Sweet Waters Throne

“What is it my love?”

Katarina finished dressing up and walked slowly to the bed. She sat down close to her husband and took Barkis from him. Then without words she walked out of the chambers with Barkis, possibly she was taking him to the servants who usually take care of him at night.

Two minutes passed and Katarina came back, Castellan was more aroused and eager to know what was troubling his wife. Hence he sat on the bed and asked again “What is it?” when Katarina came close to him.

“It’s the future of our son, our first born”

“Amabel? What about him?” Castellan seemed so unbothered by everything, perhaps he expected his wife to have more pressing matters but the issue of their son was the last thing he was worried about.

“We are giving him away Castellan”

“Of course he’s a man we can’t keep him forever. Besides, he’s the future king what do you mean we are giving him away?”

.....

Katarina groaned “Don’t you see it for yourself? That – beast we are wedding him to, she likes women. She brought her whore with her to the capital with her, she fights like a man and wins tournaments....”

“Katarina....”

“I don’t want my son to be imprisoned inside a marriage with a woman like her. He will never be happy and nor would Lady Aryan ever spread her legs for him when he comes of age, how do you expect him to father his heirs if he’s married to a man like -”

When Castellan thought his wife was being too loud, he placed his hand on her mouth and whispered “Shh shh” and then he continued “Someone might hear you”

“There are three guards outside our doors Castellan” said Katarina and then she moved to the other side of the bed clearly showing she is angry and like any mother worried about her son’s future.

“Lady Aryan knows of her duty, I’m sure she will do what’s supposed to be done when the time comes. Her brother needs this alliance as much as we do, she will give him heirs”

“And what if she doesn’t?”

“Katarina, you need to stop this. We need Lord Gandalf to win this war, it’s either that or our heads on pikes. Without Gandalf’s army and his lions, we are as good as dead, my army is the weakest of all realms and I...”

There was a paused moment between Katarina and Castellan, it had come to a great realization that Prophis army was indeed the weakest. With just one hundred thousand men after general Haul left with fifty thousand of them, Prophis without house Old City would have been crushed severely to the ground by Lucian Mithandir.

Castellan knew that, Lord Aubrel did so too and that’s why he rushed to get House Old City support although he knew Gandalf wasn’t to be trusted but what’s there left to do. Although Katarina expressed her concerns the whole night, Castellan’s decision remained the same.

And that is Amabel must wed Lady Aryan for the sake of the realm and the whole of Prophis. Hence after two days the bells rang early in the morning from the temple at the center of the city to notify everyone that the royal wedding was due.

Somehow this day was not that cold although the endless winter was still present. Aryan for the first time in her adult life wore a dress, it was a purple dress made from the finest silk in the whole kingdom. Her hairs were tied with colorful ribbons, her eyes per the usual custom of Prophisians they were adorned with lots of Kohl.

Aryan’s arms also had lots of golden bracelets, and she also wore golden anklets – all this made her very uncomfortable. However, Olivia was there to make sure she helps her girlfriend. When the royal servants were done with dressing Aryan, they left the chambers and hence Aryan remained all alone with Olivia.

“You look...” Olivia wanted to make a statement.

Aryan intervened “Like a woman?” she asked with a frown look on her face. “This is absurd...” she sighed.

Olivia walked to her and she had a wide smile on her face “Hey, try to enjoy it” she said. “It’s not like he’ll get to consummate the marriage or anything...”

“Consummate? I would be damned if any man gets to touch me” replied Aryan and then she walked away from Olivia. Aryan was ashamed being seen like that especially in front of her girlfriend, she was supposed to be the masculine one and now she was in a dress.

Olivia noticed the discomforts and she attempted to make Aryan comfortable, but before she could do anything, Katarina walked inside the chambers.

“Your Grace” both Aryan and Olivia curtsied.

“Oh, don’t you lovely Lady Aryan?” said Katarina charmingly.

Without even trying, Aryan replied “If you say so” and then she attempted to walk away. However, Katarina stopped her.

“I brought you a gift, as my daughter in law”

Olivia walked outside leaving Aryan and Katarina alone. Aryan didn’t seem so pleased nor excited with whatsoever Katarina wanted to give her, she had a frown look on her face and since she was taller than Katarina it gave her the advantage.

“What is it?” Aryan asked straight away.

“It’s um... a necklace”

“I don’t wear necklaces”

Katarina was awestruck for a moment, then Aryan laughed. “Kidding, give it to me” she ordered and Katarina reached for a small box inside her dress and handed it over to Aryan. Aryan didn’t even open it, she placed it on top of the table.

“Aren’t you going to... try it and see if it fits?” asked Katarina, she sounded so nervous around Aryan. Perhaps it was Aryan’s masculine energy which made her feel so weak and anxious.

“I’m sure it fits enough. Am I making you nervous, Your Grace?”

“No, I mean... I...” The nervousness showed in Katarina’s voice she even had to pause.

Then, when she regained her confidence she looked straight into Aryan’s eyes “Is this what you want?” she asked her.

“It’s what my brother wants, and I’m positive this isn’t what you want either for your son, but its what your husband wants. We live in a world where if you have a cock, you get to be the final say”

Indeed times can be so tricky but being a woman during the time where men were the ones meant to rule, it was no fun. Katarina and Aryan stood at the same measure that they were both women doing men biddings, but Aryan didn’t even hint her brother’s plan to take over Prophis. This was a secret she would take to her grave, not even Olivia knew the whole plan.

Lord Gandalf walked her sister to the altar. The temple was full of nobles, lords and ladies who were invited to witness the union between Amabel Taelin, the future king of Prophis and Lady Aryan Squire of House Old City.

Amabel had to be given a chair in order to stand and cloak his wife, Castellan smiled at how brave his son was and how serious he looked. Right there he knew Amabel would make a fine king.

The new septor performed the wedding rituals and he combined the two in holly matrimony in the presence of all the witnesses. Then it came to the part where Amabel had to kiss his bride, now this was the tricky part. However, Lady Aryan initiated the kiss and reached out for the young prince’s lips, from there the union was sealed.

There was a lot of “congratulations” to the newly weds even though Amabel didn’t even understand what happened. He was just happy and grinning from ear to ear. After the rituals now it was time to feast, and the sun was shining.

The whole afternoon was occupied with music, acrobatic shows and of course food and wine. Castellan sat close with Gandalf and they seemed to be bonding a lot unlike what everyone expected, after all Gandalf was a psychopath and Castellan – a man of actions and discipline.

Gifts from every corner of the kingdom were sent to the newlyweds, some from the citizens who supported Castellan’s claim to the throne, and those who didn’t sent threatening messages telling him to enjoy while it lasts.

The Squires and Taelins were now united by blood, and news did travel to every part of the world. Lucian Mithandir knew of it and so did his lords, Lord Aethelind thought it was nothing but a bluff and they can still win the war. However, it was Artemis who was rather shocked and worried when he received the note.