Chapter 3.

After dinner, we both rested on the bed, occupying either side of the bed. I took all the rest I could. After all, I would be the most tired of us two because I would need to travel in a palanquin. Although all the while I could hear some mumbling while I slept.

The next morning I woke up to a beautiful sunrise and a heavy boulder. Wait. A boulder?? Last time I checked I was sleeping on the bed. I looked to my left to see my oh-so-dear husband had his heavy arms around my waist and his legs were tangled in mine. He was practically sleeping on me. I looked at his face keenly and he is handsome. If he hadn't forced me into this marriage and would have asked me to marry him I would have loved to observe him. Not like I am not right now.

He has a chiseled face with a little dusky shade. His lips are like those kissable lips, full and plump with a light pink shade. Ahh!! I am not having nice thoughts. His nose was pointed like a high peak. He had high cheekbones, with a jawline as sharp as my sword had me admiring him. His forehead had lines that depict how much he uses his brain, well just for wars. His eyes were of deep brown shade, with a such deepness that had you swimming through them but still never seemed to end.

Wait.

His eyes???

Oh no!!! He caught me checking him out.

"Good morning wifey... I would love to wake up to you staring at me like you are so in love with me." He said in a flirtatious tone.

"Shut up.." and I pushed him off me.

It is officially my first day as a married woman and I successfully embarrassed myself.

We got up and dressed. He went outside for the while I got dressed.

We started the journey again and I again sat in that torturous palanquin. When it was like hours of traveling, we took a break and I was losing my back. I am not used to traveling in palanquins for long distances.

Prince seem to notice my problem and he asked, "Are you ok??? Is there any problem??" I just gave a fake smile and said, "no."

He was still keenly looking at me and I couldn't look away from his mesmerizing eyes. They were intoxicating. It is as if I tend to lose myself in his eyes when I look at his eyes yet I feel like I found myself. Strange.

He suddenly said, "Crown princess is now going to travel with me on the horse." And forcefully made me sit on the horse. He climbed behind me and held the reins. His well-built chest with bulging triceps and biceps were caressing my frame. Whenever he made any contact with my body I felt shocks run through my body. It felt like every cell of my body became alive. It was like he was exciting some strange feelings in me. I sat rigidly between his arms.

He may be noticed and said, "I didn't expect the princess who defeated me in a sword fight was this silent and defensive. I wouldn't be shocked if I get to know you don't know how to ride a horse."

I know he was provoking me to say or do something. He would surely get every response he brings himself to.

"You Highness. Let time be the judge of what I am. Time will unfold the closely bound pages of my life and responses. For instance, I very well know how to ride a horse. This queen of yours knows how to take the reins of the situation into her hands when the time demands. I believe in responses and regards before the time is futile." I replied with all the humbleness I could. I need to play it smart to save myself from his clutches for time being until I figure out a way.

"I believe in the future a time will arrive when I can trust you with the reins of our kingdom. One day you would prove yourself to be praised with 'I am proud of you'." His words played with me. When he said 'OUR' kingdom, I felt a sense of belonging. It was through his words that I could gain his trust and he would one day be proud of me and encouraged me more toward my goal. But what if it was just my mind playing games with me?? No no... I couldn't let myself be going soft. It would lead me nowhere.

The rest of the journey went on with him trying to put on conversations here and there and me trying to be least affected by his presence so close to me as possible.