The Ruby Empire

Queen Nadine the Naga

Female Reader x Female Monster

You're kept veiled through the entire service. You have your eyes cast down as the priest goes through the sermon. You glance aside, looking at the hand holding yours. It's cool and smooth. The scales aren't rough at all like your sister teased. She holds your hand preciously, every so often squeezing.

You had been betrothed to Queen Nadine for some time now. You had never met her before the wedding but you had heard stories. Your father often did trade with the Naga and had become a favorite of Nadine's father when you were much younger. He was a braggart and enjoyed telling stories about you and your sisters to the king. The king was intrigued he also knew in the future he needed relations to the humans. As such, your father and the King made their plans. After the King's death, Nadine became queen and she pushed forward the ceremony.

She had sent you many letters leading up to this day. Her eagerness and excitement were apparent with each new letter that was placed in your hands. She sent your gifts which included gowns and books. She sent food and drink for the rest of your house, which your family was grateful for.

You felt calm, reading her letters. They often felt like they were coming from an old friend even though the two of you had never met.

"My soon to be," she would start. "I am anxiously awaiting the day I get to see you. I know the wedding will be dull and full of ceremony. We won't have much time to get to know one another. I know it is scary. I want to make you at home. As my bride, I do not expect anything of you. I do long for you to be my friend and companion. Our lives are being joined and for the rest of them, we may be all we have. I do not expect, but I do hope, for you to love me. All bride's wish for that, I am no different. I do understand the circumstances and I do not blame you if you do not. As I said before I intend to keep you happy. I will put all my energy into seeing you do not suffer while holding my hand. Stand by my side, warm and affectionate. I will stand by yours, vigilant and grateful. Lovingly yours, Nadine."

You always reply in kind, but you feel as if your words do not come across as beautiful as hers do. You're not sure you can match her passion and excitement. Because while you are excited you are also filled with a sense of a dread. You've never been anywhere else but your home. Now you're being uprooted to a kingdom you're so unfamiliar with. You've studied the Naga and memorized as much as you can. But that doesn't make up for the fact that you simply aren't one of them.

"My dearest queen," you reply. "I do not know what my father has said to you to make you so excited to see me. I do so hope I do not disappoint you. I do not want to disappoint your people either. I am merely human and I am full of errors. I am spooked and frightened by many things. Your kind words ease my worry. All your letters I keep close to my heart. But also in them, I fear that I will not be the bride you desire. I consider myself your friend now. And I do not know anything about love. With our lives joining it will be like the first day of school for me all over again. Afraid and confused, lost in a strange hallway. If you will be my teacher I will be excited to learn. All the best, your bride."

After that, you were sent off to her kingdom. You're not sure if she received your last letter of if she replied to it at all. Once you arrived at her palace it was all a whirlwind. You weren't allowed to see her until after the wedding. Until then you were surrounded by a small guard of handmaids and you were always veiled and covered.

The handmaids were kind though. They surprised you with their wit and civility. They were excited to meet you. Most of them claimed to never have met a human before. They loved your legs and would giggle at them anytime they were helping you dress.

The day of the wedding you were exhausted. The life of the castle and everything leading up to it had drained you dry. You felt sleepy and nauseous at the pulpit, but Nadine's hand squeezing yours was a massive comfort to you. After the rings were placed in your hands you were both taken to a room where you would unveil each other in private. Afterwards, you would go to the feast and sit at the head table.