Ylenna's pov
With her heart brimming with such an exciting conversation that afternoon, Ylenna was giggling to herself and machinating her next moves, upon returning to her bed chambers as soon as she received word that Prince Rhovian had left the training grounds.
Maybe now he would open up to her freely and they could talk everything out. She'd finally be able to confide that she has held him in her heart for a long time. Maybe his feelings for her were even reciprocal! She could finally dream about their happy afternoons in the garden with a bunch of children and a dog jumping to their laps.
She took a deep breath and opened the door, having the vision of his back as he gazed through the windows in an all-black attire. She loved it the most when he dressed like that. The aura he exuded made her feel protected and safe.
The princess smiled involuntarily with his presence, cutting the distance between them in quick steps. At the same time, Rhovian was turning to face her.
— Husband. It is so good you are back. — She declared, as soon as she caught a glance of his face, throwing her body against his and wrapping her arms around his neck. — How was your day?
But, as he gazed down at her with cold eyes, Ylenna felt unsure.
— Are you happy now that you got what you wanted? — His voice was as gelid as the southern winter. She felt a shiver running down her spine.
— I… I do not understand.— Her arms fell from his neck and she gave a step back.
— I am talking about how you deliberately did everything in your power to get me to lay with you, last night. How do you feel now? Good?
Before she could utter a word or even elaborate a thought, tears started forming in her eyes, her hands trembling.
— I wonder. Why would a royal princess act like that, in such uncalled for behavior?
— Like… like that? Uncalled for?
— You knew of my decision to not bed you for now. Yet you went out of your way and even got the servants to help you on your perverted scheming behind my back, against my resolution? Is that what you call a graceful lady's acting? Betraying your husband?
With an unsteady breath and a lump blocking her throat, Ylenna tried everything in her power not to start crying again.
— Last night's event will not be repeating itself in the near future. — He said with a cold gaze, heading to the door.
But before he could cross the room, Ylenna called for him:
— Rhovian! — He stepped on his tracks, his back to her. — Turn and face me.
He hesitated for a moment, then gave another step, extending his hand for the doorknob.
Ylenna then picked up a round pillow laying on the sofa and threw it at his head, yelling. He turned, clearly confused.
— I said 'face me'! — She cried in anguish and continued yelling. — Why do you humiliate me this much?! Why do I, your wife, have to be reprimanded for wanting you to fulfill your bedroom duty with me?!
— I do not intend to discuss this any furth-
— TO HELL WITH WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO!
Rhovian stared at her, completely livid.
— You were married against your will?! — She now laughed hysterically. — I MARRIED YOU AGAINST MY WILL AS WELL! — Another pillow was thrown. — I was supposed to marry a MAN! — A music box crashed on the floor, after Rhovian blocked its way to his chest. — Not a COWARD, frightened KITTEN — The glass ball met its end in tiny pieces, next to the music box. For Rhovian's and the objects' luck, there were no more items within her reach. — that refuses to go through with his marital duties and still finds a way to blame his wife for his lack of willpower when she tries to make things right!
— Can you calm yourself down?! — He spoke between gritted teeth.
— NO! I do not WANT to calm myself down! — She started approaching him. — You refused me, one too many times. Always a worse reason for it than the last one! And when you finally lay with me, you have it so good that you could not stop until the end. And now you have the FACE to tell me I betrayed you?! And act as if you were put to it against your will? — She scoffed, now being almost face to face with him, except for the height difference of more than a head. — Did I have my way with you without your consent, OH, YOU. FRAGILE. INNOCENT. HELPLESS. PRINCE?!
A sepulchral silence reigned for a whole minute, while both of them faced each other. Ylenna had her face covered in tears, while Rhovian, in shock.
— Fine. — He said in a snarl, finally, after taking a deep breath. — I was not put to it against my will, you are right. I wanted to have you. So much. Since our wedding night I have struggled to refrain myself from touching you. I spent the whole last week in agony, yearning for that moment. — He was walking towards her, who started backing off at his pace, until he got her cornered against the wall furniture. — I wanted you so bad it hurt. And, surely, I had it good. Quite a lot. But it does not change the fact that I was willing to resist because putting a baby inside of you now may turn into a bigger issue for me than having to resist the urge to claim you as mine. But since you believe yourself to be the only one with needs, then I do apologize, Princess, for leaving you deprived and waiting for so long.
— Needs? — She scoffed in disbelief. Anger building up once more. — Do you really think I wanted it because I had a physical need? I only wish to be worthy of my role. It is so easy for you to dismiss it as "needs". For you, men, that is all to ever care about!
— What are y-
— You can choose to be a Vassal Lord, a royal knight, a lecturer or whatever else. If you, men, desire to be a king, you can even sword your way up to the throne. You, Rhovian, wake up in the morning and you go to your goddamned training grounds, then you depart for a political mission without as much as bidding your wife goodbye. If you wished, you could go to a brothel and have your fun there. And who could say a word?
— I would neve-
— You are entitled to it because you were born with this… this thing between your legs. And then you come back, you find your wife all naked, almost begging for you to thrust your male parts inside of her so she can finally have a chance at carrying your child. And you do so, not because you are attending to your roles, but because you can and you want it.
She took a deep breath to regain her composure, her throat burning with all that she had been holding back.
— But I am stuck in this place with no chance of choosing anything for myself. I was brought from my home, so that our countries could rest at ease, with the peace agreements and alliances straightened between them. To serve as a political piece for the nations and an incubator for your children. I am both a hostage and a potential-host, but even this duty is being denied to me, and I get no say in anything. So yes, almighty Prince Rhovian Kozhar. Go ahead. Teach me about how I have been guided by my lustful, mundane needs when I so evilly plotted to seduce you, just so I could have you upon my body.
Once again, he could not answer her. She wiped the tears with a handkerchief and recomposed herself.
— Now. If my husband will excuse me, I shall be heading to the dining hall. Since at least as a dutiful daughter-in-law I must greet their majesties.