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Just seen that DesmondAsmr has his team! So happy for all the people he chose! So exciting so exciting!
I have writers block for the story you all want but I usually find writing another story help ideas flow so I will be writing and posting a new story on here! It’s going to be about an explorer/scientist who finds this magical island that others can’t see and he falls in love with one of the magical priestess… anyways can’t wait for your thoughts when I post it
Thanks to @themonotonysyndrome for Cute headcannon that Castin can play the piano but here me out, here me out
But what if Castin gets back to playing the piano after the incident with the rebels? Like since he's an Intacian Warrior he always has to go right( Following Chapter 4). All those horrible moments waiting for weeks when the rebellion happened. Sleepless Nights without his Baroness. Afraid of losing the one person that sees him fully for everything. And the last thing they did was argue....
Just the weeks even months after the rebellion, watching her sleep filled him with thanks to the Goddess for keeping her safe. Knowing that he could of lost her, that fear bubbling in the base of his mind, reminding him of his mother. Unanswered questions flooding in his mind like the endless grief of being alone.
"What if they took her?"
"What if i wasn't strong enough to protect her?"
"Why did we argue? Why did I yell at her?"
Moving away from the Baroness and out of the bed for something to drink. Anything would do if it would be quiet. Even for a little while. Reaching into the cupboard for Wine, feeling the cold glass against his finger tips. Something to help me sleep for a little while. Something to help me---. Something simmered in the corner of his eye. Something reminisce. A Matte black Piano. A Piano that held the memories of his wife on it. When he first played, sang to her with love that would clear that gray and black sky of the kingdom, he meant every word that floated around her. He meant it. Trailing his hand around the Piano still hearing her soft laughter and those eyes. As he sat down on the seat his fingers shook, stiff maybe even unable. Nervous? No never. Shy? Maybe so. Uncertain?. Yes, very. Grazing the keys, what would I play?. How would I play?. Gently pressing one of the keys Almost afraid to mess up, almost afraid to make things worse, it sang in a high pitch. Another. And another in a deep tone. It was horrid at first, leaving goosebumps on his skin. 'Goddess how long has it been?' He chuckled softly. As his pressed the keys one by one, hitting a few sour notes along the way a soft song surfaced through his hands into the music, echoing throughout the dull kingdom of black and gray. Closing his eyes a song he held behind the walls of fear was released throughout the room. He suddenly felt like he back in the crowded room, on his wedding. But seeing only her eyes and only her. No swords. No blood. No fear. Although he could feel the water flooding behind his eyes. A lump filling at the back of his throat, chin trembling and a soft hand. Opening his wet eyes, seeing those eyes full of love brushing at the tears that overfilled his. And a smile worth a thousand sunrises and every good or bad moment in their lives.
"And I'm gonna love you, like I'm gonna lose you"
Agaisnt The World Around Us
Chapter 5: The wedding
Clara snuggled her son relishing in the warmth his body gave as she read the words off the pages of the book she found in their small library in the village. Despite him being 13 she appreciated him still wanting to read to him and cuddle him when he wanted to spend time with her or in need of comfort. Castin silently followed along with his eyes, one almost swollen shut due to the fight he got into with boys much older than him. Clara hated how her sweet boy was treated among people in their village and she tried her best to make up for it by doing everything she could at home. “And then ‘swoosh’ Perseus swooped down on his flying horse towards Andromeda determined to save the chained princess from the sea monster ‘Cetus’ ”
She continued on with the story warmly smiling as Castin cuddled a bit more closer to her, drowned in the story escaping the day that he had.
“After the mighty Demi God slayed the horrid beast he took Princess Andromeda back to her father King Cepheus and asked for her hand in marriage-" “Ughhh!” Castin groaned loudly turning his head up the shift in the story. “Awe come on Cassie! All heroes deserve love-” “But he’s in his prime! He’s gonna throw it all away for some…chick!” Castin huffs crossing his arms over his chest suddenly uninterested in the tale. The young Castin grumbled to himself about how weak Perseus was. “What man would rather settle down instead of living a life full of honor!” Frowning Clara closed the book unhappy with her son’s thought process. “Who said it wasn’t honorable to be in love?” She questioned wanting to get down to the source of his disdain! “Only girls fall in love! It’s stupid and silly!” Castin went on. “It’s not manly at all!”
Appalled Clara scoffed “who told you all of this…horse shit?” She demanded snatching his chin and turning his face towards her. His eyes now softening he shrugs his shoulders feeling bad about getting his mother upset. “They say so! It’s not the Intacian way!”
Clara sighed mentally cursing those who put such an idea into her son’s head. “Cassie,honey, don’t believe to their bullshit! They are nothing but a bunch of miserable pathetic old men who are unhappy with their lives because they couldn’t manage to get a woman even of low standards to fall in love with their miserable asses!” Clara begins motioning Castin into her arms. Scooting back into his mother’s embrace Castin remained silent knowing that now it wasn’t the best time to cut in with his warped opinions. “Let me tell you my little love, you’re going to find a woman when you grow into a man and you’re gonna be so in love with her and her you because you deserve that! You’re by far better than those low life roaches who told you that it wasn’t manly to be in love-your father loved me very much!” She tells him hugging him closely. “And this woman you’re gonna find-she’s gonna be everything you’ve ever dreamed of-”
“Maaa! I don’t dream of girls!” Castin whined at the thought. “Oh please don’t lie to your mother! I wash your clothes!”
“Ma!” Castin groaned again, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
“Oh hush!” Clara chuckled softly pinching Castin’s side.
“My boy! You’re home!” Clara cheered rushing up to her son who now towered over her. A bright smile on his face he embraced her closing his eyes in relief now that he’s home and away from the camp that had too many funky bodies and none of his mother’s delicious cooking.
“I missed ya too, ma!”
“You better! The amount of time I stay up thinking and worrying about you!” She exclaimed letting go so she could do a look over of her son.
She tsked at his lanky figure “Are they not feeding you? What you have to be an official soldier to get a decent meal plan?!” Clara continued to fuss causing Castin to smile and laugh to himself at his mother’s behavior.
“Gisela! Isn’t that the boy you’re brother-”
“Shush!”
Castin developing keen ear picked up not to far from his home. His eyes catching sight of two girls around his age walking by huddled together as they peered over at him while whispering horribly.
“He’s cute! Maybe you should ask him out?”
“What?! What if he says no?”
Smirking Castin lifted a hand “Sup Ladies!” He greeted jerking his chin up in a nod. The two girls gasped then awkwardly laughed stopping their stroll now that there was an air of opportunity.
Frowning Clara glanced between the girls and her son. She studied the two before her eyes went from slits to calm within seconds.
“I’m sorry girls but my son here desperately needs a bath! Camp has lice!” Clara huffs looking at Castin’s hair full of disgust. “Yeah! Unfortunately that’s what happens with some soldiers in training!” She tells them shrugging her shoulders, ignoring the look her son was shooting her way. The woman shooed away the girls who held a displeased look on their faces.
“Maaa!” Castin cried dramatically raising his arms asking ‘why?’
“Trust me Cassie I’ve seen those girls buzzing like a hover fly in other warriors in training faces and I’ll be damned if you came home with something far worse than lice.”
Ushering her son into their house Clara began what Castin would refer to as rambling “I did you a favor! You need a girl who doesn’t get so excited over male attention! Someone who shares something you also love-like reading! Oh and she has to be sweet! You need a nice girl! To keep that heart of yours safe and full of love.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah Ma!” Castin rolls his eyes happy to be home. “I’ll be sure to marry her when I find her”
Castin stood tall at the alter his Commander suit felt like bricks anchoring him in place as his eyes were glued to the approaching figure in all white. He couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked making her way towards him, towards their future together, a one sided love. Ethereal is what came to mind as he saved this memory in his mind. Many years ago his mother told him and now it’s happening! He was in love! Goddess how he loved her. It plagued him! Turned every other woman into faceless humanoid creatures who could no longer sway him with their attention and empty affection.
His eyes only saw her, he only wanted her. Somehow she casted a spell and poof! He was her’s and she had no clue. That was the bittersweet part of this wedding. He was marrying the woman he loved while she was marrying the man she loathed.
Omorose barely spared him a glance as she stood emotionless at the alter beside him. Rhett shook his head throwing Castin a short look of disappointment at failing to win over the Baroness, before be started the ceremony.
“Today is one that will be marked in our new found history. Where two enemy nations set their hatred, division and differences aside to unite and become stronger together as one through the union of Intacian warrior commander Castin Hammer and Imperial Baroness of the coastal Empire Omorose Fentress. Bear witness as they commit themselves to each other and as their commitment serves as a bond between the Coastal empire and Intacia!”
A mixture of low groans and whispers creeped up once King Rhett finished the opening speech of the wedding ceremony.
In the coastal empire Weddings were a show. The richer you were, the higher or title the more elaborate your wedding is expected to be. Ballads were song, Dances were performed and the tales of both families histories were told high lighting where the union was a grand one. It was quite the cultura shock when Rhett went straight into asking
“Baroness, before the Goddess and everyone here do you take Castin to be your husband? Do you accept him as your partner and your equal for the rest of your life?”
“I do.” Her voice voided and empty as she sealed her fate, intertwining her life seconds before he did the same.
“And Castin, before the goddess and everyone here do you take the Baroness to be your wife? Do you accept her as your partner and your equal for the rest of your life?”
“Yeah…I do.” He said softly stealing a glance at her from the corner of his eyes. The empty look in her pretty honey eyes pained him to see. A consequence for him being a total ass.
“Then I king Rhett of Intacia and of the Coastal Empire bind you two together forever. Castin you may kiss your wife.” Rhett announced motioning him to step forward.
“Gladly!” Castin smirked.
Omorose mentally frowned as she was pulled into the kiss. She didn’t bother putting much effort into its Castin lead it.
While it brought Castin butterflies it brought Omorose nothing but disgust especially when he moaned into the kiss. And the sound of cheering and clapping only made her sour more.
Pushing him away she noticed the look of disappointment on her now Husband’s face.
“Hey you know you didn’t have to push me away like that towards the end.”
“You were getting carried away for something that doesn’t mean anything on a personal level.” She snipped maneuvering her dress around prepared to get far away from him as possible.
“Yeah you’re right…my bad. Kinda got carried away there.” Castin admits hoping she would be a little more kinder to him like she was with her close friends and Nina.
Rolling her eyes Omorose searched through the crowd for a familiar face she could socialize with instead of the husband she wanted to avoid.
Moving closer he asked “Look…could we at least dance?”
Throwing him a look Omorose scoffed her heeled feet carrying her and her long gown away as a frustrated Castin followed.
“Hey! Come on…look you’ve been doing this for months. I am your husband! Okay? You just can’t keep avoiding me.” He pleads wishing to reason with her.
Not bothering to entertain the thought Omorose kept walking.
Castin signed in frustration watching her go “Are you serious?!”
With her head held high Omorose was completely unaware of the power she held over Castin who suddenly felt like the rejected boy of his village once again. The feeling causing him to crave alcohol to wash away the ill feeling.
He might as well make the most of his wedding night! Nothing else was going to come if it but partying and drinking himself stupid.
As a heavy weight he took the nearest bottle offered to him and chugged as much as possible desperate for rejected feeling to disappear. Perhaps if he got drunk enough one of the Bar maids would start mirroring Omorose’s looks and his feelings for her even if he no longer thirsted for meaningless conquests.
At the kings table Omorose listened to Rhett go on about giving the scoundrel friend of his another chance. She didn’t see how it would matter now that she tied herself to the hound.
“Dun da da dun da da!” A drunk voice sung loudly as a guitar’s strings were abusely played.
“Of course.” She hissed seeing Castin standing on a
Table top dancing with one of the barmaids that were on the clock. He looked absolutely stupid in her eyes. An embarrassment.
Rhett cursed excusing himself to retrieve his friend before he made a bigger fool of himself.
“No!” Omorose told herself standing from her seat and swiftly leaving the party to her room. She couldn’t allow herself to stay and be humiliated by a man who seemed to lack any control or self respect.
Once in her room she kicked off her heels and made her way to her vanity. Staring at her reflection ‘Stupid! Stupid! stupid girl with a sympathizing heart for her country’s enemy! Look where that weak caring heart got you. Pathetic!’ She thought.
‘Married to a man who is known to fuck anything as long as it has a warm hole! A damn dog! Now you have to lay it a flea covered bed because you want to fix your family’s mistakes like the fool they tried beating out of you!’ Her mind continued to berate her. Her nails sunk into the flesh of her palms as she willed the horrid thoughts away. Tears gathering in her eyes as negative feels swept over her.
“You always knew you were damned to a loveless Marriage don’t act surprised now. It was practically a birthright. But you’re not going to allow that or him to define the woman you are. You’re stronger than that!” She tells herself sinking her nails further into her palms to stop herself from shedding a tear.
A shaky breath forced its way passed her lips as the feeling finally left her. Forcefully she smiled at herself in the mirror before pulling out her journal and pen.
Passing the time writing in it waiting for the party to end up staying dress in case Aurelia or Nina came looking for her.
Nina sighed from afar watching the whole interaction go down. In the pit of her stomach she felt a sense of regret for not pushing hard enough to get Omorose not to go through with the marriage. To her it was clear it was going to end in shambles quickly.
“Let me go see about that child of mine.” She says to a random intacian man that brought her over a drink.
“Yeah! Tell her I said ‘good luck’ cause it is needed.” He laughed taking the cup she handed back
She couldn’t get through the threshold of the banquet hall before she was stopped by the King.
“Nina wait! Let Castin go to her! He needs to.”
“You don’t think he burned that bridge and pissed on its ashes enough!” She questioned raising a brow.
Defeated Rhett knew she was right and couldn’t argue. Bowing his head tiredly he said “Let him try one more time. Maybe now that she’s his wife he would finally pull his head out of his ass.”
“Goddess willing…”
To entranced in her thoughts the sound of her bedroom door opening without her permission startled her. Within seconds her dagger she stashed on the underside of her vanity was in her hands ready for use.
Castin looked at the weapon then at her scoffing a little amused.
“Come on babe really a knife? If you were going to kill me you should’ve done it before our wedding! It’s a little too late now.”
Sneering at the man Omorose sat the weapon on the vanity and picked up her pen.
“Stop with that.”
“What? You’re my wife I can’t call you sweetheart?” He asked. His buzzed mind enjoying the attention.
“It was arranged! It’s nothing on a personal level so there’s no need for pet names.” She spat pressing her pen harder into the paper.
“Who care if it was arranged? You and I walked down the aisle that makes you my…” he trailed seeing her get upset. “Come on say it with me now” he laughs hoping to get more of a reaction out of her.
“We are one flesh serving one Queen sweetheart, get use to it.”
Closing her eyes Omorose lifted her fingers to her temples and proceeded to give herself a message.
“So are you planning on coming back down? I mean come on leaving your own wedding reception kinda early is tacky don’t you think?”
“Tacky?!” She couldn’t help but scoffed. “Yet you were embarrassing me!”
Taken back Castin screwed up his face “what?! How was I embarrassing you?”
“You’re excessive drinking.”
“Ugh it’s a wedding babygirl. People drink. It’s not that weird.”
“Encouraging drunk people to drink!”
“Ok sure people got a little drunk but once again it’s a wedding. When else,”
“And you’re rhythmless ‘dancing’ with the rhythmless Barmaids?”
“Hmm? What about the barmaids?” He asked not sure if he heard her right. She turned giving him the ‘you heard me’ look.
“Uh come on? No! No! You know that’s not what that was.”
“A tasteless rhythmless eyesore everyone was forced to watch! Not even a single drop in that bottle could spare you a half an ounce of grace for such a badly preformed sensual dance.” Omorose went on grimacing at the thought. “Or for the poor girl who tried so hard to catch the beat but couldn’t! Disgraceful!”
‘If you’re going to disrespect me and this marriage so soon you could’ve at least looked decent while doing so.’ She thought.
“Okay! So I’m social! Not everyone is as introverted as you.”
“So go be social!” She waved towards the door.
“Nah I’m staying here with you.”
“Besides the Queen bounced after you left and that was the only thing keeping the party going soo… I think we’re done.” He says loosening his collar.
“The Queen asked about you. Ya know.” He went on helping himself to a bottle of wine gifted to her by an imperial nobleman wishing her luck and voicing his disdain for not being the Groom.
“She did?” Omorose inquired curious as to why.
“Of course! You’re the Bride and you just dipped out of nowhere.”
“So did you tell her why I left?”
“Well I told her you and I decided to call it a night early because you were so eager to have your husband on your wedding night.”
The color in Omorose’s face drained at his words and audacity. Picking up her cup of old wine she chucked it at him with so much hate behind it.
“How dare you!” She hissed.
“Oh I’m sorry? Was that not what you wanted me to tell her?” He asked raving in her anger. It was the first time she spent more than a second on him he was lapping it up.
“Oh dag my bad. I mean if you would’ve just stayed you could’ve told her yourself.”
“Asshole.” Omorose grumbled her eyes like daggers as she glared his way.
She returned to her journal her handwriting turning sloppy as she jotted down what was needed to be recorded in it.
The squeaks of the facet and water running nearly made her blood boil.
“What are you doing?” She demanded not in the mood to continue with his fuckery.
“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m drawing a bath.” Castin stated obviously now growing tired of his wife’s attitude.
“Why?” She bluntly pressed him.
“Because I’m covered in sweat and wine and general party juices.”
“Not here.” She states wanting him out of her space
“Uh what makes you think I can’t?”
“Because I said so.”
“So you have a messed up attitude…that means I can’t be clean.”
“I don’t give a damn what you do as long as it’s not in my room?” Omorose replied
“Correction this is our room.” He corrected picking up a bottle of Omorose’s expensive oil infused bubble bath “and if I want to take a bath in our room I can do that.”
“Our room?” She asked in disgust. The night just kept getting worse.
“I mean you’re welcome to watch.” He smirks.
“I’d rather choke on the food I didn’t get to eat tonight.”
Annoyed at the whole ordeal Omorose thought of a way to piss him off like he pissed her off even if it was childish.
Shifting her dressed she sat herself more comfortably in her vanity chair picking up the book she was reading the night prior subconsciously scheming.
‘The window’ her subconscious pointed out. Curious if it would work she looked over to not only see through window but Castin.
Despite her feelings towards him she can admit that he was physically flawless when it came to his built and the scars marking up his body only added to his appeal.
Castin felt a boost of confidence seeing her look this way. He teased earning an eye roll. Turning back into her book Omorose pushed down the slightly embarrassment that crept over her.
Relaxed in the water Castin informed his wife of the Queen wanting them to ‘promenade through the garden’ so people could see them in the next upcoming weeks. Boldly he tried to suggest spending time outside of that request but was shot down with a dry “No”
“It doesn’t matter what you were going to say. The answer would’ve still been, no.”
Curious and a little bitter Castin grilled her on why.
“I have far better plans with far better company, that won’t cause me an exhausting headache.”
“Okaaay. The personal attack was kind of unnecessary. Who do you have plans with?”
“Lord Reyes.”
“Lord Reyes? Really? The dude from the Library?” Castin huffs remembering walking in on the two smiling and giggling to each other closely over something he couldn’t understand.
In sudden jealously Castin demanded “W-what do you have to do with him?”
Tiredly Omorose mouth turned smart “And you need to know because?”
“Seriously?” He gave her a pointed look. Shaking his head at her answer he decided to ask another question “oh so what is this Lord Reyes like?”
“What do you mean?” She countered dumbly.
“‘ What do you mean’ what do I mean? What do you think of him? Do you think he’s handsome?”
“As a matter of fact I do! Not that it matters since this is a fake marriage!”
Pissed off by her last sentence Castin corrects her in a low tone “This is not a fake marriage. It’s an arranged marriage.”
Seeing the displeased look and hearing him let out a breath, Omorose believed that their conversation session for the night ended.
Standing she looked over at him with her arms crossed over her chest.
“What?” He asked dejectedly.
“Can you hurry up.” She demands wanting to wash this lack luster day off.
“Relax there’s plenty of hot water. I’ll be out soon. You’ll get your turn.”
“Well make it real soon.”
“How about this the more you tell me to hurry up the longer I stay in here.”
Not happy with that she looked back at the window and made her way over to it. “What are you doing?”
Unlatching the widow she slid it open inviting the cold night air to creep in like fog.
“Are you serious?!” He raised his voice not believing she could be so childish.
“It’s freezing! Can you close that please?”
“No I’m getting a sudden flash of heat! Must be the dress…”
“So petty.” He grumbles “Fine!” Castin stood up from the water without warning.
With a cringe Omorose adverted her eyes hearing the water splash and puddle on the floor.
Sensing she still wasn’t happy Castin once again asked “what? You got what you wanted. I’m out! It’s all yours.” He motioned to the tub.
“Good now leave!”
“No I’m not leaving.” He retorts drying himself off
“You didn’t leave me I got in!” He pointed out.
“It’s different!”
“How’s it different?”
Rolling her eyes annoyed at that fact she couldn’t think of a solid answer.
“Go ahead do your thing.”
“Not around you!”
“Don’t worry sweetheart. I’m going to bed I’m not looking at you.”
Omorose stayed glued to her spot watching as he got into her bed much to her disliking. His face turned away from her and stayed that way. Taking in a gulp of air she unzipped the seamless zipper and allowed her gown to pool around her revealing the white lacey thong she wore underneath.
Worried he would turn to sneak a peak she quickly got in the tub thankful that it was a heated and filtrated model but the cold air still bit at her. Splashing at the water she wordlessly got Castin’s attention who was tired of her and her shit.
“What! What do you want now? What do you want me to bring you?”
Pointing over to her vanity Castin glanced over to see her book lying opened on the page she left off.
“Your book? Naw you shouldn’t have left it there.”
“Why not?” She pouted sinking into the water.
“Because I’m already comfortable. Besides! Didn’t you say you didn’t want me to see you?”
Grimacing at him quoting her she lets out an irritated groan.
“Just bring me the book please?”
Puffing out air Castin got up from bed “Fine. If you say so.” He shrugs crossing the room to get to her vanity. He picks up the book telling himself to not be disrespectful enough to sneak a peak.
“Can you close the window?” She requested since he was up now.
Agreeing since he too was cold Castin made the extra journey to close the window before he noticed that the fire was low in the fireplace.
“Hey that fire is getting kinda low don’t you think?” He pondered out loud. “Where do you keep the wood?”
Raising her arm she pointed towards the corner closest to the fireplace her eyes not leaving her book once it was handed to her.
Castin hurriedly tended to the fire wanting to get back to bed since his alcoholic buzz left his system completely now. He turns but the way that the moon light casted itself over his wife caught his attention and he couldn’t but to see her in all of her glory.
“My Goddess…” he gawked his mind already capturing and saving the image to his memory like a camera. “Now that’s a view worth getting outta bed for.”
Out of anger and loss of dignity Omorose kicked her leg up at a certain angle getting water all over Castin landing her into a predicament that from sour to sweet.
For the past few months, she's been working so hard to keep the wall she built up between her and Castin.
A wall she knowingly built brick by brick after each distasteful encounter she had with the army commander to protect her, her feelings, and her time. A wall that was crumbling slightly as she watched him, her newly married husband, and his hard exterior fall in front of her as he asked her
"Please just tell me why do you hate me?"
Her heart softened just a bit at his cracked exterior but she hid it behind her voice as she spoke "So the embarrassing me with the lingerie gift you gave me the time you ever met me slips your mind-"
Castin opened his mouth to speak but the fierce glare made the words he wanted to say faltered into sounds "I- sorry no! Go on." He apologized
"I've tried to get to know you Castin but each attempt showed me what type of man you are. A dipso, egotistical rake who hangs around degenerates who think and acts the same way! The way you automatically viewed me as an object you could have the pleasure of fucking! Why wouldn't I hate you?" Omorose wailed tearing her watery eyes away from Castin's crestfallen face.
The young wife hid her face back in her book shakily admitting
"Too many people-Men and women view me the same way...it's degrading to know that instead of acknowledging everything I've done, all that I have accomplished they-" Omorose bit her lip, pushing back the sob that almost slipped.
"I'm very well aware of the fact that people want me in their beds. It's hard not to notice Castin! I promised myself at the age of 15 that I would wait and fall in love with someone who wanted me entirely and not just for my body but I failed! I failed myself when I agreed to marry you for the sake of the new kingdom. And now I'm stuck being the trophy wife to a man that saw me as a glorified sex doll the first time he ever saw me! That's why I hate you."
Her words and the sound of her voice cracking broke Castin's heart. The last thing he wanted was to hurt the woman he was in love with and moving forward he would be damned if he knowingly did so.
Castin took a deep breath. Every word his wife whimpered out processing in his mind. "I-I'm really sorry." He apologized the words he wanted to say, the things he wanted to confessed jumbled in him.
"Can I just um... can I ju-just think for a second? Thanks." He asked catching a glimpse of Omorose's pretty honey-colored eyes gloss over with vulnerable tears that gathered at her water line.
He finally got his answer and it left him speechless, seeing her push back her tears over it left him aching.
He was among a group of people that Omorose loathed but had to silently deal with instead of the people she felt at peace with and that tore him apart inside.
"Look. That's not me! Okay. Ev-everything you said…that isn't me." He started
Omorose scoffed pulling her knees closer to her chest "That is not you? The man you've been since I met you isn't you?!" She rolled her eyes causing a single stream to fall down her face.
"No, no I-I know I-I know I have a reputation! Okay?
Th-th-the brawling, the drinking, and just…generally being a rake but, that's not me! Okay?" He stressed hoping she was listening to him and was actually taking his honest confession to heart. "That's not the man I want to be" he paused searching for a reaction but received none. "Look I-I know I may not be explaining this well but," Castin's trailed off staring at the book cover held in Omorose's delicate hands. The ring on her finger shone under the dimmed light, the same one he placed there only a few hours ago catching his eye.
'Rhett is right.seems like he's always right. Castin thought, thinking back to the advice Rhett gave him before ordering him up to his new room in the palace.
"Drop the manly Intacian act. Be yourself Castin!
That is exactly what won me the Queen's heart, and it can be the same for you."
Taking another deep breath Castin prepared to drop the one thing he felt protected behind, the wall that shielded him these past years, all in hopes that Omorose his wife saw him in a different light.
"You know I really did read that book. When I was a kid...I wasn't just-trying to have something to say…okay? I-I really like that stuff." He awkwardly stated.
Omorose peaked over her book after listening to Castin struggle with his words and it made his heart skip a beat.
"Look I don't know how to explain it alright. I just feel like there's me everyone else sees and then there's the me that's really.me and the me that everyone else sees I hate it okay? I'm not that guy!" He admits feeling a wave of mixed emotions wash over him.
"Then why do you act like that? Why pretend to be someone you hate?" Omorose questions putting the book down entirely. Wanting to understand why someone would torture themselves like that.
"Because I-... I-I don't know. I was different when I was I-I was like you and then being a warrior in Intacia i-it's it's just different. You have to be strong and respected. You have to fit in." He explained feeling slightly smaller under her stare.
"Look! It's all really confusing to me... but every time I look at you it's clear. The man that I want to be is the exact type of man you would fall in love with. You remind me of everything I really care about of-of who I was back then- n-no no of the man I know I still am.
I-I just need your help."
Omorose felt her eyes soften at the stuttered admission, the honesty in his voice and the look in his eyes shined a new light over him. She cast her gaze to the ceiling contemplating whether she could forgive him and let go of her grudge she had against or not.
"I-Look, I know I screwed up. I'm used to charming people to get my way and I tried to do it with you with all the gestures and all the flirting and I'm sorry.
That's not who I want to be anymore." Castin said following her gaze
"Hey look at me. I want to change." He says looking into her eyes once she looked back at him.
"For you. I just need you to show me how. Just please give me a chance." Castin begged, moving closer to Omorose who's heart speed up as her husband leaned in to kiss her.
The Baroness has never been in such an intimate moment before, she guarded herself well before getting married and now without any experience or idea of what to do in that moment besides kissing him, she felt even more vulnerable. And when he whispered that he wanted more against her plump lips she felt a flutter in her tummy. A mixture of excitement and anxiety as her smothered voice asked "sex" between kisses.
"No! No! I don't mean like that. I mean-" he broke into a light-felt chuckle " No I do want you like that. I really do but, I-I don't just want to you physically okay? I-I love you an-and before we do anything I need to know that you're really into trying to make Because if you're not and this is just some heat of the moment thing for you then I-I can't cause it's not just that for me and I don't think it ever will be... so please don't go through with this and then hurt my feelings later."
Omorose could feel it in her heart that she forgave him right then and there in his vulnerable state, asking her not to hurt his feelings and string him along. Something she would ask something she would say.
"Are you for real about this? Am I your husband or just some warrior the Queen forced you to marry-"
Omorose stepped out of her character, reaching up to grab Castin's face to kiss him. It surprised him for a second, feeling her soft lips on his. Though a bold action he could still tell that it was a shy gesture.
"You and me," Castin said pulling away and placing a kiss on Omorose's forehead. "Let's just start over?"
He smiled softly going in for a kiss
"Okay." Omorose softly agreed.
Oh to be a gorgeous little book nerd that gets slutted out by her hot warrior husband on the daily cause he can’t seem to bare keeping his hands off her!
Against the world around us
chapter 3
The rewrite
Water trickled down the smooth soft curves as Omorose stood up from the lukewarm water. She had hoped that the hot bath would ease her mind before she had to make her way to the ceremony where she would meet her potential husband. A total stranger she had to decide if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Left to her own devices the relaxing water didn’t stand a chance against the moment that awaited her. A moment she had to bare alone. Aurelia had left to the Empire due to some important issues but apologized before she had left and Omorose’s loved ones wouldn’t be in attendance. She couldn’t gather enough courage to send word that she had agreed to an arranged marriage to a stranger. The tongue lashing she would’ve received from Nina alone made her fear the idea.
A soft knock brought the Baroness out of her thoughts. Quickly she stepped out of the tub, water pooling at her feet as she reaches for her plush bath robe.
“Baroness!” A voice called from behind her door.
“Just a moment!” She huffed out tying the soft material to her body.
Soon the door opened revealing a middle aged woman that held an arm full of fabrics.
“King Rhett sent me! He wanted you to be dressed in traditional Intacian clothes for the ceremony.”
Allowing the woman into her room the Baroness pointed a manicured finger to the gown that laid out on her bed.
“I already have my gown picked out.” Omorose states closing her bedroom door.
The older woman studied the gown picked out by the Baroness. It was floor length, made of expensive silk in the color of white, the dress featuring a silver beaded sleeveless corset top with the beading trailing down to the rest of the gown and gleamed under the soft light.
“It’s a beautiful gown your Grace, but, king Rhett-”
“I’ve already decided! He’s picked out everything else. Let me have this.”
Twisting her lips shut the handmaiden set the contents in her arms onto the foot of the bed.
“Fair enough but, the veil is required.”
She informs the Baroness picking the thick material from the pile of other fabrics. Seeing the veil Omorose mentally groan but,kept quiet out of respect.
“You’re expected down there in an hour or so and you can’t be late.” The handmaiden stated leading Omorose to her vanity “And you’re nowhere near ready!” She added forcing the young woman down into the seat.
“This hair will take up majority of our time!” The handmaiden fussed gathering all of Omorose’s luscious curls into a make shift ponytail.
“Ever thought about straightening it. would save you tons of time!” She went on to say starring at the heap of hair in annoyance.
The Baroness loathed the idea of ruining her curls for a straighter look. The smell alone made her sick to her stomach! The thought brought back the memories of her being forced into the chair of the long time employed hair dresser who took their time parting sections into her hair and going over each with a hot metal comb. Her mother smiling in the corner making backhanded compliments.
“I prefer my hair in its natural state.”
“Really? It’s quite unruly.”
“Despite what you think I believe it adds to my beauty.”
Frowning the handmaiden watched the Baroness easily tame her hair. Her comb gliding through thanks to the method of wetting and moisturizing her strands and combing from the ends to the roots. It took less than what the handmaiden believed it was going to take.
“Perfect!” Omorose smiled applying a cream that rejuvenated her curls.
“Well at least allow me to do your face! King Rhett didn’t send me here to be a wallflower.” The handmaiden insisted.
“King Rhett! Presenting first army commander Castin Hammer!” Was announced silencing the whole room.
Shamelessly Omorose, stared at the tall dark haired man, who wore a cocky smile on his handsome face. His bright blue eyes were filled with a light mischievous gleam. Castin stood tall a few inches off from king Rhett it was more built from the constant work of being a commander.
Heart racing as he peered down at her with such a characteristic look. She nearly developed a childish crush on him right then and there. She could tell he was a charmer but his down fall was quickly revealed to be his cockiness.
That was the only thing that could explain why Castin felt bold enough to gift the Baroness such a skimpy gift during their first real meeting and in front of so many witnesses.
After the removal of her veil, the gasped of shock confirming that Rhett made the right decision when it came to the bride, Rhett thought the Ceremony would go smoothly. Castin would make his proposal, offer his gift and the Baroness would accept leading to everyone celebrating the official engagement between two people and two nations. It quickly soured with Castin’s boyish behavior and Omorose’s reaction to it all.
Omorose’s heart went from racing to a complete stop hearing the humiliating sound of laughter. She couldn’t hear anything other than the laughter. It made her eyes sting and a limp form in her throat she couldn’t swallow. The movement of Castin’s lips explaining his crude gift was clear as day and slowly turnt her humiliation into rage. Her hand flew up making contact with his face. The harsh slap jerked Castin’s head to the side leaving him shocked.
Cursing under his breath Rhett took a hold of the situation hushing Castin while trying to calm the Baroness down. The night ending with Rhett watching Omorose angrily leaning after their short discussion where he got her to see a bit of reason as to not back out of the arranged marriage idea.
“I need this delivered before the early morning.” Omorose demanded pushing the envelope into the royal carrier’s hands. Her voice horsed and her eyes red and puffy. The carrier looked concerned. It was four hours after the sunset there was no way it would be delivered on time.
“I’m sorry your Grace-”
“You don’t understand! Either this letter gets to the Fentress estate by morning or I’m leaving here tonight and arriving there by morning. Take it up with you king.” She tells the carrier not sparing them a chance to get another word in as she turned away determined to get back to the confinement of her room.
By midnight a knock sounded on her door this time King Rhett’s voice was heard.
“The letter was sent by air. It should get to your estate before the sun rises.”
Omorose relaxed a bit hearing that and began resting her tired eyes still wet with tears but Rhett continued.
“Baroness, I would like to invite you to breakfast so we can further discuss the arranged marriage.”
“I’ve already made up my mind! Pick another suitor or find another Imperial who is actually willing to put up with that sleazy dog you call a friend!” Omorose spat then whispered “which would be impossible. We were all raised with self respect” under her breath.
“Please, I know Castin made a horrible first impression but he is still the best choice-”
“That’s insulting to the rest of the Intacian men, no?”
“He’s a good man!”
“Foolishness! Who am I? Savannah?”
Confused as to who Savannah was Rhett chose to ignore that and continue with his pleading.
“I understand your frustration but, please Omorose hear me out over breakfast tomorrow.”
Closing her eyes Omorose sucked in a breath before releasing it in an attempt to calm herself
“I refuse to be made a fool of twice-”
“It won’t happen again! I swear on my life.”
Giving in Omorose reached for her pillow covering her face to middle her scream as she cursed herself for doing so.
“Fine… but, if I regret this there will be things far worse than hell you’ll have to deal with.”
Since the moment Amara gave the last push, heard the first cry of her baby and turned from it Nina stepped up. Still covered in blood and other fluids Amara took the tiny bundle away to care for her. Taking the role of mother without the title. Constantly having to hold her tongue when Kendrick and Amara made decisions she didn’t agree with for the young girl cause they were her actual parents and Nina was just a servant who took care of the actual tasks of a parent.
Nursing, nurturing, cleaning, comforting, dressing,protecting, speaking life into their Omorose. She was far more a mother than the woman that bore the child. Far more of a father that impregnated the woman that bore the child. Despite the social norms and what society thinks Omorose was Nina’s daughter in Nina’s eyes. She knew that girl like the back of her hand. There was no secrets of Omorose’s that Nina wouldn’t keep, no fears she wouldn’t ease out of the Young Baroness’s mind. They were tied in a bond meant for mothers and their daughters. A sacred connection that didn’t have to develop over nine months with an umbilical cord attaching them together.
So when Nina got the letter in the late night she was on an Air ship moments later heading to Intacia.
Her mind racing with different thoughts.
‘Now she wants me there, foolish girl.’
‘why did she even agree?! Foolishness! She was taught better! And this pig headed idiot! Lingerie? Was he raised in a brothel! Who convinced this man that lingerie was a good gift for a first meeting! A whore would’ve been over the moon perhaps but someone like Omorose!’ Nina sucked her teeth glaring a hole into the wall in front of her. She couldn’t wait to set that boy right. Clearly he needed to be set right and so did Omorose.
“The Baroness is expecting you later in the day-”
“Take me to her now!”
“I can’t do that! She’s in a meeting with Commander Castin at the request of King Rhett.”
Nina’s eyes felt like it lit a hungry flame on the Palace servant’s skin. “Oh another meeting with the philandering Commander so he can offer her something more crude? When will the line be drawn?” Nina questions “After he gifts her with a replica of his cock? A useless little paper weight that would be.”
“The king gave strict instructions-”
“Your king clearly lacks intelligence!”
“There’s no need for disrespect-”
“Oh what gotten enough of it last night at the expense of the Baroness?” Nina hissed rolling her eyes. “Take me to her now or I swear by the Goddess-”
“Nina I assume?” Rhett cuts in finding his way into the grand foray when another servant went to get him.
“Omorose? Where is she?”
Rhett nodded sensing the no nonsense attitude the woman held.
“The Baroness agreed to try and get to know Castin alone-”
“You left my Rosie, in a room with a rabid horndog?”
“He won’t do anything unless she asks for it? Castin may be many things but he is not the type to hurt women in that nature.” Rhett assured.
Nina let out a humorless laugh as she walked towards Rhett.
“Take me to her now! Or I will turn this palace upside down!” She threatens throwing in a few Intacian curses for added measure.
Taken aback Rhett raised an eyebrow “you’re Intacian?”
“And proud!”
“And you’re still serving the Baroness?”
“Serving?” Nina spat feeling insulted.
“I never served Omorose! I raised her.”
Rhett couldn’t believe his ears “Did you say raise?” He asked not believing it. An Imperial raised by an Intacian.
“Since her mother gave birth I’ve raised her! Since she was mere seconds old!”
“This might change everything-”
“King Rhett…it sounds like Commander Castin has upset the Baroness once again.” A servant announces waiting for the King to following him up to the room where he left the two.
“Damn it Castin!” Rhett huffed turning his full attention on getting to that room before anything worse could happen. Nina followed closed behind eager to see Omorose and talk some sense into her.
Opening the door Rhett took note of the Baroness pissed expression as she stood from her chair while Castin still sat in his nonchalantly.
Rhett tried to get a sense of what made the Baroness so angry while apologizing profusely to the young woman.
“I’ll accept the proposal!” Omorose announced refusing to look in Castin’s direction. Her announcement shocking everyone.
“Finally.” Castin sighed rolling his eyes causing Rhett to glare at him fiercely. “You’ll marry him?”
“Only for the sake of the kingdoms. This marriage will hold no other purpose besides that.”
Dumbfounded Rhett spilled words trying to get the Baroness to list to him but his voice fell on deaf ears.
Nina quickly followed Omorose her fingers reaching out to harshly pinch her side like a mother would do to her misbehaving child.
“Ow! Nina! Stop!” Cried Omorose as they turned a corner.
“Marriage! Rosie? You agreed to marry that… that” she trailed off trying to think of an insult.
“For the kingdoms Nina! To unify the kingdoms.” Omorose pouted rubbing a smoothing circle where she was pinched.
“I didn’t ask you here to scowl me for agreeing to marry that bastard! I asked you to be here because going through it alone was too much to bare last night and I can’t bare to continue without you.”
The scowl expression melted from Nina’s face as she pulled Omorose into a hug. “You don’t have to sacrifice yourself to right your parents wrong Rosie! I know that’s the only reason why you agreed.”
“If not me then who?” Asked Omorose peering at Nina’s now soft expression.
“Anyone but you! You deserve more than a man that gifts you lingerie during your first meeting! You deserve a man that will respect you from the beginning.”
“That may be true but setting things right is more important than a fairytale man.”
“I regret teaching you to be selfless. I should’ve let you be influenced by your parents selfishness instead.”
Laughing Omorose rolled her eyes before looping her arm around Nina’s.
“We have much to catch on.” She tells her mother figure as she lead her through the halls to her room.
For those who already listen to the new update to Castin’s and The Baroness’s story! I wish tumblr would allow us to have a group chat to fan girl and share ideas and thoughts and theories!
I wrote a little 🥵🔞 between Castin and my Oc Omorose! It’s not perfect!
Next chapter is coming soon
Castin randomly showing up to one of the meetings Omorose has to attend (right before the meeting starts)
And seeing how stressed she looks excuse them to a private room to ‘talk’ but instead of talking he tells her to relax and let him help her relieve some of her stress as he hikes up the bottom of her dress and slips his hand in her panties. His fingers ghosting over her folds teasingly as he gets her to relax her back against his chest.
“Be a good girl and let me take care of you,” he kisses her neck before mumbling “I can tell you need it”
Once she grew wet from his teasing he began rubbing her clit in nice tight circles, snickering when she quickly covered her mouth when a moan slipped out. “See! You need this!” He jokes. Gently he nudges her to look up at him by soft holding her neck in position
“Need to be a good girl and spread your legs for me cause you need my fingers in you don’t you? Need your husband to help you orgasm so your head can feel lighter. I know…there she is! My good little wife.” He cooed starring down into Omorose’s honey eyes who stared back at him with a mixture of need, lust and love, Castin knew how to make her feel small and delicate something she needed when she’s expected to be this huge figure in both the empire and Intacia.
“Ohh!” Castin begins in a teasing tone as he leans down to kiss his wife’s forehead. “Your pussy is gripping my fingers nice and tight baby.”
Omorose leans more into her husband her teeth biting into her bottom lip as she enjoys being finger fucked by her husband.
“Beautiful,” he praised taking in the sight of pure pleasure replacing the stressed out look on her face,
Soon enough the orgasm Castin knew she needed was seconds away. The needy little whimper she let out was a dead giveaway.
“You don’t need permission, sweetheart just let go for me.” He tells her keeping his pace.
Not even seconds later was he swallowing her moans in a needy French kiss and going back to rubbing her throbbing clit as she hang in between a euphoric orgasmic state and reality.
Castin quietly laughs to himself as he broke their kiss to trail more kisses over her cheek and neck as he waited for her to calm down.
“Hmm can’t wait to have you in my bed! Get you really moaning and whispering for me. ‘Daddy!’” he teased mockingly moaning the same way he swears his wife does.
Pouting at her husband’s teasing Omorose smacked her hand against his chest causing him to laugh louder.
He helps her fix her dress but not before he tapped her soaked panties with his wet fingers.
“Be a good little wife and keep those panties nice and wet for me and I’ll reward you later on…tonight.”
Against the world around us
The rewrite
Chapter 1
They say being happy over someone’s death says a lot about how you were treated by that person or it gives away what type of person you are. As Omorose sat at the head of her family’s table watching as the servant of her family’s estate sat around in the grand custom made chairs that lined the polished white marble table positioned in the middle of the spacious dining room. All talking with light expressions, no care in the world, no stress, no judgmental overbearing eyes peering harshly down at them with harsh comments and demands following close behind. Omorose thought herself to be cruel sitting there at the head of the table-her father’s seat without any one of sadness, remorse, or any feeling of lost. It’s been a week since the imperial navy knocked on the Fentress estate to give their condolences over lost parents that never loved her. The news of her parents being lost at sea never to be found shook her to her core but that feeling soon left like a sudden chill going down your spine and was replaced with the overwhelming weight of her parents standards and expectations lifting off her shoulders. The now official Baroness felt lighter. So much so that everyone has been commenting on how brighter she looked.
So as she Sat at the head of the table eating her second plate of what the chef prepared- a simple act that would’ve had her mother scowl and unapologetically torment for- the Baroness found herself in pure joy and contentment because instead of sharing the massive table with two cold hearted people she shared it with people who made her feel warm and safe to be who she really is.
“I don’t know how you’re going to survive the memorial tomorrow, Rosie.” Omorose’s old nanny commented after the head butler joked about how many suitors visited in such a short time span to give the same regurgitated ‘sorry for your lost’ speech hoping to be invited in to stay and comfort the ‘grieving’ gorgeous noble woman. No doubt those suitors would show their faces hoping to win over the Baroness.
“Suffer and wish for the day to end,” Omorose joked digging her fork and knife into the spot buttery scallop potatoes that side dishes alongside garlic roasted Brussel sprouts to the main dish: blacked salmon.
“There was a time when flirting with someone while they were in mourning was heavily frowned upon.”
“Back when morals were in standard practice” comes the house keeper to the stable hand.
“The younger generation!” Scoffed the head butler Malcolm who rolled his eyes as he brought his glass of wine to his lips.
“Don’t know what from what but always thinking they’re running the show”
“Don’t know what from what not always thinking they’re running the show”
The table chuckled at the duo as the Baroness smirked amused after she mocked the man who was somewhat a father figure when she needed it most.
“I don’t think we’re all that helpless,” added Omorose pushing her not finished plate away so she could rest her chin on her palm.
“Thanks to Nina,” Malcom pointed to the elderly lady who took care of Omorose soon after Amara gave birth “You were raised with morals and sense! Can’t say the same for the rest of your generation,”
“Hey! Exclaimed the Rhodes triplets. Mouths full of food causing the table to groan in disgust.
“Proving my point exactly - and under 5 seconds too."
“The older generation I tell ya!”
“Always so damn judgmental…” The second born continued.
“And their heads are always up their—”
“No respect, no dessert!” Nina scowled pointing her fork at the three boys who are thick as thieves among themselves. Her simple threat settled the trio quickly.
“Let me guess Ceci made their famously delectable cheesecake?
“The only way I knew how to calm everyone before tomorrow’s…festivities,”
Nina quickly follows the Baroness into her room asking “How are you really feeling, little rose?”
Omorose rolled her honey brown eyes at her fussing nanny
“My parents are gone and I’m officially the youngest Baroness in the imperial court. Expected to continue the support given by my parents to a war I never supported. On top of that I’m prey—more so now than ever to a bunch of ‘hungry’ men and women who only want to climb the empire’s social ladder while gaining a pretty little trophy wife they can have on their arm,” she listed of everything that plagued her while she kicked off her shoes and threw herself on the soft cushions of the sofa in her junior master bedroom.
“And because I’m an imperial woman I have to marry one of those oafs who doesn’t care about my brilliant mind and everything I stand for,” the gleaming light in her honey eyes faded as she meant on.
“No! They concern themselves with how to persuade me into their beds because they only care about how attractive I am in their eyes—it’s humiliating! Like I’m nothing more than my body,”
Sensing the sudden mood change Nina made her way over to the sofa moving Omorose so her head could lay in her lap. “You’re more than just beauty …You know that right?” Nina questioned tangling her thick callous fingers into Omorose’s thick soft curls.
“Well of course! But I don’t want to be with someone who is only satisfied because of my beauty but I must. It’s what we nobles do! Get married to people who doesn’t give a damn about us, become an alcoholic, have a child and then years down the line get lost at sea…”
“You’re not going to end up like your parents,” Nina assured
“Being in a loveless substance abusing marriage is the imperial way.”
Dinner plates classed as they were removed from the table. In the low light Rhett grabbed a hold of Aurelia’s hand stroking the back of it gently with his thumb. Seeing the soft gesture the ‘play boy’ of Intacia ‘awed’ before downing the rest of his drink. Rhett looked away from his wife towards his best friend,a soft smile on his face “what?”
Castin shrugged his shoulders pouring himself another drink “Nothin’… just wish I had what you two have …seems warm and I don’t know …fulfilling,”
“You?” Rhett began with a chuckle “You want to settle down? With a wife? Committing to only one person for the rest of your life? You?”
“Don’t think I can?”
“Honestly brother, you’ve built quite the reputation. I don’t think any Intacian woman would entertain you with the thought of marriage,”
Castin rolled his eyes at the mention of his infamous reputation “so I’ve had a load of experience and practice! At least she won’t ever be left unsatisfied ,”
“I think the fact that you’re the commander of the first army at your age trumps your…reputation. If anything you can marry one of those…what are they called?” Aurelia tapped her chin pretending to think. “Trash chasers!” She calls out with an amused smirk.
“Tag chasers? Nah they aren’t the marrying type,”
“And you are?” Aurelia retorted scoffing.
“Yes and I probably would’ve been if I wasn’t dealing with your fellow imperials—”
“We aren’t all bad—”
Yeah right! They only got lucky with you,”
“Castin!” Rhett cuts in with a warning tone.
“No Rhett,” Aurelia said quickly
“He has every right to feel that way. This war has made a huge impact on your’s and his life.”
“Glad one imperial can admit that—”
“I have a friend!" Aurelia cuts Castin off “she’s now officially an imperial Baroness who has spent countless hours and money in dedication of being a humanitarian for both her people and yours despite her parents—her late parents supporting the empire’s war with Intacia and despite all the negativity she faces from other imperials—”
“So she’s a decent human,” Castin shrugged not impressed.
“She’s given money and aid to Intacian villages—”
'
“The least she could do!”
Rhett grumbled under his breath knowing he couldn’t argue with Castin because he knew it was true. After the horrific things the Empire has done to Intacia money and aid was just touching the surface of what anyone of the empire could do.
-later that night-
“I’m sorry for Castin’s behavior tonight, my love,” Rhett apologized taking off his shirt.
“With this was I believe joking is a way he copes with the stress,”
Aurelia nodded silently accepting her husband’s apology.
“I want to invite Omorose here,” Aurelia stated talking a seat at her vanity.
“Imperials tend to be inactive during events like deaths. I just know she needs a breather,”
Rhett thought it over for a minute whether it was a god idea or not for a noble of her status to visit.
“Is it wise to have her here?”
“It can be for diplomatic purposes …please? We haven’t seen another in such a long time,”
The king couldn’t simply say no to such a simple request his wife made to see an old friend
“Wait until after this upcoming battle is over. I have a feeling this war is going to end soon.”
-The memorial-
The beach was decorated lavishly for the service of Baron and lady Fentress. The late couple’s daughter dressed pristinely as she was expected to do. A blank expression on her face as she sat front row zoning out at the speeches ‘closes’ friends of her family gave. Nina sat left off her as Lord Reyes sat right, the rest of her friends along with the families that knew her since forever sat in the other rows behind her. Omorose could only hope that once the funeral was over she could escape from the fake condolences and prying questions, back to her safe haven. Their gaze felt like spiders crawling all over her and she was forced to sit as they explored.
“Only an hour left bookworm,” Reyes mumbled slipping his hand into hers. Squeezing his hand trying to will herself to ignore the feeling of their eyes.
“Through Baron Kendrick and lady Amara are tragically gone they won’t be forgotten. Baroness despite being so young I know just like everyone who personally knew your parents know that they raised you to take over your family’s legacy,”
“Please! That girl is the down fall of the Fentress legacy. So covered with the welfare of those uncivilized pigs,” an elderly nobleman grumbles to one of his shared friends of the late Baron Kendrick.
“We need to gain control of it before she does something stupid,”
“I don’t see how! You mention the word marriage and she instantly ignores you,” The other old man rolled his eyes before saying “Shame she wants to be an old maid,”
“Ew!”
“I know!”
“Imagine! Anree scoffs loudly gaining the attention of the two and those close by " two men gossiping as if they are two bitter housewives jealous over the Baroness! Its like you've switched places with your scorned wives who know they lack your attention because it's on the Baroness. Wait—”
“Anree here isn’t the place—”
“That’s why you’re really upset! The Baroness won’t entertain the thought of ever being with you geezers …”
“You’re disgusting!”
“And you lack respect and decency,”
As the sunset flowers were passed around to toss into the ocean to say their final good byes.
Omorose stood right where the tide waves kicked her feet waiting a moment to toss the bouquet in so it appeared to the others that she was grieving how she was expected to. She let out a sigh as she threw the solid white flowers into the salty waters before retreating. She didn’t care to stay and watch the others toss their flowers in, she wanted to get back on her estate to have a moment to herself before she had to host the dinner for all who attended her parents watery funeral.
“You know you could just stay in your room. I’ll just tell everyone your not feeling well enough to host,” lord Reyes offers after catching up with Omorose.
“You know they don’t care about any of that, Rey. There’s no point in even trying to attempt that,” Omorose huffs climbing into her carriage, Reyes following close behind.
“It’s sick…them using your parents death to get a leg up.” Reyes sighs settling into the luxury seat he took. “Our society…”
“Makes you want to run away doesn’t it?”
“Actually I’m planning on going to Steelgate. Explore the city, maybe apply to their university …learn something you don’t already know!” Reyes teased.
Omorose cracked a smile “Impossible!”
“I know but it won’t hurt to try,” He jokes
-The Fentress estate-
A deep heavy sigh passed through Omorose who stood in front of her locked bedroom door snitching out the dress she changed into after arriving home. She knew 30 minutes was all she had upon arriving and those 30 minutes slipped by quicker than a rat in an ally.
She has to be back in front of everyone like she was expected too and she dreaded it.
The war and the death of her parents were the topics on everyone’s lips and she was tired of both. Like the smaller they were they found away too make both topics the reason what she should marry them.
“You’re young! 24 years right? With this war going on you need to be protected especially now that your parents are gone,” another one of her fathers close knit friends stated. “Rotten people have no problem manipulating someone as young and beautiful as you! You’re like a little kitten abandon in this world. I’m offering shelter,”
“So my family’s wealth, my title, my youth and beauty for your ‘protection’ and to be your trophy wife you get to dote on-sorry brag about to your friend who have already offered me the same?” Omorose questions raising a brow.
” Did you all have a meeting where you copied each other’s speeches?” The Baroness questioned unamused. The older man’s expression dropped from the faux sympathy and hope to the stoic demeanor Omorose one ask her fathers friends to have.
“Truth is no one believes you can run what your family built. They start quiet waiting for you to realize that beauty doesn’t room companies and estates.” He takes Omorose’s hand which she snatched away without a second thought.
“I’m the best option here! I’m richer than the others and still can produce heirs–”
“I want to be with someone around my age not my fathers,”
“Foolish! No man around your age has a quarter of what I have,”
Ignoring him Omorose’s turned on her heels moving towards the crowd and away from the secluded space one of the snakes caught her in.
“Are you okay?” Lana asked witnessing the whole thing.
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m use to this by now,” The Baroness assured paying her friend on the shoulder as she passed by.
It wasn’t long until dinner was announced ready and the chairs in the dining room was filled with mostly unwanted guests. As they all settled and the elaborate dinner was being served an elderly woman, the mother of a middle aged screw up began complementing the Fentress estate “seems awfully lonely being alone all by your lonesome,”
“I’m not alone. I have Nina, Malcolm, the triplets –”
“How sweet! She thinks the help is viable company!” The woman snickers, her eyes sweeping the room to see if anyone else found it funny.
“You need your own family. The Help won’t do!”
“They are my family! Have been since forever,”
“They are servants! Most from Intacia! You need to make a proper family! Pure blooded imperial family.”
Rolling her eyes Omorose picked up her glass of wine before calmly demanding
“For once can you all stop trying to pawn yourselves or your degenerate adult children on me? My parents were just ‘laid’ to rest! Have some respect,”
The night continued with whispers of disapproval and praises of her parents. Soon as the last unwanted guest left Anree cheered loudly as everyone else let out signed off relief. With a tired smile Omorose stares “now that they are gone, let us eat cake.”
So as the small group lounged in the family room slumped in chairs and laid out on couches and plush rugs eating the morning fresh cake, Intacian and imperial entered the last battle between each other. Castin standing in the front line staring menacingly at Andrei an imperial noble commander who looked on in disgust. By morning one country world be the Victor of the war. By morning everything would change.
Months later
Omorose’s stepped out of her carriage nervously running her hands over the course of her warm brown dress. Her eyes studying the palace of Intacia noting the stark difference between that one of the empire’s -what was once the empire’s. The two countries were polar opposites in many ways but, knowing the empire was the reason why Intacia looked other worldly made her sick. The trip over was nothing but slums and torched lands, discarded belongings and displaced families picking through it to see what they could salvage. For her to see up close what her people did only inspired her to quickly figure out what she could do to aid those way less fortunate than her.
“Rosie!” Called Aurelia from the top steps.
“Aurelia! It’s been years! Hectic and crazy years since I last saw you!”
“I know! Let’s never allow another war to separate us ever,”
“Let there’s never be another war,”
Rhett smiled at Castin who was grinning still high on the victory was winning the war.
“Coming to join another party, Rhett?” Castin asked bumping into a lower ranks drunkenly.
“You could say,” The king leaned aunt the wall watching as his soldiers drunk copious amounts of liquor and danced horribly “Aurelia’s friend is visiting- the Baroness and while Aurelia is getting her settled in the palace I wanted to visit you…see how you were doing after a few months,”
“On top of the world,brother!” The commander shouted leading his fellow soldiers to howl in agreement.
“Good …” Rhett trails faking a smile.
Snagging a cup of the strong brown liquid from a passing soldier and offering it to his friend, Castin let out a sigh knowing something was wrong “what is it Rhett?”
“Resistance…”
“Already?”
Nodding Rhett downed the drink before getting everything on his mind off his chest
“I have to figure out how to get the coastal empire and Intacia to become peaceful with each other—"
“Never going to happen!” Castin cuts in shaking his head at Rhett childish dream. “To much bad blood,”
“We have to try! If not there will be another war,”
Scoffing Castin rolled his eyes before spitting out his outlandish suggestion “how about we arrest all the empire military, their nobles and the rich and allow the poor to remain free and equal to us?”
“No Castin that wouldn’t be wise,”
“Worth a shot,” Castin huffs leaning into a chair that was open.
“So Aurelia’s friend …what’s she like?” He asked curious about the imperial Rhett welcomed into their country after years of war with her’s . Castin thought it was stupid! The idea of having an imperial stay in the palace as if the war never happened.
She’s kind, respectful , introverted—she reminds me of you,”
“What?!” Castin wrinkled his brows offended.
“Younger you! Before you joined the military. When you were just a boy in our village —”
“So boring?” Castin mutters under his breath
“Hmm?”
Oh I said I should come to the palace to meet the Queen’s friend. Who knows maybe I can charm her before I leave to fight the resistance. Never been with an imperial especially not a noble one,”
“From what my love has told me about the Baroness the only way you can bed her is in your dreams,brother”
“Oh please! I’ll have her feeling like she’s dreaming!” Castin snickers saving up the nearest man while a few female soldiers that heard rolled their eyes in annoyance.
Rhett cracked a plastic smile a laugh slipping past his slight chapped lips at his friend’s antics.
“You can’t take take every woman to bed, Castin.”
A ‘pshh’ pushed through Castin’s mouth “women can’t keep their pretty little hands off me,”
“More like you can’t keep your hands off them,” Rhett points out voicing the gossip he’s heard about his close friend.
“They’re irresistible… I’m irresistible . It’s a dilemma,” Castin chuckled
Rhett roll yes his eyes “I’m just saying Castin coming home to someone who actually cares and loves you beats spending countless nights at a brothel,”
Waving him off Castin turns in his seat waving down someone to bring him another drink.
“You deserve love Castin… before it’s too late —”
“I deserve to celebrate winning a war I put my life on the line for, Rhett! Loosen up!”
“This isn’t my type of scene anytime ,Castin. I’ve grown.”
“To a prude!”
“To a king!”
“Don’t try to get all up with me. We grew up in the same village, Rhett!”
“And it’s sad that you no longer want to grow! We can’t start rebuilding with our head commander being a drunk hound dog when he’s not in battle!”
“Let’s not do this here,” Castin hissed not liking the attention they were gaining.
“You’re right! We’ll have words when you’re sober.”
The room watched as the king marched out of the room bet everyone turned to their commander.
“We beat imperial asses! Drink to that!”
Authors note: I hope you enjoyed this first chapter of the rewrite and excited for how the fanfic is going to be told! Please leave feedback in the comments and or repost! I love reading your thoughts!
