The Queen of Raviena

This marriage had been planned since the day I was born. I had always known about it, yet I still felt nervous. I kept in mind the advice my mother gave to me. 

"Do as your husband says and your marriage shall be long and happy."  

Except I wasn't sure I would be able to hold my tongue if I disagreed with him. My father to some extent had always encouraged my free spirit but warned me that it may come back to bite me in the end. As the carriage bumped I looked down at my dress. Long flowing, white and pretty like the rest of my wardrobe and I hated it. But nevertheless it was my duty as a Princess to stay looking prim and proper. I looked up to see my mother sat across from me and next to my father. She was deep in thought and I decided it was best not to disturb her. Sat next to me was my Brother Francis and the Heir to the Throne. My younger sister was sickly and could not travel all this way so she had stayed at home in bed. The carriage stopped as the coachmen exchanged details with some guards. I looked out the window to see the palace grounds. They were bigger and grander than ours as the country of Raviena was much more successful then my small home country of Messla. My Mother had reminded me that this marriage would enforce the treaties between the two countries and that by me marrying the Heir I would be protecting my home. I had only met my fiancé Alexander twice and on both occasions he had been gentlemanly and kind. Although the last time I had met him he had been 15 and I 13, 5 years later I hoped he had changed. At 15 he was a tall thin boy with dimples and squeezable cheeks. I felt the carriage jolt as we came to a stop right by the door after riding through the grounds. My father helped me out and walked me into the palace. We were running late so I only had time to adjust my veil before arriving at the entrance to the Palace Chapel. A guard stuck his head through the door and signalled at someone in the corner. Immediately music started to play. I walked with my father up the everlasting aisle and at the top I saw a man who I assumed must be Alexander and I was slightly shocked. He was tall and well built now compared to the gangly teen I had met all those years ago, he turned and smiled at me nervously. I was glad to know I wasn't the only one. As I got to Alex he took my hand in his gently.  

"You look beautiful" He whispered. I just looked up at him and smiled. He still had those dimples when he smiled but it didn't make him look childish, just kind. He had dark hair and bright blue eyes and I had to admit that I did find him quite attractive.

The rest of the ceremony was boring, I zoned out for most of it only awakening to say I do and place my ring on his finger. The remainder of the evening was spent with the two Kings making speeches and the rest of the guests dancing around happily. Me and Alex sat at the head of the table watching. 

"I had not expected you to change so much, since when we met back when we were young." 

"Is that a bad thing?" 

"No, not at all. You were always a pretty girl but you've really bloomed now." 

I smiled at him and he smiled back.  

"Would you like to dance with me?" 

"Of course." 

He helped me out of my seat and led me onto the floor. He pulled me close to his chest and gently rested one hand on my waist. I in turn rested my hand on his shoulder. He moved quite slowly with me. 

"Are you nervous?" He whispered into my ear. 

"About what?" I replied. 

"Tonight."  

I couldn't reply at first, I wasn't sure what to say. Mainly because I had completely forgotten about our post-wedding celebrations 

"I'm sorry" He said "That was a stupid question." 

"No not at all." I said quietly. "Yes, I am nervous."  

The song ended and the my new Father-In-Law stood up. 

"I just wanted to once again congratulate the newly weds. May you bring peace and happiness between Raviena and Messla." 

He raised his glass to us as did everyone else.  

"And now my friends it is nearing midnight and I am sure our young bride is tired. So we are going to have to end it here."  

The Guests started leaving and my Father walked over and kissed me on the cheek. 

"Goodbye my angel, we shall visit soon I promise." 

Both my brother and mother hugged me as well before leaving in a carriage. 

I yawned loudly.  

My parents in law walked over to me and Alexander.  

"You two must be tired" The King said. "Why don't you head up to your room." 

I looked at the King with his curly greying beard and his head of dark curly locks with grey streaks in them. You could see he had been a good looking young man like Alexander and he looked well for his age. 

"Alex, you know where to take her. I had the maids give you nice new sheets." The Queen smiled at us.  

She was about 5 years younger than the King and despite being in her forties she was still incredibly beautiful. She had long dark hair and bright blue eyes just like Alexander. Alex's cousin walked over as well then. He had green eyes and the same dark hair except he wasn't as fair as Alex or his mother as his skin was slightly tanned. His name was Marcus and all I knew was that both his parents had died so had lived here at the palace since he was a boy. 

"Have fun you two." He said as he winked at me making me blush slightly.

Alex held my hand and led me out of the hall and up many flights of stairs and through a maze of hallways to a room. He opened it to reveal a big bedroom with a magnificent four poster bed with white and gold sheets. The room was decorated tastefully yet cosy at the same time. I looked around. 

"Do you like it?" Alex asked. 

"Its perfect." I smiled at him.  

He walked over to stand in front of me and rested his hands on the straps of my dress. He very carefully slid them off. My breathing accelerated as I realised what his intentions were. He unzipped the back of my dress to reveal the tight white corset I was wearing, and began to unlace that leaving me in my vest. My breathing was becoming irregular and I was so scared I couldn't even focus so I closed my eyes and counted to ten. When I opened them my skirt was on the floor. He helped me to step out of it leaving me in my underwear.  

"You look beautiful." 

"Thank you." I whispered with my gaze fixed on the floor. 

"I know this is going to really ruin the moment but I'm desperate to go to the toilet. Wait right here I'll be back in a minute."  

I went and sat on the bed as he smiled at me before going into the en suite toilet. He was taking ages so I curled up in a ball and closed my eyes. A while later I felt him come and sit behind me but I didn't open my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I could smell toothpaste and some sort of cologne on him but not even that would make me budge. He whispered my name lightly in my ear. 

"Melanie? Mel? Are you awake?"  

I exaggerated my breathing. Finally after a few minutes he tucked me in under the covers before snuggling up behind me with his arm over my waist. There was a small part of me that felt guilty before I drifted off.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Okay so that was the first part. Please give me your honest opinion because i want to be able to improve! I'll try and do a chapter a week if you like it even if it is really short when I'm busy or ill or something. Thanks for reading xxx

Shade xxx