It's amazing that I'm still alive. Really, the look Nenet had in her eyes when mother walked in was enough to kill the whole Blairen army. But somehow she was able to keep her anger under control. Of course, she kicked me out of the room for an hour while she got ready, but I didn't really care about that.

But now, here we are, walking down the grand staircase while everyone at the ball watched as we descend. Personally, I think Nenet and I are doing a pretty good job at making it look like we're a happily married couple. With her arm looped through mine, us giving pleasant smiles, and glancing at each other every now and then looking sooo much in love!

I'm about to barf at how ridiculous we're acting.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, everyone bowed down, and we nodded our heads. We walked down the aisle towards the thrones and sat down next to mother and father. Then the orchestra started up once again, and the guests started dancing.

I am unbelievably bored right now.

I would be having a much better time if I had come to this event with one of the lovely ladies that were staring at me right now.

Not to say that Nenet isn't lovely. She looks beautiful, gorgeous even. But since when did she not? Maybe that's another thing I hate about her. She always looks magnificent. Not once since I have known her did she look the least bit awful. She was always wearing elegant gowns, her hair was always done up radiantly, and her posture was always graceful.

She never lets me or anyone else catch her off guard.

She even wakes up earlier than me so she could make herself appealing. It's as if she would die if someone caught her looking bedraggled.

Personally, I think she would look rather enticing like that. Of course, I have proof to that thought. I had caught her that one time on our honeymoon, of course it led to a pillow fight, but still, She looked rather...

"Sheldon," mother voice spoke. I shook the thoughts out of my head and turned toward her.

Standing next to her was an older looking man, maybe in his late twenties, early thirties. He had dirty blonde hair, and greyish blue eyes that were quite...strange looking. He wore a long blue robe, and black boots, giving me some indication as to what he was.

"Sheldon," mother continued. "This is Alistair Cairbre, our new wizard advisor."

The man, Alistair walked to stand in front of me and Nenet and bowed. "It's a pleasure, your highness." he said.

I gave him a nod as he straightened. "It's nice to meet you," I turned to Nenet. "This is my wife, Princess Nenet."

He bowed once again as Nenet out stretched her hand. He took it, and placed a kiss upon it. "I was told you were the most dazzling woman in Blairen, but they gave you no justice."

Nenet gave him a small smile. "Thank you Sir. Cairbre," she said, taking her hand away from his.

"Please, you may call me Alistair," he said.

Maybe it was husbandly hormones taking over, but I really did not like the way he was looking at Nenet. It was as if he would devour her any moment.

Then I said something rather stupid. Something that would catch Nenet and myself by surprise. "Nenet, would you like to dance?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and she gave me a questioning look, while I just shrugged, holding my hand out for her to take. She let out a sigh, and took it. I pulled her up from her seat and onto the dance floor, giving a nod to Alistair.

I embraced her like I did earlier in our chamber, and started to dance, while she continued to glare at me.

"What was that?" She finally questioned, a slim eyebrow raised.

I shrugged. "What was what?"

"Oh don't give me that, Sheldon. Why did you want to dance with me all of a sudden?"

"He was looking at you...strangely," I replied.

She rolled her eyes and let out a sigh. "You mean like all the other men in this room? Sheldon, it's natural for me," then she let out a cheeky laugh. "Are you jealous?"

"Oh gods no! His look was just...more intense then the others, Nenet. Gods, how could you not notice?" She shook her head, and I dipped her. "I don't trust him," I pulled her back up.

"Well no need to worry, Sheldon," I twirled her around. "You know as well as I do that Wizard advisors can't marry, or have anything to do with the opposite sex. He can't and won't do anything."

I hate it when she's right.

I hate her.

Goodness he's confusing. He claims to hate me, yet he's worrying about me and another man?

When the dance finished, we walked back to the thrones. Alistair had left, and Queen Azura was smiling gayly again. Oh no, she must be thinking of grandchildren again. Why does she want to be a grandmother anyway? Would that not mean that she is old? I would never want to age faster than I must.

"Oh you two looked delightful!" She said, giving us a big smile, as if we had just saved the Kingdom from hunger. "You too should really keep dancing."

"We would mother, but Nenet here as very sore feet," Sheldon said. I glared at the side of his head, hoping that maybe the heat of it would make that humongous head of his melt. "Honestly I tried to tell her not to pry those big feet into smaller shoes but-"

"Oh Sheldon, you're so funny," I said, letting out a giggle. "You know I just did it because you're wearing pants two sizes too small. Honestly dear, we'll have to work on your diet."

This times he glares at me.

I glare back.

It's now a full on glaring contest.

"Duck feet," he snarled at me.

"Giant waist," I shot back.

"Salmon breathe!"

"Ogre face!"

Sheldon opened his mouth about to retort, when his eyes widened at to something behind me. Then he put on the ridiculous charming smile. "Oh Nenet dear, you're such a tease," Then he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into an embrace.

What does he think he's doing!

"Good evening you're Highness's," came a feminine voice.I turned my head, and saw a woman walking toward us. She wasn't breathtaking, but she had this look about her that just made her uniquely beautiful.

I don't like her.

"Good evening lady..." Queen Azura traveled off. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe I know you."

"I wouldn't expect you too," said the girl, not at all seeming offended. "I'm from the Kingdom of Logan. My uncle is the Duke of Hingin, and I am accompanying him tonight. My name is Ember Loomington."

"Oh yes, Duke Virgil," Queen Azura said, giving the girl a warm smile. "How is he dear, I haven't seen him all night?"

The girls happy smile vanished and I felt a twinge of sorrow for her, but only a little mind you. "To tell you the truth you Highness, he isn't doing very well."

"Oh the poor thing. Well my dear, if you see him, do tell him to speak with me."

"I shall," and she gave a curt bow.

"Oh yes," Queen Azura said, as if just remembering. "This is my son and his wife. Prince Sheldon and Princess Nenet."

She gave us both a smile. "You are just as lovely as everyone said, Princess. And you Princess Sheldon are as handsome as I imagined."

"Is that right?" I snapped. Whoops, oh no! That was a mistake! What am I going to do? I didn't sound like a queen or princess at all!

But instead of looking offended, Lady Ember just gave me an apologetic smile. "I am sorry if it seemed as if I was flirting, your Highness. I was just being polite."

Great, now she has me feeling guilty.

I gave her a small smile. "You don't need to apologize. I suppose its just my...wifely instincts," Oh god, just shoot me now! I wrapped my arms around Sheldon, who was still holding me, and gave him a hug. "Isn't that right...honey bunny?" I looked up at him and gave him an "innocent" look.

I was about to scream when he gave me that same "innocent" look. "Oh no problem, shmooky pooh."

I am so going to slaughter him in his sleep.

The glaring contest started up once again.

That is, until a small giggle interrupted us. We both turned our heads to look at Ember, who was apparently finding this all amusing.

"I am sorry, but you two are rather amusing to watch," Then she curtseyed. "I must go look for my uncle now. Thank you for this wonderful conversation," and then shr turned to leave.

There was a moment of silence then...

"I have never been so embarrassed in my life!" Queen Azura exclaimed, giving us both a hard look. "Yes, I know you two don't get along, but you have a duty to this kingdom," she took a deep breathe of air, as if to calm herself. "Now next week is the merger, and the Kingdoms of Blairen and Eavan will be united. Lord knows that's a lot of land. The people can not have a queen and king who can not cooperate with each other. Now go to your room!"

"But mom-" Sheldon began.

"No! Now go!"

I can not believe mother did that! I am not a child anymore! But she seemed so angry. The look in her eyes just forced me to listen to her. Apparently it had worked on Nenet too, since she did as she was told without protest. Of course, Nenet is always like that. Doing what she's told, being a perfect little angel. It makes me sick!

Suddenly a soft giggle come from next to me. I turned around from my spot on the bed, and looked at my "wife."

"What's so funny?" I snapped, not finding this amusing. We had just been sent to our room in front of the whole kingdom! It was degrading I tell you! Degrading!

"I... I have never been sent to my room before," she said, laughing some more.

"Maybe because you're a goody-two shoes," I replied coldly. God she's annoying.

"Hmm...maybe. But I feel sort of..." She turned her head to look at me. "Well...bad," then she giggled some more.

I raised an eyebrow. "Nenet... you really have gone insane, haven't you?"

"Oh shut up, Sheldon," she replied. "This is all so new to me... You're setting a bad example for me, that's what it is."

This time it was my turn to laugh. "Sure Nenet. Or maybe deep down inside, you're a bad girl."

"Hmm..." she turned herself to the side so she was facing me. "Maybe." She gave me a smile and a shrug. "Between the both of us, you seem more aggravated than I do. Maybe deep down inside of you, you're actually a goody-two shoes yourself."

"Hmm...maybe," I mocked.

Then was a pause between us, and I thought that I might be able to go to sleep, but once again Nenet stopped me. "Your mother's right you know. Once the merger happens, we'll be in charge of two kingdoms. We can't rule if we don't get along."

"I absolutely agree," I replied. Pause. "Woah, I just agreed with you."

She let out a laugh. "That's because you've finally accepted that I'm always right."

"You're too uptight to know everything," I replied.

"You're to loose to know anything," she snapped back at me.

And back to the fighting... "God, why are you always like this!"

"Why are you always like this?"

"I asked you first!"

"I asked you second!"

"So?"

"So... You're being childish."

I can't believe her! "I'm being childish? Fine! Then I'm being childish! But at least I can say that I had a childhood. Even when we were young you were busy with your studies. Always trying to be all proper. You didn't even have any friends, did you?"

Somehow we had ended up sitting up in bed, and glaring at one another, our faces just inches apart. Nenet said something, but it was so soft I barely heard it. "What?" I asked.

"I said shut up," she said a little louder, but still just a whisper. "At least I know how to rule a country! All you know is how to swing a stupid sword! Whatgood will that do you?"

"If you knew anything you would know that a king must learn how to handle one!" I snapped.

"Handel one, yes. Obsesses over one, no."

"Oh god Nenet," I groaned in frustration. "It's alright to have a little fun you know. Thats whatsword duels do for me! It's something I enjoy."

"We don't have time for fun Sheldon! Why can't you grasp that?" She exclaimed, giving me a hard look.

"Why can't you grasp that we are also human beings! You're a woman Nenet, yes sometimes I doubt that, but still you're a woman! You have needs too. You're not just a princess or future queen," I let out a sigh. "It's okay to be a little selfish."

I watched as her eyes widened, then narrow and look away. "I can't."

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"I said I can't! I don't have the right!" She shouted.

I watched as she clenched her fists, and my eyes widened as a tear fell down her cheek. What the hell is wrong with her? What does she mean she doesn't have the right? "Everyone has the right," I explained.

She shook her head frantically. "No I don't. Not after what I did..."

"What did you do?" I asked.

She turned her head to look at me, and I nearly fell over in shock. Here was "the" Nenet Farrah...er Ackerly, crying. Tears ran down her cheeks like a waterfall, her eyes red and puffy, while her lower lip trembled. "I... I killed her..."

...O-Kay, weird. "What? Killed who?"

"I killed her... I killed my mother..." She said, tears coming even faster now.

"Oh..." I said, not know what to do.

"That's why father hates me. That's why he made me marry you. He doesn't want me. I'm just...I'm just a living reminder of her."

"That's no true..." I said. I really don't know if it was true or false, but for some reason, I don't really like seeing Nenet like this. Well, unless I was the cause, of course...right?

"Yes it is. A while back, before we were married. My handmaid had me try on my mothers wedding dress," she let out a small laugh. "When father saw me he went wild. He yelled and screamed. His exact words were "Stop looking so much like her! You took her away damn it!" He was right..."

My awkward alarms were ringing like crazy now. I placed a hand on her shoulder, awkwardly mind you, and gave it a squeeze. "Your mother died of child birth, Nenet, along with many other woman. It wasn't your fault."

"That's not what fa-"

"I don't give a rats end about what he says," I gave her a smile. "How about this. I teach you to let loose a little, and you teach me how to be a little more uptighty? Show your father what he's missing out on."

"...Really?"

"Yeah, of course, we're only doing it for the good of the kingdom. Like my mother said, we have to cooperate with each other, right?" She gave me a small smile and nod. "Good, now go to sleep."

We both lay back down, and closed our eyes. I felt as sleep came closer and closer within my sleep.

"...Sheldon?" Nenet said softly. I had to suppress an annoyed groan.

"What?" I asked without opening my eyes.

"I...I don't like you."

I couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my face. "I don't like you either."

TO BE CONTINUED. . .