That Royal Betrothal

Prologue

*2 weeks before*

I remember mum's exact words. Like her last words to me about my betrothed marriage. She had said,

"All of this looks so bad, child, but try fixing it". I have always looked up to mom as a very realistic person. A woman of principles, virtues and love for her family, I adored her. She had this perk of being protective of her home and deals with it just right.

That day exact replayed in my head over and over again like a broken brick, fixing over and all over again. I had attempted to convince my mum to stop this, looking forward, raising my chin up and stabilizing my shoulders like a true royal princess.

"You, you can fix this. Why won't you?", I had said to her. Mrs. Sanders was an epitome of a perfect queen. She had been a peasant long enough even before she became a royal queen of England. She looked younger than her age and is a mouthwatering beauty.

"To fulfil all righteousness, child. You will understand sooner or later. Pray thee, this masculine is the best for you. There is nothing more surreal as this", she says in her clean English accent. Years of being a royal queen really shaped my mum. I mean, you should have seen her when she was a full-time peasant mistress. Always chilling like a villain.

"Mum? I don't think I'm ready", I said as calm as I could. After years of being taught how to be a proper English, I have been told to be relaxed even when angered to the extreme. I held the folds of my lilac knee length night gown, staring at the moonlight outside the window.

"That comes the best part of it all", she smiled highlighting her perfect sets of white teeth, swaying her graceful manicured hands in the air with her curls going here and there.

"You are ready to enter this whirlpool, child. This is your betrothed, love. You would do just fine". I stared in surprise at what she said knowing that she was the one that actually understood me in the palace. And the fact that she was going to let her daughter; her only begotten daughter in all to get married to another who was unknown. Who didn't matter to us in the palace just a while ago.

Really, I had expected more from mum. Apart from being her only daughter of the four royal heirs, my siblings were all males and I was the second born. My elder brother got married to his betrothed, two years ago, and they really do fine presently but I can't compare my situation to his because the girl literally grew up in the castle.

"Okay, mum", I grunted in defeat, bending my shoulders down. I had decided to face this head on even if I had no idea how. I'm a full grown charming woman to even begin with so I wasn't going to be affected in the slightest manner.

"My goddess! What are you doing, dear? You don't ever slump your shoulder backwards in defeat. You are a princess and you should be graceful at all times". She gave a sigh and braced herself too. She then wrapped me into a hug squeezing me so tight and protective.

"Ur-mum? This is so unladylike", I reminded her in her usual neat, arching my brows.

"I know, dear. Fuck it!". She said in a spin of second and hugged me tighter. I gripped her warm hug and settled in, breathing gently.

I was really going to miss her, you know.

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"There is no such thing as a good story. There is only something like a good book. A good book is where a reader finds complete solace and comfort; a way to escape harsh realities relating to his life"

- R.A Higheels

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Zara

I waited patiently in my new bedroom for my newly wedded husband to consummate the marriage after the ladies in waiting escorted me. I had gotten married earlier today with the royal troops, trust me.

It had been a flamboyant wedding that was the talk of the town. You should know what it would be like in England.

My mind was inseparable from the fact that I was 10,000 miles away from my home. I was in Spain my husband's homeland.

I nervously gripped my red knee length nightgown and reminded myself I would handle this just fine like a total mature woman. Talking of that I laughed because I was a little girl in a grown up's body.

Throughout the wedding, I continuously talked in monosyllables when he had tried to start a conversation with me and cringed at flamboyant Spanish accent when he had said those two words

"I do." Yet, I reminded myself that I couldn't love in this marriage because, that was not its aim.

I rose up from the bed impatiently as I paced on the room's floor, forward and backwards in fright. I wasn't ready for this, yet. The door reveals my husband in a robe as he nobly steps inside. He moved closer and I moved back biting my tongue. I felt a bit tipsy after drinking the sweet and spicy wine.

"What's wrong?" he asked after the priest who blessed the bed had left. I could not blame him for the question following my impatience movements. Calm down. I tell myself. This is your duty as a princess. Fulfil all.

"Nothing. This is me just being me." I said and he moves closer till I couldn't move backwards again and fell on the bed with my butts sitting down.

"You need to calm down, Zara." He said and I looked at him more surprised at the fact that he said my name like we've been familiar with each other for years.

"No, it's okay. Let's do this!" I said desperately as he stared at me confusingly. His face was illuminated by the candle lights lit around the room. So, it was practically glowing in the dark.

He gripped my shoulders and caressed them slowly going down to my bosoms again. I shuddered as he lifted my jaw and caressed my cheekbones making me to breath in fast paces. Was this always like I have read in romance tales?

The bride always being nervous or the both couple. This brought a question to my mind. Was he nervous?

Or experienced.

He looked perfectly fine to me as he lowered his lips slowly and even more slow when he was about to make contact. I blinked as he kissed me and I held his cheekbones in a reflex to that. It was a slow tender alluring moment.

One that could make a lady unpredictable and unfathomable from the adjoining. One that couldn't compare to a few kisses that I secretly had with some princes when they came around for balls.

I had been a naughty child while growing up. Not the ideal princess.

I had always snuck out playing with our village children in disguise. But they just never knew I had been the princess. All the –

I immediately stopped my thoughts when I felt his hands on my behind.

"Stop." I said in total dismal. I had lost all my confidence I had earlier on. I couldn't do this.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, withdrawing his hands but still lingering on my figure.

"No, it isn't. Don't do that. Any of that, please", I said with my palms sweaty.

"Why? Explain." he said looking at me in disbelief as I begun.

"I'm not ready." I said definitely not about to tell him that. I wasn't experienced and was still a virgin; not used to foreign hands.

"You got to do more explaining for me to leave you totally." He said scratching his chin watching me as he sat up, upright.

"Fine. The thing is – I had always vowed to save myself for the one. I mean my true love. I need time to come to terms with this arranged marriage, you know." I said. I couldn't just believe I had told him all of that. But I felt a bit relieved as I waited for his response.

"Do you mean you are a virgin?" he asked like that was the only thing he heard in the whole explanation I had said.

"I...I mean...." I tried to say, but was too shy to mutter.

"...drop that topic already." I simply said. I wasn't going to talk intimately like this with someone I just met today.

"I'm your husband. Don't you think I deserve to know this?" he asked, calmly as I looked up at him. He seemed so worked up with my manner of speech.

I wasn't someone with great conservation skills and had a bit of being introvert.

"Yes" I answered, in just one word.

"Yes what?" he asked playing with my words purposely.

"I.am.a.virgin." I timidly said, holding a tendril of my hair shyly.

He looked somewhat surprised as I stood up to go asleep for the night but he held me back and rolled me into his arms that my chest almost brushed with his chest.

"One week." he grimaced and I glared at him.

"For?" I questioned.

"I give you one week to come to terms with all these. After one week, I won't be able to keep my hands off you, dear wife." he said harshly and left my hand as if was a piece of dirt. He walked to the other side of the bed and laid on it after separating the boundary between myself and him with a pillow.

I blew off the candles and walked to the bed. He had respected my decision just today we met. I was beginning to think this marriage wasn't bad after all.

Zara

I woke up to hearing faint sounds from my dream. It sounded like a knock then all of a sudden, a bang. I opened my eyes realizing someone was knocking on the door. They must be here for the sheets. I immediately wore my robe and woke my husband up.

"Wake up. Hey, wake up" I said a bit afraid. We hadn't slept together yet and they were here for the sheets.

He looked at me and realized what I had said as he ruffled his hair and ruffled mine too. He pulled a shoulder of my robe down and I shuddered at the effect he still had on me. He then brought out a reddish liquid that looked like blood and poured it on a spot and spread it out with his hands.

I stood there in shock as he wrapped his hands around my waist, making me blush furiously as he opened the door. The door revealed the "Lady of the bed chamber" to see if the marriage had been consummated and if an heir was on the way.

The lady of the Bedchamber is the title of lady-in-waiting holding the official position of a personal attendant. It is held by a female from a noble family.

"Hope you had a wonderful night, his and her majesty?" The older woman said looking down. She was styled as usual with her other six ladies of the bedchamber at her back.

"Yes, we did, duena de honor" he said bringing me closer to him and I stared in disapproval.

"We have to come to inspect the sheets, your highness" she said and looked up at us smiling at how familiar we've become with his hands still wrapped around my waist.

"Do come in" I uttered gently. I wanted to be a bit useful in the conversation and not just stand there.

They widened the door and she snapped her fingers making them hurriedly remove the sheets as they bowed down taking it away and closing the door leaving myself and him.

"What was that all about?" I questioned desperately.

He didn't even trust me enough to be a virgin.

"Which do you mean?" he answered my question with another question as he styled his hair back unwrapping his hands from my waist.

"You practically had kept a fake blood ahead of time for this day. Didn't you trust me to be untouched?" I said staring at him in anger.

I watched as he smirked at my statement.

He seemed to be having fun.

"I had only planned a fake blood from my hunting expeditions because I knew an emergency like this could happen" he uttered also in annoyance. He was beginning to pace forth and back in the room.

"Still that doesn't still amount the fact that you betrayed my trust. What do you think I am? A hardheaded tomboy who goes off the street selling her body to every masculine? Absolutely not!" I gushed out angrily.

He didn't even know me. We only met yesterday yet he was starting to get on my nerves.

"Whichever it is" he said walking out of the door definitely to his own chambers.

"What?" I said in a state of more anger.

"Don't you dare walk out on me!" I said holding my garments in a daring stance.

"I already am, wife. Get ready for breakfast. And remember to put on your façade of a lovely wife", he said leaving totally.

I blinked my eyes and blinked again. This was so different from the man I met last night. He spoke so aggressively and didn't mind my opinions.

Almost immediately, about six ladies- in waiting entered my room. This made change the expression of my face to a very pleasant one.

"We are here to help her majesty get ready", one said and the others bowed. They were clothed in navy blue gowns that were so formal.

"Permission granted", I said as one snapped her hands, and they prepared my bath and came to remove my cloth.

"Wait what are you doing? Be excused. Wait outside. When I need you, I'm gonna call you. You don't have to bath me". I said a bit formality. Even back in my kingdom, I had never allowed because I felt Insecure. It didn't just make sense to me.

"Yes, your majesty." They said still looking down. Believe me, I didn't like the fact that they were looking down because I was a royalty. I was going to strain their necks.

"One more thing. You don't have to look down when you're presence. Be welcomed to look up. We could get to know each other more like that" I said smiling at royalty's influence on them.

"But your majesty-"

"Zara. Call me Zara" I uttered gently. I never admitted to not liking the fact that I was called a title not my birthed name. if that the case then why was I given the name?

"Z- Zara" she stuttered as if it sounds so dishonoured. I wondered what else they put in their heads while growing up in the palace.

"It is against the tactics of royalty to look up to a royal and called by name" she said still looking down.

"I insist." I said just in two words.

This made them look up, their head slowly as their head no more bowed down. They rushed out the door and closed leaving me to my privacy.

And that is how it is done. I thought as I de robed myself and entered that soothing bath. It scented rose and vanilla and I smiled at its warmness. Their bath wasn't so bad here.

I quickly took my bath and called them. A didn't know where the closet was. And it was such a big room. Knowing the rules, they looked up and called me Zara as they dressed me up.

One applied my makeup on my face, two working on my dress, the remaining three tidied my room. I got to know their names respectively as we talked and chatted like normal friends.

Maryann, Laura, Sonia, Constance, Elizabeth and Shawna.

Maryann was the one who directed them by snapping her fingers. Laura was the married one.

Sonia and Constance were siblings. While Elizabeth was a dark-haired girl with lots of humour. Shawna was a bit shy and looked down on herself. I had a whole more lots of work to do on the girls.

Breakfast was everything but comfortable.

The maids had served different varieties of food which included, French toast, spaghetti, white bread, salad and counting.

I sat beside Zack as he smiled at he smiled at me. Deep down, I knew that smile was fake, dating back to the argument we had had 2 hours ago. I was also playing the role of a lovely wife in front of his parents.

"So, tell me Zara, how are adapting to our weather here? We know England is so cold contrary to ours" Zack's father asked. He was called Mr. Moretti and was still the king. I prepared the sentence, saying,

"Quite well, Your Highness. I so much prefer a bit of warmness and is thankful for having to wear overcoats" I smiled gracefully.

If my mother was here, she'd probably be proud of me. She always had trouble in making me to be a perfect princess.

"I am glad you like the weather here, child" his mother added. Mrs. Moretti, the queen was a beautiful woman. She has a tan that went that went so well with her skin, highlighting her features.

"Off course, she would mum. Zack added. I had feared he would say something awkward but thanks he didn't.

He only smothered my hands more making me to hit him with my right leg. Did he have to have to touch me?

"This reminds me. There would be a ceremony in a week's time to introduce you as the princess and soon the queen" Mr. Moretti Said in utmost elegancy.

There seemed to be so much power radiate from as he looked as his wife in support. They looked like the perfect couple and looked so very much in love compared to me and Zack we are polar opposites.

''It would be of a different culture so it might seem a bit strange to you. I believe Zack would enlighten you on the basics'' Mrs. Moretti added dropping her fork.

The breakfast was over.

''Yes, Your Highness'' I said dropping my fork too and I looked around. Everybody was still eating.

''So, the rumours were true after all. In England, when the Queen finishes eating, the meal is done in general'' a voice was heard from the end of the table.

I recognized as Zack's younger brother, Ricardo. He grinned widely as the whole table begun to laughing; including Zack.

I felt like a fool; a total fool.

''Please, do carry on eating''. I was urged by the king, Mr. Moretti.

''Like we said, our culture here is different. So, we do not end other people's meal just because we have finished our own. It's different in Spain''. The king added.

I had embarrassed myself so much that I wondered how much more I had to learn about my new home, Spain.

I gingerly picked up my fork and continued eating in utmost annoyance. I was beginning to miss my home. At least I knew that there were people who understood me in England.

''Of course,'' I feigned a smile showing my set of white teeth.

They all looked impressed as they reintroduced themselves. Mr. and Mrs. Moretti, the king and queen of Spain, Ricardo and Fernánda, Zack's siblings Durello, Zack's uncle and Samantha his wife. They had two kids John and Julia.

I silently adored their family because they all had one thing in common; unity.

....

''You look so good in all outfits I have seen you in so far, Your Majesty!'' Elizabeth, one of my ladies-in-waiting commented briskly at my trousers and work shirt.

I was going for a hunt expedition with Zack. He definitely dared me to a bow and arrow competition.

He had said I look much perfect for a princess to know about hunting. I had smirked to myself, knowing I was going to prove him wrong. Not that I care of his opinion though.... I just needed a challenge to boost my confidence.

"Oh, thanks Liz" I said meekly as they escorted me out of my room. I woke on the wrong side of the blanket today, seeing Zack's face. One thing had led to the other and we had challenged ourselves to a hunt challenge to see who targeted best.

The last thing I needed was six group of ladies following to every nook and cranny.

"I'll go from here" I announced briefly and knowing me, they didn't argue. I climbed a horse, sighting Zack as I rode to him. He looked surprised as I rode very well as he smiled widely. I could tell that tell that was clearly fake.

"Say luck fell on your side that you rode a horse so well" he said intimidately. He really flatters badly.

"I reason that as a way of saying Good morning to your wife" I sigh saying the 'wife' more loudly so he realizes he was arrogant. His followers were not with so I assumed he had dismissed them just like the way I did. No strings attached.

"Aren't we back to that again? Or do I have to enlighten you on being my real wife after you fulfil your bedded rights?" He looked at me arching his brows.

"You gave me a week and its barely two days. Why are you so desperate?" I said ignoring the fact that my stomach gave butterflies just to the thought of bedding him.

"Let the hunt begin" he announced ignoring my question and riding forward. I rode to catch up with him as we reached deep and deeper into the forest.

Almost immediately, I sighted a deer eating silently. It definitely didn't realize our presence as we came down from the horse quietly.

We both took our arrow from our back carefully. His arrow was coated with blue while, my own was coated with black.

I targeted the deer very well, taking note as I shot it. I silently felt overwhelmed when I saw a second arrow on the deer. It was Zack's. he had gotten the shot too.

"Did we just get a draw?" we same in unison pointing to each other.