“My Lady…”

“My Lady?”

Slowly I open my eyes to see Mira waiting patiently at my bedside. With a large yawn, I push out the words, “What time is it?”

I was up all night. Tossing and turning, thinking about the Prince’s kiss. Rubbing my eyes I attempt to wipe the vision away, but the feeling of his lips on mine still remains.

“It is nearly noon, Miss.”

The heaviness of sleep weighed me to the bed, crippling my every move. With the sore pain singing from yesterday’s labor, I have little to no desire to leave these sheets.

“Are you well, your Highness?” Mira sits on the bed beside me with kindness in her eyes. I am not well… I have no idea what I am doing. It is moments like this that I miss my Mother so much. She always had the right thing to say. Every time I went to her in distress, she would calm me down from my worries with her words of wisdom.

“Perhaps your Grace would feel better in a new change of clothes?” Walking to my wardrobe of dresses, Mira takes a blue cotton gown and places it flat at the foot of my bed.

“I will fetch you something to eat. In the meantime, you can change into this. I don’t think that gardening is wise for today. You should take the day to rest. The garden will still be there tomorrow.”

How did I get so lucky to have Mira as my handmaid? I feel so blessed to have her here with me. She has been the one constant comfort through all of this change. “Thank you, Mira. For everything.”

She smiles wide and bows to me. “It is my pleasure, my Lady! I will return shortly.”

Staring at the clean dress in front of me, I loath it’s presence. That one garment means that I must move from total comfort, and I despise it for that. Letting out an annoyed sigh, I rise from my bed, feeling every ache in my bones as I move. At my own slow and tiring pace, I change out of my nightgown and into my day clothes.

Now that I have achieved my goal before Mira returns, I look to the bed again. It would be so easy to crawl back under the covers… I shake the temptation out of my thoughts. I know that if I get back in bed, I will not get back up.

Looking around for a distraction, my eyes glance over at my writing desk. My Mother has been on my mind, I should write to her. Taking the parchment and quill I begin my letter, but find that I don’t know what to write. I still have yet to confirm if my letters are being read. I don’t want to give the King any reason for displeasure towards me. Pondering for a moment, I decided that I will write to her as positively as I can, assuring her I am being taken care of. I am sure she will want to hear all about the wedding as well.

Dear Mother,

I wanted to write to you and assure you that I am well. I am being well treated and cared for in Xosta. I wish you could have been there for the wedding day. Everything was exactly how I imagined. The King even had a custom-designed gown made just for me. I was honored that he would give me such a wonderful gift. Meeting Prince Galleren was a pleasant surprise. He is exactly how we dreamed. I have faith that he will make a wonderful husband. We had the most amazing first kiss at the altar; you could see the sparks fly from all around us! I hope that you will get to meet him someday soon.

How is Father? I do not like the way we departed. If I could go back and change what happened I would. I worry about the King. He has so many people counting on him to lead and protect his people. I pray that he will have the strength to do what is right, and protect Theora from the Orc invaders.

I sent Edom a letter a few days ago, so I expect he should receive it shortly before you get this letter. I hope that you are not cross with me that he got my first message home. When I arrived here, I couldn’t get him out of my mind. You know how much I care for him and leaving without saying goodbye broke my heart.

I want you and the rest of the family to know, that I love each and every one of you. I miss you all every day, and I am deeply grateful to do my part in the protection of our Kingdom. May the Earth shower you all with bounty.

Sincerely,

Princess Ariella

It hurts that I can’t write to my mother about how I am really feeling. How the King’s dress was actually an insult, treating me like a common whore. How the Prince refuses to sleep in the same bed with me. And most importantly, how lonely my new life is. Staring at my letter of half-truths my heart aches. I want to see my family. I want to hold them, laugh with them, talk with them. They have been the single most important part of my life for so long, and now I don’t know what that is. Should I focus more on my marriage? Or should I be more concerned with the King holding up his end of our bargain?

Hearing a knock at my door, I wipe away any sadness that may remain in my eyes. “Come in,” I call out.

To my surprise, it is not Mira at my door, but Sir Esteve. As per usual he is dressed fully in ebony armor, and still maintaining his closed helmet. At this point I don’t even second guess him masking his face, this is simply how he prefers to be perceived.

“Good Afternoon, Princess Ariella.” his voice low and masculine.

“Good Afternoon, Sir Esteve. What brings you here?” I rise from my seat and walk closer to the Knight. Any body language one would normally see is completely covered in iron and steel. He is always very challenging to read.

“The King has sent me, my Lady. He wishes to see you at once. I will escort you to his private library.” The King wishes to see me? What could he possibly want?

I swallow hard, feeling the anticipation rise from my stomach. “Very well, let us be on our way.” Before I could move out the door, Sir Esteve clears his throat and points to the top of his head. It is at that moment I realize that I forgot to comb my hair!

In embarrassment I flea to my vanity to see that my hair was completely matted and frizzy from the hot dry air. Taking the straightening enchanted comb, I quickly brush through as much hair as I can. I am not feeling myself today. I hope that I can present myself well to the King. I have to be careful of what I say, or it could mean my life.

Placing the comb back in its place I turn back to my Knight in shining armor. “Thank you Sir Esteve. I am ready to see his Majesty now.”

As we walked to where the King was patiently waiting, the two of us did not speak allowing me to better hear everything around me. Coming down to the end of the hall, I could hear muffled giggles echoing from afar. I couldn’t tell just yet how many people there were but it was definitely a group of women. The closer we approached the end of the hall, the clearer their voices became.

“I think the Prince is so handsome!” One girl said.

“I loved when he touched me right... here.” another voice spoke.

My heart sinks into my stomach when the two of us turn the corner to find the three women who spoke to me at the wedding feast. Lady Hawyse was wearing a red dress, with the bodice nearly undone. Her sisters Uldi and Avelyn had tousled undone hair, and guilty red cheeks. When our eyes met they smiled at me, but not of a friendly nature, but with villainy. They wanted me to hear that… every word of it.

“Princess Ariella, Good Afternoon.” The girls said in unison. Looking away from them I paid them no mind, walking further in silence. They don’t deserve any acknowledgment from me after being so blatantly forward of their intimacy with my Husband. I can’t help but feel betrayed. Since our second kiss, I have been feeling that things may work out for us in the long run; but seeing that he is still having relations with other women, crushes my hope of that ever becoming a reality.

I hold my face still, as to not show my true emotions. I fell for his tricks again… He never cared for me, and he never will.

“Your Majesty, Princess Ariella is here as you requested.” Sir Esteve said as he guided me into the palace library. The King was standing tall, overlooking a large table of old books. His fingers trailing along a green and gold text that looked to be hundreds of years old. He had his golden crown placed on his head, as I have normally seen, but his clothes were more casual.

“Thank you, Sir Esteve. You are dismissed.” The King’s loud commanding voice echos through the room, amplifying his stature. Before my quiet friend leaves, I grab his arm for a moment. I don’t want to be left alone with the King… not again.

“Please… will you wait outside the door for me?” I whisper. Sir Esteve coldly pushes me away and walks out of the library mute. Seeing him not come through for me like this shouldn’t surprise me, but I thought after he helped me at the wedding we had connected on a deeper level. I am sad to see he doesn’t appear to feel the same way.

Taking in a deep breath of courage, I step forward and curtsey to the King. “Your Majesty, to what do I owe this pleasure.”

“Well, I simply wanted to check on you… My staff tells me you are polite, respectful, and in every way embodies the presence of a Princess.” The King closes his book placing a marker where he had stopped reading.

“Hearing that brings me such joy, your Majesty. I am pleased I have not disappointed. I trust the marriage has solidified our agreement?”

The King raises his brow as the mood swiftly changes. “Not quite… tell me, have you consummated the marriage?”

The words from the King make my feet run cold. My mouth turned as dry as the Xosta soil. I try to think of how to respond, but the King beats me too it.

“Are you still a virgin? Yes or No?” He continues to berate me, knowing how uncomfortable I am. “It is a simple answer, Princess! Yes or No!”

I am shaken to my core. The King yelling at me causes me to go numb from my shoulders down. Even as a young child, my parents never raised their tone like that too me. His anger frightens me, more than anything of this world. “Forgive me… Your Majesty… I don’t think it is appropriate to discuss such matters-”

“So, that means no then…” The King stares me down to belittle me further. “This contract is only bound when you and Galleren have consummated your marriage. If you are unable to agree to the arrangement, I can personally see to it that you will live the rest of your miserable life in a living hell…”

His threat sounds more terrifying than death itself. If I do not sleep with the Prince then not only is my life in danger but the welfare of my people and my family are at risk.

“Yes, your Majesty.” I squeak. I feel like I have failed… How do I have sex with someone, who would rather sleep with anyone else…

“Get out of my sight. Go!” The King spits. As quickly as I can, I bow to the King and walk out.

I feel it coming. Tears building in my eyes. I don’t want to give my virginity to someone I don’t love. If I don’t convince the Prince to sleep with me I could lose everything…

Not stopping my pace I run all the way back to my bed-chamber, holding back as many tears as I can. When the door shuts behind me, my body releases all of the pain and sorrow I have been carrying. I fall to the bed and shove my face in a pillow to muffle my cries. My body shaking like a leaf, trying to drive out all of my grief. With a tight grip, I grab hold of the bedsheets, as if to release more emotion through my fingers.

“My Lady! What is wrong?” I was so overwhelmed that I didn’t even see that Mira was waiting here for me. I have no words for her, just tears.