Hope stood nervously in her dressing room. Many of the castle's servants scurried around her adjusting her dress. The month of planning for the wedding had gone by so quickly and she had been so busy she rarely had a moment to imagine her prince. As she now patiently waited for her time to walk down the aisle, that was all she could think about.


Prince Toyran stood at the end of the aisle. For a month he had dreamed about his princess. He had loved her from the moment he met her at their summer castle when he was twelve. His mother thought it was such a sacrifice for him to agree to marry the princess of Smithsra, but it was what Toyran truly wanted. He never forgot the beautiful girl he had played with during that summer of his childhood.

He looked down the aisle, nervously waiting to see if she still had the beauty she had then. He smiled as he saw a flurry of action as she finally was in position to walk down the aisle. A long veil covered her face, and the shape of her dress concealed most of her body. Toyran's excitement only grew as she walked down the aisle.


Princess Hope's jaw dropped when she saw her prince at the end of the aisle. He was tall, and had curly hair, dyed a light blue. He held himself with confidence as if he knew he was handsome and strong. She closed her mouth, blushing and glad for her veil. The prince at the end of the aisle looked like an older, stronger, more handsome, and more elegant version of the one she had played with as a child. She was amazed that the boy she held close to her heart as a dear friend in childhood, even going as far as to pretend he was still with them when they left the summer house, was now to be her husband.


As the time came for Toyran to lift his bride's veil, his excitement nearly overwhelmed him. He slowly and gently pulled the veil back so that he could see her face. He had to fight to keep himself together. Her beauty was stunning. Her long blond hair fell in gentle curls and her eyes shined brightly with intelligence and care for her kingdom. He struggled with following what the priest was saying, only managing to say "I do" and slip the ring on her finger.

After the wedding ceremony the couple walked into a dressing room together to prepare for the wedding reception.

"I-I know you." Hope stuttered.

"I know. You think I don't remember those days in the woods princess?" Prince Toyran asked with a small smile, "That's why I chose you."

"But… The wedding was arranged. Our parents chose." Hope said confused.

"Well, to be completely honest with you princess, I suggested it. I didn't think they would agree, but low and behold, I now have the girl of my dreams." Prince Toyran said smiling at her.

"The.. I'm the girl of your dreams?" Hope asked, amazed.

"Well of course. I was ecstatic when my Mother and Father told me about the agreement finally being made." The prince answered.

"But.. How? We don't really know each other! The last time I saw you we were just children!" Hope exclaimed. She had no idea how she had made such an impression on this prince.

"Oh hush princess. We can discuss this later. For now we have to go entertain our guests." He took her by the hand and led her out into the ballroom.

The room was filled with stunning members of royalty from both kingdoms. The lady's were in beautiful flowing dresses, and the men in handsome suits.

"May I have this first dance Princess Hope?" Prince Toyran asked bowing.

"Y-yes you may Prince Toyran." Hope replied with a curtsy. Her stomach felt like it was doing flips as the prince put his arms around her. She had always thought about her wedding day, but never had she imagined it like this. The lax ways of her kingdom rarely called for arranged marriages. The search for her true love was lost, and yet, she felt strangely overjoyed at being married to this strange prince.

The two newlyweds danced the night away. The couple stunned many of their guests with their dancing, and many complimented the rulers of the kingdoms on their children.

"Do you think they will end up loving each other?" Queen Carrie asked her husband.

"Anything is possible. From the way they dance together it's as if they already do. Love, he made the decision to sacrifice for the kingdom. Don't worry so much about him." King Frank replied pulling her into a hug.

"I just don't want to lose our only child's affections." She replied.

"Remember dear, they are staying here. We agreed that due to Toyran being the older of the two their first year together will be spent here. Now, let's go and say our dismissal of the guests. The princess has yet to see her new room, and I'm not even sure if her parents had informed her she will be staying here.


"Princess Hope?" A young boy, no more than twelve asked, interrupting the dream that dancing with Prince Toyran created.

Shaking her head to get rid of the daze she replied, "Yes. That's me. May I ask who is wanting to know?"

"Oh. My name is Brandon, but the two Kings sent me to bring you to them. Is that alright?" The boy asked.

"Please excuse me Prince Toyran." The princess said curtsying to him before going with the boy to her parents.

"Hello, hello my lovely daughter." King Patrick said hugging her.

"Did you enjoy the ceremony?" King Fritz asked nervously.

"Yes father I loved it. It was beautiful and absolutely stunning." Hope replied with a smile.

"The party is coming to a close now though. I suppose we have to tell you…" Fritz trailed off.

"What do you mean?" Hope asked confused.

"Well. Due to the Prince being the elder of you two… It has been agreed you are to live here, in the Bonnielle Castle, for at least the first year of your marriage." King Patrick said, barely keeping a level tone.

"What? What about my things? What about you? I can't live here!" The princess exclaimed.

"I'm sorry Love, but it's all been decided. We will see you when we visit next month. We both love you so very very much. Come on Fritz. It will be okay, she just needs to adjust." King Patrick said guiding his husband away.

Hope stared after them before gathering herself together and going back to Prince Toyran.

"Hello my princess. It seems you've got the news haven't you?" He said, noticing the sadness she showed through her body language. She showed her emotions so freely, even when she was trying to hide them.

"Yes. I suppose you could show me around the castle a bit before I go to bed for the evening?" She asked quietly.

"Of course princess. Follow me." Taking her hand Prince Toyran began a basic tour of the castle.

He showed her the way out of the Ballroom guiding her down the main hallway to the throne room.

"This is where we will preside one day. That door there leads to my parents room." The prince explained as the princess stared in awe at the beautiful castle. She had grown used to the beauty of her own home, but this place had a different type of beauty which amazed her.

"This main hall branches off to the many different rooms of the castle. My room is this way." He said guiding her down a quiet hallway.

"As much as I would love to see your room my prince I would really like to change and go to bed." Hope said, stopping.

"Oh. Princess? You realize we are married, yes?" The prince asked trying very hard to hide a smile.

"Yes Prince Toyran. I am not so quick to forget." She replied a bit snappily.

"Well princess. You do realize that because we are married we share a room, right? I suppose I should have said our room instead of my room." He said with a smirk.

"What? But- But I barely know you!" She exclaimed, feeling the nervous butterflies forming in her stomach.

"Come now. You know I am not asking much. I won't look at you while you change and we don't have to lie close to one another in bed. There's no way out of this princess." Toyran said in an attempt to calm her.

"This is-" Hope began before gasping as she was swept off her feet and carried bridal style down the rest of the hallway and into a lavishly decorated room.

"Prince! How dare-" She began before being plopped heavily onto a large, soft bed.

"I'm locking the door and hiding the key. I promise I won't touch you but it is important you sleep here. I'm not trying to harm you or scare you princess. I'm trying to appease my parents. There is a bathroom through that door. Go ahead and change. I will wait here." The Prince said leaning against the door to his bedroom.

With a sigh and a glare the princess stood and walked into the bedroom, still unsure what to make of her new husband.