All characters depicted in this story are over the age of 18.
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Part 1: Journey to Starithia
Aylene
The sound of the ceremonial vessel smashing, and the glass pieces tinkling on the tile floor, echoed in my ears. The room was silent for a split second before the crowd burst into raucous applause. I risked a furtive glance up at the tall stranger standing beside me, his dark brown eyes were focused on the minister in front of us as he proclaimed the union was complete.
His face remained void of emotion; just as it had when I walked slowly down the aisle with my heart in my throat, just as it had when my father placed my hand in his, and just as it had when my veil was gently removed providing him with the first view of me, his new wife.
I felt my mothers hand grasp mine as I redirected my attention to the ministers proclamation. My mother must have sensed my anxiety as she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.
"As high minister of Vymora, I officially declare the Union of our own Princess Aylene and his royal highness Prince Elon of Starithia complete. May their happiness together be absolute and the alliance between our kingdoms everlasting," the minister declared.
The national anthem of Vymora started up signaling our cue to walk back down the aisle as man and wife. I moved carefully to avoid tripping over my long dress and turned to face the congregation. I arranged my face into a serene smile just as I had been taught and kept my eyes forward as the Prince took my hand. The congregation rose to their feet as we walked out of the temple and into the waiting crowd.
The courtyard erupted into cheers as we left the temple, confetti rained from all directions as we made our way to the waiting carriages. One of the guards offered his hand to help me into the carriage. I climbed in quickly, grateful to escape the throng of people. I focused on my hands in my lap as I felt the Prince sit down beside me. As the carriage pulled away I caught sight of the King and Queen, my parents, in the temple doorway. My father wore a radiant smile but mother looked drawn and I saw her raise a handkerchief to her eyes as we drove away. I kept watch until they faded out of sight. We were headed straight for the ship to take us on the two week journey to Starithia, Prince Elon's homeland.
The giddiness I had felt that morning when I woke up on my wedding day was a distant memory as reality set in and I began the journey away from everything I had ever known, and loved.
* * *
The ship lurched again and my stomach rolled threateningly, we were almost at the end of our journey and I was still in a constant state of sea sickness. I put a hand on the bedpost to steady myself and flashed back to my wedding night. A different type of nausea swept over me.
The Prince had disappeared as soon we boarded the ship and the captain had escorted me to my cabin. A familiar figure stood in the corner filling a glass with water from an ornate jug. I gasped in surprise when they turned around and I realized it was Anna, my ladies maid and childhood friend. My happiness at a familiar face overrode the warning in the back of my mind about Anna being here. I let out a squeal and rushed to hug her, accidentally knocking the jug to the floor. Anna knelt to clear up the mess without returning my embrace and I took a couple of steps back. She must share the same concerns about her unexpected presence in my new life. I didn't get the chance to ask her before there was a knock on the door.
Anna went to open the door revealing the Prince's personal servant, Hale. He spoke to Anna in low tones before bowing to me as Anna closed the door.
"You are to meet the Prince in the dining quarters in an hour," Anna relayed. I wanted to question her about her presence on the ship but her brisk tone kept me silent.
Anna walked into the bathroom and I heard the taps being turn on. I busied myself exploring the room until she emerged to tell me the bath was ready. She held the door open for me in our usual custom as I entered the room and stood facing the bath.
I stood still, expecting to feel her hands nimbly undoing the ribbons down the back of my dress. After a few seconds I reached back to untie the ribbons myself. I struggled to reach and managed to get half way down before I felt Anna's cool hands on mine. She untangled my fingers from the ribbon and moved my hands down to my side while she undid the rest of my dress. Once undone, she slipped off the shoulders and lowered the dress to the floor to allow me to step out of it.
I shivered from being naked in the cool room and Anna instructed me to get in. I lowered myself into the tub, sighing as I relaxed into the warm, scented water. Anna avoided my gaze as she gathered up my clothing and left the bathroom.
I laid back and closed my eyes, reliving the roller coaster of emotions from the day. My excitement and nervous anticipation of waking up on my wedding day, the spark of attraction to my new husband and then the disappointment of his lack of reaction to me, the relief of seeing Anna on the ship and the anxiety over her presence here.
My eyes popped open as I heard Anna dipping a sponge into the bath water. I looked at her questioningly as she raised the sponge and ran it over my neck and shoulders.
"Why are you here?" I asked her, she looked hurt and I wished I had phrased the question differently.
"I was ordered to come," she responded. "I didn't want to come," she added, holding my gaze. Her words pierced my heart but I understood, no good could come of this situation.
"I'm sorry," I whispered and her gaze softened.
I shifted position to submerge my knees in the warm water, as I did so I sat up further exposing my nipples through the thin layer of bubbles. They hardened immediately in the cold room. Anna's gaze roamed down to my chest and back to my face.