My Lady
Chapter One
Judge Gabranth stood admiring the beauty who stepped out of the airship. So this is the lady who is to marry Lord Vayne he thought. He was glad for the full helmet he wore that completely covered his face so he could look her over without needing to be too discreet. Lord Vayne is certianly a lucky man. I hope I am assigned as her guardian. Judge Ghis stepped forward.
"His Excellency was called away unexpectedly and sends his humblest apologies and regrets that he was unable to be here to welcome you upon your arrival. He is expected to return shortly before the evening meal." He said bowing slightly. "If you will accompany me please." He started walking and Gabranth walked up to the lady and offered her his arm.
"My Lady." She accepted his arm and they started walking together. She looked up at him and smiled.
"May I enquire as to your name?" She asked.
"Gabranth, My Lady."
"Well Gabranth, I will not be your lady until after Lord Vayne and I are wed. Please just call me Ashelynn. He looked at her and solemnly replied,
"You will always be My Lady."
The previous evening:
"How am I supposed to marry a man I've never even met? . . . What about Kyzel? . . . What do I tell him? . . . I love him you know." Ashelynn paced the floor of her father's study, her hands clasped tightly behind her, her usual smile replaced by a scowl. Her eyes blazed and her voice started rising in anger.
"You will have plenty of opportunity to become aquainted with Lord Vayne as there are a few months before the wedding and we are traveling to Archadia tomorrow to meet him. As for Kyzel you can explain the situation to him when we return." Her father replied. Ashelynn turned to him, tears filling her eyes, her heart aching at the thought of what she had to do.
"Why do I have to do this? It isn't worth the heartache that Kyzel will be put through or mine for that matter." The Marquis sighed. He hated seeing his daughter like this and it pained him even more to put her through it. But it was best for Bhujerba and that was most important.
"Ashelynn, this marriage will ensure Bhujerba's independence. Having the backing of the Archadian Empire is a huge asset should we ever need their support. Sacrifices are sometimes required for the greater good."
"What about the business deal you have with the Emperor?"
"Those business deals are with Lord Vayne not with the Emperor. And you would do well to remember that and keep it a secret. And I am sorry, but these are the kinds of sacrifices that ruling families must make."
"Sometimes I wish we were just regular citizens." Ashelynn grumbled but he could tell that she was reluctantly coming to acceptance. "Tahta," she said, using the Bhujerban term for father. She walked over to him and laid her head against his chest. "Do I have to?" He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She finally conceded. "I'm sorry for how I reacted. As a Marquis' daughter and the future wife of the Emperor's son I should have better control of my emotions."
"I am sorry also, I know this came as quite a shock to you. If it wasn't necessary I would not ask this of you."
"Are you upset with me Tahta?"
"No my little treasure." He kissed the top of her head.
"I'm going to be married soon. I'm not little anymore." She giggled.
"True." the Marquis replied. The thought saddened him deeply but she would never know.
Please review. This is my first fanfic so let me know what you think of the first chapter. More to come in the coming days. Hope you enjoy!