The air was still cold and unforgiving as the maidens put Eru to her plunge bath. The water was filled with rosemary and baby's breath, enough to send off a mild, womanly smell to her skin. Everyone made sure she was taken care of, from her brunette waves all throughout the tips of her toes.
While everyone was trying to be ignorant, as the Lady Mother of Evenfall paid them enough to hold their tongues, one surely did notice a black streak of hair showing up on the young lady's head. Expecting this to happen, she was quick to bring a brown dye she had asked for a wench back in her village.
As Eru was done bathing, the Princess of Witherhall waited at her bed to do the custom of aiding the bride of an heir for her gown and veil.
The new princess' shoulder were stiff for the whole time. She could clearly feel the fury in Yeji's grip as she was tying the lace of her slate-colored gown. Even her hands were heavier than the little coronet she had placed on Eru's head with a slight of bitterness.
"Don't misbehave again." After the long, awkward silence, Yeji spoke, causing the girl to flinch the slightest. Eru tried to keep her mouth shut and still for the whole time as she spoke.
"I know what you did to my brother." She said, putting on Eru's tatted slate veil. Perhaps everyone knew. Eru thought to herself, dreading for the day she would be punished. "You should be thanking me for sparing your hands."
Before closing the veil in front of Eru's face, Yeji put on her smug stare, whispering to her ear. "I never liked you."
---
"At this rate, the groom shall kiss his bride."
His lips made Eru cry. No, not because it was good and full of longing, but because it was innocent and slow and resentful.
The ceremony ended at sunrise, and the people of Witherhall celebrated for the rest of the day with music, drinks and amusement. Nobles of different regions came as guests to witness the newlyweds, even the Lord of Evenfall, the new princess' brother. Gifts from such lords and ladies filled the tables of the Witherhall Royals, from pets, to jewels, to knives, to several heads of the slain enemies. People there were as tigerish as they were regal. That's what Princess Eru learned as she sat there, having to fake a smile from one ear to another all while fighting the urge to shed a tear because the Lady Mother was watching her.
With the sight getting under his skin, the Prince Riki stood from his royal seat, ignoring all the others enjoying the vivid celebration while they seemed to ignore the newlyweds, too.
"Riki," The King was quick to hold his son's wrist. "You are not allowed to leave your wife in this feast all by herself." Eyes glaring in frustration, he gently brushed off the king's clasp and fled the banquet to head to the Witherhall Shore.
The prince only came back late at the hour of the wolf, witnessing the ladies-in-waiting taking care of the young princess like shepherds tending to their only sheep. Eru was dressed in a simple satin nightgown, a powdered dye flushed on her cheek, her hair combed down just for his grace to see. Yet, he never saw anything but guilt and hatred in her eyes, and the drink all inside him. So, everything didn't matter.
As the ladies left, the wedded shared their bed for the first night. Eru was there, frozen and afraid, wanting to go home. She had her claws on the blanket, as if anticipating the damage she may be inflicted tonight in which the prince would forget in the morning. Riki could never get that thought out of his mind. Even that night when he scared her haunted him. His body was too strong for her, but his soul could never be too light for her to welcome him lovingly in her arms. Now that she saw who he really is, nothing ever mattered now. Not even the things he should do in learning to love a stranger, not even the flower language he had wasted.
He lied beside her. He was giddy of too much wine. He could still hear the chatters back at the hall. His body was heating. Nothing was making sense. Maybe it was better that way.
He placed his hand on her cheek. He could feel the tears beneath his palm, and he couldn't do anything to make her crying stop for good. He tried leaning closer all while expecting to fall unconscious anytime from now. He could feel her forcing herself to submit to his arms, judging by the way her limbs slightly shivered.
Riki went closer up until their noses touched, up until he could feel her breath fanning his heating skin. He could feel his temper spoil the moment Eru cried even harder. He was starting to become so angry. Angry that she could not keep her little revulsion by herself. Angry that he could never be a person that doesn't harm, doesn't break.
He closed his eyes, pulling away, then harshly turning his body to the other side while taking a deep, drawn-out breath. He would not do it tonight. It is clear now.
He would not do it.
