The wedding night
The different ceremonies were finally over and it was time for the newly married couple to leave. Alexia and Ivan were escorted outside into their carriage. When Alexia was finally sure they were far enough from her home, she turned to Ivan "Your Highness, I....." her words were cut short.
Ivan looked at her in the eyes and said in a deep and enchanting voice " Ivan. It's Ivan. Call me Ivan".
Alexia's heart did flip flops. She could form words well again and she stuttered endlessly "Your....I mean.. Prince.... Ivan" she blushed uncontrollably.
Just then the carriage did a huge jump and Alexia felt a warm hard wrap around her waist. She looked up with a shocked expression. She tried to move her body closer to the carriage's window but his firm hand held her in place. She looked up again and he softly said "Just stay like this. If the carriage makes a sudden jump again, you might really fall" he smiled stiffly. Alexia looked at his face and she tried to stifle a laughter. He looked like a still stone trying to make movements.
Ivan thought something was wrong when he saw her red face "Are you okay, Alexia?" he asked her concernedly. Alexia shook her head. Her name sounded really good when he said it.
Alexia widened her eyes at what she just thought about 'What am I thinking. Am I mad? My name suddenly sounded very nice? What am I thinking? I think I am going crazy' she chided herself in her thoughts.
Alexia finally realized he asked her a question and she responded " I am fine". She wanted to jump out of this carriage right now. How long would it take till they got to Eritrea?
As if he read her mind, he suddenly said " The drive would still take about 3 hours. Oh and we are going to Medrian not Eritrea. It's under Eritrea's control now. That was the reason I was so busy and I couldn't see you at all during the wedding preparations. I hope you don't mind? " he asked sincerely. He wanted to go and meet her during the last week before the marriage as a gentleman but unluckily he had things to move to Medrian. He felt really bad but at least he could make it up to her during the coming days.
Alexia was stunned. He didn't have to give her an explanation but he did. She felt he was going to be okay as her husband and their relationship would be alright as long as they kept on like this. She finally talked" It's okay. I don't mind" she smiled. This time it was a real one without any worries. Her eyes started drooping and she didn't even realize when she fell asleep.
Ivan turned to the woman in his arms and he smiled. Luck was really on his side. He met the girl he liked since he was a child and got married to her. How lucky was he?
Alexia woke up when she heard her name being called repeatedly and she was being tapped in a light manner. She heard Ivan's voice saying " we've arrived" and the sleep in her vanished immediately. She stood up and waited for Ivan to get out of the carriage. She walked to the door and Ivan's hand was outstretched for her to take. She put her hand in his and she could vouch on her life a million times over that she felt an electric current go through her body when her hand touched his. She got down and she could finally concentrate on her surroundings. The Medrian palace was a nice sight to see. The entrance was a flower pathway and there were several guards around as she and Ivan walked hand in hand inside the palace. Yes! Hand in hand. His hand was especially warm to the touch deeply contrasting her cold hands. After they walked for a while, he stopped in front of a room and waved two servants over. He released his hold on her hand and said " I will be back. I have something to attend to. Have some rest" he walked off after his sentence.
The two maids were standing awkwardly" My lady, please follow us " they pitifully uttered. Alexia quietly followed them into the room she sited before. The maids went to prepare her bath and she slipped out of her wedding dress with that time. She went into the bathroom and directly soaked into the water. The maids helped with her hair and one could not help but comment " My lady, your hair color is so unique and nice and it fits you perfectly. Your hair is literally glittering" she flattered endlessly.
Alexia smiled " I don't know how but I should be happy with what I have, right? ". She was used to people commenting on her hair color. Silvery hair was after all not a common sight to see. After the bath, she changed into a comfortable night dress. She decided to wait for Ivan to come back. She didn't know how long she waited but her eyes were already drooping by the time she heard the door open. She immediately jerked up into a sitting position.
Ivan entered the room and was surprised to see Alexia awake. It looked like she was waiting for him. His heart warmed at the thought. He nodded at her before heading into the bathroom to have a bath. After several minutes, he came out and headed towards the bed to lie down.
Alexia was stunned. The man didn't seem to care that this was their wedding night. She wanted to explain to him that she was not ready yet because she was not comfortable. She sat upright without moving a bit.
The man finally spoke " Sleep. I know you are not comfortable with the marriage talk more of a wedding night so sleep before I change my mind".
Alexia quickly lay on the bed making sure there was distance between them. Maybe it was because she was already sleepy because she dozed off immediately her head hit the bed. Ivan couldn't help but chuckle in his head. So the girl waited for him to tell him she wasn't comfortable with the idea of doing it with him? He waited till he heard her even breathing before pulling her into his arms.