2

It was a busy day at the palace of King Cladius in Angbotain. Guests were arriving for Isabelle's marriage. Different delicacies were being made so the royal kitchen was a mess. Everyone was busy.

"Pack everything," Isabelle ordered the court ladies.

She was packing up. Her clothes were in a separate box. She didn't want to leave her jewelries behind too. Nobody would wear them if she left them. 

All her belongings were packed. 

She was currently receiving skincare session. It was in preparation of her wedding night. She should be washed thoroughly before going to her husband's house.

She asked to pack her books herself. The most precious possession Isabelle ever considered worthy were her books. She never joked with them. Her maids were even allowed to clean them. She does that herself and everyone knew that.

Aravis told her that Adrian would arrive by evening but he's nowhere to be found. She was waiting eagerly by her window. The sun was about to set and he wasn't there. She was filled with disappointed.

When she was about to leave her window, the trumpet was blown.

She stopped. Her eyes bulged. He had arrived! The trumpet was only blown when the most important part of an upcoming event arrived. She watched eagerly from her window as the horses walked in. Five horses and riders walked in first. A white horse entered after them. She couldn't see the rider clearly as it was getting dark. 

A golden carriage and pair also walked in with five horses and riders behind it. She watched as they headed to inner palace.

She wore her royal robes and ran out of her room with curiosity.

She was about to descend down the stairs when Aravis caught her.

"Isabelle," she called. "I told you, it is forbidden."

"But mother," she whined.

"Go back to your room."

She pouted as she walked to her room. There was a tradition in Angbotain. Couples are to avoid each other a night to their marriage. It is said to ward off evil eyes and bad intentions. It was the same in the case of Isabelle and Adrian.

Adrian was fully settled on his quarters. He was entertained with food and drinks. He had heard a lot about Angbotain. He wanted to take a tour but it was dark already. The marriage was scheduled for early the next morning so that he could leave for Deira immediately. The guards were all tired so he left them and walked the kingdom of Angbotain.

It was lights out in the main palace. Isabelle tiptoed quietly not to wake anyone. The guards were guarding the gates securely so she used the secret passageway down in the basement. She went through the tunnel.

The streets were all silent. It was dark and scary but some houses still had their lights on. She admired her kingdom for the last time before she entered a new world.

Angbotain was beautiful as he had heard. It gave off a peaceful vibe that he liked. The night breeze was intoxicating. He made his way back to the palace to rest for the next day. 

The decorations were all done. The palace looked festive. There were flowers everywhere and a lot of food to eat. Guests were still rolling in and so were gifts. Elite families who thought it was their duty to honor the princess sent a lot of gifts. Isabelle's room was packed.

She had to move to another room to get dressed. A court lady was sent to receive her dress from Adrian.

If it was a normal love wedding, Adrian should deliver the dress directly into his bride's hands. It was a age long tradition. The groom's family would prepare what the bride would wear and send gifts while the bride's family would receive all the guests.

Well in this case,the whole town knew it could never be a love marriage.

Isabelle's dress was a white évassé style wedding gown. It features handmade lace and a dramatic tulle chapel train.

"White?" She exclaimed.

Everyone else used white on their weddings but as royalty, it was supposed to be purple.

"What is he thinking?" She scoffed as she was helped into the dress.

She sat down as her hair was styled. It was a slightly undone bun with some wispy, face framing pieces.

The jewelry box was opened and a pearl necklace was placed on her neck. She personally placed her coronet over her head after the veil which covered her face. 

"Your highness," a maid bowed by the door. "It is time."

She sucked in her breath and proceeded to walk to the venue. It was in the palace space. It was an open event. She stood in front of the closed door as someone announced,"Here comes the bride!"

The doors opened and she swallowed hard. Everyone was there. Everyone who was important was in attendance. She walked elegantly like the princess she was. She could see her husband to be from afar. He was standing at the end. She couldn't see him clearly as he was still far away.

She finally reached him. She stopped and so did her heartbeat.

He wasn't smiling. He wasn't frowning either. He had a neutral face on. He was wearing his purple attire. His hair looked like it wasn't prepped at all even though it shone.

"It is time for the wedding vows."

"Prince Adrian, third son of King Augustus, ruler of Deira, do you take Princess Isabelle, daughter of King Claudius, ruler of Angbotain to be the mother of your children? To be the one whom you share your secrets and affection with? In sickness and health? In fitness and obesity? As long as you both can stand?"

"I do," he replied coldly. 

The same vows were repeated for Isabelle.

"You are now pronounced man and wife. You may kiss the bride, your majesty," the officiator bowed.

Adrian faced Isabelle who couldn't hide her amazement. She was breathing heavily.

He placed his hands around her neck, pulled her closer and kissed her.

Gunshots were fired as the people cheered. The couple disengaged from their intimate session. Claudius took Adrian's hand in his and squeezed it.

"Take care of my daughter. No matter how hard it may be, she must not cry. If a single tear falls from her eyes, I will ruin you," he said with fire in his eyes.

Adrian seemed moved. He was quite shocked at Claudius's last line.

Aravis was out of control. She couldn't sniff back her tears. She hugged her daughter tight as the marriage carriage arrived.

"We'll send another carriage after you bearing her belongings. Her gifts shall be delivered in due time,"Claudius explained to Adrian.

"I understand. Farewell, your Majesty," he bowed.

He held out his hand for Isabelle to hold as she entered the carriage. After bowing to the royal family one last time, he got in. They were ushered out of Angbotain with pomp and pageantry.

They stared the real journey to Deira as soon as they were out of Angbotain. The horses ran faster.

It was an awkward situation in the carriage. Adrian was asleep with his hands crossed across his chest. Isabelle was sitting on the opposite side as she admired his features.

His silk hair, raised nose, high cheekbones, plump lips and his perfect jawline amazed her. It was rude to stare. She had learned that in her ethics class but she couldn't help herself.

His eyeballs moved under their cover and she knew he was about to wake up. She averted her gaze to seem uninterested in him. He let out his head from the carriage and the ride stopped.

"Let us take a break," he said to no one in particular.

The guards sat on rocks and grass as Adrian stood and admired the forest. Isabelle was still sitting in the carriage. 

Why wouldn't he speak to her? She wondered.

A guard came and closed the door.

"Are we about to continue?" She asked.

"Yes, your highness," he bowed.

"What about the prince?" She asked about her new husband.

"He is going to be riding with us, please make yourself comfortable."

She sighed as the carriage began moving again. 

He must have caught her staring. He was too cold. How can you ignore your new bride for that long?

The journey was stressful and silent. Adrian rode with the guards and Isabelle fell asleep in the carriage. They arrived in Deira at sunset. 

The palace was also decorated beautifully. Musicians were playing and it seemed like the ministers were in assembly.

Adrian came down from his horse and opened the carriage door. Isabelle's head was hanging to a side as she slept. Her coronet was lying on the floor. She snored gently.

Adrian picked up her coronet and entered the carriage. He placed it on her head and tapped her gently. Her eyes fluttered open.

"We are now in Deira. You have to greet the assembly and we shall spend the night here. Tommorow, we will go to my residence," he explained to her.

She nodded and he helped her out of the carriage.

"It is a formal setting so we have to go in holding hands," he explained. "Excuse me," he held her hands and they walked to the front of the assembly. 

The eunuch announced, "Prince Adrian and Princess Isabelle have arrived!"

The doors were pulled open and Isabelle marveled. She had never attended an assembly as it wasn't appropriate for a woman to be there. It was surprising.

It seemed like everyone stood according to their rank. She could see the king, a prince was beside him.

They both walked to the king's throne. He was full of smiles.

"Princess Isabelle," he stood up. "It is with great pleasure that we welcome you to Deira."

"It is an honor to be here," she smiled and bowed slightly. 

The assembly nodded and smiled at her good manners.

"We welcome you to Deira!" The whole assembly chorused to Isabelle's amazement.

"Fredrick, your sister-in-law has not received your greetings," Augustus signalled to Fredrick.

He gathered his purple robe quickly and walked to the couple.

"I, Fredrick, Crown Prince of Deira welcome you to our midst," he smiled at her. "We are honoured to have you as a part of our family."

She smiled again and bowed.

The Crown Prince was really attractive. He had a calm appearance and composure. He had a royal aura around him. 

"Are you leaving for your residence tonight?" Fredrick asked Adrian.

"They have to spend their first night in the palace," Augustus chastised Fredrick. "You know it's a tradition."

"I thought he could not stay since he did not live here," he apologized.

"Your residence is ready for you to use," Augustus sent the couple away.

They bowed and left the assembly.

"Wow, this place looks amazing," Isabelle marveled at the palace's beauty. "It has been here for so many years yet it does not look old."

Adrian looked around. She was right. It's been here for so many years yet it looks new. The palace was supposed to be a place of royalty. Now, it contained gossipers and betrayers.

"Brother!" Leopold's voice rang through his ears. 

Isabelle and Adrian turned around to the direction that the voice came from. Leopold was running towards them as usual while Louis maintained his dignity.

His robe got caught and he fell.

"I told you not to run," Adrian helped him up.

"A clumsy fool will never learn," Louis muttered as he approached them. 

He bowed slightly to his brother who patted his back.

"A fool?" Leopold exclaimed. "I am clumsy, I admit it. How dare you call me a fool?" He smacked the back of Louis's head.

"I will kill you!" Louis kicked him in the legs and they began to wrestle.

"Separate!" Adrian shouted and they separated immediately. 

"I expect this from Leopold but Louis, you are the model brother," he teased.

"Brother!" Leopold whined and Adrian chuckled.

Isabelle stood there in silence with a smile tugging at her lips. The husband who wouldn't even talk to her was smiling at his brothers antics. 

"Did you offer your greetings yet?" Adrian stood in front of them cross armed.

"Prince Louis of Deira welcomes you to our kingdom," Louis greeted Isabelle.

"She's beautiful," Leopold whispered to Adrian.

"She can hear you idiot!" Louis smacked Leopold once again.

"I am Prince Leopold, the most handsome prince to have ever existed and I welcome you to Deira," he took her hand and kissed it with a flirtatious smile.

"That is rude," Louis slapped his hand away from Isabelle's. "Have you learnt nothing from all the classes you have been attending?"

"You are too uptight for your own good," Leopold shook his head. "I have to go and rest, excuse me."

"Do not run!" Louis speedwalked after him as he started running again.