AVERY

  It's only been a day since we came back from Hollingrew Kingdom and I already felt a headache coming. King Ferhann congratulated my parents in advance regarding the wedding between King Typhone and I before we left.

  The day we got back to our kingdom, I wrote to my future husband to be the moment I got to my room.

  It was late in the afternoon and the sun was filling my room so nicely. I walked to my personal bookshelf and got a book. I sat on the plush pink couch in my room and began reading.

  "Would you like some tea and biscuits, Your Highness?" Meylin asked. I looked up at Meylin who was holding a tray of biscuits and tea. I smiled.

  "Thank you. I was just about to read, but I just can't ignore a delicious snack." I placed my handmade bookmark between the pages of my book and set it on the small round table in front of me.

  I noticed a black envelope on the tray as Meylin poured me a cup of tea.

  "Who's the letter for?" I asked, taking a cookie and biting on it.

  "Oh. This letter is for you, Your Highness. It's from King Typhone." She placed the cup on the table and handed me the black envelope.

  How did he get this letter delivered so quickly? A messenger bird, perhaps?

  I was careful in opening it since I liked the envelope and wanted to keep it. It had patterns all over and the seal was a rose. The letter was written in a thin parchment that had a subtle design. Compared to his last letter, this one has more effort.

  The letter said:

  Dearest Princess Avery,

  I am delighted that you wrote back to me in such a short amount of time. I am pleased and honored to inform you that I will do no such thing as to intimidate your people. Rest assured that I will be on my best behavior whilst being in your territory. However, I could not wait any longer and decided to meet with you tomorrow regarding our wedding. I am now gathering my men and preparing for our departure. I hope your welcome in my arrival is as warm as your eyes when we first met. I shall see you soon, princess.

  Sincerely,

  Your future husband

  I gasped aloud and my cookie fell on the carpeted floor. I stood up and looked at Meylin, panicked.

  "Avery? What's wrong?" She asked. The look of shock and panic was written all over her face.

  "King Typhone is arriving earlier than I expected. We must hurry. Set the rooms and prepare the castle for their arrival. I want every room spotless and as for the King's room... make his sheets pink, please?" I told Meylin and she blinked at me as if I was crazy.

  "Pink? Your Highness, why would you want that? Also, only you have pink sheets."

  "Just so he remembers that he is in my territory and I can do whatever I want to give him a... warm welcome." I smiled innocently.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Meylin finally agreed and went to inform the other servants and her mom, the head maid. I stared at the letter and smiled, cheeks tinting red.

  You may be the most annoying yet also the hottest man I know. I can't wait for your arrival... my dearest King.

  **********

  The next morning, I was awoken to the loud voices outside my room. My doors burst open and Meylin rushed to my side and pulled my blanket off me. I shivered.

  "What's got you in a rush, Meylin?" I whimpered, rubbing the sleep off my eyes.

  "No time, Avery. We have to get you ready immediately. Your future husband is already here and he's talking with your parents." Meylin pulled me out of my bed and dragged me to the bathroom.

  She bathed me and lathered my skin with the liquid rose soap, which I only used once during my coronation. My hair was also soaked with the rose oil and was washed thoroughly. Meylin picked a simple yet elegant pink dress that exposes my shoulders and the top of my breasts. Then, she applied a light pink shade on my eyelids and a rosy pink color on my lips.

  I blinked as I stared at myself in the mirror, "Am I... No. Meylin... what have you done to me?"

  "To impress your future husband, you must look delectable and sweet and beautiful." It was her proud reply and I was about to tell her that I didn't need to look pretty, but she dragged me down the halls.

  We stopped in front of the rose garden and there I saw a man sticking out like a sore thumb sitting around the bed of roses. He did not look like the king I was talking to a few days ago.

  His hair was slicked back, a few strands falling out of place. He was wearing a black coat that matches his pants. His coat was adorned with gold ornaments and a single rose pin. He looked uncomfortable in his attire, and I wanted to laugh, but he looked too attractive.

  Too seductive for my liking.

  "Princess? Hello? Go ahead and join them already!"

  I snapped out of my trance when Meylin waved her hand in front of my face and her loud voice echoed in my ear.

  I cleared my throat and stood up straight, "Yes. Y-You're right."

  I walked in the stoned path and noticed them turning to look at me. My eyes met King Typhone's and I melted under his heated gaze. I bowed when I was mere inches away from them.

  "Welcome to Ynkerthia, Your Majesty." I said, my voice soft.

  "Thank you, princess. Everyone was so... welcoming when we arrived." He got up from his seat and bowed to me.

  Then, he pulled my chair out for me and as I sat down, he pushed it. He then sat beside me. I can see his right hand man standing beside him and he bowed his head at me.

  "So... now that the princess is here, shall we discuss wedding preparations?" King Typhone said, taking a sip of his tea.

  The teacup looks so small in his hands.

  "Yes. So... where did you want the wedding to be held, Your Majesty?" My mother asked, smiling.

  "I would like to do it here in your kingdom. I was thinking about doing it in mine, but I wanted my bride to feel more comfortable." He looked at me and immediately, my cheeks flushed.

  I took a sip of my tea and said, "That's very considerate of you, Your Majesty."

  He smirked and looked at my parents.

  "I want a grand wedding. Huge bouquets of my bride's favorite flowers, a flower arch at the end and the beginning of the aisle, and of course, I want my bride's dress to be exquisite. Her choice, of course."

  "Is there... anything in particular that you, Your Majesty, would want to add? Like maybe... a line of guards or the position of the knights?" My father asked, clearly wanting King Typhone's input on the grand wedding scheme he so wanted.

  "The knights will be up to me, but everything else will be up to my future wife. I want everything to look as grand as can be."

  My mouth hung open and I placed my cup down. I looked at him, smiling politely, "If I may, Your Majesty, but... we do not have the riches to hold that kind of wedding so--"

  "Who said that you'll be paying for them?"

  "Wh-What?"

  "I think I haven't made myself clear." He leaned in close to my face, his voice low and deep, "I will pay for everything in this wedding and you, my dear princess, shall only pick whatever theme you want, what color your dresses should be, and what I will be wearing. Is that clear enough?"

  I swallowed thickly and I can feel my brain melting. My face was red, I can tell and all I mustered to say was:

  "Yes, Your Majesty."

  "That's a good girl." He whispered in my ear before turning back to the King and Queen.

  I was stunned, my face was redder than it was before and I couldn't speak for a while. I stared at my stale cup of tea.

  What have I gotten myself into?