Catherine very quickly got used to the idea of staying with the Peggs. Once Mrs. Pegg had taken care of her for two entire days without looking at her with too much pity, she got used to her caring, and started feeling a little more comfortable. After a week, she found she even enjoyed the woman's care.
She had always tried to avoid the entire family. Their warmth and smiles had annoyed her, but living in the middle of it all made her feel very different about it. She felt happy and at home. It didn't take her long to form a sot of friendship with Gabrielle Pegg, who was only a few months older than her. Gabrielle was a small red headed girl, who always had a smile on her face. Catherine had disliked her before, but after talking to her, it soon became clear that the other girl had more personality than she had first expected.
She was so happy being with them, that she didn't know how long she'd been there the day her father suddenly came to see her. She had pushed all thoughts about her family out of her head, and the reappearance of one of them was enough to make her feel like she'd only just landed on the hard stones. Her bruises suddenly hurt a little more. Her stomach turned when he spoke.
She was not sure she could trust him any more. He must have known how she had had it up until now. And he was older than her, old enough to know better. She only knew the difference after witnessing it at the Peggs'.
She was happy that he left without talking to her, and secretly hoped that he would not come back. He did come back of course. The next day, in fact, and he had an air about him that she disliked. He seemed too happy.
He greeted her with a smile and a hug, neither of which she gave him back, and offered her a small mirror, decorated with small polished rocks and coloured beads. She thanked him in a low voice and went to sit on the other side on the room. Her father did not seem to mind. In fact, he seemed more than happy to share a moment with the Peggs to chat about the latest news and gossip. After a few minutes, she started paying attention, realising they were discussing a small war that had apparently happened earlier in the year. She did not remember ever hearing about it.
“...Wasn't exactly a big battle anyway,” her father was saying. “But I guess it's true that he's the one who lead it.”
“It seems like a terrible risk to take when you don't have any sons or brothers to take your place,” said Mr. Pegg.
Her father nodded grimly. There was a short silence before he continued. “That's just it, you see. There's talk that maybe he knew that and maybe he was trying to make a point.” He waved his hands as Mr. Pegg was about to say something. “But that's not even it. He didn't lead the battle. He was the battle. There were hardly any men with him, and the ones that did follow him fled soon after.” Her father ignored a disapproving sound from Mr. Pegg. Mrs. Pegg was following the conversation intently but did not seem to have much to say.
“They weren't the cowardly type. They said that the prince - His Majesty - That he used … magic.”
Mrs. Pegg stepped back. Mr. Pegg stared at her father for a long time, then spat at his wife's immaculate floors.
“Disgusting,” Mrs. Pegg whispered, though she did not seem to have noticed her husbands reaction.
“Why would he have done a thing like that? He would be the first person to know just how … vile that is.”
Her father shrugged. “It's just what I heard them say, Daniel. I wasn't there to see it. But it seems to be true. He's turned out to be a magic user. Right -”
“Such a shame!” sighed Mrs. Pegg. Catherine's father continued; “Right now he's travelling the borders in the north asking for permission to meet with some of the nobility. He has cast a spell to ensure that he finds a compatible wife, or something disgraceful like that.”
There was silent in the room for a while.
“I've heard about that,” said Mrs. Pegg. “Until he officially proposes to someone, he'll feel a pull towards any woman who would fit him. It makes sense to just ask for the nobles, then. It would get too confusing in a city.” Despite the disgust that was still in her voice when she spoke of magic, there was a small touch of girlishness towards the end of her comment. Both men grunted in response and did their best to change the subject.
Less than an hour had passed when her father came to sit next to her. The silence between them felt somehow precious to her, as she had the feeling that what came next would change her life again.
“I've been thinking about everything, Catherine,” said her father, and she braced herself. “I think I've come up with a solution that will let all of us live a little more peacefully.”
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