by Ceri Beynon
I’ve gone from dismissing this guy as deluded or untruthful to feeling guilty for harsh judgement to having concrete proof thrust in front of my eyes, all in an hour. Such conflicting emotions in a short space of time.
When I head out of college, it’s a fine day. The mountains are highlighted, and the gravestones have a golden glow. I didn’t tell anyone about my date because they’d only talk and tomorrow the whole college would know.
At the gate, I’m greeted by a gothic beauty. He’s dressed all in black, looking very Victoriana.
“Hi” he says.
“Hi” I reply in a softer tone than lunchtime.
“Lets go, I want to give the grand tour” he grins.
I follow him and we walk through the gate. Even though it’s sunny, its cold. I shiver.
“Cold?” he enquires
“Yes”.
Now I’m here in the daylight, it’s a different experience. Not sinister at all. This really does look like a garden, alas one that is unkempt. There are rose bushes, that explains the thorns. Crab apple trees, hedges, bushes and weeds. A bank of trees stand like protective guards remaining perfectly still. The doorway to the city.
We walk through the archway of leaves and branches and behold, the city. Here it is, black and graceful. But there’s something that didn’t occur to me before, an eerie feeling. It feels like a dark forest or maze, unexplored, forbidding.
“Hold my hand” he offers.
He has the longest, most elegant hands. I oblige. One thing that catches my eye is the black post box, it even has a Royal Mail logo on it.
We go into the centre of the city. There is a spiralling escalator that leads to a glass arcade. Every person on it is dressed head to toe in black. They stare at me. At first I think its because I’m with the prince but then I realize, its because I’m wearing red. I must look like a freak to them. The people here look so pale and mournful and broken. I’ve always felt the moodiest in the room now I feel like a sunbeam in comparison.
“Lets go to my palace” he says.
Oh yes, I’m on a date with a prince. It feels like a funeral.
“We’ll take the underground” he says pulling me in another direction.
“Do you take it often?” I ask
“No, this is so exciting. This is the first time I’ll take it” he says exuberantly.
The underground has the same circular logo as the one in London, although in keeping with the local charm this one is black, as are the trains. We jump on. He looks surprised at the amount of people. We sit there ignoring everyone, with eyes only for each other. But everyone is staring, at my clothes and at him. I hear whispering.
“Isn’t that the Prince ?”
“Yes it looks like him”.
He is getting increasingly anxious, clinging tightly to my arm, staring anywhere but at our fellow passengers. I hold his gaze for a moment and he looks sad and distant, a look I haven’t seen before.
“Are you okay?” I ask
“Sure, hey it’s nearly our stop“.
We get up and get out. As we step onto the platform, he slips on a beanie hat- his disguise. It seems to help, but I can still see people staring.
We head up from the underground. When we exit we are in a more affluent part of the city. We head through a beautiful park and there are black birds on the lake.
Past the mighty trees, I see a palace made entirely of black brick. At the top of the flagpole is an ebony flag, with a purple ‘B’ in the centre. Its stunning. A citadel of the broken.
“Dad’s home, the flag’s up” he smiles innocently. This is everyday life to him.
“This is really your palace?” I ask in awe.
“Yes” he nods
“Impressive” I say at a loss for words.
Two guards dressed in black stand either side of the tall gate.
“Which is the way in?” I ask
We walk up to the soldiers and I feel nervous as they stare menacingly at me, probably thinking I’m harassing the prince.
“Hey Jim, this is just my guest”.
Jim opens the gate and we walk through. Simple.
Suddenly a crowd of tourists start flashing away realizing the prince has just walked through the gates. Although they are taking pictures, they are unlike what you’d expect of a
mob of fans. Far from being screaming girls, they are detached, melancholic.
We walk through the grand entrance. The lengthy hallway has black carpet running down it, it could be velvet its so luxurious. There is an extensive array of ornaments and vases, everything black, purple or gold. The only light comes from the crystal chandeliers that line the hallway. Bizarrely there are no windows.
“This is fantastic” I smile.
He smiles back and takes my hand. Enchanting music plays faintly in the background. It sounds like a harp.
“Who’s playing”?
“That’s Mrs. S, Dad’s secretary. She practises whenever she gets a break, she’s an accomplished musician.”
He leads me into another room. A ballroom, lined with mirrors. He turns the light on and it illuminates a polished black marble dance floor. There are candelabras everywhere. Its simple but exquisite. He walks over to a gramophone and plays Mozart.
“Dance with me” he asks.
“No! I cannot dance” I squirm. I cannot think of anything more embarrassing.
“I’ll lead, I’m sure you dance well” he says politely.
He always says the right thing. He’s such a gentleman.
We dance. Well, he dances, I pretend that I can. I’m actually enjoying it, much to my own surprise. I feel like a literary heroine from the classics.
At the end of the dance, he switches the record player off and we leave the ballroom.
“We tend to hold banquets in there, it’s all very formal. Dad even insists on a gramophone, he’s so traditional. I liked being in there with you, I felt at ease” he smiles at me.
“Good evening Prince Calix, who is this young lady?” a stuffy woman regards me coolly in the hallway.
“Hello Jane, this is Seren, I wanted to give her a tour of the palace”.
“So nice to meet you dear” she says holding out her hand but its feels insincere.
“Nice to meet you” I say out of politeness.
“Your majesty” She says nodding her head in acknowledgement at him and arching an eyebrow at me, before strutting down the corridor.
“Who was that?” I ask him once she’s left.
“That’s Jane, she’s a lady in waiting. She’s quite old fashioned” he laughs.
“Come on, I’ve still got so much to show you” he says, pulling me excitedly by the arm.
“You’re not going to show me every room, are you”?
There must be a hundred.
“No, but there is one thing I really want to show you, come on” and he starts running.
I follow, feeling like a carefree child racing through the palace.
“We can take the stairs or the elevator, which would you prefer?” he asks
I don’t hesitate in choosing the elevator.
We stare at each other in the slick elevator. He chooses the top floor. His eyes flashing at me with wondrous excitement. The elevator halts and we step out. This must where the bedrooms are. There are low lit lamps which give a soft, calming effect. The carpet is black, this time with a purple ‘b’ hologram pattern through it. It makes me feel dizzy.
“This way” he smiles beckoning me to follow him. He opens an oak door.
“This is my bedroom, do you like it?” he asks.
Its black but it seems lighter in here than the other rooms. There is a king sized bed with a black satin duvet emblazoned with the purple B. Glossy black floorboards are covered with woollen rugs. Books line the walls.
“Dad says I should keep these in the library downstairs but I like them in here with me” he says, observing my fascination.
“This is what I want to show you.” He le
ads me to the window.
“You know, this is the only window in the whole palace. Dad won’t allow them anywhere else”.
I thought it seems lighter in here.
Opening the glass doors, we step out onto a vast balcony that overlooks the palace garden.
“This view is absolutely breathtaking”.
“Yes, I like to sit out here sometimes in the night air and read for hours.”
This boy is the most fascinating being I’ve met and it isn’t because he’s a prince, he’s like a human masterpiece. Sometimes I think he’s not even human, his jet black hair shines in the moonlight. His blue eyes have changed to violet and I’m yet again alive, struck. All this from the girl who thought she would never find anyone who interests her. He’s an enigma.
As I gaze into his luminous eyes, we embrace and kiss- sweet, tender, perfect.
This palace is an otherworldly dream. Marvellous as it is, it sets me on edge. Its eerie, hidden. I know it has a secret.
After our kiss, my first kiss, a sweet introduction, we head back into palace grounds. I see some beautiful swans on the lake among the black ducks. It’s a striking monochrome scene. He holds my hand and we walk among the flowers, violets. They are a deep purple like the ‘B’ on the flag.
“So do you believe I’m a Prince now?” he asks.
“Well, I think if I still doubted you I’d be a very sceptical person” I smile.
He smiles back and we walk back towards the underground at midnight.
Back at the gate that leads to ‘reality’, we kiss once more. Wow.
It’s evening and we are sitting by the lake, the lamp light illuminating the water, the musical song of the water birds playing as the background theme. Just my prince and I. He leans in close and just as I think he is going to kiss me, he whispers in my ear “I break girls hearts so that they can join my city” and suddenly his face is dark and calculating, a professional heart breaker.
I wake up with tears streaming. Whoa!
Getting dressed for college, I cannot get that nightmare out of my head. Is there an element of truth to this notion? You do need to be broken to join and who better to break a heart than a beautiful-genius-prince? I bury the thought into my subconscious.
Even though I have had many conversations with my prince, I still don’t really ‘know’ him. I’ll ask him about his life, try and uncover the real him.
Looking at the clouds outside, I start to dream. Lately all I can think about is him. That’s completely normal for most girls. But not me. I don’t fall in love easily. This is rare, this is something else. This is him. Every single second does seem to drag. Usually I pay close attention to my tutor . Not today. I wonder if my prince and I will go to the city tonight, dance in the black ballroom again. I should get more black clothes, I don’t fit the dress code at all. I feel like I’m becoming an annoying girl who can’t stop thinking about a guy. And for the first time ever it doesn’t bother me.
Finally its lunchtime. I see him chatting in the foyer to a male student who always looks upset. He’s probably scouting for more citizens. I smile at the thought. He’s dressed head to toe in black and he looks smouldering hot. His eyes illuminate when he sees me. He says a final word to his peer and then walks over to join me.
“Hi, who was that?” I ask
“That’s Jason, he’s a boy in my class” he says.
“Were you scouting?” I ask
“Ha! Yeah, you got me” he confesses.
“My Father has given me a task of getting at least 15 new members. It sounds easier than it actually is. People don’t like you telling them that you think they’re depressed” he says sounding stressed out by this responsibility imposed on him.
“Do you still want me to be a citizen? I mean, don’t you think I’m too cheerful now we are dating?” I ask. And as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I feel I have said the wrong thing. He looks at me seriously.
“You think I make you happy?” he asks horrified.
“Well, yeah. Don’t I make you happy?” I ask feeling unsettled by his negative reaction.
“Seren, you don’t understand. You can only be a member of the city if you are unhappy, you can only be my girlfriend if you are broken”.
“How could I possibly be unhappy when I’m with you?” I ask frantically.
He looks at me like an idea has struck him.
“You are Prince of the Broken, so are you unhappy? Is your Father unhappy?”
“Of course, of course we are” he holds his head up with an arrogant defiance as if he has proclaimed a statement he is proud of. A badge of honour.
“This is so challenging. I’ve always been unhappy, people would tell me to cheer up. Now when for the first time I actually feel happy, I need to be broken.” I say feeling confused.
“Seren, its difficult I know. Come to the city today, it’ll help.” He says.
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’. Its not one of merry-making. Its 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. Its 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 cant 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.” Its 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. Its 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 its 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, its 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 college 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.
