Chapter One

What happens when two strangers are forced to live together in the name of marriage?

Imagine being betrothed to a man who feels like you're the worst thing that ever happened to him; that's Bella.

Please take note

° This book is a work of fiction

° All names, characters and events are a product of the author's imagination, so if they in anyway relate to your reality, it is totally coincidental.

° This story is NOT EDITED, so here's an apology in advance for any wrong spelling and grammatical errors.

° This book is themed 'ROMANCE' and is definitely going to have mature contents and curse words.

I'll do well to put a warning sign before very mature scenes.

This book is English, and if there happens to be any other language, the interpretation will be put in a bracket.

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**

It was a cold morning. The wind blew in different directions, spreading her euphoria among the dense bushes. The birds sang melodious tunes that had her heart humming. The cocks crowed loudly, they had never been so excited to start up a new day. As early as it was, Mazi Edochie's household was in a flurry of activities. Lively chatters could be heard from a distance.

Today was the day. The day the youngest daughter and child of the Edochie's household would be married off to the great prince Jackson of the Azusa tribe; her betrothed, whom she was yet to behold.

He had been sent away at age ten by his father; the great king of the Azusa tribe, never to be seen or heard of again by the people, until recently. He had arrived a month ago, and not many eyes had seen him. Rumors had it that he had turned out to be a fine young man.

"Ella!" The disoriented voice of her mother called.

"Ella! Ella, you're yet to do your make-up! Come right now, we would be living once the sun casts over the horizon, we don't want to be late!" Her older sister, who was a mother of two and married to the village's 'pauper' as they called him, called out. Her husband earned that name for himself because rumors circulating around the village had it that his wife was the one sustaining the family. According to the villagers, he was just a weak bone. So unfortunate!

"I'm coming, sister, I want to pick some more flowers. I promise to stay still for my make-up, just give me five more minutes!" Ella called out as she picked more lilies and put them in her basket. Lilies were rare. They were hardly ever seen, but just one time that Ella had managed to get a hold of a handful sometimes back, she had planted them immediately in the garden on the side of their house, making sure to take extra care of them and not lose them to the soil. She was going to take as many as she could along with her. She loved them too much to leave them behind.

"You hard headed child! You better learn to listen, because you would be married to a royal soon, and they hate it when people don't do as they say." Amanda, her elder sister scolded as she came up from behind her and snatched the basket of lilies from her, giving no heed to her protests.

"Now, come with me!"

*

"Nneka?"

"Hm?"

"How does it feel to be married?" She asked, lightly nibbling on her lower lip as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Not in the least expectant of that kind of question, Nneka paused momentarily, before she then continued smoothening out Ella's eye brows.

"The feeling is very deceptive. You feel what you choose to feel, depending on how you're being treated by your partner. Most of all, you feel you have bigger responsibilities which in fact you do. You have a husband to tend to. When children come, you have them to tend to as well. It's not like we read in those romance books, no, they make it seem easy. They make it seem flawless even. No marriage can be flawless. No existing marriage is flawless. In marriage, you feel obligated to listen to whatever your partner says. You might feel trapped sometimes, because you can't do whatever you want to do however you want anymore. This might affect you a lot, Ella, because you're a naturally free soul. You have to listen to your partner, because he has a say in whatever you do because he is the head of the family." Nneka absentmindedly stated, staring into nothingness as if recalling a memory.

"O_kay! That was a whole lot, and it's scary. Is it too late to back out now?" Ella fretted.

"Very late." Nneka chuckled amusedly.

"It became late the very minute you were born. You weren't even out of your mother's womb, before you were betrothed to the five-year old prince." Nneka bitterly stated.

"Did you ever think of what it would feel like if you were given a choice as to make your choice on who to get married to, I mean, a chance at love? A chance to fall in love with a man you choose for yourself?" She pulled lightly on the braids, making sure no one was left out of place.

"No. It's better not to think about it, at least, if I don't think about it, I would feel less deprived. Besides, my parents agreed to it in the first place because they thought it's best for me to have my future secured." Ella shrugged, sounding indifferent.

"Who cares about a secured future when you're being deprived of something so special?" Nneka mumbled out her resentment.

"My parents know best, so let's drop the subject. I know they would not make a decision that would harm me."

Nneka nodded in resignation.

She felt bad for her friend. The poor soul didn't even get a chance to fall in love with a man of her choice. All her life, she was kept away from male company by her father. In fact, male companies stayed far away from her as soon as she was announced as the Prince's betrothed at fifteen.

"You're such an optimist. Some girls would have cried a whole river by now." Nneka chuckled to lighten the now awkward atmosphere.

"We both know that I can't, even if I tried. Crying doesn't come that easily to me." Ella chuckled back.

"Are you done, Nneka?" Mama Ella's voice sounded as she entered the room looking beautiful in her attire of red lace. It complimented her fair skin nicely. Obviously, it cost a fortune. Beautiful beads circled her neck and wrists, giving the finishing touches.

"Almost, Mama." Nneka replied.

"My dear child." Mama hugged Ella tightly, trying to hold back her tears. "You'll ruin your make-up, Mama, don't shed even a single tear." Nneka grumbled. She didn't want to have to do it all over again.

"You've finally grown into a woman, and now, you're leaving me." Mama sniffed, paying no mind to Nneka's words. "I'm not, Mama. You know I would always come to visit you and Papa. Besides, this marriage is for the best, kwanu?" Ella did her best to offer comfort to her mother without getting emotional, if not, Nneka might have gouged her eyes out for ruining the make-up.

"Yes. I hope you didn't forget to shave down there? We don't want the prince to be greeted by a bush when he looks down tthere" Mama wriggled her brows suggestively.

"O God, Mama!" The house rang with their peals of laughter as they enjoyed the last moment living in the same house.

*

The excitement in the village was palpable. Maidens sang as the drummers beat their drums expertly. The flute players played skillfully, a happy melody to match the drummers beat. Unmated maidens danced and sang behind and ahead of her. The closer they got to the palace, the more shaky her hands became. She missed her footing a couple of times by the way due to nervousness. She was sure her lower lip would bruise due to the constant and unforgiving nipping of her teeth.

A huge crowd had formed on the palace grounds. People stared, and she couldn't be more grateful for the veil she wore, shielding her from the prying and curious eyes. Her eyes searched everywhere, and as they landed on her father and mother sitting side by side with proud smiles on their faces, she concluded that she was doing the right thing. How was she so calm about everything though? Getting married to a man she had not even seen before, wasn't it going too far?

She smiled back at her parents even though they could not see her face through the veil. She was going through with this. Nothing could go wrong, besides, it was too late to back out now . That would be too humiliating. No matter the amount of nervousness running through her very being, and the many doubtful voices in her head, she remained there with sweaty hands, waiting for what was sure to come.