The Warrior and the Princess (on hold)

Chapter 7

After the wedding in Bahian, Caleth and Alina had to go through another ceremony in Ashyra to officially seal their union in both nations. Upon their arrival at the Ashyra palace, they were met by a large, eager crowd. Among them were his mother and King Aires. One of Caleth's warriors, who had returned a day earlier, had already spread the word about the General's new wife and the upcoming ceremony in Ashyra.

From a distance, Caleth noticed the expectant look on his mother's face as he and his group approached. Her agitation and impatience were clearly on display, — she was too eager to conceal it, very excited to meet her new daughter-in-law. He also sensed the crowd's anticipation, all eyes drawn to him, curious to see his bride. Caleth had no doubt that the news of his marriage had caused more of a stir in the palace than even the news of his survival.

"Mother," Caleth greeted, removing his steel helmet as he approached her. "Your Highness," he added, nodding respectfully to King Aires who, like his mother, also had an expectant look on his face.

"Caleth, my dear," she greeted warmly, though her eyes never stopped scanning the group of warriors behind him. "I was told you would bring your new wife."

Caleth's grin widened as he glanced at Alina beside him, dressed in the imposing Bahian warrior's black uniform—silver armor gleaming, with an oversized bow and arrows strapped across her back. His mother's confusion deepened as she followed his gaze to the figure standing next to him.

The crowd held its breath, captivated in stunned silence, as the mysterious figure slowly lifted the helmet, unveiling a cascade of dark brown curls that tumbled over narrow shoulders. As the helmet was removed, a strikingly exquisite face emerged, and the Queen Mother's eyes widened in shock, disbelief etched across her features. A collective gasp rippled through the onlookers as the realization dawned on them. The figure before them was not a man, but a woman.

With the grace of her noble lineage, Alina bowed deeply before the Queen Mother. "Your Highness, "I am Alina, youngest daughter of King Velmar of Bahian, and bride to your son, Caleth, War General of Ashyra. It is my greatest honor to finally meet you, my Queen."

The Queen Mother was left speechless, overwhelmed by Alina's unexpected beauty and the remarkable confidence and poise she displayed. Standing next to someone as formidable as Caleth, Alina not only exuded elegance but also embodied the strength of a warrior in her own right.

When the Queen mother was finally able to speak, the words that came out of her mouth were, "By the heaven, she is perfect."

***

The shock of the wedding announcement reverberated through the palace like an echo of shattered dreams. The beloved War General, Ashyra's most eligible bachelor, had returned with a wife from Bahian—a woman who defied the Kingdom's expectations. Rumors about her appearance and the circumstances of their marriage spread quickly, each story more outlandish than the last. Some described her as a striking beauty; others painted her as scarred and formidable. The true details of their union remained shrouded in mystery, fueling speculation and gossip.

As the time for the wedding ceremony approached, the urgency of the situation and the looming threat from Eridian, forced Caleth to expedite the proceedings. With his trusted men and the King as witnesses, the ceremony was set for the same day he arrived, leaving no room for delay.

Caleth walked confidently through the palace corridors, his hand firmly clasped around Alina's. He chose to disregard the curious and sometimes disapproving gazes that followed them, focusing instead on reaching his mother's quarters. The pressure of their scrutiny barely touched him compared to the importance of this moment—solidifying his commitment in front of his family and preparing for the journey back to Bahian.