possibility that the wedding was off, I realized how much I didn’t want it to be off. I had grown accustomed to seeing him about once a week, and if we broke the betrothal, we would never be able to get close to each other again.7

Finally, I said, “But it IS about you and me. Do you believe me or not, Terom?”8

“I honestly don’t know.”9

I stared at him defiantely. “Well, then. Now I see where I stand with you. I suppose this whole time you thought me an idiot, a naïve, mindless young girl?” Trying not to cry, and holding my chin high, I finished with, “If the wedding is cancelled, I will not be the one regretting it. You have made a huge deal over a small misunderstanding, and refused to even consider that I might be telling the truth. You reap what you sow.”10

I walked away before he had time to say anything else.11

Later, I was in my mother’s bedchambers. She combed my long, raven black hair as I leaned over a good book. We sat in a comfortable silence until she said, “Lord Eldwyn came over earlier to talk to us, Constantina. He says Terom caught you in the gardens with another man last night. Is this true?”12

I sighed. I couldn’t lie to her, and we both knew it. “Yes. But it’s not what you think.”13

She paused on my hair only for the slightest moment, then continued as if nothing had happened. “Well…he said Terom requested the wedding be off. But, of course, all of us parents agreed that that is just not possible. So you two will have to mend this little disagreement you’re having.”14

I turned to her. “Disagreement? He hates me!”15

“Have you apologized?”16

I opened my mouth to say “of course”, but then stopped. Had I apologized? “I...I shouldn’t have to apologize. At least I won’t until he does.”17

She shook her head and continued combing. “That’s childish.”18

Weeks passed, and Terom and I said naught but necessary words to each other. Tomorrow was the big day. Tomorrow, finally, I would be married to the person I least wanted to see.19