The remembrance of a night long passed was the only thing keeping the princess sane. She stared blankly into the veils of fabric that hung around her. The time had come for her to meet the man she was to marry. Her heart was heavy with sorrow but none that could compete with that of her eldest brother. His gazes of misplaced hatred could be felt hot on her back when they shared a room.
Uonata’s ladies swarmed about, expressing their excitement for her. Congratulations were all around as they added the polishing expected of a princess. Two settled at her feet, hemming threads of woven gold and ivory into her gown. The others while admiring her dress, adorned her face with rose pigments. Her lips were stained with the colors of her golden beauty, while hair was the only part of her that was complete. Its auburn curls and shining honied hues sat tightly braided on her scalp, the length of it woven until its tip swung at the small of her back. Exsidious stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with happiness.
“You look lovely little sister. Though, I can’t help but realize your lack of excitement shrouds your beauty. I know you are nervous; it is to be expected. You are going off to marry a man you know nothing of. Take comfort in knowing that our father would not see your hand into that of a savage or abuser.” He took her hands in his. “This union shows just how powerful you are. Your marriage to the prince will bring a peace that our kingdom has longed for. Decades of war and thievery can now end with you.”
“It is my honor and my duty as the only daughter of our lineage to bring forth such peace. I will honor my obligations Exsidious…but…that does not mean my sadness will vanish. It is hard to see myself living in a world without being here. Morgeideign is all I have known. Now father ships me off to a land of blood driven warriors.”
The prince rested his head onto hers, the scent of jasmine flooding his nose. “I understand Uonata, being of your reality is a burden in itself. The matters of women are so often overlooked in a world of men who can only weigh their greatness in bloodshed. I wish I knew better words to bring you comfort during this time, sadly Raxsies forms words better than me. I am shocked to see him absent.”
“He does not agree with the pairing. He would rather see me married to one of more civilized birth. I suppose my fear of this day shoves him further from me in the light of goodbyes.”
Exsidious rubbed her shoulders. “He will come around. Raxsies would not miss your departure for the world. I know how protective he can be over you. So much so that our subject’s utter words of treason in the shadow of his affections.”
Uonata looked her part, a woman of royal birth and wealth. The maiden's slid a crystal mirror in front of her, revealing beauty to weary eyes. “Oh Raxsies,” she thought to herself. Tears broke free and slid down her cheeks in modest protest of her situation. Exsidious hugged her.
“Everything will be fine Uonata. Worry not of your fears but instead the joys of married life. You would not want to have to endure having your face painted again would you?”
“No I would not.” The princess smiled to her ladies. “This will do just fine gratitude. You ladies may go now, I wish some time alone to compose myself before I am presented to Prince Alo’car.” The women curtsied and scurried from the room. Raxsies made his way inside as they passed him.
“You truly look like a princess today sweet sister.”
Uonata gasped as her heart seized in her chest. “Raxsies! I thought you so angry with me that you would not come.” She ran into his open arms, her expression of sorrow now turned to joy.
Exsidious dropped his head clearing his throat. “I shall take my leave and rejoin the festivities in the hall. I see our brother has you properly tended.” A weak smile followed the prince’s words before he turned on heel to leave.
“Exsidious,” Uonata called out. “Thank you for everything you said today. It may not have shown but, your guidance did aid my emotions greatly.”
“Of course sister. Just remember, your big brothers are only ever a letter away.”
The heirs twin brother left the room sealing the door behind him. Raxsies pulled from the princess folding his arms behind his back. His left brow was hiked so high one would think the man enraged. Uonata wrapped around him from behind in an attempt to calm him.
“Thank you for coming Raxies, it means the world to me. The reality of this day will never come easy but your presence makes it bearable.”
“For now. Until you are sold off to that mongrel.”
The sound of trumpets filled the land, the tone carried for miles. From the Guilden Pass came hundreds of southwestern men hailing from the Land of Vermillia. The crest of the House of Trazdeign rolled on the wind. Every stallion ridden was barded in riches and silk, sharing a likeness to their riders.
"Come it is time for us to return to the throne room." Spoke the prince. He turned to her taking her arm in his and led the way.
The grand hall was filled with the scent of roasted meat and steamed squash. Incense fogged the room, their smoke as thick as the wake of flame. King Paraxious smiled as he lit the final stem. The gesture a blessing of the union soon to come. Prince Exsidious sat silently in a chair beside his father’s throne. He could hear the caravan approaching. Though most of his wonder rested on what his siblings were doing in that room.
"I certainly pray my brother has not fallen to his illness today.” Exsidious thought silently. The king made his way to have a seat, Uonata and Raxsies soon followed. Exsidious pressed a sigh from his lips, raking his fingers through his hair. Finally, his siblings had arrived. Paraxious watched them enter, his eyes now locked on the beauty of his daughter.
"You look gorgeous my dear. Surely you shall catch the eye of Prince Alo'car." Uonata slouched, her face etched in a stern sadness. She held her gaze to the floor speaking nothing in response. Her father stood up and gave her a firm slap to the back. "Do sit up straight, he will need to see what his peace will be purchasing. Only whores and peasants slouch dear girl. Hold your head in pride and your gaze towards its seductive purpose."
Uonata jumped at the sting of her father’s strike. Cold air rushed past her teeth as she winced. The young bride gave thanks that the corset that bound her bosom would hide the welt forming on her skin. She rolled her shoulders, straightened her back and made sure her face could sell the lie her father desired of her.
"Yes father of course, do forgive my ignorance. I wish only to secure peace between our realms."
He sat back down taking her hand for a moment. "Now that is a good girl. Remember, your greatest honor in this world is to produce fine male children and bring peace to the crown through the sanctuary of your body." He gave her a firm squeeze before his lips caressed the top of her hand.
"Yes father. I understand my duties to this family and will see them fulfilled as my mother once did. I pray the gods favor me and show me the guidance to bring glory to your name and honor to your kingdom.”
Raxsies and Exsidious shared looks of distrust. The auras surrounding the castle on this event sent them both into states of uncertainty. The double doors of the hall flew open, bringing in the sound of drums and tambourines. In came a single female. Her body dressed in sheer fabric that twirled around her sculpted body. She moved with the fluidity of a slithering snake. Her hips and arms mimicking the strums played behind her. Her waist was jeweled heavily with coins. Each sang a song of their own as she moved. She locked eyes with Raxsies, who now was seemingly under the woman's spell. The dancer curtsied before the royal family, removing her hip sash as she began to shimmy. It coiled around the neck of the prince who leaned forward into her seductive dance. He was intoxicated by her scent. She was a woman like no other he had ever seen. One birthed from the sand and claimed by the sun.
The men of the king’s court applauded her show of entertainment. The ladies however, turned away in disgust of such a sensual show of the flesh. Exsidious watched Uonata from the corner of his eye. She was staring at their brother, lower lip trembling, nostrils flared and the threat of tears pooling in the rims of her hazel eyes.
Several moments passed and finally under the instruction of her father, the princess sat back. Her hands folded into one another to rest atop her lap. The ends of her nails dug into her palms in reaction to her jealousy. The foreign dancer had made her way onto the royal stage and was now rolling her chest into the features of the first born prince.
"What is your name?" He asked softly, his voice husky and aroused.
"Emerald, for I am the daughter of riches."
She smiled to him and danced away, leaving his lust lingering in the air. It floated so thickly that even inside her fear and regret, Uonata could smell it. A rush of pheromones accompanied by a stiff growth beneath Raxsies trousers. It was something she knew better than her own scent. One that she had grown around for years. Her worst fear was being realized, she wasn’t even married yet and already Raxsies was replacing her. She swallowed her emotions and nearly choked on the bitter taste they presented on her tongue. Such things would now fuel the fire she would need to present herself to her future husband. Once the festivities ended and the music slowed, her betrothed would enter the room and her life would change forever.
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