Time for the Truth: a story of a sleeping beauty

Chosen: Part 20

"Welcome back, Enyada." The King's grave voice matches his grim expression and exterior.

"Thank you."

"So you are accepting my son's offer of marriage."

"Yes. I a-accept." Even though I was sure I was still so nervous to say the words out loud. Was I old enough? Would I do this right? Would I hurt Rior with my temper, or my stubbornness? I swallowed, stopping myself from shaking. No sense in worrying, I would just have to take it one day at a time. 

"Then I suppose we should begin the preparations for the wedding. Please allow your maid to help you with what is necessary, and any communications you may need to have with your family. We can start delivering pigeons there as soon as you have news for them." I blinked at him, and Rior squeezed my arm. He seemed so much less threatening than the last time I saw him. 

"Thank you."

"Son, please escort your wife-to-be back to her quarters so she can get dressed to continue her language lessons." The king nodded smartly at us, and Rior shouted at his back, "She's my fiancé now, and she will be your daughter soon enough." The king gave a chuckle- what?- and continued walking.

"Interesting. Your father has a sense of humor." Rior smiled, pressing our foreheads together.

"Of course." he laughed at me. I smiled at him.

"Come, let's get some food."

"It's not an eating time is it? Besides, your father wanted me to go back to lessons." I tried not to make a face.

"There have to be some perks to being royal. We do rule, and are therefore sometimes too busy for mealtimes... or lessons." He winked at me, and tugged my arm along.

I was so charmed by him. Something felt like a warm expansion in my chest, how could I be this happy and confused? I was dazed, but not like I had been before, because everything was also clear. 

We nodded respectfully as an older couple walked near us, but giggled like little kids when they had passed.

I playfully shoved Rior into one of the columns supporting the roof, since we were in the lower section of the caverns now, and he mock fell over, dragging me with him. I was laughing too hard to put up much of a fight, and felt him still beneath me.

"What?" I ask, confused as to where his laughter went. He was staring at me, openmouthed, and I tried not to be self-conscious. I could barely look at him, but I forced myself to meet his eyes.

"Sian, you are so wonderful. Thank you, for not running away." I gave a half-smile, just wanting to kiss him more than anything I'd wanted to do in some time.

I was too embarrassed after I had kissed him so freely in the forest, and then things had been a little awkward.

I supposed we had a lot of time to get less awkward once we were married, but it made me feel a little lost without the easy way we used to have around one another.

"Silly, I did run away. You just caught me when I fell." I don't know where the words came from, but I was proud of myself for being so smooth. I began standing, and helped pull him up as I dusted us both off.

He was helping dust me off when his hand accidentally hit my bottom. I froze, and Rior did too, but when I started to giggle, and swatted him back, he had such a look of relief that I hugged him.

"You are so funny, how does that make you worry?" He gave a lopsided smile, and I stepped back, feeling light and floating and whimsical.

"Weren't we on our way to the kitchens?" I asked, looking up at him from under my lashes while biting my lip, the look on his face sent warmth radiating throughout my stomach.