My Eyes Are Open

Marriage

"M-married? I-I'm only 15! I c-can't get m-married!" I exclaimed. Then it hit me. I remembered what the king had said to me.

"I-I'm s-sorry, Ani. I was just a l-little shocked." I said.

"That's fine, princess. I understand how shocking it can be to find yourself in a strange place, and then be forced to be wed. It'll be okay. Once you're married, the kingdom will be under a new ruler. We all hope you will be like your father, the king." Ani smiled. He led me back into the dining room, where I sat back down in my seat. My food had gotten cold, and I had lost my appetite.

"What's troubling you?" Mini said. I was afraid to answer, for fear of hurting his feelings.

"Nothing. I'm fine."

"My child, do not fear." I heard a deep, kind voice from the head of the table.

"He's right. You shouldn't be afraid to say what's on your mind." Mini copied the king.

"I'd like to be excused from the room, please." I said.

"You are excused." Said the king and Mini simultaneously. Copy-cat....

I went back to the room I was staying in, when I remembered I said I'd escort Mini to his room. "Crap." I whispered.

Just then, the door opened. Mini came in. "What are you doing here?" I asked. "This is my room, isn't it? I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you in here?"

His room? What is he talking about? This is my room? With.... Two.... Of everything.... "I see what they're doing...."

"What? I couldn't hear you." Mini said. Oh shoot! I said that out loud!

"I was thinking out loud.... I think what they're trying to do is put us in a room together and see how we do. Why else would there be two of everything?" I said.

"Really? Yay!" Mini was bouncing up and down with excitement.

"Hey, hey, hey. Calm down. It's not that big of a deal." I said, frustrated.

"It is for me! Getting to share a room with the one you love is a massive deal! I can't wait until we're married!" He said, still bouncing.

********

When it was time for bed, I got into my night clothes and went to bed. Mini was in his night clothes, too.

I turned the light out, and lay back in bed, when I hear it. He was talking. Just spitting out random things. Non-stop. This happened for about an hour. Then I snapped.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP?!" I yelled. I didn't realize I'd yelled until I heard a knock on the door. "Everything's ok." I said.

Mini wouldn't shut up, so eventually I just went to sleep.

********

When I woke up in the morning, I couldn't move. Something, or someone, was preventing me from moving. I looked to see what it was and what I see is terrifying.

Mini was on my bed, cuddling me in his sleep.

I try to shake him off, but to no avail. I did, however, manage to wake him up.

"Hi!" He said, looking up at me with the brightest smile yet. "Sleep well?" He asked.

"Yes, I did. Would you mind getting off of me?" I said, trying to push him off.

"Why? Aren't we courting? You said you'd give me your answer today. Forget already?"

To be continued....