you and me

Crown was allowed to go back home firstly to change into a royal dress, made for her that looked even better than her wedding dress, it cinched at her waist and flowed all the way to ground. It's velvety feel was comforting.

The burgundy and gold gown fit her perfectly and there was now a crown on her head. 

"If ever, you find yourself in harm's way or threatened. Come back. Come back home. We will accept you with no questions asked." Her father had told her. Everyone had agreed. 

"Also write us, don't cut us off completely." Tiran added.

"You know I can never cut you off."

"We know. We do know." Her mother said wrapping her in a hug. "I will miss your presence so much, my darling Crown." Next she found herself sandwiched between her mother and siblings still in a hug.

"Your highness, it's time to go." Hawthorne came to announce.

"Okay." She replied blankly. "Do I need to pack my things?" She asked as her family let her go.

"All you will ever need has already been provided in Tahu." 

"Okay." She replied dryly.

"Take this." Honey gave her a box of a considerable size. "It's all the things I believe you will need. Trust me, they don't have this in Tahu."

"Thank you sister." Hawthorne got to the box and carried it before she could. "Allow me." He headed downstairs and she followed until they got to the carriage where Zaccai was patiently waiting for her. He had a change of clothes too and now looked even more regal than before. He wore a blue jacket with a silk collar, a white linen shirt, a lighter shade of blue waistcoat embroidered with gold and dark breeches completed the look.

"You said your goodbyes." Zaccai said as she got close.

"They are family, we don't do goodbyes." She walked past him to get into the carriage. She didn't trust herself to say much at present. She was having another jolt of awakening that truly her life here was over and now she faced a future more terrifying in its emptiness than anything else she's ever known.

Zaccai stepped inside and sat opposite her.

"This isn't going to be the order of our marriage, you being rude like it's been commanded of you. It's not going to work out this way."

"Whoever said I wanted it to work?" 

"What do you intend to do then?"

"I had truly considered running away before today but well that was only a half baked plan that I never followed through."

"Run away? From me?"

"From your people."

"Last I remember, you always wanted to run to them." He replied with irritation in his voice.

"What?"

"I wish to rest now. Your people sure take up a lot of time celebrating a wedding." He rested his head back on the cushioned seat and closed his eyes.

"What did you mean by what you said?" She asked again.

When he showed no signs of wanting to reply, she knew the conversation was over.

TAHU

Queen Lieve stood at the grand entrance steps of their mansion waiting on the arrival of her new daughter in-law. Her anticipation had grown and now she was almost uneasy. She spent the day making sure the home was ready to receive the new addition to the family.

"We are here!" The coachman announced as the gates of Tahu opened up. 

Crown felt grateful the journey was almost over. She had no idea Tahu was so far away. For some reason she felt it was closer.

Zaccai woke up from his pretend nap then. His eyes on her.

"What?" Crown frowned.

"Nothing. Can't believe you are here is all, after all this while?"

"Do you always say things that makes no sense, anyway you are nineteen after all."

"One hundred and ten."

"I'd stick to nineteen." Crown said as she now looked out the window to catch a glimpse of Tahu as they moved through the city.

He smiled to himself, somethings never change.

Crown failed to hide her surprise at the sight she was seeing. She always imagine Tahu to be a city lacking of refinement and class. She thought there would be houses made of rotten woods and blood and dirt will cover the streets as unruly beasts walked to and fro doing their business. 

What she saw was a far cry from her imaginations. Because it was night time already, she could only see so much. She sighted her first creature, a Minotaur and gasped. He was finely dressed and that amused her. The streets were really wide and in what looked like the center of entrance of the city was a huge water fountain, and from it tiny water ways had been formed to run all through the city. The water seemed to glint with gold. In fact it was gold, seeing as the prince had thrown so much gold around back in Ashford, they had to have excess of it here. Every sight captivated her and she did not hide that fact.

It took a moment but crown did a mental check and realized that Ashford was way far behind in terms of advancement, they truly were world's apart.

 "We have arrived your highnesses," the same coachman announced after a while.

The door of the carriage opened and Zaccai stepped out first extending a hand to her to help her down.

Queen Lieve stepped forward to welcome them. She gave her husband a quick kiss on the cheek, before walking to her son.

"Hello mother, I do admit I've missed you." Zaccai gently pulled Crown forward. "Meet my wife and your daughter in-law, Princess Crown."

"Welcome home son, you've done well." She held Crown's hand in hers. "Welcome. Is your name really Crown?"

"Yes your highness." Crown felt a little nervous but curtsied as she greeted. "I am humbled to be welcomed into your family and home." 

Zaccai wasn't believing her words.

"You have picked well son, her beauty is undeniable." She turned to Zaccai for a moment to say. "Welcome to the family, it's an absolute pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise your highness."

"Come now, I am sure you are tired from the events of the day and travels, but all has been set and arranged for your first night together. You will be introduced to court in two days time when my son here turns twenty as well as your personal staff and servants and until then, you two can have all the time in the world to yourselves."

"Ourselves? Me and him?" Crown tried to sound polite.

"Yes darling." Zaccai cupped her waist and pulled her towards him. "You and me, I can't wait to get started." His eyes bore into hers and she hated it.

Crown faked a smile as she said nothing. She has no idea what the right response was in a situation such as this. Also his hands on her body again was making her feel a way she didn't like nor understand.

"Come now, my queen. Let's give the happy couple some space." King Zadok who had been quiet pulled his wife away as they finally walked into their home hand in hand.