Shortly after receiving my 'gift', Baymun and I parted ways. He went off to do more duties while Kovin gave me a tour of the palace. According to Baymun, since I was to be Queen, it was essential that I know the layout of my new home (gag).
However unseemly it felt to call this place 'home', I still followed Kovin around. It WOULD be imperative to know the ins-and-outs of the palace. And what a palace it was!
Heavens above, this place was a lot bigger than I originally thought!
Although I already knew where the guest rooms were, and was somewhat familiar with most of the ground floor, the rest of the place had so many more rooms I began to lose count. There were multiple twists and turns, drawing rooms, state rooms, two libraries, various nooks and crannies . . . It became apparent that I'd need more than a simple tour to learn all there is to know about this place.
We came across another garden area, one much simpler than the prior one Baymun and I had met in, when I finally stopped to ask Kovin the one thing praying on my mind.
"So . . . How long has Baymun been planning this?"
"Planning what?" Kovin asked slyly.
"Marrying me."
Kovin did a full stop, stiffening straight as a board. Snippet nipped at my hair playfully, wondering why we stopped as she was eyeing this new garden with interest.
After a few brief moments Kovin turned with a wary eye, "What makes you think he planned this?"
I rolled my eyes as I began to stroll leisurely through the stone pathways, allowing Kovin to follow, "Oh please. Don't play dumb with me. He thinks everything out way in advance - He gave numerous reasons as to why this would be a good match. Obviously he's been planning this for a while . . . I'd just like to know how long."
I glanced back at Kovin who lowered his head with a smile, "If you're so curious, perhaps you should ask your betrothed the next time you see him."
I almost turned around to slap his smug mouth, but instead I grit my teeth replying, "Haha. Very cute."
Walking a little farther I stopped to eye an ornate bird bath, asking quietly, "What do you think of the whole thing Kovin? Isn't this just absurd? I hate the man - It's a known fact, yet here I am about to marry him? It's all too ridiculous."
Kovin stepped up beside me while looking off, "Honestly, when Baymun first relayed the idea to me, I thought the same thing. However, knowing how Baymun is and after coming to know you better, I think it's a very reasonable match. You too are more compatible than you might think."
I gave a grimace, "Compatible? Ha! There's no way we're compatible." I shook my head vehemently, "He's a monster. I'm going to be married to a merciless demon! How can I be okay with that?"
Kovin pursed his lips, "You already agreed . . . Would you go back on your word?"
I looked up at him with narrowed eyes, "You know I wouldn't. I'm not an idiot. Besides - I value keeping my word." And keeping my life.
"Good." Kovin replied shortly.
"However," I added, "I just don't see me ever being happy. Like ever. Life's gonna suck."
As I said this Snippet looked up at me sadly, nudging her small snout against my neck in comfort.
Kovin looked down with a mixture of sympathy and incredulousness, "Surely you don't mean that?"
I looked away while biting my lip and shrugging my shoulders. We remained quiet for a good minute when I finally sighed, "Perhaps I AM being a little dramatic. It's not like I'll be around Baymun all the time - He'll have his duties and I'll have mine. Maybe we won't be near each other that much?"
I looked up to see what Kovin's reaction would be, but he was unreadable. Giving a grunt of disappointment I turned to walk away, "Let's head back. I bet Rodair's losing his mind somewhere looking for me."
Kovin followed, both of us remaining quiet on the walk back. After a while, I noticed Kovin leading us down a passage I wasn't familiar with.
Raising an eyebrow I asked, "Umm, I know I'm new to this place, but I don't think this is the way to my room."
Kovin gave a small smile, "This is the royal wing. Your new room is adjacent to the Crown Prince's quarters."
"What?" I stopped in my tracks. "NO. Okay? No. I'm not taking a room anywhere NEAR that man a moment sooner than I have to. I'm not moving to this wing right now. Just lead me back to the other room . . . I'll remain there until it's absolutely necessary."
Kovin sighed, "Ezran, just deal with it alright? You'll have to move here eventually-"
"But not today!" I waved my hands for emphasis, almost causing poor Snippet to go flying, "Richie and Illana don't even know yet . . . Why today? That makes no sense. Can't I just go back to the other room?"
I might've sounded like a brat, but the fact was I hated that everything was moving too fast! It just wasn't right that I had to marry my enemy AND sleep in the room next to him right away.
"M'lord said to bring you to your new quarters." Kovin shrugged. Obviously he was going to do as asked whether I agreed or not.
Racking my brain for a reasonable excuse, I finally came up with something. I distinctly recall something Richie told me about this wing when he was working in the palace a year ago . . . I gave a sly smile, "If that's the case, you can tell your LORD that I'm not staying here until the nuptials - Doing so would violate the prerequisite of 'royals only' staying in this wing."
Kovin gave a judgemental smirk to which I happily smiled. Rolling his eyes with a sigh, Kovin led me away from the wing, "I'll let m'lord know of your stance on the royal guidelines, but be aware that he's not going to like it."
I waved my hand dismissively, "Oh who cares what he likes anyway? He should've thought about this sooner - I couldn't stay here even if I wanted to since I'm not royal."
"Yeah, sure. You do realize m'lord can justify it by announcing your betrothal right? After tonight's feast you'll officially be recognized as the Queen apparent, then your little excuse would be a moot point."
"Tonight?" I stopped in the corridor, "Why tonight? Couldn't we announce our engagement a little later?"
Kovin placed a hand to his head, "Does nothing satisfy you woman? Of course m'lord would want it known as soon as possible since the wedding is in three short months. There's a lot of preparation to do, and besides, the delegates from the other countries are still here. If m'lord doesn't announce it this evening, they and the counsel will continue to throw eligible women at his feet."
I hugged my shoulders, "And? Maybe he SHOULD have other women thrown his way . . . Perhaps then he'll change his mind."
Kovin turned to look at me with a cynical smile, "Ah. You really think he'll be swayed so easily?"
I shrugged, "Why not? Many a man has been led astray - And from what I could see last night, there are plenty of more eligible women here for him to choose from." What I didn't say out loud was, if Baymun were to choose someone else then perhaps this would all just go away. I wouldn't be at fault, Richie would still be safe and I'd not have to marry a demon. Cheers all around!