A dark figure slowly appeared from the shadows. It had red eyes and horns. Black horns, curling like the devils. It stretched its hands toward me. I could see its nails that looked more like claws. They were coming closer. I shrieked a high, panicked sound. It had caught me, and now it was shaking me.
“My Lady! My Lady!” a gentle voice urged. I shot my eyes open with a gasp and found Lucian looming over me.
“You’re ok,” He assured, brushing something away from my face. “It was just a dream.”
I was panting and sweat dripped down my face. I was scared and confused. Lucian pulled me to his chest. He held me in his arms and stroke my hair.
“It’s alright.” He whispered softly. “Relax and sleep.” 1
Eventually, as I lay in his arms, my heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm and I fell asleep once again.
When I woke up a few maids were already in the room but there was no sign of Lucian. I remembered last night while the maids helped me get prepared. I was surprised at the fact that I was still untouched. He hadn’t even tried. He must have been tired from the long journey, but tonight there was no escape. Maybe I should talk to him and tell him that I wasn’t ready yet, I thought. The question was how.
I got out of the bed and the maids helped me bathe and get dressed.
“His Highness wants you to join him for breakfast, My Lady,” One of the maids informed when she was done with my hair.
“Lead the way,” I said.
The maid led me to the garden just outside the room. There Lucian was standing with his back toward me and his arms crossed behind his back.
“Your Highness?”
He turned around and I couldn’t understand why my heart skipped a beat. “My Lady, did you have a good night’s sleep?”
“I did, Your Highness. How about you?” He probably didn’t, but it felt courteous to ask. I must have disturbed him with my dream.
“I have slept well. Do you mind having breakfast with me?” I didn’t expect him to be so polite.
“I would love to,” I answered with a smile.
The breakfast smelled and looked delicious. There were several dishes and their food wasn’t much different from ours back home. But because of the knots in my stomach that still refused to go away, I couldn’t eat much. Instead, I would glance at the garden now and then. It was beautiful. There was a gorgeous range of flowers; roses, daisies, daffodils.
Carved hedged depicted strange shapes all around the space.
We had a beautiful garden back home too, but it was nothing compared to this.
Suddenly Lucian stood up from his seat and walked over to me, holding his hand out for me to grasp.
“Walk with me,” he said and I blushed. He must have noticed me ogling the garden, but how could I not. Back home I rarely went outside because of my fathers’ strict rules and now I was walking through the most beautiful garden I have ever seen.
“You never go out?” he asked, with a curious expression.
“No, my father would not allow it.”
“So you have always been at home?”
“Yes,” was my short reply.
“Well, you can walk around here anytime. It’s our personal garden” He said with a charming smile.
“Really?” My voice was colored with excitement and surprise. He nodded.
After walking for a while in silence, I decided now was the best time to bring up the consummation.
“Your Highness?”
“Yes?”
“About the wedding consummation, I… I’m not ready yet.” I looked down quickly, afraid to meet his gaze. My heart pounded in my ears as I waited for an answer.
A laugh, an angry exclamation, anything.
“I know, it’s alright,” he said gently. I looked up in surprise and breathed out in relief.
“I could just go to one of my mistresses to satisfy my needs.” He added.
The smile on my face died and I clenched my fists. Why was I getting angry? He could go wherever he wanted and fool around with whoever he wanted. He could go to hell. Suddenly he laughed. What was so funny?
“If you don’t want me to go, then tell me.” He said leaning closer.
“I don’t want you to go” I repeated.
Shocked at my own outburst, I put a hand over my mouth. He laughed again.
Eventually, he stopped laughing. “Hazel,” he said stepping closer and gazing into my eyes.
He knew my name.
Of course. Men got always more informed about their spouses than women.
Unfair.
“I promise you one thing and I will stand by my word. I will treat you well.” He then took my hand in his and kissed my knuckles, his flaming eyes never leaving mine. My heart fluttered inside my chest.
Dropping my hand, “I have to go, make yourself at home.” He said before walking away.
**
A maid showed me around. The castle had several quarters. Every prince and his family had their own quarters and their own household staff, including servants, cooks, and guards. I had already looked around our personal garden and I especially liked the white swing with a ceiling, surrounded by white and pink roses in a half-circle.
We then went through the halls that led to several smaller halls. The smaller halls had several doors that led to different rooms. One hall led to the kitchen, the pantry, and the storeroom.
Another hall led to the guest room and the dining room, and another one led to the library and study. There were several other halls, but we went through the hall that led to our private chamber and the bathrooms.
Inside our chamber, there were doors that led to other rooms. The maid opened one of them and I went inside. It was the dressing room from yesterday.
“This is the boudoir. It’s your personal room when you want to be alone, My Lady.” She explained.
“His Highness has one too.” She continued gesturing to the door at the other end of the room. I decided to take a look once the maid left but the door was locked. Why did he lock his room?