Miavel

It was what one would define as a sacrifice. The tiny Kingdom of Cita offered up their eldest daughter to appease the monstrous devil that neighbored their borders. Some said it was either this exchange or full-on war against the Kingdom of Thera, the largest kingdom on the continent. So, they offered marriage, without involving the Princess herself in the matter. Because how could they honor her wishes when it involved a declaration of war against her home and kingdom?

The Princess, you ask?

It’s me.

Dressed in the finest of fabrics, in a light blue that highlighted my brown hair, wrapped tightly behind my head, and my deep blue eyes, which were bolder and darker than the dress. I knew I looked tiny at the base of the steps, trembling as I gazed up at the temple in which I would be the thing to be given and taken away. It was all against my will.

I lived quietly, out of sight, away from my own family who hadn’t bothered to see me off or attend the festivities for my upcoming marriage. Not that I minded their absence, no, I’d preferred not hearing their voices as they scolded me for existing. However, the only thing I had asked for was peace. Quiet. Solitude.

Now here I was, becoming a queen, becoming the wife of someone all others feared. I tried not to hear the rumors circle about in my head as I made my way up the steps all by myself. Well, mostly by myself. Once or twice, I glanced back to see the guards my father had sent with, the ones without smiles. The ones that would condemn me to this fate. If I ran, they would catch me.

Halfway up, I paused, taking the weight off of my weary right foot and took several breaths in and out in quick succession. Silently, I cursed the maids who dressed me. Did it truly matter how I looked? Who wanted to marry a stick? Much less one that could barely breathe. And the shoes? Did a few measly inches really matter in the long run? I was here. I was getting married. It was happening. My shoes weren't that important, were they?

Off to the left, there was movement, a mother and child wearing the symbols of my home, of the Kingdom of Cita, rushing up the side of the stairs to the temple. The child caught sight of me and stopped, tugging on the edge of their mother’s dress.

“Momma… it’s her.”

I gave them a smile, one I’d perfected over the years. One that didn’t show pain, or worry or fear. One that didn’t reveal my deepest thoughts or desires.

“Hello,” I called to them.

The young child burst into tears, clutching their mother tighter. For the briefest moment, I thought the child was crying because I spoke. When I realized the real reason, my heart ached for my people I was leaving behind in Cita.

“It’s alright, don’t cry. Find joy as we step out of the darkness together.”

They both stared at me silently for a brief moment before tears were rolling down both of their faces in fast succession. Wordlessly, I strode over to them and brushed their tears away with my gloved hands as best I could.

“But, Princess!” The child cried, “He’s a monster!”

I froze for just the smallest few seconds before shaking my head.

“I know not what he truly is, but we mustn’t judge someone based on rumors. Alright?”

“Your Highness? Have you never met him?” The mother asked, worry and concern taking over her features.

This time, I smiled at the thought that the child truly had a wonderful mother, to place that same care in another’s child, of any age. A truly loving house… family. Real family. I was happy for them, as much as I was sad.

“Once or twice.”

My reply was false. I had no recollection of ever meeting, by chance or design, the King Talyn Thera of those horrid rumors. But I pretended all was well in front of these two. Because that was what rulers did. Their own worries were supposed to come second. If my father had worried over me in this process, I still would have been sent here. He hadn’t, but the thought was the same. More caution and concern would have been sent my way, even silently, but as it was now, I was just a thing to be used and exploited, first by my father, now to be… by my husband.

The endless hours of preparation, of lessons I didn’t care to learn flooded my mind again. Tonight, I would have to make use of those. Tomorrow, and the day after that? Yes, those as well.

As they moved to speak again, to cry out in my favor, I gently lifted a hand to stop them.

“It’s okay. Take care of your family first, not me.” I gazed into the mother’s eyes calmly and then stooped down carefully to meet the eyes of the child. “There will be a banquet tonight that extends to the people, be sure to eat well. That is something that will help me, alright?”

The child nodded vigorously, determined to fulfill the duty I bestowed upon them. They bowed their heads in respect before rushing up and into the temple to find a place to sit. Taking the next step up on my own, I had to steady myself so I wouldn't tumble. A wave of panic flooded through me, nearly taking over the pain in my ankle. My foot trembled as I forced the final steps to the door. Unlike other times, I’d specifically asked for a smaller heel for my shoes, all of my words were ignored as they had shoved my feet into these monstrosities.

Monstrosities...

Monsters.

The doors opened before me, showing all of the standing people inside, filling the pews. Despite what I’d heard about King Talyn, it seemed there were some fans… either of him, or his power. It hadn’t really ever occurred to me, but the title I was about to receive had to be the cause of some of the angry faces aimed my way. Some, but not all.

When my eyes settled at the end of the long path I was to walk, I saw him. The object of all the rumors.

It seemed with each step forward, to my forced destiny, the heavier my dress was, the sharper the pain in my ankle, the shorter my breaths… the crazier my mind.

Monster.

I had heard my sister utter that word before she laughed lightly and assured me that it surely couldn’t be true that my future husband was a complete monster.

A blade forged in the blood of those who oppose him.

The few knights that had been assigned to guard me since I was a child. They were speaking outside of the room to each other while a carriage was getting prepped and I was getting pulled around by the maids, forced to fit into things I shouldn’t. One of the maids had gone to grab something and opened the door right as they were speaking. I heard every word. I even met their eyes before they looked down guiltily.

Though, I really couldn’t fault them for speaking of it. I’d already heard enough of his conquests to know they weren’t pretty. Some claimed he walked the frontlines with a sword so heavy most others couldn’t lift it.

Certainly, seeing him now, only halfway to him, he seemed large. Broad shoulders. Tall. He wasn’t lanky. He wasn’t thin, but he seemed incredibly fit. Strong. Not to mention, an ominous aura surrounding him, his face solemn and unchanging. Almost… detached from reality, from what was happening.

Of all the rumors I’d heard…

His skill with a blade was probably true.

Careless.

Emotionless.

Evil.

“Oh, dear sister, I heard he’s a devil… but if father thinks your marriage will be alright, I’ll hope you survive him.”

“My lady… don’t try anything in his presence. He sees it all…”

Just meeting his eyes for a brief moment, I understood what she’d said to me then.

But it wasn’t that he could see everything… it was like he saw right through me.

I clutched my hands together to stop the shaking. I moved them with my steps to hide it. A slight misstep with my right foot was noticeable, but he was just staring off to the other wall when I snuck a peek at him.

Together we took the final steps, not a part of us touching. It was as per the custom of Thera.

To arrive as individuals and leave as one. To make our journeys alone and then promise to share in the remainder of them. Then… to leave together, arm in arm. I silently pleaded with anything and everything that my shaking would have ceased by then. I went over the ceremony in my head again.

A final step and then face each other.

And, now, staring at his coat pocket, I couldn’t help but feel tiny. My vision was all but cut off by his large frame. And then another thought came to me. I was wearing heels. How… how short would I be next to him without them on?

In an instant, I felt incredibly small.

In how many ways could he break me?

If he wanted me gone, then it really wouldn’t take much.

The officiating priest cleared his throat and began to speak.

After his first words stated that it was a wonderous day of celebration, I tuned him out almost entirely, just keeping an ear open for certain words and phrases. I focused on trying to breathe steadily and calmly, so I could say the necessary words when the time came.

A younger priest was called forward to bring the rings, and I tuned back into to my special wedding program. The one that marries me off into a miserable and loveless marriage.

Slowly, I slipped the gloves off of my hands, as he did the same for his. When I laid mine on the flat tray, atop of his, I tried to still the trembling. My hands twitched unconsciously, over and over. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, feeling suddenly embarrassed that he was bearing witness to my physical stress and anxiety. I took the remaining ring from the tray, settling it into my right hand, holding onto it securely as he took my left hand in his for the placing of the rings.

Almost immediately, his eyes flicked to mine. I pretended not to notice his gaze on my face and stared at our hands… touching. Maybe there was more heat stored in his larger body because the temperature difference between our hands was profound. Faintly, I entertained the thought of what it might feel like for him, to hold my hand. Was it like touching ice? Or like grabbing a piece of metal in a shaded area? Or, on the other hand, did it feel nice and soothing?

He slipped the ring onto my hand, his movements careful and gentle. His grip on my hand was light and almost calming. When he released my hand, I let out a breath almost unconsciously. I missed the warmth almost immediately. At this point, the tremors might be from feeling cold instead of anxious.

Internally, I scolded myself. Yes, this man was becoming my husband as these moments were passing by, and yet, I couldn’t let myself fall into a trap. This was public. It would be bad for him to behave out of line in a temple and in front of all of these spectators.

A gasp left me as he placed his own hands around mine and turned my hand before placing his left in mine. I took as deep a breath I could before dutifully fulfilling my promises to my family. I stared at the ring I placed on his finger for a moment as he traded our hands. A right hand holding a left, for both of us.

“If you’ll both answer these vows when they’re directed your way…” the officiant continued, “Do you agree to uphold the honor of the Kingdom of Thera and it’s principles as the Queen?”

“I do.”

At my affirmative response, he nodded and glanced back down at his book for the next question. He gazed over at the groom.

“Do you agree to make Princess Miavel, of the Kingdom of Cita, your Queen, to rightfully announce that any child you bear together is the next heir to this Kingdom of Thera?”

Before responding, his gaze met mine. All breath stilled within me. I couldn’t help myself. I stared right back at him.

It was the moment of truth. To accept or to decline.

“I do.”

“Alright.” The priest’s voice broke me out of the trance his face and eyes had put me in.

Was it legal to be that stunning? Totally symmetrical and flawless… I tried not to think about it.

“Do you both agree to unite your Kingdoms in peace through this harmonious matching?”

“I do.”

Though I wasn’t sure if this marriage was anything harmonious, I gave my assent as well.

And with that, the priest had just a few more final words.

“Kiss the hand of your spouse to commit your promises to hand, and be guided on your future journey as one connected body.”

I hesitated when he leaned down, closer, tugging my left hand to his mouth. I pulled his closer too, feeling a bit lightheaded as I pressed my lips to his hand at the moment he kissed mine. His eyes captured mine and held on.  Suddenly, this place was too warm, too intimate to have such spectators that began to clap appreciatively. There were a few loud sniffles and a few frustrated scoffs, but nothing else happened.

It was done.

My wedding to the most well-known monster was complete. I was now his wife. Without a word, he led me from the temple and to a carriage for the longest, most awkward and stifling ride of my entire life.

And to think I thought he'd off me with his sword? No, the silence was enough.