Zianah's POV
It was already a week when my parents told me about my debut/ wedding and here I am, being the most obliging daughter they can have.
Instead of attending my classes at school, I am now at the Palace, busy acting as a human mannequin for the tailors to take measurements for my gown.
Trained to remain nonchalant and polite as always, even I'm already cursing that unknown Prince I am being wedded to, I kept my calm demeanor in front of the people around.
It was then a tailor said something about 'that' Prince. "Too bad for you, my Princess. You had to marry that handsome but arrogant Prince."
Curious, I then give her a quick glance and asked. "You already met him?"
Biting her lips, she nods. "W-we actually had his measurements before you, Princess Zianah."
Nodding, I looked back ahead. Maintaining the same position I was on earlier.
Trying to think of which Prince it could be, I then tried to dig the memories I had of the Princes I know but, despite of thinking hard, no one of them fits the bill so I gave up.
Finished on taking up my measurements, the tailors then left, so I went back to my room and read the books to at least catch up to the lessons they were tackling, but none of it was absorbed by my mind, given the dilemma I'm in.
"Ugh! How did I managed to be caught in a mess like this? What did I even do to be married young? Was it because I am born a girl and not boy unlike my brothers?" I groaned to myself, flopping back down on my bed.
Still trying to comprehend things, I found myself grumbling again and again, but no matter what I do, all I can think about is how I hated 'that' Prince for ruining my life and plans for this wedding.
—
After another week of suffering and battling with my sanity, my 18th birthday/ wedding finally comes and here I am, walking down the aisle, still at lost in everything.
Sighing, I stood beside the masked man/ 'that' prince, before the Pope and as the ceremony happens, I somehow felt that this guy reminds me of someone.
Glancing at him, it then whispered. "Stop looking at me and focus on the ceremony."
Grumbling in the back of my mind, I just do what he said and maintained my focus on the ceremony and once it finally ended, we we're then urged to do our first kiss as a married couple.
Desperate to know who he is, I then told him. "I won't do it unless you take off that mask."
Hearing him scoff, he then pulled me by the waist and replied. "Deal! But let me remind you this, Princess Zianah of Hydrangeas. No matter how you feel about me, it won't change the fact that I am now your husband."
Discreetly raising my brows at him, I give him a quick nod and as our face is just an inch apart, he slowly removed his masked.
Once fully taken off, he just grabbed me and pulled me into a searing kiss. Not having time to react, I stood there all baffled.
—
As the celebration began, this arrogant husband of mine started dragging me anywhere, putting his 'best' smile on, thanking each and everyone for celebrating with us.
Feeling lethargic, as opposed to him. All I can feel is the exhaustion from this whole damn thing and the regret that I had for typically wasting the time and effort to be a best princess I can be, when the Prince I ended up with, is nothing but an absolute disaster.
Prince Ellian, is the Crown Prince from the Kingdom of Hadalpe. It was a Kingdom under the Imperial Order of Hydrangeas.
We are the same age but he's older than me by 2 months and we knew each other way back our childhood, but we were never close to get married like this.
In fact, we really hated each other's guts that as kids, we often fight with one another but the main reason we distanced ourselves from each other, to the point we promised not to see each other again is, we shared our first kiss.
Yes, you may say it's a childish thing to say, but as for the both of us who is typically a cat and a mouse, it is a big deal and it's a secret that I am sure that no one of us will dare to share.
Anyways, if I were to describe him now, all I can say is that he's taller and fitter than last time we met. We were just thirteen that time, so it's been five years now.
As for his facial features, I can say that they were all still handsome, just like before and as for his personality, he became manlier, but more teasing and cunning.
Snapping his fingers at me, Ellian called my attention back. "What are you thinking about to be in such a daze?" He asked.
Maintaining my cold face, I shook my head. "It's nothing, I'm just tired."
Narrowing his eyes at me as he leans in, smirking. "Don't tell me you're saying that so we could be on the chambers now?"
Letting out a deep breath, I replied. "I'm sorry to burst you bubble but, no. I'm genuinely feeling tired and all I want to is to rest."
Frowning, he then dragged me into the balcony, saying "Can't you even pretend that you're okay with this?! I mean, it's not like we're married because of love or anything."
"Exactly, we are just married for convenience and that's more a reason not to." I replied.
Glaring at me, he then said. "Are you even being for real, Zianah?! Don't you know why we had to be wedded?!"
Shrugging, I immediately looked away to make him know that I am not interested to what he wants to say, but he held my hand and pulled me back.
"Are you seriously planning to let your pride to take over you, Zianah?! What about your duty as a princess?! Did you think your parents would just let you marry for nothing?!" He angrily scolded me as if I hit a nerve.
Sighing, I looked back at him saying. "Then tell me everything what I need to know."
Groaning, he replied. "Argh! Forget it! If you're really tired then just go back to your room!" Trudging off the balcony, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Sighing again, I found myself in a deep daze as I watched the sunset and once I'm okay, I just went back to the party as if nothing happened.
It was already late in the night when the party had finally ended and as we reached the doorstep of my room, Ellian opened the door and said. "Go inside."
Confused, I just obliged, but the moment I am in, he began closing the door and I stopped him. "What are you doing? Aren't you going in?"
Shaking his head, he removed my hand from the door and said. "Just sleep. Good night!" After closing the door, I then heard him walk away.
Now lying in my bed, I heard a knock on my door. "Lil'sis, are you still awake?" My big brother called onto me.
"Yes, I am. Come in." I politely replied.
Opening my door, big brother then sat beside me, immediately remarking. "It's been rough huh?"
Having no idea on what's the context of the comment, I asked. "What do you mean?"
Smiling, he patted my head. "You're still probably shocked to know that you're now wedded and out of all the people of this Empire, it has to be Ellian."
"W-well, I guess. But what he told me earlier bothered me and now he's acting like some stranger." I replied.
Nodding, he then give me a smile and said. "It's probably not my story to tell but, Ellian is in a big trouble right now and he had to have us a back up, or else their family will be ousted from the throne."
Curious, I asked again. "Trouble? Ousted?"
"Yes! Apparently, his Father is being targeted by democrats and was being ousted for awhile, it then felt ill from the stress, so as a crown prince, he was forced to take over, and has become the new target of those democrats." Big brother then explained.
Nodding and analyzing the situation, I replied. "So to prove that their Kingdom is still under the protection of our Empire, he had to marry me to execute his rule over the Kingdom?"
Nodding back, my brother then said. "So even if it's a marriage in convenience, it would be better if you could put some effort and at least pretend to be there for him, Zianah.
It's not like he proposed this marriage to our parents out of thinking and I am sure, that there's a reason why it has to be you. He might be a pathetic and arrogant one when you guys were kids, but it's different now."
After that, I just found myself nodding to him, asking him for a favor. "Then can you please tell him not to sleep anywhere but here."
Nodding again, he then left.