Chapter 13

The carriage bounced along the dirt road leading to our destination. I rest my elbow upon the window sill, my chin placed gently on the palm of my hand as I gazed out at the open fields before us. Alyn rode beside us and I would sneak a glance at him. His body moved with the motion of his horse trotting alongside the carriage.

"You seem awfully fond of Sir Alyn, princess," Giles says quietly. I quickly turn my attention to him and he smiles at me. "Do you by chance have a crush on our little knight?"

I feel my cheeks burn and I quickly deny it. "He's just a good friend," I retort.

Giles laughs softly, obviously seeing through my lie, but doesn't question it further. After a few hours, we stop in the middle of a forest near a lake in order to stretch our legs and eat before pressing onward to the kingdom of Laurelia. I step out of the carriage and raise my arms above me and my muscles rejoice in their freedom.

I stare out at the crystal clear lake, its beauty like nothing I've seen before. I never left the small town I lived in so it was a new experience. The few knights we brought with us circle around, a few sitting on small tree stumps rising from the luscious green grass.

"Are you hungry?" Alyn is beside me and he holds out a small loaf of bread. "It's nothing fancy, but it'll hold you till we reach Laurelia."

I thank him and take a bite. The bread was sweet and soft. "This is delicious," I sing taking another bite. Alyn chuckles beside me. "I've never seen a woman so in love with food as you are. You're a strange one, Aria."

"You've said that to me before, Alyn." I finish the bread and Giles' calls out for us to continue our journey. I climb back into the carriage as we trek down the road for miles.

I must have fallen asleep halfway through because when I awake, we're in the streets of our neighboring country. The sun is beginning to lower itself behind the buildings and I'm glad we made it in time. I gaze out the window at the quaint houses and shops lining the streets. I notice that Alyn is no longer beside us and I look around trying to spot him but to no avail.

We ride for another half hour before finally stopping outside a large gated mansion. Giles exits first holding out his hand to help me out next. My jaw drops at the luxurious two stories building spreading across a vast landscape. It had to be at least half a mile long.

A group of maids greet us as they tend to our luggage and I follow Guiles inside. Golden décor line the walls and I feel as though I don't belong here. Even our castle wasn't this glamorous. A butler leads us into a large dining hall where a man and woman sit at the end of a long table decorated in an assortment of lavish meals. The smells of the food causes my mouth to water. Guiles bows at the middle aged man at the end of the table. He must be the owner of this mansion and the woman beside him must be his wife.

"This is Princess Aria," Guiles waves a gentle hand towards me and I nod my head at the older man. "Pleasure to meet you," I say in a polite tone.

He smiles at me, "I'm glad you had a safe trip here, Aria. We're glad to have you visit us." The man ushers for us to take a seat and I do just that. The woman beside him smiles at me but her eyes continue to search the room as if looking for someone. I glance around the room in my own search to happily find Alyn a few feet away behind me. Any nervousness I had dissipates knowing he's with me.

The man introduces himself as Weston and his wife named Iris. We begin to eat the large dinner before us, and I wholeheartedly take my fair share. Once finished, the maids quickly bring dessert but I feel too full to eat.

A sudden opening of doors causes everyone to turn their heads to see a young man, roughly my age, step into the dining room. His hair is cut short but small curls loop over his ears. The color is that of maple leaves, just like the woman Iris.

Weston stands up and smiles at the man and I quickly gather that the man is his son. He takes a seat beside Iris, the collar of his shirt pulled up on one side. Iris reaches to fix it but the boy bats her hand away. Weston stands up and speaks loudly, "I've invited you all here in hopes of marrying our two countries. I'd like my son, Peter, to marry Princess Aria. Together we will stand together as strong allies."

My eyes widen at the sudden announcement and I quickly look to Guiles who is just as surprised. The boy looks at me, and snickers. There was no way I would marry someone like him. Weston sits down and smiles at us both. My heart begins to race and I can't think of anything to say. Thankfully, Giles speaks for me.

"That's a very sudden request, Sir Weston. I'm not sure the princess has an answer right at this moment. Please, give her the night to think it over. We're very honored that you would choose us as your ally."

Weston's smile fades, as though he thought I'd be ecstatic about being the wife of his snobby son. "Very well, I'd expect an answer first thing tomorrow morning."

I excuse myself and I'm led to my temporary bedroom. I pace around my room as my mind races with reasons why I can't marry his son. A light knock on the door makes me jump and I'm relieved to see Guiles and Alyn step inside.

"I can't marry him!" I blurt out.

Giles runs a hand over his face, "It was certainly unexpected. We've been at peace with Laurelia that I'm surprised they're even asking to become allies."

"It's possible because Stein's become so powerful," Alyn adds.

"That's true. Their military has become stronger since Byron became king. I haven't heard anything about plans of attacking neighboring countries," Giles says.

I stand quietly as I listen to the two men exchange opinions between each other, neither one helping my situation.

"They have some incentive behind wanting Aria to marry his son. I don't think it's anything good for us," Alyn says.

"Why is that?" Giles asks.

"I'm not sure. I just don't have a good feeling around these people."

Giles sighs and agrees with Alyn. "If Aria denies the proposal, it's a matter of time before Laurelia retaliates. In my opinion, I think we should accept to maintain the peace between our countries."

Alyn steps closer to Giles, "How can you say that though. We have five times the men ready to fight than I've seen here. Even if they plan to retaliate, there's no way they could win."

"It's not my decision to make. I'm just Aria's advisor. The answer depends on what she wants," Giles' eyes shift to me and I can't find any words to say. He was right. As duty of the princess, I must put my happiness aside for my people and do whatever I can to maintain the peace in Wysteria.

"I'll return here in the morning to hear your response, Aria. I'm retiring for the night," Giles exits the room leaving Alyn and I alone.

He turns to me with an apologetic look. He places a hand behind his head and stares at the floor without saying a word.

"I don't know what to do," I say quietly.

"I wish I could help," he replies.

I contemplate bringing up the idea of Alyn becoming my prince consort but can't find the courage. Before I can get a word out, Alyn bids me goodnight leaving me alone with my thoughts.