In the afternoon, when the sun was above the sk-Ariana went in Arnold's room
"Arnold, I want to go outside-i want to see the lingdom" Ariana said,steady.
There was a pause for a flicker of second " "Ok, I will say some guards to go with you" he replied, looking at her.
"There's no need of this. I want to go alone. Prepare a horse for me"
"Come with me" Arnold replied leading her to the Royal Mews. When they reach there, she saw many different horses.
"Here you are- all the horses for you-which one you want as your partner?" He asked
Then she went close and observe every and saw a horse-milk white with blue eyes "This one" she said, pointing towards the horse. "Is he have any name or any master?"
"No, it's his first time when someone choose him and if you want, then you can give him a name" He replied.
"Then from now on,Your name is Ember" She said, ruffling the hair of the horse.
"It's a nice name"
"I am going now. If i will be late-don't be worry. I can able to take care of myself " she said, as she mounted the steed. He didn't look away when she vanished on the way.
Day became night as the sun hide on the horizon.
" It's been too late. Why hasn't she came yet" he thought in his mind.
Then some hours also spend on the waiting.
"I can't sit here like this-i have to go to find her" he said to himself. "Allen take care of here"
"Ok, my lord" Arnold replied.
He went on many places near the palace but couldn't find her then when he was crossing a village, he saw her interacting with the local people of the village and there it was-her smile-which he didn't saw in many years- she was looking very happy as if living on her childhood- the life she always wanted to live-to escape from her royalty, just for once and it's that.
Once a more few hours had elapsed, Ariana finally came back and saw arnold on the main inner gate of palace, standing on the garden.
"Finally, you are here?" he said voice steady but calm.
"You hadn't slept yet?" Ariana asked.
" Because i was worried about you. I am your husband now. You are my first priority as a husband" He replied, calm but composed.
Then she realized something, she was wrong. " I am sorry, i made you to worry"
"It's okay. Go and take some rest."
Next day
As the sun hung in the morning, Ariana stepped in Arnold's room.
"May i know the reason why you summoned me here" Ariana asked, calm.
"Tomorrow, i am preparing a marriage ceremony. So if you want to invite anyone then tell me and i already invited Queen and king. They reach here at the evening." Arnold replied.
"No, i don't want to invite anyone but…" there was a long pause "…the day after tomorrow, i want you to go and visit the subjects with me on the behalf of our marriage ceremony."
"Alright"
At the evening, King Maynard, Queen Andres already came with Aria, Rowan and Aiden.
"Father! How are you" Ariana asked bowing her head towards her parents.
"I am alright, empress" King Maynard said.
" Don't call me that. You are still above me in both honour and years" she replied.
"Time and again, you both forget me, don't you?" Queen Andres said.
"Accept my greeting queen and sorry for the trouble"Arnold
"Mother, how can i forgot you" Ariana said approching her mother.
"Sister!" A voice came from behind and it was Aria .
" Aria, how are you my little princess" Ariana said, lifting Aria above the ground.
"Hello my lord. How are you?" Rowan approached.
" I am fine and what about you?" Arnold asked.
"Sister! How i am looking, better than Aria-right?" Aiden said before Rowan.
"Hey! Shut up your mouth. You piggy" Aria scold Aiden.
"Whom you called a piggy. You are a rabbit" Aiden said.
"Stop it guys, behave yourself. Why both of you so childish" Rowan said.
At night, when Ariana was heading on her room-she heard some murmur of the maids.
"Do you know, our lord love someone?" A made name selena said
"Oh! really? Who is she?" Another one asked.
"Maybe that person is princess Ariana. don't you saw how much our lord care for princess Ariana and they are childhood friends" Malesia said.
"Maybe you are right. Why hadn't i thought like this before" Selena said.
"So he love someone, huh?" Ariana said to herself.
Next day in the party.
"Sister, look. How i am looking." Aria asked to Ariana.
"You are just looking like a fairy, Aria." Ariana replied.
"Hey Aria! Look come here-we have something for you" Rowan said pulling Aria towards Aiden. Aiden had a box on his hand and he gave it to Aria. When she opened it, there was a pair of shoes.
She wear it and showed to Ariana. "Sister look, this pair of shoes are very pretty. Aiden and Rowan gave me this" she said. "Thank you both of you" she said turning towards them.
" You two are very mature and protective good brothers" Ariana said, ruffling the hair of Aiden and Rowan.
When they went on the main palace hall. Aria shocked by the decoration. "Wow! This decoration is so amazing."
"Yeah, it is great" Aiden said.
"Kids, May i take your sister with me?" Arnold asked lead a hand towards Ariana.
"It' all right. You can" Rowan said.
"Thanks, come with me" Arnold said leading Ariana towards the middle of the hall.
"Hello everyone! Today, we are here for my marriage ceremony party. Many of you don't know who is my-wife." He turned his face towards Ariana and said " Ariana, the princess of Minoan kingdom and my-one an only wife"
Murmur filled in the hall.
" May i ask you for a dance, my wif" he said and that word-wife shattered something inside Ariana. She gave him her hand and they start dancing.
" Whenever he comes near me, i am reminded of our marriage. Can i even accept this marriage? The maid said he love someone, i don't know who is she but it's not me" she thought on her mind.
When the party ended and everyone went to their room, Ariana stayed on the balcony.
"What happened? What are you thinking and you were also in a deep thought while dancing." A voice approached.
Arnold.
"Nothing. Not important."
Then suddenly Arnold pulled her towards him-closing the distance. "If you don't tell me…" he go too close to her, their face was only inches apart "…i will kiss you."
But she didn't have any reaction on her face,no emotions-not fear, nor happy-he stopped.
"Do you think i couldn't kiss you?" he asked.
"No, i know you don't do" she replied.
"Really? And what made you to think that?" He asked.
"Because i am not in your heart. There is already someone else. Whom you love too much. So don't force yourself." she replied.
"You know about this?" he asked.
" Yeah but people think it's me whom you love but i know you don't. I remember, when we were child-you said you marry me but you said that just to tease me. And this marriage is happened just because of the letter."
" Yeah… just because of the letter.Do you know whose that girl?" he asked.
"No, i don't know?".
" Don't worry. You will know her soon. Now just go and sleep. We have to go outside tomorrow" he said turning back towards his room, his face was darkened.