Chapter 2:

"Princess Alienor." Stated Elder Brisin, "Your father is waiting to escort you."

"Yes, Elder," I stated solemnly, following her down the corridors of the castles. They were well lighted with torches, however my anxiety made it look dark and gloomy. The halls seemed to be closing in on me and my hot and sweaty corset didn't seem to be doing me much good. The corridors finally opened up into the main entrance of the castle, where my father stood, dressed in blue, wearing his crown. He was a very tall man. My father was in his late forties, usual for a king. I was his oldest daughter. My eldest brother, a few years older than me. He looked at me and smiled.

"My daughter, it is wonderful to see you." He held his hand out to me, "Are you ready for your wedding?"

"Yes," I stated, putting on a fake smile. I dared not disrespect him, "I apologize for being late, I was so caught up getting ready."

"You seem nervous," he told me, "I'm very sorry about the lack of notice about this, however you declined so many suitors I had begun to think you were never going to marry. And then Prince Belridge sent his proposal from Highmayne. It was something I could not allow you to turn down. He is the perfect suitor for you."

"You think so?" I asked.

"Yes." He answered, "I think that you will grow to be very fond of the prince. He is, after all, the son of an old friend of mine."

My father's answer gave me some reassurance that everything would be alright. It put my mind at ease. "I am ready when you are, father." I sighed, allowing some of my anxieties to leave.

We walked toward the great hall slowly arm in arm. As unfortunate as the circumstances of an arranged marriage were, I was beginning to be set at ease. At the very least, my father was there to escort me. I wondered where my mother and all of my siblings would be when I entered the great hall. We reached the doors, where two guards stood, swords at their sides, "Good luck, princess," one of them stated, "The Captain wishes you his warm regards on your wedding day." The doors opened, revealing a warmly lit Great Hall filled with nobles and royalty.

There was lots of smiling and laughter around the great hall. I searched the room for familiar faces and spotted my mother, dressed in royal blue, just like my father sitting with people dressed in red just like me. They were all smiling. Everyone seemed to be familiar with each other. I saw a priest standing on the stage in the very front of the dining hall next to a young man. He was eying me with a smirk on his face. He had long black hair that hung to his elbows. His hair had a few braids in the front. He was very attractive, from what I could see from far away.

The priest started banging a glass in front of everyone with a spoon and shouted "To the new Crown Princess of Highmayne!" Everyone held their empty glasses up and started banging their spoons on them. I had forgotten how strange Alderian weddings could be.

My father walked me up to the front stage where the Belridge prince was standing. He said not a word, only eying me. I tried to avoid his gaze. The rest of the wedding was a blur, we said our vows to each other, were pronounced as a couple and then began the festivities. The prince and I were escorted to the table each sat together side by side at the same table as both of our families were seated.

The prince and I did not speak a lot while the feasting went on, we only observed each other and our families. It was as my father had said, he and the king of Highmayne seemed to be very good friends. I wondered if they had grown up together. We were served a five course meal with ham, each an entire cooked hen, corn, potatoes, all of the rolls that you could possibly think of, and some of Alderis' best desserts. There were cakes, cookies, pies, and pastries galore. The feast was truly spectacular. I did not eat much, only picked at the food, but the prince seemed quite pleased with the food. He ate enough for both of us.

After everyone had their fill of food, the drinking started. First they did a toast. Both of the kings were so drunk by the end of the night that they had to be carried to their respective rooms. My mother was not pleased, to say the least.

I did not partake and neither did the prince, as tradition called. There was so much dancing and laughing around the halls. The party did not end for over 12 hours. I was exhausted by the end of it. Although watching everyone else have so much fun was pleasing to me. I had not seen my father smile in a long time. He was always so busy with work and keeping the kingdom happy. Sometimes I wondered if he ever had time to rest. He would often stay in his study for days at a time.

12 hours into the party, the prince tapped me on the shoulder, "Princess Alienor," He spoke, "Why don't we go elsewhere? I am beginning to tire and I know that you are also tired."

I agreed with him silently. He raised his hand and called for the attention of a maid, "Please escort us to somewhere where we can sleep. We are both tired."

Three maids escorted us to a bedchamber giggling the entire way there and whispering to each other. When they got to the bedchamber, inside were 12 elders including Elder Brisin, standing in the room waiting for us.

I looked at the prince and he looked at me. "What is this?" I asked, turning to the elders.

"We are here to observe your consummation." Stated Elder Brisin.

My face got hot, I knew that I was red with embarrassment, "Consummation?" I asked.

Before the elders could get a word in, the prince cut them off, "It is not meant to disrespect you, elders," He started, "But the princess and I are both exhausted from the festivities. It has been 12 hours and the two of us are tired. There will be no consummation tonight."

All of the elders looked bewildered, "No consummation?" they asked, "But it is tradition on the night of your wedding that you will consummate your marriage in front of the elders."

"I am sorry," he said, "But I had a long trip by boat. I traveled by sea for three weeks before finally getting here and partying for twelve hours. I am exhausted. Please allow us to rest."

"Very well then, my lord." Stated Elder Brisin, "But we expect there to be a consummation by the end of the week."