Chapter 2 To her new home

Aeryn bravely walked into the carriage, one at at a time, into her future. To find out what destiny had in store for her

"Afraid?" His deep and mancho voice echoed inside the carriage causing the already unnerved Aeryn to quail. She reality she was clutching her dress so hard that her knuckles had turn white. She kept her face looking outside the window, blankly staring at the home that they were just married in, as it slowly disappeared from her sight.

With a deliberate slowness, Aeryn turned to face him. When she lifted her face, his perfect face graced her eyes.

She answered him with a shake of her head. Of course that was a blatant lie. She was frightened to death. It didn't help that this man before her..... Her husband was such a beautiful creature.

I... I thought gravesend wasn't that far from," she stuttered, saying the first thing her mind could decipher, in her desperation to break the awkward silence. And perhaps to take her ever rising fear. She vitally needed to mellow. The deed has already been done and they was no turning back, so it was of no use being frightened now. She need to face her new life heads on.

A smirk graced his lips. Aeryn noted that he for sure loved smirked

"Just a couple of hours journey" he replied.

"Oh ! Thank you, my Lord"

"Mrs velant" he called out and Aeryn didn't know why but she caught her breath. The sound of her new given name...... Well though not her first name, spoken by him suddenly sent a strange and weird feeling through her.

"Do you know my name?" He asked. That question she had heard it before, it sounded so familiar. She just couldn't shake it off.

"O-of course I do"

"Then use it when we are alone" he finished.

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The inside of the carriage was once again enveloped with silence. The prince simply remained still, closing his eyes as of he had shut himself down.

The day was slightly moving in to the night and Aeryn could now feel the weariness and dizziness from the roller coaster of emotions from the day that even though she wanted to ponder on her situation more, her mind began to float drifting aimlessly. She had been unable to sleep few days before her wedding, because of thoughts about her wedding. She felt woozy and light headed and she tried to find the right position for her to sleep, but to her dismay, whenever she did manage to nod off, the carriage bounced on the rough patches on the road and she was awakened. It was so bad that she almost bumped her head against the wall.

The carriage rolled on and on, until suddenly, the carriage bounced and Aeryn nearly fell on the floor. She was startled and she lifted her face, just to find out that a strong large hands held her in place, steadying her shoulders.. Kaius had kept her from hitting the floor.

Still, she stiffened the moment their eyes met.

"Thank you - uhm- your- I mean Kaius, she stammered incoherent words. T- Thank you for saving me!! She managed to say.

His expression some what mellowed as he surveyed her, "No need to thank me, it would look bad on me if something bad had happened to you under my watch I'm not comfortable carrying casualty as a bride back home" He responded. Yes, what was she expecting anyways. As a Lord everything he does always has a catch. She hummed a quite sigh. They again for the third time sat in silence.

The carriage stopped, arrived at a place that seemed to be the palace. A guard informed the couple that they had reached their destination. Kaius stepped out and offered his hand to Aeryn. She took it, and he supported her down.

The castle which stood out away from the world, like they wanted to maintain a social distance from a plague-like masses who weren't up to their kind- the poor. The building looked intriguely grand and the structure was a great work of architectural mastering. It had beautiful flowers surrounding adding a more fascinating colour to the overwhelmingly big castle.

"Kaius??" Someone called the Lord by his name intriguing Aeryn at who will dare call the Lord by his first name. She turned her head to see who. A woman in her late or mid forties approached them. " I came to welcome you and your bride,", she said. "Is that so Aunt Belinda?" Kaius asked

Of course, you are my adorable head strong nephew after all, and besides I will love to take a closer look at your wife.

Why don't you join us on the table, your cousin Sebastian is also around and I could bond with your lovely wife, she stated insinuatingly shooting a quick glance at Aeryn.

Is this woman his aunt? Aeryn could buy only wonder.

"Thank you Aunt, but I must decline," Kaius answered in an almost polite tone- almost cause the look was in no way polite. But "Kaius, don't refuse your aunt because of Sebastian.. I- I promise... A menancing look appeared in his eyes at the mention of the Sebastian, his cousin. His aunt cut short her sentence swallowing hard. Turning his back he took Aeryn's hand gripping it almost hard as he dragged Aeryn through the Halls of the castle. He was angry , was he.

That was a bit rude, your highness. From the look of things, that was your aunt? Aeryn blabbered, she knew it shouldn't be of concern to her and he was the Lord but she couldn't help but tell him the truth. He came to a halt. His green loosened. " Some people deserve all the disrespect in the world, and besides you don't tell the Lord of gravesend what to do," he said, she could feel the brewing anger from him. She swallowed at the man's statement. He closed his eyes a little taking a deep breath and started walking again. This time he didn't drag her along.

Two maids seemingly stood in front of them, their head subtly lowered. "My Lord, my Lady" they greeted with a bow.

"My Lord, shall we prepare our lady for the normal tradition? They inquired. "If you permit us my Lord"

Prepare her for what tradition? What tradition it is, they should please put it on hold, she was tired and starving. And the rollercoaster event of the day was making her feel light headed. Being a heavy eater, she hadn't eaten much for the past few days. At first was hesitant on letting go of her hand , but the pleading look from them made him release her hand.

Aeryn was led to a dressing room, which had a mini bathroom. The maids helped her get out of the bulky wedding dress. They also assisted her in taking her bath, somehow she was reminded of Barbara and Reese - her hands maiden. The maids applied scented oil on her skin and slip her into the beautiful red nightgown and matching robe, both made of high quality materials- most be silk. They pulled out the pin in her long hair and let it fall down in waves. After putting perfumes into Aeryn's skin.

"My lady, should we serve you herbs, that will help you relax and feel less pain?."

"P- pain, what pain?". A contour of horror appeared on Aeryn's face. She realized what they were talking abou

I don't need it. Just take me to the chamber." She knew had to do her marital rights and this, this was a major factor of being married. Though she hadn't thought of it and she doesn't think she would want to lose what had taken years of self restrained in one night with a strange Lord who she just happened to met and got married to. It will take a whole of will for her to conduct the nuptial right with her husband.