What if he is mean? What if he hates me? Can I love him, or even like him? Would I care if he got hurt? Would I care if he died? Will I ever be comfortable in this castle with him?

Here I was, walking down an aisle in a church in a wedding dress. Granted the dress was utterly gorgeous, but still, that was so not the point. The point was that I didn't want to be in this dress, in this church, walking down this aisle, marrying this prince. I wanted to be a home, at the castle-the castle I had been born in and the castle I had spent the last 17 years of my life. Now I had to get married and be the perfect princess, and later the perfect queen. I didn't do perfect. I did falling- down- stairs- ripping-my-dress-ouch. The man standing at the end of the aisle was undoubtedly handsome, but I didn't even know him. This was an arranged marriage; the prince smiled politely as I made my way to him-he was resigned to our fate. Maybe he wanted this, unlike me. Regardless, this was not what I signed up for when I was born, I didn't sign up for this duty. But I had to do this, it was for my country and my people-the two things I could never let down for my own personal gain.

My father guided me down the aisle to my soon-to-be husband, I hoped he was kind. Father placed my hand in the prince's and kissed my forehead gently before taking his seat near the priest. The prince looked at me and smiled gently at me, he seemed to know I didn't want this; he seemed to understand me-at least a little bit.

I stood facing my fiancé, maybe it wouldn't be so terrible to be married to this man. Maybe I could learn to love him.

"Do you Prince Aiden, take Princess Ari to be your wife and help you to rule this nation?"

"I do." He spoke quietly, yet his voice firm and kind.

"Do you Princess Ari, take Prince Aiden to be you husband and do you promise to aid him in the ruling of this country?"

"I do." I was sure my voice was slightly shaky but I was scared of this new life.

"I now pronounce you Crown Prince and Princess of Sarr. You may now kiss your bride, Your Highness."

The prince looked at me, winked, and bent down to press his lips to my cheek, although it looked like he was kissing my lips. I might like this prince. Prince Aiden straightened up, he was much taller than me, and turned both our bodies to face the crowd watching our union. He offered me his arm and I took it. With that he led us down the aisle and into a small room to the right of the chapel of the castle. Once inside he led me to an elegant settee and bid me sit. I did.

He took a seat near me and looked at me.

"Princess, it's very nice to meet you. Welcome to Sarr." He said.

"It's nice to meet you as well, Prince Aiden, and thank you."

"I know this must be very hard for you, after all we've never met before. I hope you will allow me to get to know you." He stared into my eyes, almost as if I was perplexing him. I nodded my assent and looked about the room.

"This room is quite beautiful, Prince Aiden." I said to fill the silence.

"Hmmm…yes it is. Thank you. And please call me Aiden, you are my wife." He said smilingly.

"As you wish."

"Are you always so formal, Princess?" He asked. I looked at him and his eyes were still kind, but they were burning with curiosity.

"Oh, no, I just…I'm sorry I'm just not used to it here, once I'm acclimated you'll find me very annoying with how playful I am. Please call me Ari." I said, following his lead.

He laughed, "I'm sure I shall never find you annoying, Ari, you're far too fascinating." I felt color stain my cheeks as he said this, it was so kind and natural for him to be like this. He seemed to be a kind man. He was certainly good looking; he had dark brown wavy hair, thick lashes, he was tan, deep blue eyes, and his smile was kind and gentle. I definitely might be able to like him, but could I love him?

A door opened and in walked in, what I could only assume was a guard, entered and bowed low.

"Your Highnesses, the reception is waiting for their host and hostess. Prince Aiden, your mother bid me tell you to come." The guard bowed once again and left the room.

"Well, wife, I suppose our break was short-lived. Shall we?" He said as he stood and straightened his military uniform quickly before offering me his arm. I stood and smoothed the dress of my gown and took his proffered arm, letting him lead me from the room.

We approached a pair of double doors, beautifully engraved, and the doors were opened by two uniformed men.

"The Crown Prince and Princess of Sarr." Was called as we entered the ballroom. Clapping erupted as we descended the stairs; we were met by our families who smiled at us and then the music started, a waltz. My husband looked at me and gestured to the dance floor, which was empty. The Prince and Princess had to start the dancing.

I sighed and nodded slowly as he led me to the center of the floor. I knew the steps but was I was still nervous, I didn't know anyone save my family and my new husband. He placed one hand in mine and the other on my waist and I placed my other hand on his shoulder, he really was very tall.

After dancing for a few minutes Aiden looked down at me and chuckled.

"You dance well, Ari, you needn't be nervous."

"Thank you, but I'm nervous because everyone is looking at us." I spoke softly, hoping no one but Aiden would hear me.

"That's what comes of being a princess, and a new bride, my dear." He whispered back to me. I laughed and nodded.

"I suppose it is. But that doesn't make me not nervous." I said still laughing.

"I didn't think it would, but now you're laughing so you can't possibly be as nervous as you were." He said gently, his eyes dancing.

"I believe your right, Prince Ai-…" I started to say.

"No, no, it is Aiden to you."

"So sorry, old habits die hard." I joked quietly.

At this Aiden threw his head back and laughed heartily, he was enjoying this. I glanced around the room and saw his mother smiling happily at us; she met my eyes and nodded as if to say, "he likes you". I looked back up at Aiden, he was still smiling. The song finally ended and Aiden led me to a chair, he asked if I would like some wine, I smiled and nodded.

"Wait here, I'll be back." He said before walking to get my wine. I was suddenly relieved that we seemed to get along, my worries for the past couple of months before the wedding vanished, only to leave contentment. Matrimony wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Aiden returned with two glasses of wine and stood behind my chair as we sipped our wine.

Hours later the ball ended and Aiden and I stood at the entrance waving to out many guests, all of whom I did not know. When the last carriage bumped out of sight, Aiden offered me his arm and I took it. He led me to a room and opened the door. It was beautiful, dark cherry wood furniture, and blue and gold draping covered the walls and the large bed in the center of the room.

"My mother decorated it for us. I hope you like it." Aiden said softly.

"Yes, it's beautiful."

"You're dressing room is through there, you'll find your lady-in-waiting in there as well." He said gesturing to a door to the left of where we stood. I curtsied slightly and took my leave to change. When I had changed I entered the room again in a dressing gown and found Aiden in a dressing robe as well, with his back facing me. He turned when I entered and smiled.

"I asked for some tea to be brought, would you like some?"

"Yes, please, thank you." I answered.

Aiden poured me a cup of tea and offered it to me, I took it and sat in one of the chairs around the table on which the tea sat. Aiden took the other.

"Did you enjoy the ball?" He asked.

"Yes, it was very nice. It gave me chance to get acquainted with some of the Sarrian people."

"I'm afraid my mother went a little overboard with the decorations tonight." He said, laughing.

"Oh no, I loved the decorations, they were beautiful." I defended.

Aiden laughed, "I see why she and my father chose you, you're very pleasant."

"Thank you." I said softly, blushing the tiniest bit.

"You must be tired; you should get some sleep, dear wife."

"Yes, I think I will."

"Goodnight, I shall see you when you wake. I'll come to bed shortly." He said, standing up.

I stood and started toward the bed, Aiden stopped me, he grabbed my arm gently. I turned to see him smiling, and cocked my head to the left. He stepped closer to me and gently pressed his lips to my forehead before releasing my arm from his grasp.

"Goodnight, Aiden." I said softly.

"Goodnight."