Alexandra was beautiful, thought her future brother-in-law. Vincent was asked, not ordered, to escort her to her bridal suite. Lisa, her maid, asked, "Will I be allowed to remain with my lady?"
Vincent looked at her strangely before remembering the circumstances. "Of course. However, you will have to adapt as you will be part of a staff. Unless I am mistaken in my understanding that you have served under the princess alone."
"You are not, my lord."
"I will wait outside to escort you both to the venue from where your king will escort the princess as is custom."
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As handsome as Prince Vincent was, his brother took Alexandra's breath away. He truly was a giant among men and despite his formal dress, he had a roguish look to him that made him look even better in her eyes. The ceremony was swift and in deference to the local customs, the reception was delayed by a honeymoon period. Prince Vincent accompanied Lisa to a separate carriage as Prince Vladimir carried his new wife from the altar all the way to their private carriage. "Is this another of your strange customs?"
Vladimir looked at her and cocked his head, reminding his wife of Lisa's remark about him having a reputation for silence before gaining one of virtue. They had their own house as newlyweds and Vladimir carried her straight to bed from the carriage. Alexandra grew fearful and he froze, causing confusion to join the fear in response to his own puzzled expression. Alexandra considered the situation and realized he was only trying to consummate their marriage. Sitting up prompted him to pounce and pin her in place. "Please." His confusion grew as she cried, "Please." He cocked his head. "I'm not ready." He showed her their wedding bands, she should be ready.
Vladimir didn't want his wife to hate him but he couldn't exactly have his brother present to interpret for him when the consummation was supposed to be private. Getting off his new wife, he began undressing himself and waved a hand at her, indicating that she should as well. Alexandra took the hint, tears in her eyes. Vladimir looked to make sure the door was locked before sticking fingers in his mouth, confusing his wife. King Liam had a very awkward conversation with his eldest once Vladimir began puberty wherein he explained the precautions they must take due to their size. With his dry hand, he spread her legs then knelt between them. Using the fingers that were in his mouth, he stretched her. His father did not struggle with speech, making this more uncomfortable than it had to be. Vladimir realized the total silence he imposed on himself was not practical. He huffed, his voice deeper than it was when he spoke properly thanks to long hours developing enunciation skills with his brother. "What?" He grunted, driving more fingers in deeper and rubbing a thumb over what his father had told him was a sweet spot, anatomy books called it a clitoris. Having given up on making him stop, Alexandra began enjoying herself despite herself. Once she was as ready as Vladimir could make her without prior experience, the real penetration took place. Alexandra screamed at the feeling of being torn open. Vladimir merely grunted and continued doing what his father had told him to. He knew his sex talk was much more interesting than the one Vincent received. Only then did he realize that Alexandra likely never had that Talk. He instantly felt shame for assuming she knew what she was getting into when he knew quite well that his father forced the arrangement. Sticking his hand back into his mouth, he traced along her opening, trying to ease the thrusts.
Alexandra hated the helpless feeling her husband gave her. She tried not to think about what he was doing to her. Thinking about other things, she couldn't help the occasional scream as he caused her first pain than unimaginable pleasure. His seed filled her several times before he pulled out and surprised her by licking her down there. More amazing was how little pain she felt then. He climbed up the bed and pulled her into his arms, purring her to sleep. In the morning, he only let Lisa in to draw her bath then kicked her out and bathed his wife himself. Food was left outside the room and Vladimir fed his wife as well. Between bathing, eating and sleeping was sex. Watching his wife, Vladimir found a way to minimize the pain caused by their size difference. Alexandra learned the duality of his personality first hand, he was kind when he fed and bathed her but then he forced himself on her wordlessly. The only time he left her alone was when she had to relieve herself. Taking the opportunity to gather her thoughts one night, she realized he didn't speak at all since the ceremony. Next time he began to prepare her, she said, "Please stop." He looked up at her and did as she asked, pulling her into his lap and nuzzling her.
Not long after that, she started speaking her mind more and gaging his reactions, learning how to read him. He stopped holding her prisoner in their quarters and even took her on a tour of her new home. He was with her constantly through most of the early days in their marriage.