Arrangements

Chapter 7

Besan Capital City of Nirasu

Prince Corin POV

The day of Princess Serina's impending appearance is...chaotic. Servants rush to polish the already impeccable palace. The roads are overwhelmed with protesters as the royal military struggles to control the more violent citizens. Jaric is growing weary from the task. His stance on my engagement is well known, but he at the very least handles his disapproval with grace.

As I walk down the hall to my chambers my brother intercepts me. "Corin, she's coming today!" the eight-year-old is nearly bouncing. Well, at least someone's excited. He seemed overjoyed at the prospect of a sister, "Yes, she is."

"Can we bring Roha to meet her." I hide a wince at the possible outcomes of such a greeting, "I think it best we leave her here." Yarsin seems a bit put out, but quickly brightens, "I can't wait to finally see her."

When the ship is visible on the horizon the entire country makes its way to the harbor with my family in the center of it all. Dad clears his throat and makes his declaration with all the authority of a monarch, "No one is to harm the princess, she has traveled a great distance to end this war and I will not have that ruined by a severe show of hatred. Anyone who goes against this order will be dealt with harshly." A silence settles over us. When the ship arrives, the ramp is hastily put.

We wait with baited breath for something to happen, then something moves. She's stunning. She stands at the top of the ramp. The sun reflects off the white strands of her hair creating the illusions of freshly fallen snow, she has a slight figure, petite, and her eyes the light of the brightest violet. Everything her armor hides. Slowly, the princess descends and instantly I know this is not the girl who obliterated armies, no, this girl is terrified. Her eyes flicker from person to person as her hand fiddles with something on her wrist. She's tense as if she's expecting something to go wrong. A large black wolf follows in her footsteps beside the soldier I recognize from the battlefield, this must be her guard. The moment is sheathed in silence.

Dad moves to greet her, he bows in the customary Ariox manner between equals. Then she does something that shocks everyone. She curtsies with her head bowed, the female Nirasu gesture for equals. Father smiles at her and she returns it hesitantly, "Welcome to Nirasu, Princess Serina."

"I appreciate your acceptance." What happens in the next moment is a blur to me so I cannot imagine what it must have seemed like to her. A collection of men let out roars of rage lunging for the unprotected royal, but before anyone can lay so much as a hand on her she is surrounded by soldiers except they aren't from the military. With a start, I realize they are a few of my own injured soldiers. Captain Coalman roughly holds the leader of the charge by his shirt. His voice is the darkest I've ever heard it, "I suggest you not try anything else." The man spits in the captain's face, "Traitor!" He throws the man to the ground as one would a piece of garbage, "Don't be so swift to judge."

Behind his words, I can hear low angry growls, ones that send shivers down my spine with their familiarity. As the men cautiously part, eyes watching for any sudden moves I can see the wolf wrapped protectively around his owner giving off a warning to any that get too close. She hides it well, but I can see slight tremors in her frame. Her guard's sword is partially unsheathed as he stands beside my men. When she speaks, her voice is carefully measured, devoid of emotion, "My apologies, I suppose I should have stayed silent." Everyone's eyes stray to the men by her side. She doesn't say anything else, but I see her subtly shift closer to the Captain. He lays a hand on her shoulder and she seems to relax slightly at the touch. He sees the looks and picks up the explanation, "We have the princess to thank for our return, she argued on our behalf to her father." He smiles at her. She suddenly meets my gaze, I can see the recognition in her eyes. The smile she gives is small, but heartfelt.