Journeys: Chapter Five- Julius

Chapter Five: Julius

Airen became more…mature since I’ve last seen him. His body became muscular, he seemed much taller, and his body was adorned with tattoos. Though he was totally covered in ink, he was still very handsome. As he approached me he didn’t know whether to hug me, kiss me on the cheek or just wave. I simply gave him a hug, and we stared each other down.

“My, someone looks different,” he said with a chuckle. I gave him a look and chuckled as well.

“I can say the same for you.” He laughed.

“Yeah, you still have a sharp tongue, Maris. Hey, where’s Katel?” we looked around to see if she finally made it out to the porch to meet him, but she was probably still in the house plating the food. Suddenly the front door open and she appeared, tired, with messy hair and with an apron across her waist and a ladle in hand.

“Is Airen here because the- Airen!” She screamed. She jumped on him and gave him the biggest hug. He held onto her tightly as she sobbed happily in his arms.

“Where the hell were you, and why the hell didn’t you respond to any of my letters? I’ve written and sent several of them to you, and you haven’t responded to one!” she sobbed. He rubbed her back as she continued to cry.

“I got your letters, Katel. I just didn’t have time to respond to them I guess. I honestly wanted to, but I just couldn’t.” She blinked her eyes in silence and looked up at him with slight anger but more so love. Father cleared his throat to change the subject and add levity to the situation.

“Alright, it’s seems as if the meal is ready, we should go get washed up. Gavellienne, please call our special guest. This is going to be a great night for us all,” he chimed. Mother excitedly ran into the kitchen to use the communicator. The rest of us filed in to wash up and get ready for dinner.

***

It was time to eat, and the five of us were just sitting at the table waiting for this so-called “special guest”. Honestly, who is this special guest and why in the world is this person attending our dinner anyway? As we were sitting there, still waiting of course, the food was beginning to chill in the fine serving dishes. Suddenly there was a loud neigh, and the sound of a carriage stopping ensued. My mother sashayed towards the door to open it for our guest. I rolled my eyes in disgust and in hunger. Piem, why did we have to wait for a person who obviously doesn’t care about arriving somewhere on time? I heard the door close and then my mother’s voice and a young man’s voice that sound quite faint but at the same time quite familiar. When I heard them both enter the dining area I looked to my right and saw the most nauseating sight in my entire life: Julius.

Julius was the seventeen-year-old son of the mayor of Cheul. He and I did not attend the same school because his father thinks that a “regular” schola grandis was entirely too common and unruly for a boy of his stature, so a few months out of the year he attended some private school in Porter’s Landing (a rich seaport a little southeast from here), where all the rich, pompous students went. He was very spoiled, rude and haughty. He was extremely plump and short, and he sported a baby blue sailor outfit and hat. His nose was pig-like, and his red hair was wavy and scruffy under his hat. His beady blue eyes peered at me coldly.

Mother pulled out a seat across from me to sit in.

“Here, have a seat Julius.” She said nervously as he plopped down into the chair. She then served of generous helpings of food, starting with Julius. He licked his lips as if he were a pig at a trough and began to eat, briskly. As he bolted down the food, one could have sworn that he sounded just like a pig. How fitting. When he was finished with his food he sophisticatedly wiped his mouth with the dinner napkin as if he gained some table etiquette which was much needed prior to eating the meal.

“That was rather delicious, madam. May I have some more please? I really don’t want to ruin my figure because I want to get into my suit, but I am quite hungry.” He said with a prepubescent-sounding voice. He’s trying to maintain his figure? That’s a laugh. What figure? All he has is a boulder for a body. He’s all curves. And what does he need a suit for anyway?

Mother smiled and spooned him another helping of soup. He smiled greedily at the bowl and went to town again. Meanwhile I was not even done with my first helping. When he was done with that he, again, wiped his mouth politely and sat up straight. Suddenly he began to dig into his pocket for something.

“Maris, I have something for you.” He snorted. I gave him a look of confusion but then realized how rude my countenance was and adjusted it. My mother gave me a look while I sat in silent embarrassment.

“Oh, Julius you didn’t have to get me anything, but that’s very kind of you. Thank you.” I smiled. He rudely passed me a small, golden box to me. Everyone else stared intently at the box as I took it and observed it. I uncovered the box to see a cerulean gem on a silver chain. It shimmered beautifully beside the light of the candles.

“Why Julius, it’s beautiful. Thank you.” He chuckled.

“You’re welcome. It was my grandmother’s who was an oracle for Minerva. I decided to give it to you as a gift, you know since we’ll be together soon.” My mind went blank. What did he mean by us being together soon? I looked towards my parents for an explanation.

“Mother, Father, what is he talking about?” I asked nervously. At first there was a pause and a nervous chuckle. I somewhat knew what he meant, but I didn’t want to admit it to myself until they told me what was going on.

“Julius, Maris, is your husband-to-be. You will be getting married next week.” She responded. I looked at her in shock. Out of all people, never would I have ever imagined that I would be marrying Julius Matterbourne, the snotty seventeen-year-old son of the mayor, the rude fat boy who looked and sounded like a twelve-year-old and the same fat boy who gobbled up my food! I can’t believe this. As I sat quietly and stoically in my chair my body language and facial expressions started to transition from emotionless shock to anger. I was livid. I sprang up from the chair with the gem and stamped up the stairs, not even bothering to say anything to anyone. I was pissed, extremely pissed. I didn’t want to speak to anyone. I just wanted to sit in my room, sulk and cry. Now I see why Palvia was so emotional about this. It is an utter disaster when you find out you have to marry someone that you hardly know.

I went into my room and changed into my night-slip. I got into bed with the gem and just lied there, silently. I cried silently all the while stroking the gem for comfort.

“Oh I wish I weren’t marrying him of all people.”