Facing forward at the man who had suddenly appeared, Anisha stood frozen with her mouth slightly agape. Standing right before her was someone far beyond her expectations.
The air drifted through the room, and silence stretched between them as Anisha found herself stunned by his ethereal beauty.
He had long, silver-like hair, and his eyes drew her in, they looked like a melting sun.
The wind gently swayed his hair as he offered her a polite smile.
Realizing she had been staring for far too long, Anisha's attention shifted to the cape draped over her shoulders. It felt warm, and his scent lingered on the fabric.
She met his eyes again and took a step back, hitting the window behind her.
Was this her husband?
Suddenly, her expression soured.
Just as she was about to speak, he greeted her with gentlemanly grace.
"My Lady," he said, bowing slightly. "I hope you are settling in well."
Anisha stared at him with a hint of spite.
He was exactly as she had imagined, only far more handsome.
Showing up now only to claim what men believed was their right after marriage.
Well, she wasn't going to let him have his way.
"Yes, Your Highness," Anisha replied calmly. "I was just about to go to bed. Today has been quite exhausting."
She raised her head again and met his eyes.
Anisha wondered why they appeared like bright, melting gems. Whatever she had planned to say next suddenly vanished from her mind.
No, Anisha. You cannot let his looks make you forget his rudeness.
"You seem to want to bite me, Princess," the prince said with a smirk.
Taken aback by his statement, Anisha quickly composed herself. She didn't want it to be obvious that she was already forming opinions about him, especially not during the first week of their marriage.
Anisha looked down briefly, unsure what to say.
She would let the comment slide, but that didn't mean he would get his way tonight.
"What makes you say that, Your Highness?" she asked, forcing a polite smile. "Perhaps it's just a trick of the eye."
She removed the coat from her shoulders and extended it toward him.
Stepping away from his closeness which made it hard for her to breathe, she finally let out a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.
But when his eyes lingered on her, it became difficult to breathe again as he studied her every movement.
The fire crackled nearby.
Anisha suddenly found it very interesting and fixed her attention on it.
What now?
Was he going to order her to strip here? Or simply scoop her up?
She closed her eyes briefly, trying to suppress the wave of irritation rising inside her.
Standing there while he silently sized her up only made it worse.
"I will go for a bath first," the prince finally said.
His footsteps echoed with soft clicking sounds as he walked away.
Anisha watched him go.
He was really tall, rather than overly muscular, he was well built.
Now alone, it suddenly dawned on her.
That man was her husband.
The thought felt surreal.
He seemed like a gentleman, but that didn't change the fact that he had left his bride alone the entire day and only appeared on their wedding night.
What a joke.
A tired yawn escaped Anisha, and the next thing she knew, it was morning.
Raising her head as daylight hit her directly, Anisha shut her eyes before slowly opening them again.
The softness of the bed and sheets made her jolt upright.
She clutched the sheets tightly.
When had she gotten into bed?
Her mind immediately went to the prince, and whether they had…
Anisha quickly glanced down at herself as her memories scrambled.
"Good morning, My Lady. It is almost time for breakfast. Let us help you get ready."
Her maidservant, Madlyn, pulled her out of her thoughts.
Seeing the servants around her reminded Anisha of one thing.
Her home had changed.
When Anisha arrived at the vast dining hall, the long tables stretched almost endlessly across the room.
A woman was already seated.
Anisha immediately assumed she was the queen.
The woman stared at her steadily.
"Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you. I hope you had a pleasant night," Anisha greeted politely.
It seemed the two of them were here for a conversation rather than breakfast, since the rest of the family, including her husband, were nowhere to be seen.
"Indeed," the queen replied in a tone far less welcoming than Anisha had expected.
Soft clattering sounds filled the hall as servants placed dishes on the table.
Roasted turkeys, scrambled eggs, and various delicacies released appetizing aromas into the air.
They soon began eating, occasionally touching on the partnership between their kingdoms.
Meanwhile, Anisha considered asking the queen why the rest of the royal family, especially her husband had not joined them.
She twirled her utensils with a slightly tightened grip.
This husband of hers was truly something else.
The queen seemed to notice the change in Anisha's expression but chose not to comment.
Clank.
Anisha gently placed her fork down.
The food tasted bland. She couldn't continue eating.
"Your Majesty, I would like to take a tour of the palace. I believe I am finished eating."
"That will not be a problem," the queen replied calmly. "Primrose, our butler, will serve as your guide."
This mother-in-law was far from welcoming, something Anisha had already noticed.
As a mother whose son had just married, she might have offered to accompany her.
Anisha decided not to dwell on it.
After a moment of thought, she realized she didn't want to keep guessing about everything.
After all, she was now a member of this family, a Princess of Hazucia by marriage.
"Your Majesty," Anisha said carefully, "since it is just the two of us, it is thoughtful of the family to allow me the chance to get to know you."
Queen Pearlyn responded with a blank expression.
"Not quite. My son simply could not make it here."
Confused by her response, Anisha spoke again.
"Before marrying Prince Nhel, I heard this kingdom had three outstanding princes. Hearing you say that…."
The queen cut her off sharply.
"How many have you seen around here so far?"
Anisha forced a stiff smile.
"I did not mean to be inquisitive, Your Majesty. My apologies."
Delicately cutting a piece of meat, Queen Pearlyn waved the matter aside.
Just then, Nhel entered the room.
His face held no emotion, but his eyes fixed on Anisha.
Immediately, memories from the previous night rushed back.
Anisha quickly looked away.
Walking toward her, Nhel sensed her slight embarrassment. Her plate was barely touched.
"Is the food not to your liking?" he asked.
He pretended not to notice his mother.
Anisha briefly glanced at the queen, who appeared distinctly displeased.
"Of course it is," Anisha replied politely. "I'm simply not very hungry. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
"You may call me by my name," he said with a faint smile.
The memory of the night before returned, and curiosity flickered briefly in Anisha's eyes.
"Greetings, Mother," Nhel finally acknowledged.
"I would like to take my wife out for a walk. She seems unable to eat while sitting with you."
The atmosphere instantly turned icy.
Anisha was startled by his words.
Queen Pearlyn narrowed her eyes before suddenly letting out a small laugh.
"That is fine," she said calmly. "But perhaps I should first explain to your wife about the other princes in this palace, since she seemed quite curious about why they are not here sharing a meal with us."
The faint smile on Nhel's face disappeared.
"How about another time, Your Majesty?" Anisha suddenly spoke.
"I have a slight headache. Nothing serious, but I would like to rest."
As much as Anisha wanted answers, she wasn't ready for this confrontation.
Their tension alone made her head spin.
She had never been close to her own parents, but she had never witnessed such open hostility either.
"Oh, poor child," the queen said mockingly. "How unfortunate to develop a headache after only a few hours in his presence."
"If he ever does anything that hurts you, do not hesitate to come to me."
Anisha found the queen's words extremely distasteful.
Why must she provoke him like this?
At that moment, Anisha felt a little guilty for what she had said earlier.
Turning toward Nhel, she noticed the suppressed anger in his expression.
"Nhel," she said softly, "I think going out for that walk would make me feel better."
"I suddenly felt sick the moment I stepped into this room."
Nhel looked momentarily stunned by her words, especially the way she said his name.
It was different.
There was no mockery or dislike in her voice.
He wondered how much his mother had already told her.
Nhel only hoped Anisha wouldn't start seeing him the way everyone else did.
His mother was already feeding her stories he believed were lies.
Yet sometimes, he had to admit..
Those lies looked like the truth that he himself sometimes believed was true.