A Royal Marriage

Page 1

"I'd prefer not to have an arranged marriage." I told my mother who sighed.

"I know that but I can't waste time while you find a man who suits your fancy. You need a husband and heir. My doctors tell me that I have but a year or so left. I want to know that the Matriarchy that rules the people will continue. I hope you will come to like my pick for you." our people like all of this world was ruled by females. Males were essential to our existence but they had no real power. They were husbands, fathers of our children, kept the house and cared for us but that was it. The fact of our lives was simple women were the ones who could bare life and that gave us the power. Without us males were nothing. I was the crown princess, I would inherit the people to care for and my mother the Queen wanted to be sure I had a husband to father children on me. I'd never understood the need to keep a husband though. Let me take a paramour and let him father children then when I tired of him I could replace him. Unfortunately my mother was like most and thought my attitude was offensive to males who relied on us for everything. We cared for them, protected them, gave them homes and family. It was our responsibility as women to care for our men.

"And if I don't care for him?"

"Then you'll still have a husband to father your children and be a helper for you. He is a good man. You are a strong woman and he will care for you well."

"And if I choose to take a lover outside my marriage?" I ask her outright.

"Wait till he has fathered and heir on you then do as you wish. You wouldn't be the first to marry for convenience or political leverage, among other things, then take a lover later. Be discreet."

"You took lovers any advice on how to be discreet?"

"Keep them off the grounds in a home of their own and keep them well funded. An idle male will cause mischief. Make sure he is not bored." I chuckled. Men did tend to be unable to sit still, though some only needed mental stimulation while others wanted something to keep them moving. I liked my men shy quiet and out of my way. I sighed.

"Very well. I will accept your decision with no trouble but I ask that he not be a surprise. I want to meet him before this engagement party you have arranged for us. And I mean the day before at least." my mother smiled and rang her bell.

"I know you well daughter he is here." A valet opened a door. "Please bring him in." the man nodded and went back out the door. A moment later he was leading in a tall woman and a man who had to be her son.

"My lady Queen how are you feeling this day?"

"I'm having a good day for once. I'm sorry to keep you waiting so long. I had to assure my daughter that this was a good idea." my mother said chuckling at me. I smiled. While they chatted I looked over the man who was looking anywhere but at us. He was above my height which was desirable for a male. He had long dark hair nearly coal black. His eyes were gray. He had perfectly curved pink lips and unblemished skin. The traditional formal robes he wore covered him from neck to knee. Only his wrists and ankles were seen. Males were covered until they were married then it was up to their wives whether they were allowed to show more skin than that. I didn't care as long as no one touched. He'd be mine and mine only. His feet had slim sandals that matched his green robes. His hands held only two gold rings for adornment. His eyes flipped to me but didn't go further up than my waist. He was nervous but he way he kept rubbing his hands on his legs. No doubt his palms kept getting damp. I saw him bite his lip and then visibly stop and clench his jaw. That caught my attention. Obviously it was a habit that he'd been criticized for.

"Well daughter what do you think of him?" my mother asked. The shy man raised his head but didn't meet anyone's eyes. I stood from my chair and went to him. I heard his breathing increase and he was biting that lip again. He was perhaps two inches above me in height. Good to be handsome, not so tall as to be considered too tall. Putting a finger beneath his chin I lifted it until his face was full to me.

"Look at me." I said quietly. His eyes hesitated but flipped to mine. Those beautiful gray orbs watched me a million questions whizzed through them. "What's your name?" I asked. He licked his lips.

"Efren." he says quietly.

"I am Ramana. What do you think about marrying me."

"I'm very honored that I could be your husband." I watched his eyes. I saw honest happiness at the idea he'd be favored so much.

"Why?" I asked. He was surprised and confused.

"I'm not sure I understand, why what?"

"Why do you care about marrying me. Sure I'm a princess but that makes little difference in a marriage. Why would you care about marrying me other than my position?" I asked. It was perhaps a rude question to ask that right off but I needed to know who he was.

"From all I know of you, if even half of it is true you are a fine woman, care for your people well and with great dedication. To be husband to a woman who is so dedicated to her people is a great honor. To be included and cared for personally is wondrous. To be able to care for you, to be father to children that would be ours, I am very happy that our queen would think that I would be a good husband for you. I would try my best always to be anything you need." so he was in awe of me it sounded like. Time would tell if reality of me would be just as great. I cupped my hand around the back of the neck startling him. He gasped as I pulled him in and kissed him. His lips were soft against mine. I kept the kiss chaste but put more force into it and got an answering pressure. He'd never been kissed before. He was mine fully then. I pulled back. He was blushing and biting that lip again.

"Well Efren, I hope I live up to your expectations."

"I have no doubt you will." he says quietly. He had a rich voice but was shy enough that he wasn't speaking up very well.