**
The Author’s POV.
The Emperor sat next to the king of Decresh. His wife was sitting among other three women. There was no sight of any of the prince.
Princess Rania strolled down the stairs. As she got near to the altar, her stomach made noises. Her feet became heavy. She felt like faking a faint but the physician would end up exposing her. And this would get her family in to trouble.
When she looked at the direction of her father, it was clearly written on his face that, it was over. He was not going to do anything that might anger the Emperor. As for the queen , she was at her best , trying to impress the empress.
Princess Rania looked at the Empress. Was she like the rest of her family members? Did she love the pain her husband and child caused to the innocents? Of course she did.
“Where is the groom?” The royal priest asked. He was seated at the Altar with a bare chest. Princess Rania wanted a Christian Marriage , not an old traditional wedding system. But it seemed luck was not her side.
The empress stood up and answered “Prince Ivar is sick. He will be represented by his brother”.
The door opened and Prince Alaric walked in to the room with few guards. He was dressed in a red garment. He didn’t look happy.
Princess Rania became restless when their eyes met. How earth was she going to swallow this?
**
Princess Rania’s POV.
When the prince was seated at the altar, the royal priest began to chant those eastern incantations. I wished father would change his mind and cancel this wedding but he didn’t.
Unlike the other Marital rites, ours ended quickly.
The Emperor was so happy that I noticed him as soon as the veil was lifted. Other formalities were cut short.
It seemed they were in a hurry to leave for Aragón. Mother cried when I was about leaving. She knew what I was going to face in the land of strangers.
As a strong Princess, which my father wanted me to be, I held my tears and entered the carriage. Sad songs were sung in order to bid me farewell. The Emperor did not understood our local language. No wonder, he didn’t stop it.
Isabel sent a box to me through my maid, salsa. An idea came to me and I struck my head outside the carriage “Excuse me, can I speak to the Empress?”
“I will have to ask her first, my princess” The guard bowed and left. He came back few minutes later “Yes my lady. If you excuse me, may I ?
I looked at the hand he brought forward. The guard wanted to help me down. I accepted it and went to the carriage where the Empress was.
She looked at me with a smile. “Hope you are fine?”
“Yes , your highness. I have a request” I said, with a little hope in my heart. She looked wicked to me even though we just met.
“Go on” The Empress gave me a green light.
“I want to take one of my maids along, but with your permission?”
“Do you think we won’t give you maids over there?” She asked with a frown face. Oh what did I say wrong?
“Not at all, your highness. Forgive me if you made you feel that way” I quickly apologized. My mother told me to respect the empress at all cost. “With your permission, I will retire to my carriage.”
She didn’t even look at me. I gathered the hems of my heavy dress and went to my carriage.
When the Emperor was done talking to my family, we began our journey. Annabelle told me that it would take us , seven days to reach Aragón.
I asked how my in-laws made it in a day, mother told me that they were in a near by town waiting for my father’s reply. Had it been he refused to comply, a war would have been waged on us. God forbid!
*
*****Princess Rania's POV.We traveled for days. Most of the time, we took rest in villages. Of course, They received and hosted us well. Every one wanted to dine with the world's Emperor. When ever I was asked about my husband, the empress was the first to answer. She Interrupted me in such a way that I became suspicious of her. They were hiding something away from me.On the eighteenth day, we arrived in Aragón. No body told me that but I knew at once it's was the capital. The buildings were beautiful and artwork dominated the city. From the window of my carriage, I could tell that the people were happy to receive me. But was I ready to be their prince's wife?No. I refused the prince even before we got married. Nothing was going to change my mind after marriage. Once I reach the palace, I promised to be polite and ask for privacy, till further notice.He bought me like a slave. Distance was his punishment.“My Lady&rdq
I took my bath quickly in fear. While I was in the bathroom, I thought of only ghosts. It seemed there was one present in the room, Waiting for me to be alone.When I came out of the bathroom with the cloth wrapped around me, Alissa was still there. I was relieved.She called for the other maids and they dressed me up. The Royal makeup artist came to lighten my face. She was afraid the whole time and I could tell from her trembling hands that this was her first in prince Ivar's room.(Seems I was not the only who was scared)After two hours, I was done with the dressing and making up. My red dress stood out in the room. It went along with my red hair which was packed in to a pony tail style.Alissa told me that I looked like the first queen of Aragón. I wondered how she knew about the ancestors of the land that destroyed hers.We went downstairs together. I could hear music sounds coming from the other side of the palace.&
Alissa came back with a big frown on her face. She looked like she was slapped by a ghost. Speaking about ghosts, it seemed they existed in this palace. Although it's was big and beautiful, the palace still lack something. I couldn't picture what it's was but the people here were not really happy. Every one looked like they were going to die soon. I wondered how my dear husband might look?Alissa passed over and whispered to the queen whose face clouded with confusion. (Ever since we arrived, she carried that same expression.)Again, she stood up and left me there. People came around to congratulate me. In the midst of those happy ones, were the sad faces telling me welcome to hell, Princess. The young princesses who came gave me a look that stirred jealously. They said congratulations to you, prince Ivar’s bride. On the other hand, I knew they were wishing me quick death, so that they could take my place.I wished they were bold enough to tell this to the
"leave me alone" A deep voice spoke in the darkness. He dashed behind her in a second. Without seeing who it was princess Rania knew the voice belonged to the second prince of Aragon "How will I leave you alone your Highness?" she asked shakily. It was their first night after marriage and he was giving her attitude already. But what did you expect for a devil man who felt too proud to attend his own wedding! He even tried to scare her on their first meeting. There was no response from him. Princess Rania sighed to leave. There was no light in the room. Too afraid to move or take a step she wandered around the room till she stepped on a foot. A firm hand drew her into his arms and held her waist tight. "Since you decided to stay, I hope you can face the consequences of your stubbornness" Princess Rania tried to break free from him but he was too strong. She could tell for his strength that he was no Ordinary man prince Ivar felt the energy
**Princess Rania’s POV.I got downstairs and the women of the harem stared at me. Alissa who was knitting a cloth was surprised to see me. I walked to where she was and sat next to her. “ What are you knitting, Alissa?”“A table cover for the empress” She answered, fixing the needle under the drawings on the cloth.“I see.. please teach me too” I pleaded.“No my lady” Alissa refused. “By the way what are you doing here? It is your first night with the prince.”I looked at them pitifully. They did not know the man who they called Ivar. He was wicked and heartless. He made me shivered in the room like a Christmas chicken. “The prince sent me out of his room. That’s why I came here to join you, ladies.”The women laughed. They whispered among their selves but I did not care. Alissa was not pleased at all. She grabbed my hand and took me to the corner of
We stopped at a giant door. Alissa knocked and the guard opened the door for us. I walked in to the hall with my hands in front. The dinning hall was the biggest I have ever since. There were no lights on. It seemed the people here preferred darkness to light. No wonder, they were all had sad faces.“join us, princess” The Emperor’s voice came. The dinning table was located at the right side of the hall. I took few steps and bow.“Greetings, your highness” I spoke. The Empress was sitting opposite him. She did not looked up when I came. This was just the beginning of my stay and we were nursing hatred already.The princes sat opposite each other. There were six empty seats. I wondered if the family was not complete.“Welcome my dear, have a seat” he answered with a smile. The Emperor was even better than his wife when it came to manners. People said he was wicked but I think he had a better manners of approach com
**“Yes, my princess” Elizabeth curtsied. At first I thought she was not going to answer her. It seemed my sister in law liked me.Princess Elsa walked to where we stood and said to me “learn how to talk, Rania. Don’t let them march on you like this”I nodded. My brain was empty and my mouth lack words to say. I went back to my room. Princess Elizabeth wanted to slap me when my mistake was little. It seemed she had a personal issue with me. I wondered what I did to her?After my birthday party, this was the first time we met in years. Again, her reception was rude. She did not like me. But what was her reason?The door opened and Alissa walked in to the room. She wore a blue dress with white stripes. Her hair was always tied in to a bun. She was always in the hurry. I learnt from one of the maids, that she was the head of the maids.“Greetings my lady” She bowed. Her face maintained the fact th
The messenger rode the horse faster as he drew closer to the castle. The fear of delivery the message late gripped him.As he rode closer, the gates opened and four guards stopped him.“Who are you?” One of them asked, rudely.“I have message for your king. Inform him that Emperor Aldrich sent me” the messenger answered.From the looks on their faces, he could tell that the name of the Emperor scared him. Quickly, they made a way for him.The messenger came down from the horse and the stable man held the rope of the horse.He walked in to the castle with another guard, who led the way.The king was comfortably sitting on his throne when the messenger entered the room.“Antonio?” The king stood up immediately. His eyes darted towards the woman who was sitting beside her. She looked at him. “What brought you to the Siage?”“Greetings your highness” He bowed deeply
**“Yes, my princess” Elizabeth curtsied. At first I thought she was not going to answer her. It seemed my sister in law liked me.Princess Elsa walked to where we stood and said to me “learn how to talk, Rania. Don’t let them march on you like this”I nodded. My brain was empty and my mouth lack words to say. I went back to my room. Princess Elizabeth wanted to slap me when my mistake was little. It seemed she had a personal issue with me. I wondered what I did to her?After my birthday party, this was the first time we met in years. Again, her reception was rude. She did not like me. But what was her reason?The door opened and Alissa walked in to the room. She wore a blue dress with white stripes. Her hair was always tied in to a bun. She was always in the hurry. I learnt from one of the maids, that she was the head of the maids.“Greetings my lady” She bowed. Her face maintained the fact th
We stopped at a giant door. Alissa knocked and the guard opened the door for us. I walked in to the hall with my hands in front. The dinning hall was the biggest I have ever since. There were no lights on. It seemed the people here preferred darkness to light. No wonder, they were all had sad faces.“join us, princess” The Emperor’s voice came. The dinning table was located at the right side of the hall. I took few steps and bow.“Greetings, your highness” I spoke. The Empress was sitting opposite him. She did not looked up when I came. This was just the beginning of my stay and we were nursing hatred already.The princes sat opposite each other. There were six empty seats. I wondered if the family was not complete.“Welcome my dear, have a seat” he answered with a smile. The Emperor was even better than his wife when it came to manners. People said he was wicked but I think he had a better manners of approach com
**Princess Rania’s POV.I got downstairs and the women of the harem stared at me. Alissa who was knitting a cloth was surprised to see me. I walked to where she was and sat next to her. “ What are you knitting, Alissa?”“A table cover for the empress” She answered, fixing the needle under the drawings on the cloth.“I see.. please teach me too” I pleaded.“No my lady” Alissa refused. “By the way what are you doing here? It is your first night with the prince.”I looked at them pitifully. They did not know the man who they called Ivar. He was wicked and heartless. He made me shivered in the room like a Christmas chicken. “The prince sent me out of his room. That’s why I came here to join you, ladies.”The women laughed. They whispered among their selves but I did not care. Alissa was not pleased at all. She grabbed my hand and took me to the corner of
"leave me alone" A deep voice spoke in the darkness. He dashed behind her in a second. Without seeing who it was princess Rania knew the voice belonged to the second prince of Aragon "How will I leave you alone your Highness?" she asked shakily. It was their first night after marriage and he was giving her attitude already. But what did you expect for a devil man who felt too proud to attend his own wedding! He even tried to scare her on their first meeting. There was no response from him. Princess Rania sighed to leave. There was no light in the room. Too afraid to move or take a step she wandered around the room till she stepped on a foot. A firm hand drew her into his arms and held her waist tight. "Since you decided to stay, I hope you can face the consequences of your stubbornness" Princess Rania tried to break free from him but he was too strong. She could tell for his strength that he was no Ordinary man prince Ivar felt the energy
Alissa came back with a big frown on her face. She looked like she was slapped by a ghost. Speaking about ghosts, it seemed they existed in this palace. Although it's was big and beautiful, the palace still lack something. I couldn't picture what it's was but the people here were not really happy. Every one looked like they were going to die soon. I wondered how my dear husband might look?Alissa passed over and whispered to the queen whose face clouded with confusion. (Ever since we arrived, she carried that same expression.)Again, she stood up and left me there. People came around to congratulate me. In the midst of those happy ones, were the sad faces telling me welcome to hell, Princess. The young princesses who came gave me a look that stirred jealously. They said congratulations to you, prince Ivar’s bride. On the other hand, I knew they were wishing me quick death, so that they could take my place.I wished they were bold enough to tell this to the
I took my bath quickly in fear. While I was in the bathroom, I thought of only ghosts. It seemed there was one present in the room, Waiting for me to be alone.When I came out of the bathroom with the cloth wrapped around me, Alissa was still there. I was relieved.She called for the other maids and they dressed me up. The Royal makeup artist came to lighten my face. She was afraid the whole time and I could tell from her trembling hands that this was her first in prince Ivar's room.(Seems I was not the only who was scared)After two hours, I was done with the dressing and making up. My red dress stood out in the room. It went along with my red hair which was packed in to a pony tail style.Alissa told me that I looked like the first queen of Aragón. I wondered how she knew about the ancestors of the land that destroyed hers.We went downstairs together. I could hear music sounds coming from the other side of the palace.&
*****Princess Rania's POV.We traveled for days. Most of the time, we took rest in villages. Of course, They received and hosted us well. Every one wanted to dine with the world's Emperor. When ever I was asked about my husband, the empress was the first to answer. She Interrupted me in such a way that I became suspicious of her. They were hiding something away from me.On the eighteenth day, we arrived in Aragón. No body told me that but I knew at once it's was the capital. The buildings were beautiful and artwork dominated the city. From the window of my carriage, I could tell that the people were happy to receive me. But was I ready to be their prince's wife?No. I refused the prince even before we got married. Nothing was going to change my mind after marriage. Once I reach the palace, I promised to be polite and ask for privacy, till further notice.He bought me like a slave. Distance was his punishment.“My Lady&rdq
**The Author’s POV.The Emperor sat next to the king of Decresh. His wife was sitting among other three women. There was no sight of any of the prince.Princess Rania strolled down the stairs. As she got near to the altar, her stomach made noises. Her feet became heavy. She felt like faking a faint but the physician would end up exposing her. And this would get her family in to trouble.When she looked at the direction of her father, it was clearly written on his face that, it was over. He was not going to do anything that might anger the Emperor. As for the queen , she was at her best , trying to impress the empress.Princess Rania looked at the Empress. Was she like the rest of her family members? Did she love the pain her husband and child caused to the innocents? Of course she did.“Where is the groom?” The royal priest asked. He was seated at the Altar with a bare chest. Princess Rania wanted a Christian M
On the fifteenth day, I rushed to the throne room when the messenger arrived from Aragón. He said the reply would have reach us few days ago but there was a little argument about the wedding.“What happened?” My father asked. “Why the delay?”“Prince Ivar. He was sick so the Emperor had to wait for him to recover first, my Lord” Antonio answered with a bow. He went to where my father was sitting and handed a letter to him.My heart beat faster as he struggled to open the letter. My eyes moved with his, while the letter was read silently. Was the news bad?“Tomorrow?” The king asked with a surprise look. I wonder what was the content of the letter!I moved closer as the messenger knelt down in front of the throne.“My king, that is the final decision of the Emperor. We have no choice than to obey” he told us.“Se