Chapter Three.
The King
Her broken heart is making her seriously ill. I see her weeping as the drivers rush her into the black ambulance. The sirens traumatizing alarm echoes into the distance and leaves a chilling atmosphere as the ambulance roars away to The Black Hospital. Its towering chimneys smoke continuously and crows circle around it.
“Can you die of a broken heart?” I ask
“It’s the third most common cause of death here,” a bystander tells me.
I saw that woman’s face, she looked broken. Everyone here looks unhappy, it’s the norm, but I maintain that she was the worst case.
The crowd that gathered to witness the ambulance showdown has scattered and there is a song being sung in the local pub ‘The Broken Horse’. It’s not one of merry-making. It’s a painful, longing moan.
I walk further on, keen to forget what I have just seen .A woman is standing outside the hat store. She wears a purple coat and a flamboyant hat with a bow. She is doing a survey on hats. She approaches me and I try and escape. However she’s persistent, so I oblige, regretting it as soon as I contractually say ‘ok.’ I’m about to divulge my hat habits to her when I’m distracted by the sudden noise.
There is an explosion in the city centre. I hear people screaming and frantic whispers of “what was that?” Then I realize that the explosion was fireworks. It’s difficult to see them in the midday sun but they are there.
A big group of cheerleaders gather to the steps of The National Museum of the Broken.
They are dressed in bright yellow with pompoms .They start chanting their cheer ,as they move in synchronized step with each other .
“Broken no more.
Happy happy happy again,
Injecting smiles into the city whoop!” They sing and jump frantically, with white toothy
smiles.
“It’s a protest song by The Smiley’s, a group dedicated to a revolution of happiness in the city,” says a grumpy looking man who doesn’t seem to approve of their goal. I gape at him in shock .
“The king is adamant that they won’t succeed in their mission, seeing it as a threat to his crown and the whole city,” he continues
“But is it really a bad thing to want to inject some joy and colour into the city? Sure, it is the exact opposite of what it stands for but that doesn’t mean there can’t be diversity.” I say feeling that The Smiley’s may have a point. This man doesn’t seem to agree .
Walking alone through the city, waiting for my beloved to join me, I watch a street entertainer dressed in a flowing lace dress. She sings as she dances gracefully. She weeps “I dare not dream, dreams are a forgotten song that I once sang. I dare not dream, lost lyrics, buried in my mind,” her voice becomes sadder as she hit’s the final note. A failed opera singer? Perhaps this is why she is a member of the city.
Finally! He is here. I’m in a less than cheerful mood after listening to her song whilst waiting in the cold December air (although he’d want it that way).
“The Smiley’s have been in the city today,” I inform him.
“Oh not them. They’re always causing chaos,” he says annoyed at the very mention of them.
In bed, upon returning from my black city of romance, I lie awake feeling concerned. His words are on loop in my head. “You can only be my girlfriend if you are broken.” It’s ironic. I’ve always felt the unhappiest girl in the room and the one time I would be at an advantage in my misery is the one time I’m feeling on top of the world. No wonder he is attracted to me. I was totally baffled as to why Calix would want shy little me. It’s because I’m exactly what he needs for his kingdom. But knowing that he wants a girl who’s unhappy all of the time, a broken citizen, do I still want him? He’s handsome, well-read and a prince. He sounds like the perfect catch but I’m not so sure. I always thought the man I would meet would save me from myself, make me appreciate the joy of living but I don’t think that he is the man who can do this.
The sun is shining even though it’s midwinter. Calix and I have decided to go and sit on the grass by the leaves that have fallen all around.
“We’re having a winter ball at the palace on Friday. Do you want to come?” he asks with his hair shining in the sunlight.
“Sure but do you think I’d be allowed?” I enquire thinking I’ll be the only non-royal there.
“My father said I can invite a couple a friends. Besides, I’m the prince I can invite anyone I want,” he winks at me and my heart does a back flip.
I’m looking forward to and dreading Friday at the same time. I long to spend all my time with Calix ,the thought of dancing with him again makes me feel more alive than ever. But I’m dreading it because what if the royals hate me? Oh well, it’s worth it just to be with him.
I’ve asked Charlotte to come with me on a shopping trip. She has a good eye for dresses and will help me pick something appropriate for the ball. After school we go to the shopping centre.
“So what’s this big occasion coming up?” she enquires curiously.
“It’s a ball,” I smirk failing to contain my glee.
“A ball? Wow, fancy.” she teases
“Whose ball?” she asks.
“It’s Calix’s family’s winter ball,” I announce.
“As in super-mega-watt-hot Calix? Are you dating him?” she asks in shock.
Okay, here I’ll have to come clean.
“Yes, we’ve been together for about a month now,” I smile shyly.
“I can’t believe it. You are so lucky. He’s the best looking guy in the whole school. If he’s having a ball that makes him rich too,” she says, her eyes lighting up at the prospect.
“I know. He’s gorgeous. Yes, I suppose he must be well off.” And a prince too I think to myself.
“Well this dress needs to be pretty special then,” she says with the passion of a girl on a shopping mission.
“Yes, and it needs to be black or purple,” I say
“Why? Is there a dress code at this ball?”
“Yeah I guess you could say that.” The whole city has a dress code.
“Now I know that you are dating him you can fill me in on all the gossip. Why haven’t you told anyone before now?”
“I wanted to wait a while because I didn’t think it would last. I’m overwhelmed he would want me myself,” I giggle.
“Don’t be. You really are very pretty, although I’d have thought he’d go for the tanned, blonde type,” she says.
“Me too. Not some mouse like me.” We both laugh.
On entering the first shop, we rush towards anything black or purple.
“This?” Charlotte asks holding up a flapper number.
“Too long. I’ll end up falling on the floor.”
“I didn’t think of your two left feet. Good point!” she giggles.
We search around stacks of clothing. Most of the black dresses we come across are either drab or businesslike.
“I want something glamorous yet comfortable,” I tell Charlotte trying to point her in the right direction when she keeps picking dresses with built in corsets.
“We’ve looked through this whole store. Let’s try another shop,” she says sounding slightly annoyed that I didn’t like her suggestions.
“You’ve got it,” I respond.
As we walk towards the next shop it has started to sleet, Winter is definitely here.
Walking through the doors, we are greeted by a display of seasonal goodies, chocolate truffles, panettone ,German brand sweets and nougat. I’m so distracted by the treats on offer that I forget I’m looking for the perfect dress. Charlotte hasn’t and is already searching manically through the aisles of clothes. I walk over to join her. There on the end of the aisle labelled ‘evening dresses’, I spot it. A black halter neck with a purple sash and not a corset in sight. I hold it up to show charlotte.
“What do you think?” I ask her barely containing my excitement.
“Oh it’s perfect,” she says mirroring my expression.
I try the dress on in the fitting room and open the curtain to show Charlotte.
“Wow you look a million dollars,” she enthuses.
I have to admit it myself, the dress is flattering.
“This is the one.” I twirl around and beam at her.
“The perfect dress for the perfect man,” she winks at me.
If only she knew his one flaw.
Next evening, dressed for the ball and in high heels, I realize Ill have to walk through the overgrown garden like this. This is going to be tricky.
As I’m applying my lip gloss, I hear a car horn outside. I look out of the window and there is a Rolls Royce parked outside, with Calix waving at me out of the sunroof. I instantaneously join him. This is the first time I’ve ever driven to the city. And it’s the first time I’ve ever been in such a luxurious car.
“I’m so glad you picked me up. I would have taken forever to get to the city in these shoes,” I smile at him
“I could always have carried you,” he flashes his eyebrows and I nearly collapse with exhilaration.
My face feels like it’s going to burst with joy I’m smiling so much.
“Hey, don’t forget this is the City of the Broken so at least try to look unhappy,” he says seriously.
I try to look sombre but just the sight of those eyes makes me feel higher than I’ve ever been before.
It’s paradoxical that the boy who wants to date me because of my melancholic attitude is the one person who has the ability to make me happy.
We drive up to the ancient gate and Calix unlocks it. The car drives through and he returns. We drive along a narrow path that runs through the tangled web of leaves.
When we enter the city, there is a different atmosphere here tonight. There is excitement in the air, although still that morbid feeling. It can be likened to the anniversary of a death, a combination of sadness and celebration . It’s a heady mixture. Mounted police line the streets.
We drive up to the black palace and I see that the flag is up. Calix smiles at me and we hold hands. I hear loud trumpets and a band playing in the centre of the city. It’s like a coronation, only the royal well-wishers are in mourning. The whole city slowly marching to the beat of their own out of time drum. I wonder if Calix likes being Prince of such an eerie city.
He’s dressed in his gothic Victoriana black frills, I think he must take his role seriously. It’s such a huge jump, but what if we were to get married? Could I be Princess or Queen of the City of the Broken? Would I have to ban myself from smiling and dress in black constantly? Well I have always found being moody comes naturally, black is slimming and I can’t deny it any longer I love this man.
The palace gate is opened by the guards upon seeing the Royal Rolls Royce. A crowd has gathered but they don’t cheer ,they stare blankly as they hold on to the black railings. I hear an orchestra and see cars driving the guests to the front entrance. The driver opens the car door and Calix and I step out. He asks for my hand and I oblige, although his stance is more on guard than usual. He is in ‘black prince’ mode as everyone is staring at us. And for the first time I know it’s not because of what I’m wearing, it’s because I’m the date of HRH Prince Gothic.
Wow. The palace looks beautiful. There are candles in the chandeliers that line the hallway, giving a soft lit romantic glow which illuminates Calix’s skin and makes him look like an ethereal being. Rich purple carpet adorned with the signature hologram B’s has been laid out for this special occasion The scent of deep wood fills the air and the floor gleams with polish.
We walk together hand in hand to the ballroom.
“Nervous?” he asks.
“Yeah, mainly because everyone is staring at us,” I reply truthfully.
“You’ll get used to it,” he quips.
Does that mean we are in it together for the long run? I hope so. He fascinates me. I’ve become a girl who hangs on every word her boyfriend says. I always felt an extreme curiosity about him. He has a quality I’ve never seen in anyone else. He’s a paradox, a puzzle that just cannot be solved.
The music jolts me suddenly from my musing thoughts. It has turned from background music to dramatic showstopper. Although the guests themselves remain impassive and cold.
Giving nothing away, they look like shadows or memories, certainly not mortal. I look up to the platform at the top of the room. There he is, the King himself, Calix’s Father. He looks nothing like I imagined. He embodies the gravity of the city, but he has a more mightier stance than the other citizens, melancholy coupled with sheer determination. He stands and the room falls instantly silent.
Immediately there is an extreme tension that fills the room.
“Welcome citizens to the annual Winter ball of The City of the Broken,” his voice is gruff and harsh, more forceful than I expected.
“This ball marks our dedication to the city and all it upholds. The music, food and entertainment have been chosen to reflect our attitude and belief that together as Broken citizens we are untouchable.”
“What does your father mean by you being untouchable”? I ask Calix, puzzled by the man who looks like he has never smiled.
“My father believes and encourages the whole city to believe that if you are broken no further damage can be done, hence forth it makes you completely strong ,untouchable, unable to be hurt at all by anyone. I must say I am inclined to agree,” he says in a detached tone.
“But what about love and happiness? Being broken doesn’t make you strong Calix. It makes you weak for not braving hurt to find happiness. I think your father is just still grieving for his wife.” Upon saying these words I’m shocked by how frank I’ve been. There is something about the King that has wound me up. I expected to like Calix’s father but I just see a cruel, rigid man who has let his personal opinions overtake the city and I cannot hold my tongue.
“Come on Seren, don’t do this tonight. This is our evening, our special date remember?” he says looking so heartbreakingly beautiful that I forget my anger instantly.
The music has changed to a dance number and the guests head out onto the dance floor.
We watch the guests dance in perfect step, hypnotically, mournfully while we talk amongst ourselves. The King remains seated, surrounded by body guards and the infamous lady in waiting. He keeps his gaze fixed on us, with occasional flicks of the head in acknowledge of the dance floor. The guests are dressed in black lace, silks, purple velvet. One outrageous invitee is wearing grey. The rebel gains disapproving glances from other guests.
Finally Calix takes my hand and leads me across the room so we can have our first dance of the night. Everyone clears to the sides of the room, so that the floor is just for us. I keep forgetting I’m dating a Prince. I hate that everyone is staring at us but I try and focus on the moment and enjoy our dance. The music is classical- a waltz. Calix looks entranced and more joyous than I have ever seen him before as we dance. I mirror his expression, I’m beaming. I don’t know how to dance but it doesn’t seem to matter. Calix leads and our steps match perfectly, like we were made for each other. My smile is so wide it feels like my face is going to burst with joy and it looks like my darling prince feels the same. Unexpectedly he leans in and kisses me. An eternal moment captured in just a few beats of the heart. Then, even more unexpectedly the ever depressive audience clap and I’m sure I can see hints of smiles on these living corpse’s faces. I lift my eyes above Calix’s head and see one person who is certainly not smiling-the King. He sports a deadly gaze. Calix seems oblivious to his fathers reaction as he continues smiling at me, looking pleased by the performance.
The dancing is done, the guests gather their coats before heading back to their cars. Calix says he’ll return me and I’m glad it’s the weekend tomorrow as I’m exhausted.
In the Rolls Royce, Calix is still smiling, looking young and carefree.
“Did you enjoy tonight?” he asks kindly.
“It was wonderful Calix, I felt so happy, so alive and I think that’s how you felt too,” I tell him He pauses for a moment.
“Yeah…happy, I guess I was,” he says guiltily as if he has just confessed to a crime.
“Calix ,being happy isn’t a bad thing. Please don’t beat yourself up about this,” I say but suddenly he looks alarmed, angry even.
“Seren you don’t understand. I can’t be happy. My father…”
And at this point I have to interrupt, this is what this is all about.
“Your father is just a bitter old man Calix. Sorry to be blunt but he’s a jerk, stop allowing him to run your life.”
“Seren,” he pauses again as if he is contemplating what I have just said.
I’m aware that a tear is rolling down my cheek. Calix’s father makes me feel as if I’m hitting my head against a stone grave. I can tell by the look in the Kings eyes that once he has made his mind up about something, there is no changing it. A stubbornness he will hold as the habit of a lifetime, because of the unwillingness to change .
As we return from the city, Calix takes my hand.
“Thank you for tonight,” I say.
He sees my moist eyes and wipes the tear from my cheek.
“Don’t worry about my Dad, Seren. He’s not the same man since my Mother died. His grief affected the whole city.” He sighs.
“Look, I’ll talk to him. I think he’s just not used to me dating, you know?”
“I’ll see you in school Monday then,” I lean and kiss him.
He closes his eyes and his long lashes hide a pained, but poignant expression.
“Monday,” he says and it’s an everlasting promise.