The Nechi's Wife

✣ chapter four ✣

"Ayan, we're glad you were able to make it," King Renyld boomed upon my entry into the Dinner Hall.

My cheeks felt unbearably warm as I took a seat beside Prince Flynd. "I apologize for my tardiness." I didn't bother explaining my wardrobe mishap but fortunately, no one asked.

Joining us for dinner were several noblemen and their wives. While the men argued about Aranian politics, the women, who were all congregated at the end of the dining table, giggled amongst themselves.

"You were supposed to sit with the women," Prince Flynd hissed in my ear.

"I thought I was always supposed to sit with my...husband," I countered, remembering my Nechi culture lessons.

"Only when other women aren't around. Goodness, who was your teacher?"

I turned to face him, so he wasn't speaking in my ear. "I'm doing my best, better than you can say."

"Stop arguing with me. We're in public."

I didn't want him to have the last word, but he was right, so I closed my mouth and watched the other men argue. Since I had little context over their discussion, I listened attentively.

Prince Flynd joined in the debate, "Understand gentlemen, while the rest of Europe battles over African resources, we have secured a strong alliance that guarantees these resources without unnecessary casualties."

I frowned at Prince Flynd's characterization the Mereti-Aranian alliance. For Arania, it was simply an ideal way of guaranteeing resources and economic growth. But for Mereti, it was a way to avoid bloodshed and massacre. A way to ensure security for the Meretian people, without angering the Aranians.

A nobleman responded, his tone condescending, "Arania's alliance with Mereti is admirable but we don't have any more princes to marry African chiefs' daughters. We need to begin—"

"Chiefs' daughters?" I interrupted, Sir Declan's words not going unnoticed. "Do you think I am the daughter of a chief?"

A blanket of heavy silence draped over the audience, as if they were shocked by my input. Even the women, who had been laughing in their little sphere, halted when they heard my booming voice. Numerous pairs of eyes fixated on me, and I began to cave under the sudden ambiance shift.

I flinched as I felt Prince Flynd's hand touch my dress to get my attention. His slate-colored eyes were warning me. Stop.

"No one was speaking to you," Sir Declan muttered with a grumble.

I didn't know whether to feel embarrassment or anger, so I chose the latter to protect my crumbling pride. "Obviously you were referring to me. I'm the only 'daughter of a chief' that has married an Aranian prince, no?"

He leered at me. "You Meretian people are truly ignorant, aren't you?"

"I'm not ignorant. And I'm no chief's daughter. I am a Princess—"

"Now you are."

I paused, not sure what he was trying to imply. King Renyld took my hesitation as an opportunity to intervene, "That's all beside the point. Sir Declan, why are you so adamant about conquering and pillaging? Our nation is small, we can't afford to keep fighting people!"

And with that, the debate resumed, as if nothing had happened. I felt myself dipping back into my seat, humiliation heating up my neck. Is this how everyone saw me? A mere chief's daughter who'd been lucky enough to marry a prince?

"When will you stop being so confrontational?" Prince Flynd asked me quietly, practically indiscernible in the loudness of men shouting about conquering and resources. "I was trying to warn you."

"He was insulting me," I whispered. "Insulting my Kingdom."

Prince Flynd shook his head. "These men only see you as a door to gain access to African resources."

"That's horrible." I remarked, not bothering to tell him that he did the same.

"Become accustomed to it. You're a Meretian woman, even if you're refined and speak English. They will never see past your skin."

I scowled at his words. "Even if I'm refined? What is that supposed to mean?"

He gritted his teeth in exasperation. "That's not the point."

"Answer me honestly, can you see past my skin?"

"Of course I can." He hissed. "Otherwise I wouldn't have married you."

"It's not as if you had a choice."

"Actually, I did have a choice. My father told me I didn't have to go through with the marriage if I was unwilling. I could have married a "Nechi" lady as you call it, but here I am, aren't I?"

"Don't act like I should be grateful that the oh-so-kind Nechi man agreed to marry me."

"I can assure you, neither of us is grateful for any of this."

Glowering, I rose from my seat—I was finished arguing and I needed to leave. I wasn't hungry, my corset was beginning to make me dizzy, and most importantly, my pride had been hurt. "Where are you going?" Prince Flynd asked. The shouting in the hall subsided as people noticed I was no longer seated. All eyes were on me, once again.

"Good night, gentlemen, gentlewomen." I said as I walked away, trying to salvage what remained of my bruised ego.