Chapter 2.

After the rituals were over, I was asked if I wanted to spend some last time with my brother. The prince was weirdly being kind to me or maybe he was pretending to seem like he is going to take care of me. I said no for now I don't consider him my brother anymore. He sold me off to this man and now expects to play a good brother role. No dear. You don't get that pleasure.

I presented my wish to go to my parents' memorial and my room for the last time. For I don't know after how much while I will return. He obliged.

We together went to my room and I packed whatever I needed to take with me, well that included my sword, a few books, and a painting that I had asked my father to be painted, of all of us. And the most memorial, my grandmother's last-priced possession to me, the pendant. It was a small pendant with a blue stone, surrounded by intricate golden designs and beautiful vines coiling from its base up to where it met the chain. I always wanted to wear it but she always told me to oy wear it when I am married. Don't know why.

We then moved to the memorial and I kneeled in front of them. I said, "Your wish was to see me married off to a strong empire crown prince or king. I did. But alas... You are not here to send me off... But don't worry, I am no submissive girl to bow down in front of every man who wishes me to, I will fight but won't now down unless they deserve the respect." I stood up and turned, only to see my now-known husband staring at me with what I could see as amusement. Nor did I expect him to show any other expression.

He composed himself and we went out of the palace. One of my most trusted maids, Vishakha, too was accompanying me. I won't be foolish enough to trust anyone appointed to me. This is a royal family. And the politics of the royal families is a poisonous vine that wraps around you and would eventually suck the life out of you until the one left is himself the most poisonous.

He climbed his horse and I was asked to sit in the palanquin. One thing to be told, I hate sitting in palanquins. They give a hell of a backache. But I wasn't in the position to negotiate now. So I obliged.

After what felt like an eternity and when we saw it was already a little darker, we stopped and I wished to exit the palanquin. Just before I could a hand was forwarded my way and I looked up to see my oh-so-dear husband was the one forwarding his hand. I ignored his hand and went out on my own. He had one corner of his lip curved upward and for a fact, I knew he was testing me to see how submissive I am like a normal girl of this time. But maybe he is disappointed.

Tents were set up for us to rest. I, at the time, decided to sit on a rock beside the river. My most trusted, chief maid, Vishakha, walked to me and informed me that the prince has demanded my presence.

I entered the tent and saw him laying in between the bed set up for what I suppose for me and him, ok us.

He, with his index finger, directed me to come near him. I did. He pulled my hand and I landed on him. I balanced myself and he said, "Today marks the start of our marital life. Now let's celebrate our wedding night."

I was messed up in my mind. I didn't want any of this and this was already thinking of physical intimacy. I wasn't calm but I didn't let him have the pleasure to know. I said, "well... you can't your highness. According to the rituals, before you could even have any kind of intimacy with me, my garbhdhana sanskaar needed to be performed. Before that, you cannot touch me in any sensual ways." I countered smartly.

Garbhdhana sanskaar is one of the many rituals that are performed after a wedding. It is a private rite of the intent of a couple to have a child. It is a ceremony performed before conception and impregnation. It is basically to ensure a male child. And I knew for sure he wouldn't do anything to me before it. That all are hungry for an heir. A boy child.

He grunted in a low voice and said, "let me make it clear, I do not abide by the rules and I do what I want. But I, for a fact know, you don't want this all. This was just to confirm. And my dear wife, I did make the correct decision by making you, my wife. And let me clarify again, nothing in this world could stop me from making you mine if I want."

He flipped us and switched positions and now was on top of me. He was looking intensely into my eyes. Before he could say or do anything, a maid stood at the entrance with two plates of food. I quickly pushed him off me and he directly landed on the floor. I stifled my laughter and went straight to the maid. I took the plates and sent her off.

Whatever it is between us, stays between us. Maids and other people getting to know about our relations and our state of us would lead to talks. Not that I am afraid but I don't want to cause any rumors about my first and only marriage.

"Here you can have your food, your highness." And placed the plate in front of him. He was still looking at me. As I started to move away, he pulled my hand and I landed on his lap.

"Where do you think you are going, my sweet little wife??? Have a meal with me." He said it casually not even knowing how shocked I am.

I looked at him in shock. Not because he asked me to eat food but because he asked me to have food with HIM. Must be wondering why??? It is because we women here are taught to have food after everyone has it. Well, I don't believe in this but I abide by it in our culture.

He forwarded a morsel to my mouth and I opened it on the accord. He fed me and I was looking at him trying to find the answers to my newly born questions.

What people say about him that he is ruthless, arrogant, and whatnot, is even true???

If it is, then is he pretending??? And even if, then why??

And if he is this nice and respectful then why didn't he try to ask for my acceptance of this marriage???

If he is nice then why did he pretend to be merciless and evil???

So many questions but no answer. Only time could tell what kind of man my husband is. But I promise if there is an ounce of what we call a gentleman, which I don't expect, then I would give my 100% to make this marriage work. And if not be ready to face my evil.