Ylenna's POV
When Ylenna's maid came to fetch her, she got changed and went for a stroll to the Kozhar castle's garden, her thoughts still quite confused with what Prince Rhovian said earlier.
"He thinks I despise him? For what, I wonder? It is totally the opposite."
— Was his highness kind to you, my daughter? — asked Queen Letinna.
— Huh? Ah… yes, he was… really kind, mother.
— I see. That is good. I know you both barely know each other, but you will have time to bond. The most important thing is that you be always graceful and attend to him whenever he desires. That is the best way for you to produce an heir.
— An… heir, you say… But, mother. The Heir Prince, Rhavi, has not yet fathered a boy. Is it okay for… Prince Rhovian to beat him to this?
— The Heir Prince and his wife are still young. And they have not been married for long. I am sure good news will be heard from them soon. So you can rest assured and focus on conceiving your own babies. I am sure they will be the most beautiful children having such dazzling parents. — The Queen smiled in proud anticipation of her grandchildren. — I cannot wait to see a chubby face running towards me, calling me "grandma", to be honest.
— Ah, is it, indeed? — The princess felt dizzy with nervousness.
— Please, make sure to give me as many grandchildren as possible! I will be happy with girls just as much as boys.
— Hum, yes… surely, mother. — Ylenna nodded and smiled faintly.
Later that evening, she sat in her new room. A spacious bedroom with an enormous comfy bed, a sturdy fireplace and big windows that faced the lake behind the castle. Ylenna was lost in thoughts while staring at the lake and the paths that surrounded it. She imagined herself playing by the lake with three kids resembling Rhovian, watching them give their first steps towards the prince himself and smiling back at her while babbling "mama". It was a perfectly adorable scenery, and she felt a warm pleasant sensation on her chest while picturing Rhovian's happy face when sweeping his children off their feet and spinning them around.
But still, what did he mean with that talk of her despising him? Was it not clear that she dolled herself up whenever they were supposed to meet? Or that she was the one trying to make them go through their marital duties on the night before, while he was definitely avoiding her?
— Can you not hear me? — A low tuned voice came from her side, startling her up from the chair.
— I-I… Your… highness. — She bowed to him. — I am sorry, I was quite distracted.
— I have already told you not to call me by my title, especially when we are alone. You are a King's child, as well, and we are married now.
— Yes… husband. I will try to remember it.
— Well, anyway. I was saying that dinner is going to be served in half an hour in the dining room. Are you gonna change your clothes?
— Oh, yes. I should. I will call for the maids.
— I have already done that. They are outside the door. I will let them in.
— Thank you, I appreciate you foreseeing the matter.
— No need to thank me for trivial things, again. I will be waiting for you at the hall. — He said, going to the door and opening it to the ladies in waiting, leaving right after it.
As soon as they got to the dining room, everyone cheered on their arrival.
— Happy to see you, my new daughter. — The King of Kozhar greeted her from his place at the center of the main table.
— Thank you so much for the kind reception, your majesty. — She made a curtsy while holding her husband's arm.
— Come, sit here, you two. You should eat a lot tonight to strengthen your body. Let us hope you both succeeded in conceiving on your first night. — The King winked at her, making the young woman's face flush red.
— My king, please, do not make my wife even more shy than she already is. — Rhovian's tone was friendly and light, he sounded as warm as a son taking his father's joke in the best lights, but his eyes towards his Majesty revealed an impatient and reprimanding glance.
The King, however, seemed unfazed.
— Of course, son. I would not want my pretty daughter to feel uncomfortable. Now, let us enjoy tonight's banquet. My dear friends, the King and Queen of Behrman, alongside their adorable children, are leaving tomorrow. Let us drink in their honor!
Perhaps taken by all nervousness that she had been feeling, Ylenna ended up taking the King's invitation more like an order and gulping down more goblets of wine than she was used to. When the banquet finally ended, she felt lightheaded and tipsy.
— We should take our leave now. Since I am not sure if I will have the opportunity to bid you farewell tomorrow before your departing, I hope you have a nice trip on your way back, your majesties, and also my new siblings-in-law. Rest assured, for I will be taking good care of my wife and providing her with all the best.
Ylenna looked up. Next to her, Rhovian bowed his head to her family, on the lateral table.
— That makes any father really happy to hear, my boy. I appreciate your good wishes. Please, do not refrain from visiting us when you so wish.
— Thank you, your majesty.
— Also, I will be hoping to hear good news soon, my new son. — Queen Letinna smiled and nodded to the young guy, who smiled back.
— Now, I beg your permission to excuse us, your majesty. — He turned to his own father.
— Well, why not? You have stayed until quite late for a recently married couple. I am sure you have more interesting matters to attend to-
— Thank you, father. — Rhovian interrupted him quite so discreetly.
— Oh… Yes, I should not further embarrass my daughter-in-law. Good night, then. — The King held a playful smile.
Only then did Ylenna actually make sense of the whole conversation, feeling her husband's hand pulling on hers, she got up and bowed as gracefully as she could with the tipsiness, before following him out to the corridor.
— Are you feeling well? You seem quite drunk.
— I… I only feel a bit… — She meant to say "sleepy", but the word never left her mouth.
— A bit too drunk, I see.
Upon arriving at their bedroom, the ladies-in-waiting helped her undress and bathe, while the prince was nowhere to be found. He returned as soon as they left Ylenna laying in her nightgown, one quite discreet, compared to the one she was made to wear on the night before.
Rhovian was already bathed and dressed in his night garments. He spared her only a quick glancing to check she was okay and headed to the sofa.
— Good night.
— Are you… again, not gonna sleep by my side?
The prince froze in his tracks while pulling a cover over his body.
— Good night, Ylenna.
With a heavy lump on her throat, the princess once again blew both candles by their bed's side and lulled herself to sleep.
— Your highness, why do you look so down on such a beautiful morning? — Asked Zena, her maid.
— I just had a bit too much to drink last night, that is all.
— I see… I will prepare some tea for you, then.
— Thank you, Zena. — She smiled faintly.
Though it was true that she had a bit of a headache, that was not by far the reason why she bore such a gloomy expression.
"Good night, Ylenna."
His cold voice and such short answer, that actually avoided the whole point of her question, still lingered around Ylenna's mind.
— How can he still tell me I am the one who despises him, while keeping me at arms length like this? — She muttered to herself.
She knew that nobility almost never married for love, but she did not think he would continue with that cold and nonchalant behavior toward her. After all, they did get married and, in everyone else's minds, consummated marriage. They could not undo this now. So why was he acting like that? Would he never make an effort so they would be friendly to each other?
More importantly, would he refuse to bed her until they were too old for him to even have to refuse?
When she woke up on the first morning together, he was at least still there. But today, not even that was a fact.
— Your highness, your tea. — Zena announced, having come back.
— Thank you. Perhaps… do you know of his highness?
— Prince Rhovian is at the training grounds with Sir Nivan.
— Sir Nivan…?
— Oh, you must not remember since there were so many knights at your wedding. He is his highness' right arm. He gifted you with a puppy, as per the tradition.
Since ancient times, the royal groom's personal knight was supposed to bless the newly married couple with a puppy, representing that he would remain loyal not only to the prince, but also his wife.
— Ah… I remember him now. So, are they quite bonded?
— They have been friends since his highness was twelve years old. So it has been thirteen years now. I believe they are pretty close.
— I see… Where is this puppy, by the way?
— I can tell she loved you, your highness. — The master of the kennel smiled when seeing the female hound wagging her tail happily while jumping to her highness' lap.
— She is adorable. Is she doing well here by herself?
— Oh, yes. The dogs are all quite friendly to each other, and to her they are even more affectionate. I believe they take her as a protegee, since she's still young.
— I see. I want to visit her more, from now on.
— That would be lovely, your highness. Have you and his royal highness decided on a name yet?
— Ah… A name. No, we have not even discussed this… I will talk to him.