Animosity

[CJF]

Thunder cracked as lightning strobed across the night sky. Gusts if wind rushed across the wintry countryside as through the vast city of Cathair. The wind pushed and tugged at the houses and buildings, causing them to moan.

Despite the stormy waether, a lone figure made her way through the castle gates towards the nearby woods. She ran swiftly, her petite figure fighting against the strong winds. She was clad in a shaded cloak, its hood, which she had to hold in place, concealing her face should anyone be following.

And someone was.

Lurking deep in the shadows of the city, so as not to be seen, was an angry man. He watched with tear-filled eyes as Princess Korrine Alphonse, the woman he loved, ran from the city into the surrounding woods. Through his tears he could see her greeting someone in the shadows. Although he couldn't see who it was, he didn't need to-he already knew. Leo Kolya, the youngest son of a Cathairian Duke, had won Korrine's heart; the woman he, Dirk Emil, Duke of Cathair, had been betrothen to fir fifteen years.

The anger and pain at being so rejected stung deeper than the scorning words of his father the day he discovered his son had married in secret, and not to his betrothed. It was true that Dirk had never cared for the idea of marrying a stranger. When his father had refused to free Dirk from the engagement to Korrine, Dirk rebelled and married a woman of his own choosing. His betrothal to Korrine remained, however, though they had yet to seven see each other. Ten years after the mark of their engagement, and two years after his marriage, his wife disappeared. Dirk was forced to finally meet his original intended.

Before Korrine had met Dirk, the idea of a betrothal was rather appealing to her. She thought herself too picky to choose her own husband so have one chosen for her seemed ideal. After waiting eight years to meet Dirk with more patience and forgiveness than recquired, she recieved word that he'd married behind his father's back. All excitment at meeting her illusive fiance faded.

Two years following, his wife died making him her's once more. Only now, she was no longer interested. Dirk arrived and, upon seeing the gorgeous woman he was to marry, believed himself a fool for ever refusing to marry her and began to show signs of his attraction. Although she ignored him, he pursued and his attraction became affection, and his affection became love.

For five years Dirk pursued Korrine, but to no avail. She completely ignored and discarded his affectionate looks and words. Confused and pained at being so ignored, to the point of never even recieving a 'hello' when they'd pass, Dirk followed her one day when she went for her daily ride. He followed her to the home of a wealthy Duke who's youngest son ran out and embraced Korrine before she'd barely even dismounted her horse.

The idea of loosing the woman he loved preyed on Dirk's mind constantly. He knew he deserved it, for she was only returning the actions he'd showed her, but now that his heart was at stake, it was different. Dirk tried romancing her more than he normally did, which only resulted in her despising him more. After many months of thinking, Dirk devised a plan to get him the woman he loved.

And as he stood, hidden by shadows and spying on the two lovers, he planned to make his move.

Meanwhile, Korrine and Leo were talking eagerly of what would take place the next day.

"Are you sure your father is unaware?" Leo asked.

Korrine rolled her grey-eyes and sighed.

"Yes Leo, I am sure. If he suspected anything he would have confronted me by now."

Leo nodded.

"What about your father?" Korrine asked.

Leo shrugged.

"Even if he did know, he wouldn't care. He is far too busy enlarging his pocketbook to pay any attention to what any of sons are doing. And by the time he does notice I'm gone, you and I will be married and far away from this wretched place."

Korrine smiled and took Leo's hand. Leo then brought Korrine's hand up to his lips, where he pressed a soft kiss on the tops of her fingers. Korrine chuckled.

"Why kiss there? My fingers won't kiss you back..."

That was all the encouragement he needed. Leo grabbed Korrine and pulled her into his arms as he pressed his lips against hers. Many moments went by before they pulled away. Even then Korrine was still wrapped safely in his arms.

"Leo?"

"Hm?"

"Do you think we're right in running away together?"

Leo moved so he could look into his lover's eyes.

"What do you mean?"

Korrine sighed.

"I just feel like something isn't right about this. I don't know what or why, but I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong."

"Korr," he said, using the nickname he'd given her. "if that has to do with you not wanting to hurt Dirk's feelings, remember what I've said all along: he did the same thing to you with no regard for your feelings o wishes. He's just reaping what he's sown."

Dirk, who was now crouched in the bush right behind them, had to fight to keep himself from moving.

"Dirk isn't what's bothering me. I could care less about him."

Dirk felt a sharp pain rip through his heart. Tears filled his eyes.

"I just don't feel right about leaving the city, I guess. I'm the only child my parents ever had, and no one else in my family can claim the throne if I'm gone."

"So you're feeling your royal duties coming on again, eh?" Leo said sarcastically.

Although she smiled, Korrine nodded. Leo pulled a section of hair from in front of her face.

"Korr, there are plently of other nobles who had children who are more than capable of taking your place. You've never really desired to be the Queen before, why is it so important now?"

Korrine sighed and shook her head.

"You're right. It's not."

Leo wasn't sure he believed her, but accepted her answer anyways. Dirk knew his time was coming fast and was about to move, when Korrine spoke again.

"Leo, I have to confess something."

"What?"

Korrine bit her lower lip.

"I lied to you when I said you were the first man I had ever loved."

Leo frowned.

"What do you mean?"

Tears filled Korrine's eyes.

"I also lied to you when I said that the reason I came looking for you that day was because I wanted to get to know you." Korrine shook her head. "It was never that."

Leo was standing very straight and stiff, waiting for her to continue.

"I was ten years old when my father betrothed me to Dirk. I met Dirk's father a few days later. Dirk was supposed to have been there too, but he had refused to see me. I head many, many stories about Dirk. Some I doubted their truth, but they were all completely acurate. The stories I heard left me having to imagine the man I was going to marry. I justified his actions and feelings as I though they were normal. By the time I was fifteen I had fallen in love with the man I'd created.

Then when Dirk married, when I was twenty, I felt betrayed and rejected. I turned to the only other person I knew who woudld provide the comfort I needed. That's why I rode to your manor that day. It wasn't to spend time with you, as I had led you to believe, it was to ease the pain I was feeling."

Korrine turned to Leo.

"But I truly do love you, Leo."

Leo smiled.

"I know you do. And please, just forget about the past and all the pain and tears it holds. Think only of us and our future."

Dirk couldn't hold back his tears any longer. He hadn't even been able to see Korrine, yet he felt the pain in her voice. He hated himself for the being the brainless fool he was. He wanted to show Korrine that he was a changed man.

"Don't think about Dirk any longer, Korr. He doesn't deserve your thoughts or regrets. He never deserved the love you had for him, nor does he deserve you now."


More coming later. I shall finish this.

 

[CJF]

Korrine nodded and sighed. She stood close to Leo, her heart heavy. Dirk sat, fuming in the bushes. He could hardly contain himself. In a few short moments his task would be done and Korrine would be his. After a few minutes of silence went by, Dirk drew his knife and got into position. As he sat, motionless, he allowed the anger and pain that had built up over the last few years all flood in at once. His heart immediately ached and burned, and his body began to tremble.

The moment had come. He stood to his feet and lunged at the couple. He heard Korrine scream, but didn't care. He felt the blade meet Leo's throat, and sliced as hard as he could.

"Leo!" Korrine screamed and ran forward.

Leo collapsed into her arms, his body limp and lifeless. Tears streamed down Korrine's face. She looked up at Dirk with hatred in her eyes. Dirk stared back into hers, hoping she could see his pain. She could, but didn't care.

"Why?!" she screamed.

"You know why."

Korrine stood to her feet, walked over to him and, continually, slapped him as hard as she could. Dirk tried to push her away, but she was fierce.

"I hate you!" she screamed over and over.

Korrine finally backed away, breathing heavily between sobs. Dirk looked at her.

"I wanted you to know I loved you."

Korrine frowned.

"So to prove your love you kill the man I love? That proves your jealousy and evilness!"

"Either way, I have you back. That's all I care about."

Korrine was infuriated. Without a word she turned and ran back to the castle. Dirk followed slowly, leaving Leo's dead body on the ground. A few days passed and Korrine made a point to make Dirk's life horrible. She would purposely contradict everything he said or did, canceled important meetings with very important people and never showed to any meeting she was recquired to show to.

Dirk tried to talk with her, but she merely said something spiteful and walked passed. The day of Dirk's birthday arrived. They were schedualed to spend the day together. Dirk awoke to a letter on his desk. It was from Korrine. It read "Meet me in the tower". Smiling to himself, he dressed in his best suit and walked up the stairs to the tower door. He knocked and entered. Korrine was standing at the window. Her wavy black hair hung naturally over her shoulders. She was wearing a pure white dress.

She turned to Dirk, who smiled his greeting.

"I was surprised to recieve your letter."

Korrine shrugged.

"It is your Birthday."

Dirk nodded.

"I do have one question; why here?"

Korrine stared into his eyes and she spoke, her voice calm.

"It was in this room that I imagined what you would be like. For many years I'd sit up here alone, and day dream of how I thought you'd look, how your voice would sound, how tall you'd be and how your touch would feel."

She paused.

"But you have never been the man I imagined."

Dirk frowned. Korrine sighed and looked at the floor. A moment of silence passed between them before Korrine spoke again.

"From this tower my dream was born, from this tower it will end."

Korrine lifted her eyes to his. They were filled with peace.

"Happy Birthday Dirk." she said.

Before Dirk could react, Korrine turned and lept out the window. Dirk screamed and ran forward. He reached the window and watched in horror and his betrothed fell through the air.

As Korrine fell she saw the sky open, revealing a light so pure she felt it seep into her soul. Then Leo appeaared, his hands extended towards her. Korrine smiled and took his hands in hers and followed the man she loved towards the eternal light.

The End