Aileen had found the time to go back down to the library. She decided to write her parents a letter. A few days had passed, and there was now a week and a half until the wedding. She knew she'd see them soon, but not being able to talk to them everyday was hard.
She felt like after being here for four days already, she was starting to get used to the cold.
However really she had no choice, the maids she was given and who dressed her weren't as comfortable with her, and she wasn't with them. So she never told them her preferences of clothing, so often she was given clothing that really should have been made to wear at home.
Today her hair was put up with a few strands hanging down in the back. She wore a white dress with roses painted onto it, it was off the shoulder and had a low back. She wore a small diamond necklace she had brought from back home, and small earrings.
Her sand colored skin was a nice contrast to the white dress. And she guessed the makeup she needed for the wedding was being saved right now as she only got mascara, a bit of blush, and a swatch of red color on her lips.
The dress has come only a bit past her knees, and so her red heels she'd also brought from home were visible.
The garden which was "outside" wasn't covered in snow like everything else because it was covered by a glass building. In here the temperature was regulated and it was a bit warmer to keep the flowers in bloom. It was the only place that could comfort Aileen with the feeling of home.
She wasn't wearing any gloves today, she hated the feeling of the thick cotton over here, due to the clothes being naturally warmer.
She settled on a bench in the garden and pulled out the pen and paper given to her. She began to write
~Dear Mother and Father
I miss you both dearly, and I'd give anything to be back home. I know you told me it would only take time but I don't think it's going to get any better. I can't read him, and the only interaction I had seems to tell me that he hates me... He told me himself that he didn't want me here. I know that I have to do my duty as princess and keep the peace between our people... But I don't want to be miserable too... I don't know what to do, you've always guided me before, could you now too?
Love Always- Aileen~
She finished writing and sat the pen down with a sigh.
Just then she heard the doors of the garden opened.
Today Daniel wore a navy blue suit, and unlike his usual combed and parted picture perfect hair. It seemed to have fallen out of place, his tie was loose, and he looked genuinely tired, and he hadn't noticed Aileen yet.
She found herself staring as he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
She took it as the opportunity to sneak out the back doors into the palace.
She got up and began to slowly walk away, but of course her heel hit a rock and made a sound. She froze and groaned internally. It seemed as though the world was against her.
She decided it would be too awkward to just stand there and hope he didn't see her, so she turned back around with her envelope, and began walking hurriedly past him.
Though a signal of his hand made her stop.
"You are to greet me Everytime you see me, are you not?"
Aileen grit her teeth and then said, "Your highness." With a curtsy.
Then without waiting for him to say anything else Aileen walked away quickly back into the palace.
A few days had passed since then. Daniel was supposed to be going on a business trip and would get back two days before the wedding.
Aileen of course as his "fiancee" was expected to send him off along with his parents.
She stood with her hands in front of her wearing a emerald dress and her hair in a low ponytail, and again she had on minimal makeup.
Daniel shook his father's hand, and hugged his mother goodbye.
When he stepped infront of Aileen, she refused to meet his eyes, and seemed to stare right passed him as she addressed him and curtsied.
Daniel however held out his hand. Then she looked up at him in puzzlement.
With his hand still expectantly waiting. She stuck her hand in his. He pulled a bracelet out of his pocket and clasped it around her wrist. Then he leaned close as if to give her a hug, but instead whisperer in her ear so only she could hear.
"Don't think this means anything, it's a custom im expected to do, and more or so I was forced to. Try not to do anything foolish while I'm gone."
And then he turned and got in the carriage without so much as a second glance at her.
Aileen tried to maintain a polite smile on her face, but she wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball and cry. It was absolutely miserable here.
As days passed by and the wedding got closer she felt more anxious. Good news had come to her though. Her childhood best friend, and still her best friend, had come early to spend time with her before she was married.
His name was Sebastian. He had black hair like her, and his skin was a bit more tan. His eyes were green and he had a muscular figure.
He was a very bright person, she had always loved being around him, they just had an easy friendship like that, they understood each other, and he always knew how to cheer her up and calm her down.
Aileen waited anxiously for his arrival, he was expected at any moment.