"Let me go, I don't want you, isn't it clear?" Zarmina tried to break free.
"You're refusing in vain! But I really want to," - he whispered to her and pressed his lips to hers, turning the princess towards him.
"Hey, don't touch my wife!" - Someone's indignant voice rang out.
Palien turned his head in bewilderment: an Azarean stood in front of them, his eyes flashing menacingly.
"She's not your wife, what are you coming up with, you envious person?" - Palien hissed.
"Imarinis is my husband!" Zarmina screamed heart-rendingly. "Today I agreed to marry him."
Palien released the hug with obvious disappointment on his face.
"Well, if so, then prove that you are spouses, otherwise I don't believe it."
Zarmina rushed to Imarinis and grabbed him around the waist, pressing herself against him. He was not taken aback and, looking blissfully, embraced her with a passionate kiss.
"You need to keep an eye on your wife," - Palien muttered in an instructive tone and flew away.
"Thank you for saving me from this womanizer," Zarmina looked guiltily into the bewitching eyes of Imarinis. "You had a great idea about my husband, otherwise he wouldn't have let me go."
Her admirer reluctantly moved away from her and sat down on the ground, silently looking at her.
"Were you following me?" She asked curiously.
"I saw that you headed into the forest where Palien lives, Lariel's longtime enemy, and he would not have passed you by."
"Why are they fighting?"
"This is a long story connected with Kamily. I see you don't like him either! Why is he bad for you? He seems handsome and affectionate."
"You can't explain it that way," - she tiredly sat down next to him. - "It's all about feelings. He does not attract, but repels, and it is not comfortable to be with him."
"I know that you have to get married so that no one will touch you. New orders have been established for royalty for all Stronghold colonies. Do you have someone in your homeland?"
"Yes, but I don't like Tarmio. He was seduced by another guy, and I didn't want to forgive him for that."
"What a fool this Tarmio is! Changed such beautiful lady for a guy!"
"He will remain my husband until the child is born, then I will dissolve this marriage, but then I will need another man, otherwise I will be in danger of a harem relationship. This means that anyone can come up to me, like Palien just now, and demand affection. I have no choice, I urgently need a new husband, and you are suitable for this."
Zarmina touched Imarinis's shoulder, causing him to tremble.
"I agree!" - He feverishly grabbed her hands and stared at her with tension. - "Will you live with me?"
"Yes, but I won't make love to you every day, and don't expect much affection."
"OK then!" - Imarinis excitedly averted his eyes and let go of her hands. - "Do you even like me a little?"
"Yes, you are handsome and slim, somewhat similar to Lariel. Are you relatives? Your eyes are kind of the same."
"We have a common ancestor from colonialists, and among ourselves, everyone you saw at the party is cousins: me and nine others, as well as brothers Lariel and Erin. Rohen also belongs to our line..."
He smiled dreamily and irresistibly.
"When will you move in with me?"
"I wish to live in Ornalion so that your relatives will not pester me. I hope that now everyone will get away from me: both Adivaris and other womanizers."
Imarinis became even more excited and did not hide his emotions, beaming with happiness.
"Yes, of course, I agree to everything! I promise I will protect you from any harassment."
Zarmina smiled back, appreciating his unexpected devotion, which is really precious, what she always looked for in men.
***
Imarinis' friends could not hide their envy when he announced the marriage.
"Are you leaving me?" - Keleiro asked with dissatisfaction.
"What kind of reproaches? I have long dreamed of a princess wife. And we can still see each other as before. You will visit my house sometimes."
"You're lucky, you'll live with an immortal aristocrat who doesn't faint from affection. Why did she choose you? Because of that stolen kiss?" Tolesio asked.
"No. She urgently needs a new husband. There is nothing to envy, she immediately warned me about strong restrictions on intimacy," Imarinis shared.
"Well, how will you cope without me, since this is the case?"
"Don't know! She doesn't respect relationships between men. Because of this, she divorces her husband, who is having an affair with another guy."
"What nonsense?" - Keleiro was indignant. - "Do the Xantarians manage without such connections? I thought they didn't have any special restrictions. Ramies and Amirel have been partners for a long time."
"It was prohibited for them before the change of power," - Imarinis explained. - "And now nothing stops them, and the princesses do not tolerate monogender relationships."
"Oh, a problem on our heads! I don't agree with this, but you don't seem to care."
Tolesio looked sadly at Keleiro and said annoyedly:
"I'm staying with you. Is our relationship not enough for you?"
"Don't be angry, honey. I have become too attached to our beloved brother and it pains me to part with him."
"Oh, stop it, Kel!" Imarimis flared up. "I'm not moving to another planet. I'm telling you, come and visit. She won't find out about our relationship if we try to hide it."