Next day, in study room
"What happened father? Why you called me so urgently?" Ariana asked with tension.
"It's nothing, i just call you to tell you that-i fixed your marriage next week"
After a week
The sun hung golden and low, casting a warm glow across the marble courtyards of Minoan Palace. Silk banners in crimson and gold danced in the breez each embroidered with the intertwined crests of two kingdoms.
The chapel door opened, and silence swept the crowd.
Princess Ariana emerged, draped in an ivory gown threaded with gold. A delicate veil covered her face, and her hair-braided with pearls-glowed beneath a silver circlet. She walked slowly down the aisle lined with nobles and knights, each step echoing over the floor.
At the alter, beneath the high arch of stained glass, stood Prince Arnold.
Dressed in a regal doublet of midnight blue with silver embroidery, he turned as she approached. His eyes-clear,steady-met hers through the veil. He gave a respectful bow, and she returned it with a small graceful nod.
The High priest, robed in white and gold, began the sacred rite.
He spoke of duty, of peace between kingdoms, of the weight and beauty of unity. As the ceremony progressed, the couple exchanged rings-simple bands of gold, symbols of eternal bond-and then, before the gathered court, Arnold gently lifted Ariana's veil.
Their eyes meet again, more openly this time. A long pause. Then a soft smile from Arnold. Ariana's lips curved into reply.
"You may now seal your vows", the priest declared. Arnold leaned forward and kissed her check-gentle, respectful , with just the hint of future affection.
Ariana froze for a moment by the interaction, because she never felt something like that and from behind Aria, Aiden amd Rowan gave her a simple nod with polite smile and on the center of it - her parents. The courtyard erupted in applause and music. Bells rang from the towers above, and doves were released into the sky.
After marriage in Ariana's room.
"I am sorry i…kissed you" Arnold said, quietly.
"It's just fine. Don't think too much" Ariana replied.
"I am going now"
"Stop! You have to spend the night…here with me, it's the ritual" Ariana said.
"Are you even comfortable with me here?" He asked.
" I am but… why don't we talk about our past like what we did on those years when we were apart" She said but a flicker of discomfort saw in her eyes when she said.
"Don't you believe in me? Are you afraid, i will do something wrong with you?" He saidsaid going closer to her with a teasing tone.
"No…no, who is afraid of you" she said, waving her hand, stepping back.
"Relax, i am just jokine,We didn't meet each others for 14 years. So how you send those years" He said, stepping back.
She felt relief. " I only did practice on those 14 years of fighting and swardmanship." She replied. They talk the whole night as if trying to understand each others inner reflection.
The next morning, as the sun rises, a grand procession began. Princess Ariana was escorted with honor toward the waiting carriage. She wore a beautiful dress, it was for both like it doesn't bother on fights and it's her own choice because wearing a dress really like a girl is not her-she don't like playing a princess game-she is a women for battlr field after all.
"You are looking gorgeous" Arnold approached lending her a hand towards the waiting carriage.
"Thanks for your complement" she replied with a polite tone, letting her hand on his.
They finally reach Aksum kingdom after a month.
"I already prepared a room for you, so you can go and rest" Arnold said.
"Alright"
When a maid lead her towards her room, she pause for a second on the door because it is the same room where she used to spend her days here- everything is perfect, nothing changed, not a little bit-same as she used to like it.
"It's the same-like it used to be" Ariana said.
"Yeah, king Theodore never changed it and not even, our majesty. They didn't give the room to anyone and never let anyone to touch anything from the room" the maid reply. "Let me go now, princess Ariana. If you need anything then call me" The maid said bowing her head and closing the door behind Ariana. She sit on the chair and rolled her eyes every inch of the room.
" I am so nervous. I don't know why but… i am married now and i don't know what to do next? I don't have feelings for hI'm. I just… i just see him as a friend. I think i can't love him and i hope he will understand me" She thought on her mind.