duty is the death of love.

{oops }

Catherine couldn't deny just how terrrified she was if someone chose to ask her how she felt. Luckily, no one had. Her maids were busy helping her dress and ready her hair and makeup. She was terrified because she had no clue what James had in mind for their wedding night. She knew that she had to behave and she had to do as she was told but she had no clue what he would end up doing to her. Would he be understanding if she was nervous or in pain? She didn't think he would be. The thought made her heart skip a beat. She knew that she couldn't dare tell James no but that didn't stop her from wondering how James would end up treating her.

She smiled gently as she walked down the aisle, trying to appear far more calm than she felt. Catherine's eyes remained on James' for the first time. She had to fight the urge to look away because she knew that she had to put on a happy front. She had never held his gaze for more than a few seconds at a time, over the past day that she had been here.

Her cheeks turned a light pink as she stepped up to join James at the alter. Catherine exhaled slowly, her arms dropping to the sides as the pastor started his speech.

---

Catherine turned toward James, her heart skipping a beat as the pastor announced them now married. That they were now to kiss. It was her first kiss in front of hundreds of people. She gulped as she set her hands on his chest, her shoulders tensing as James leaned in to kiss her. She shivered against him, leaning into the kiss hesitantly. She would let him take the lead on how it went, how quickly he pulled away from her - what their people saw.

@ castle.
Finally, it was time to seal the deal. To make Catherine his for the rest of her life. Placing his hands on her hips, James leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. He could feel her inexperience with the action right away. The way she trembled against him was a sure sign that she was also scared, which highly amused James to no end as well.

So, being the oh so kind King that he was. James kept their kiss slow and innocent. Only allowing for her to know that he wasn't going to take advantage of her right in front of their people. Of course though, he couldn't stop himself from nipping her bottom lip lightly as he pulled back. A smug smirk playing along his lips as he looked down into Catherine's innocent eyes before he turned towards the crowd that was now clapping for the happy couple.

Raising his hand, King James silenced the room and told everyone to enjoy the feast that had been prepared as well as enjoy the music that started to fill the rather large room. Turning towards Catherine, James placed a hand on the small of her back before slowly guiding her towards their thrones. "That went smoother then expected." James murmured so that she was the only one who could hear his words. To be honest, James was expecting for Catherine to freak out about him kissing her, but she held herself together well. What could be going through her mind though, he wasn't sure.

As James relaxed in his throne, his eyes looked out at the people who had come to congratulate them and watched the ceremony. People of status were here, as well as some people of their family, friends as well. The place was lively, it was a good time for some amusement as well as the entertainment started to play some group dance songs. "Go, have fun." Jame said as he turned his head towards Catherine. "I'm sure your friends are dying to talk to you before they leave."

Catherine matched James' movements, turning to face their people when he moved. She gave a bright smile, straightening her back to appear at her full height. It was crazy to her to think about the fact that she was now a queen. She was no longer a princess but Queen of the strongest kingdom in the world. She wasn't to be in charge of much at all but she would be expected to put on a good face. She was to be the happy, doting woman at James' side. Regardless of how their marriage ended up being, she had to pretend to be happy. Anything else would risk damaging James' reputation and that was the last thing she wanted.

Following James to the thrones, Catherine gathered her skirts before she sat down. She smiled nervously, glancing toward James. "Of course, my king," she answered quietly, nodding as she shifted slightly in her seat. "Our wedding will be nothing short of absolutely amazing," she said, giving a small nod of her head. Catherine had no intention of leaving James' side. It was their wedding reception after all.

THe surprise showed on Catherine's features when he urged her to head down into the party. "I... it is alright, James. We are freshly married, would it not look off for me to leave your side?" Catherine didn't mean to come across as questioning James. She had simply been confused by his suggestion. James was her king and her husband, she needed to show how willing she was for their relationship.

"Our people need to see us together," Catherine offered quietly, hoping that she hadn't managed to somehow upset him with her protest.

@ castle.
The edges of James' lips twitch as he listened to Catherine. It amused him quite a bit that the little bird seemed to be growing her feathers and getting ready to fly. "If that is what you believe, then do as you please." James mused as he rested his head back against his throne, his gaze shifting from his brides towards the people. This was a day for happiness, to laughter and fun. Tomorrow, there will be the talk of death and slaughtering people.

Music and laughter filled the castle well into the night. Drinking had seemed to have caught the Kings attention through half of the party so it was safe to say that the man was just a tab bit intoxicated. Even if he didn't so much as show it openly.

Now, heading towards his bedchamber, his new wife following behind him after being told to come. Like some dog, and was expected to act like such. James opened the door and walked inside, holding the door open before closing it once Catherine came inside. "Undress, I don't have the patience for corsets tonight," James instructed as he walked towards his bathroom without saying anything else. "You better be laying on that bed once I come out." He said as he closed the door for some privacy as he pissed.

Catherine looked over the party, longing to join in the festivities. She was hopeful that James would ask her to dance but she knew better than to ask that herself. Without James initiating it, it would be horrible for his reputation. The people would talk about it for weeks and she would be lucky if James ever let her forget about it. So she sat, her head bowed slightly as she waited. Catherine had allowed herself a single glass of wine but that had been it. She didn't want to appear too unladylike.

She all but leapt into the air when James stood, ready to leave the room. To head to his chambers. Catherine swallowed at the sudden nerves, gathering her skirt in her hands as she followed after James. She rushed forward, trying to keep up with his long strides. Catherine shuddered as she stepped into the room, glancing around slowly. She stiffened at James' words, nodding ever so slightly.

Catherine reached behind her, fumbling to pull the corset undone. When she managed it, she stilled in her movements. She was about to bare herself to her husband for the first time and this was exactly what she had thought it would be. Catherine had hoped that it would be more, that James would be kind to her but if he wasn't even helping her to undress... she was sure that it would be no better once he joined her. She had heard the warning in James' voice before he disappeared.

Shrugging out of her undergarments, Catherine lowered herself to the bed slowly. She laid back against the pillows, her arms wrapped around her chest. Her eyes were trained on the ceiling, her cheeks tinging a bright red as she listened to the bedroom door open. Gulping, Catherine forced herself to remain still. She wanted nothing more than to hide herself but she knew that James was only just getting started with her.

@ castle.
As James opened the door, it was just as he had expected. There, laying on his bed, Catherine looked as stiff as a board. "What? You don't even want to pose for me?" James asked, a touch of sarcasm dripping from his lips as he stared at his new wife. His dark eyes roaming over her body, taking in every curve that was now easily seen for him.

Slowly, James licked over his lips and leaned against the doorframe of the bathroom. He was in nothing but his underwear, a slight bulge of where his slightly hard cock poking the fabric. "Tell me, darling." He drawled out the word darling, wanting to get some sort of reaction out of his newly beloved. "How did you imagine tonight going?" He asked her, his tone calm as he made his way towards the bed.

Nearing the bed, James sat on the edge before he leaned over her and grabbed onto her wrists. He forcefully pulled her hands away from her chest and pinned them above her head as he stared down at her. "Describe to me what you want me to do tonight, and I'll take it into consideration." He wasn't, he was just trying to get the young and innocent girl to reveal her dark secrets that all girls seem to have. He wants her to openly talk about how she dreamed of being fucked and then crumple that idea and throw it away.

Placing both of her hands into one hand, James leaned back slightly as he watched Catherine's expression as he ran the tips of his fingers over her breasts. A small hum escaping from him as he felt how perky they were against his light touch.

Panic flashed across her features at the tone that James used, looking to him quickly. Her eyes widened when she realized that he was all but naked. She opened her mouth to answer him but she didn't have anything she could say so instead, she shrugged. "I-I.. I don't know what I am doing, my love. I am sorry," she whispered, hoping the nickname that she used would help to calm James' anger. She had no clue what would or wouldn't please him but she was trying. She knew that if she didn't, he would only be displeased with her. That was just about the last thing she wanted, she was sure of it.

She shivered at his words, shame rolling over her as she fought the urge to look away from him. Catherine's mind was racing as she tried to think of a suitable answer to his question. She hadn't really thought much of the act itself, just that she knew she would expect pain but that she was supposed to at least pretend to enjoy herself. It would please her husband. Catherine just hoped that she could manage it.

Catherine gasped as James pulled her arms from her chest but she didn't offer resistant, instead shivering as she was revealed to her husband for the first time. "I.. I do not have.. fantasies of tonight," she admitted, her voice even smaller than it had been moments ago. Her eyes dropped from his. "I was afraid. I have heard of the pain of a wedding night and it scared me," Catherine explained softly. "I did not want it to be what I thought of when I thought of tonight. S-So.. So I focused instead of what it would mean to please my husband. T-To.. to please you. That I would b happy if I pleased you. It is important for a Queen to keep ehr King happy."

She gasped as his fingers brushed against her breast. Catherine shivered as she pushed herself closer to him. That was good, right? If she was enjoying herself, she would want more. That made sense to her. Catherine closed her eyes, knowing she wasn't brave enough to watch as James touched her. "How can I please you, my lord?" She asked, hoping that asking for guidance was the right move.