"Aria, you are just being paranoid. Yes, I am yet to unlock all my magic yet, but that does not make me weak! My sword skills are on par with the finest of knights, my archery skills are commendable, and I know I can beat a couple of men in hand-in-hand combat. I can defend myself."
"This is madness!" Aria cried out! Of all the members of the royal family, Aria could only wonder why she had to serve the stubborn one.
"Aria!" Neriah snapped. "Try to understand me, I love Lyle. I know I love him! I cannot marry another!"
That's right, Lyle. Just thinking of him now made her flush. She had prayed for a man just like him, she had prayed that the goddess would lead her to someone like him when the day of the Arela ritual finally came.
And as she had expected, the goddess had answered her prayers even though the ritual was yet to happen. There were still two months to go.
But the goddess sent him to her. Lyle—Lyle of the Niles.
"You have barely known him for two weeks!" Aria cried out.
"I know that!" Neriah retorted. "I've not known him for too long, but I do know I love him. I don't think love needs time to flourish. I feel so sweet when I'm with him, when he says my name, when he looks at me, Aria I do love him. He is my prince charming. My knight in shining armor just like those books we read. And I know he is a gift from the goddess. The answer to my prayers." she almost cried.
Aria could see the liquid glisters that covered her green eyes, and it made her ache for her mistress.
"You love him, but does he love you?" Aria asked, and Neriah paused. "Tell me, does he love you as much as you love him? He says he is a prince from the Niles, so why didn't he come to ask for your hand from your father? Why did you both plan to dupe everyone? He's a prince, he could have come to your father if he truly loved you."
Aria knew Neriah didn't want to hear the words she spoke, but they had to be spoken. She had to know what she was getting herself into.
"He loves me." Neriah said. But it sounded more like a self-confirmation. Like she was trying to assure herself that he did. "He loves me Aria, I know it. And he cannot come to father be_because, well because you know how father is. I thought my father would not accept. But if I attended the dance and the goddess blessed us herself, then father will not be able to deny it!" She lied. But it was too late now. King Gerald would not change his mind for anything.
She looked at Aria and saw the numerous questions written all over her face, she reached for Aria and took her hands in her own, "Aria I am to be tied with a man I have never met, for eternity. For the rest of my life. At least let me see him, let me know what my fate is."
"And when you do find out? What then? What will you do if you find him as old, ugly, sweating and disgusting as you believe? What will you do when you meet him?"
"I'll try and talk some sense into him. I'll try and dissuade him from the thought of marrying me. I am probably not what he wants either. I'll try and explain my situation to him and somehow make him reject the proposal."
"And if he does not agree to do that? You are a fine young woman, my lady, the man might end up falling for you at first glance. What will you do if he refuses to reject the proposal?"
Neriah paused, staring at Aria for a moment, and the maid's eyes and lips opened wide with realization, "Oh no!" she gasped. "You would run away?! With Prince Lyle? That is insane, that is madness, that is—oh no, what will happen when the king finds out! What will happen when they come for you and you're not here? What will happen when the people from Trago realize that you have disappeared. They will feel like we have duped them, mocked them, insulted them! Oh my goodness, there will be war!"
Aria was the only one worried about all these repercussions. Neriah was blinded by anger, pain and love at that moment. She could not think of anyone but herself. She cared not about her entire kingdom being destroyed. She was in no way going to marry any man who wasn't Lyle. An old one at that!!
"I do not care what you say, I have made up my mind. I must go tonight. I might never get another chance."
"My lady, please, take a moment and think about your actions. You—"
"I have thought about it Aria, I have spent three nights thinking about it, and since father refuses to see reason with me, I have made my decision. Try and understand me."
Aria could see the determination in her eyes. She knew nothing she would possibly say could talk the determined woman out of her mission.
"Alright," Aria says. She could see the light that had instantly filled her eyes. "I understand you, I'll go with you."
"Aria, no! You cannot. If I'm caught, you'll be in trouble."
"Oh, if you're not caught, I'll still be in trouble. At least let me in on the adventure." Aria cheerfully stated.
Neriah smiled gratefully, pulling the woman into a tight, crushing hug. She loved the woman. All the King's other daughters were already married a long time ago, so Neriah was the only princess left in the palace. She had no one around her age to talk to because she was shielded by her father.
Aria was her only friend, she had been the older sister figure in Neriah's life, being just a few years older than Neriah. She had covered up for Neriah a couple of times, she'd been punished some other times, but she never hated Neriah, she understood her loneliness and Neriah was grateful for that.
"Alright, if we're going to do this, we better get going!" Aria breaks the hug.
"Aye, let's go find my so-called Prince Barak, son of the dragon."