Chapter one : Married

The day I dreaded most has come I'll be 18 today, but unlike most girls who celebrate their birthdays, I'll be celebrating my wedding day, how ironic!!.

Unlike most girls I didn't have sleepovers with my friends.

Unlike most girls I didn't even have friends at all, it was all 'training on how to be a good wife' , it all started when I was five, oh I would remember because that was the last day I ever left this god forsaken prison.

Since I was five I have never set my eyes on any other human except my father my mother and the maids, I can still remember I have two older brothers and a younger one, it's not like I've seen them for the last 13 years, they've definitely forgotten about me like I have forgotten how they look like.

Unlike most girls I didn't fall in love.

My husband, from the little I was told, he was said to be the king of tangearyans, father of dragons and as they refer him Draculas.

I heard the door squeak, I adjusted myself quickly on the bed closing eyes tightly. I've repeated this act twice before now, leaving the maids groan in annoyance, maybe if I continue they'll realize I'm dead and leave me alone.

I felt another weight added on the bed, I knew it was mother even without checking.

" Aryana…"

I squealed in surprise holding the bedsheets tightly.

" You should get up now,....your husband is waiting for you, and he is certainly not a man of patience"

" But I do not want to get married" I said still in the same position.

" hey,hey…" I felt her hand massage my hair lightly.

" You do not have to, but you will have to marry Draculas, to merge our two families together, He is a powerful man Aryana.. and we need his power, your father needs his power, the people needs his power, it is only a grace for him to consent of this marriage, for the sake of the people"

" Why would I have to sacrifice myself for the people " I sat upright holding a strong gaze on mother.

" As a member of the royal family, the people comes first,every other desires comes behind" she smiled forcefully at me , taking my hands in hers.

" Do you …. Do you know why your father called your second name as Eva,... that was his mother's name, Eva.. mother of all, Nana was definitely mother of all, she was strong, selfless, determined and would do anything for her people, everyone loved her may also rest in perfect peace"

"Did she… get married to someone she never loved , someone she was forced to marry…" I felt hot tears find it way down my cheeks.

" I.. I am sorry you know… if I could stop this marriage I would have"

"Now wipe off your tears and get ready for your wedding, after all what is a wedding without it's bride"

I found myself nodding to her sentence, embracing myself,I wiped off my tears.

" Ylda ..."

" Your highness" A maid replied coming in, with her face bowed.

" Prepare the bride .. for her wedding"

*****

Now I look different, beautifully different, As I stared at myself from the large mirror at the front of me, my breath hitched

I was wearing a blue strapless gown, it was pretty long which made me self-conscious, it has black stripes which complemented it.

My black long air was packed with a bun, as it is a tradition, a married woman must not let her hair loose. The makeup, have I ever had a make up on? Never.

I Would say I look different, it was perfect light and perfect, I had a blue pendant necklace rested on my chest, it's was mother's , now mine.

"Your highness I would be your aide to your husband, I am ser John" I turned facing the voice, he was a man.. and not my father , I give him a light smile.

He bowed stretching forth his palm towards me, I placed my small hand on his, he brought my hands up to his lips and placed a light peck.

I squealed shocked from his gesture, I couldn't fathom what I was feeling.

" You are beautiful, your highness" He said giving me a beautiful smile.

" Th.. thanks" I stuttered out.

" May we " He asked, and I gave him a light nod .

He opened the door to my room, taking one last breathe I came out, with him trailing behind. I descended the stairs heeding towards the royal room, getting closer I could hear noises, merriment and music.

Why do I fear too much,if my husband is like ser Jones, handsome and caring like him , it would still be endearing,of course.

Standing at the front of the room I could feel my nervousness increase by a million.

"The royal princess, the bride.. has arrived" The crier announced opening the door to the royal room.

I stepped in the noises I heard before dimming, I could feel hot gazes on me, I have never seen this many people before, the men gave me this… look, like a predator gives it prey, the butterflies in my stomach increased.

I walked to the high table where royalties were seated.

Instead of my Father on his royal seat, there was a strange man on it, He was man- like rat, his pot belly was almost reaching his chest, he had a bald head like those of a eunuchs, he was short, very short he needed a stood to place his leg in order to seat upright. He .. he was ugly, why this man is seated on my father's room as well baffles me.

" Do you have no manners, holding a strong gaze with me, not even showing any pleasantries to your husband "

" Arrya.. bow your head and greet your husband now" Mother whispered in my ears which made me tear my gaze away from… My husband, I'm to marry this.. this rat.

She gave me a encouraging smile,I laid my head low and slightly bow holding the hems of my gown as I was taught.

" I'm sorry if you find my

acts,disapproving I am merely a child,I ask in your over bounding grace to forgive me, your highness "

He bursted out in laughter, with the rest of on the courtroom joining in, soon on the laughter died down.

" What is your name my child"

" I am Aryana stark , princess of the land of Macbeth "

" Aryana, such a beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you"

" I am grateful, your highness "

" Come, come seat beside your husband "

I complied taking my seat on my mother's supposed chair.

" To my new bride" Draculas cheered holding up a Glass of wine.

" To your new bride"The audience cheered along making noises, hitting their cups on the table.

Draculus gave a weird smile before gulping down his wine in an animal- like way.

It was time for the grimorè, a ceremony performed to seal the wife's loyalty to her husband, the bride has to perform a talent,which must please her husband,it mostly the harp for my people as I was told other kingdoms play their different instruments. The bride has to take time and learn it from their childhood until the extent they've mastered every single key like they were mastering food, it also represents the husband sovereignty over the wife.

I stood up from where I was seated, taking a seat on the chair placed in the middle of the room. I was taught how to use the harp, it's not like I knew the basics, I hated it, I was always failing the keys and I've never put my mind into learning it.

I was forced to learn this tune am about to play, I crammed it but I never really did fully know it.

I started playing it, burying my nervousness, along the line I had a bump which caused murmerings, eventually I finished playing it earning a small applaud, like I care.

It was time to leave to my new home, Draculas was giving a speech, when he was done we were escorted, out of the palace.

I took one last glance at my parents, before boarding a separate pallequine from Draculas.

' To my new home'