The cold was ever-present, the winds from the West arriving faster than expected. Unfortunately, the days seemed to pass at an abnormal speed, even though I knew it was just something projected by my mind because of the day of the great wedding, announced all over Neopolita, signaling the surrender and subservience of my family before the new emperor king of these lands.
It was still hard to swallow my pride, even though I was helping Yurick learn my grandfather's language, giving some advice about war strategies. The King was quick to learn, which was impressive—he learned the entire alphabet in no time. Besides being intelligent, he was extremely dangerous, able to absorb all content quickly. What would be done afterward?
In some way, I was enjoying our lessons, because I was the one passing on the knowledge. I could have two hours a day to feel a bit superior.
— Why are you late? — I had been waiting for him for half an hour in the library while daydreaming, staring at the open window where the cold wind was coming through, my hand resting on the open book.
— Solving some problems. — Yurick let out a rude yawn as he sat down in front of me. It had been a few days since the alpha had slept well; he was waking up at night and leaving his room, looking for something. It could be the scout he had sent two weeks ago with some of his troops. However, I doubted that something like that would disturb him so deeply. In the end, they were just a few soldiers checking the terrain. Few people knew about the raid towards the forest.
— What's going on? Every time you get out of bed and wander the corridors like a ghost, you disturb people and the guards. Who do you think the servants complain to when there's a problem like this? — Yes, I didn't know why I had to deal with minor issues. The soldiers, the servants, the people who circulated in the castle all came to me to resolve matters like the kitchen, storage, pantry, stables, ghosts, armor. That should be the steward's job, who needed to handle these details. — Replace that woman, or I'll end up overwhelmed. — Besides educating the man in front of me, I had to handle the wedding and the people's complaints. I couldn't just let something more administrative inside the palace burden me. — That woman is terrifying and can't say anything to anyone without threatening them. That's why they come running to me as if I had to take responsibility for it.
— I understand your point, but Mafalda is under my complete and absolute trust. Over time, they'll see she's not as bad as they say. — Yurick smiled playfully, diverting from the main topic.
— I believe that when Mafalda stops threatening others with a razor, she'll be much nicer, Yurick. — I brought my hand to my temple. I knew people saw me as a charismatic, trustworthy figure. However, having more duties than I could bear was not fun. I didn't even know why I was handling this wedding—the buffet, the clothes, the design. The one who knew the culture was the alpha. But I knew he was making me do this to teach me how everything in his kingdom worked, because I had to research deeply so as not to get anything wrong, to make everything perfect and impeccable.
So, I was having long conversations with the elder who came with the entourage last week, instructing me on how to act, how to behave, what to say in the final ceremony, the dance I would have to perform alone in the middle of all those people. The pressure was enormous.
— Don't change the subject, just tell me why you're so disturbed. — I knew there was a good chance the alpha wouldn't say anything. I moved my hand to the language book, closing it. I stroked the cover for a few moments, nervous that Yurick might just say that it wasn't my problem. And, in fact, he'd be right.
— Some soldiers say they've seen my brother on the Esmeralda road. The Bani of Roham, not of Neopolita. The fact that he's too close to the capital is starting to worry me. — The older man brought his hand to his temples, trying to calm himself down. However, I thought he was far from being effective.
I went to my private desk in the library, grabbed the pot of herbal tea, pouring it into two cups, handing one to the man who looked at the contents with suspicion. I blew the steam rising from the heat, sipping slowly without worrying much if the alpha thought I was trying to poison him. Despite the obvious distrust, he drank the entire contents.
— Just reinforce security or send someone to follow your brother. If it's dangerous, just arrest him and throw away the key. You're the king; you can do whatever you want with someone who's a potential threat. — I shrugged off that family problem but eased the tension a little by placing my hand on Yurick's shoulder. — Send someone skilled to investigate. See what your brother's intentions are, don't rush into anything. Maybe this guy wants you to walk into a trap by showing himself so easily, knowing you have eyes everywhere as the king. — At least that was my theory. If Yurick knew about his brother, he was watching the roads. That meant Makal wouldn't reach the border easily. It was frustrating to think about it.
— Not a bad idea. The last time they gave me information, he was in a village along the way. I can send someone stealthy to do this job, and if that person doesn't return, I'll know what that vermin's intentions are. — The alpha seemed to harbor a lot of anger towards his own brother. The scar on the other's back showed that it was entirely justified.
— It seems we won't have our lesson. I'm going to check on the wedding preparations at the temple. Would you like to come? — At least Yurick could say whether he approved of the decorations or not, since basically everything would reflect his culture, except that I would marry in blue and white to symbolize our union, so it would be a well-orchestrated and symbolic mix of colors.
— I have more important matters to attend to. — The alpha stood up. Despite the few words, the bitter feeling of his words lingered in me. That political marriage symbolized the union between two nations. Even if forced, he should at least give some circumstantial attention to what was going to happen in the coming days.
— Of course, more important matters. — I picked up the book, putting it back in place. I felt the larger man's eyes behind me as I walked out without waiting for him. My voice had the tone of frustration. Unfortunately, I couldn't contain it—I was terrible at that.
I walked to the carriage waiting outside the palace. The wedding would be at the clerical temple on top of a hill; it wasn't very far. I was accompanied by the small royal entourage the king had assigned. I wasn't too worried, not even about Lara's excitement. We now talked more like civilized people. I couldn't keep up my cold treatment towards the girl who wasn't to blame for anything, so I decided to be as pleasant and cordial as possible with the people around me.
— I thought His Majesty would come to see how the preparations are going. — Lara sat back down after pointing out something interesting through the carriage window.
— It seems your king doesn't consider it important enough to bother going to the temple. — I hoped the bitterness, frustration, and resentment in my voice weren't obvious. However, by the girl's embarrassed expression, it was clear I had sounded much more irritated than my face was showing.
— He must really have something urgent to deal with. — Lara tried to soften the mood. However, no matter how much she tried to be kind, I still harbored those negative feelings.
I was going crazy, especially for feeling upset with every action Yurick took. We were enemies. Shouldn't I be able to go through this indifferently to the end? We would get married, probably have children, and I'd see his empire grow—or destroy it along the way with the few weapons I had.
How could I keep myself emotionally distant from all this? It had nothing to do with futile feelings like love, but it was something like empathy and a slight friendship created by sharing the same bed, by the moments when we exchanged some morning words, eating together.
If I didn't live with my fiancé, everything would be so much easier. That way, the small remarks wouldn't affect me. However, the situation only reminded me that I was alone, even with others around me, busy solving problems that weren't even mine. They were still people I hadn't lived with, that I was just now learning to accept.
So those abrupt changes were altering my mood. The fault was that damn king's for making me feel so emotionally unstable.
I didn't want to think about it again, but when we arrived at the temple, almost everything was perfect. It didn't even seem like the wedding was in favor of a war that Neopolita had lost. It was incredible how magnificent the place was, with the huge pillars decorated with the colors of both kingdoms, the rare flower arrangements, the magnificent fabrics draped over the chairs and floor. The altar had the sober touch of dark wood.
I took the notebook where I was writing down the modifications that needed to be made before the wedding day. I wrote everything down while telling the supervisor what should be changed. Even though it was beautiful, there were still flaws. It was in these small errors that I focused my mind to distract myself.
I talked to some workers, ensuring that everything would be properly arranged, without any accidents. It was exhausting having to deal with this, especially since someone had been injured falling from the second floor of the temple.
The food was being supplied by the palace, arriving with an entourage to the place, inspected by guards. Nobody wanted anyone getting poisoned on the wedding day, right?
— This is really amazing. You coordinated this place very well, Seyrim. Your administrative skills are truly impressive, especially with less than two weeks to do everything. — Yurick arrived on the scene with his general, surprising everyone who nearly fell to their knees at the king's presence. — You may continue working. — The alpha quickly said.
— I'm glad you're impressed, but the main credit goes to the organizers and workers who are working day and night to make everything perfect. — I brought the notebook to my lips, trying to hide the embarrassment I felt at the older man's presence.
— They will be duly rewarded. — He came closer to me, placing a hand on my shoulder, standing closer than he should. The alpha had that annoying habit, especially when we were in public. It seemed like he was marking territory, which tended to irritate me a little.
— I thought you had more important matters. — I let out a big sigh as I said that.
— More important than our wedding? Of course not. — The taller man let out a scornful laugh that made me want to kick his lower parts, but I held back, just giving a little cough. — I know you were upset with how I handled everything, so I came to apologize. Let's go out for a ride. You've finished here, haven't you?
— What? — It would be the first time I'd go for a ride in the palace forest since that war reached our borders. My father had locked us inside the palace in complete paranoia.
– Let's go. – Yurick takes my planner, my journal, and another folder from my hand, giving them to Lara. – Take care of this.
– With your life! – I state, since they are extremely important documents, especially regarding the organizational part of the castle. I'm being led by the alpha without being sure we should be exposing ourselves. There were still many enemies wanting to destroy him, even though the greatest one was completely confident in his own abilities, he shouldn't be so careless. However, I admit that the sense of danger I could feel was making me a bit excited.
– I prepared our mares. I found out in the stables that yours is that shaggy brown one. – Yurick pointed to my splendid equine. Whenever I had time, I would go down to the stables to take care of her, brush her coat, ride a bit around the pen until my father found out and forbade me from going there until the war was decided.
– Her name is Solaria. – Precisely because of her mane that reminded me of the sun. I was very proud of my mare.
– My horse's name is Stallion. – Yurick slapped the equine, who neighed indignantly because of it, but she was much bigger and stronger, a true warhorse. The alpha mounted quickly, of course, they were skilled, especially atop those animals; their mounts were also weapons.
I mounted Solaria, heading toward the forest. We rode fast, through the main street until we exited through the west gate, everything happening so quickly that I didn't need to see the faces of the people walking in the streets, working on their lives. I just needed to feel the wind touching my body, I just needed to feel free and alive again, to taste freedom as we rode to the forest. There were paths we could follow, Yurick gave me space to choose where to go. I knew exactly which path to take. Sometimes I would wander through that place alone; the grass passed quickly, and the scent brought back memories. I didn't need anyone to be strong, not even an alpha; just myself. No matter how alone I was, I was still strong in my convictions, actions, and intelligence. That's what I had to focus on. That marriage was just a detail in my life.
However, my train of thought was broken when I saw Yurick by my side smiling. Damn smile that man had, capable of destabilizing me a little, if only for a few moments. We ran side by side as if I wasn't being left behind amid those whirlwinds of events that had occurred since the end of the war. It was symbolic, but it made me feel more at ease.
The place I intended to go was my favorite; there was a beautiful waterfall fed by a river that cut through Neopolita. The water at a certain point was quite crystalline. In that specific area, I stopped and let my mare drink, untying the sandals from my feet, dipping them at the riverbank. The water was so cold because of autumn, causing several shivers to run through my skin.
– Don't get sick, or we'll have to cancel the wedding. – The alpha joked, letting his mare loose to rest, walking to where I was, witnessing the nearly untouched nature of the place. The smell was good; I liked the feeling of memories it brought me. Sometimes I would play in the lake with Makal and some guards watching us. We were children who didn't know anything; I thought we had many similarities just because we shared a fun moment.
– I don't get sick easily. When the rivers froze, and the trees lost their leaves, I used to come here to skate or even walk on the brittle ice, just for the thrill of knowing that at any moment that thin surface of ice could break. – It was reckless of me, but it seemed like I needed those emotions. The forest was the portrait of autumn; its beauty existed in a sublime way, but soon the coldest season would arrive, and with the climate change, my life would completely turn around.
– In Roham, it's common to have volcanic terrains, especially near mountainous areas or archipelagos. Sometimes we'd go there just to swordfight and avoid the lava rivers newly formed from some eruption. Quite a few ended up dying or burning parts of their bodies. – The alpha said it as if it weren't dangerous and deadly. We were so close, two nations stuck together in unfair situations.
– Why am I not surprised? – I raised my hand to my mouth, letting out a low laugh, because I could easily imagine a little Yurick playing near something deadly and dangerous, feeling like the king of all for his courage. I just didn't expect the older one to grab my wrist, pulling my arm away from my face. I looked at him, not quite understanding.
– I like your smile; there's no need to hide it. – Yurick's voice sounded sincere, or maybe it was just my mind trying to fool me.
– I'm not laughing to show off to you. – My voice came out a little shaky. We were alone; the alpha was very close. It was as if the current of air that followed pushed me against the alpha's body, something that shouldn't feel natural, but it did end up happening.
Our lips touched; the taller one didn't let go of my wrist, just kissed my mouth as if it were nothing. Those displays of affection made me so nervous, even knowing it was all nothing but politics, I couldn't control my own nervousness. Even the fact of returning the kiss made everything even stranger. Yurick pulled away; it was so brief that I took a while to open my eyes, blinking a few times, confused. The taller man smiled in my direction in that way that left me embarrassed for accepting that kiss.
– I can't wait to fulfill your promise after the wedding. I can do whatever I want, right? – The alpha let go of my wrist, which I had forgotten he was holding.
– Don't be petulant. You're so eager that I'm starting to think that's your only purpose with the wedding. – I gave a cough, trying to hide that the kiss had thrown me off balance.
– It became a valuable goal after your so genuine expressions of desire, Seyrim. It's not every day that I have the privilege of tasting such unique beauty and such a sweet scent. – The alpha chuckled lightly, but it wasn't mockery. I didn't know why he found it so amusing.
– I appreciate your compliments; however, we need to go back. – Before something happens without waiting for the matrimonial ceremony that makes me completely misunderstand why I'm marrying someone who caused so much misfortune to my family and to me. I was really shaken by that marriage; it was politics, pleasure was a superficial detail in all of it. So why did I keep longing? Why did those earrings always make me recall my deepest desires that I needed to hide, or else I'd go crazy? Accepting that would be admitting that marriage was far from cold and monotonous as I expected, when I had a volcano erupting inside me and Yurick was willing to burn himself.