Disclaimer: Still own nothing.
A/N: Thanks to Chewie-Fan for the review.
Hope you all enjoy.
July 29th 1688, Noon
Norman stared down at the stone marker. Edgar had been correct when had said it had been awhile. And he had wanted to visit her but it just didn't feel right to do so on that day. Kneeling he reached out and ran his hand over her name.
"The day we married I truly thought we would never part. When the physicians said that you probably were never going to be able to conceive again I was okay with it only because I had you. You were all I needed in my life. And when you died, nearly fifteen years ago today, most of my heart did too." Norman tried to blink back the tears that had formed while he was speaking.
"But then I would look at our Aria and even though I wouldn't want to, though I felt guilty, I fell in love with her. She was so perfect. And I knew that she was the greatest thing anyone has ever given me. I didn't need a son, or want another child. Aria was enough." He forced an unfelt smile
"Sometimes I fell like a bad father for never having given her a proper mother. That I have robbed her of something. Did I do right by her Anna? Have I mistreated the precious thing you honored me with? She is going to be a Queen, but is that good enough? I don't believe anything is good enough for her." Slowly he bowed his head.
In the back of his mind he heard a voice that he had always felt guilty for hearing. It spoke quietly but had an authority to it that he could no longer ignore. No more could he hold back his tears. And before his wife's tomb he wept.
July 29th 1688, Evening
Again he walked into a room where he and Aria would 'consummate' their marriage. Though maybe this time they actually would. For some reason Josh wanted to. He wanted to make sure that they were bounded. Since at any moment they could be found out and torn apart.
Aria entered through a door on the other side of the room followed by her two ladies. They both shed the robes that covered their night clothes and got into the bed. As before a priest blessed the bed and they were left alone.
For awhile they were silent, neither looking at the other. "We can end it tonight. There is no shame in it." Josh said softly.
"I can't. I am sorry. We will do as your father planned." He ventured a look at her. "Please Josh. I still love him; in my heart I cannot betray him, not yet."
"I understand." They fell back into an awkward silence. "Lie back we need to make this convincing." Without a word she did as told. Josh removed the small dagger from beneath his pillow. Moving he positioned himself above her. "May I ask for one thing?" Her grey eyes met his dark ones.
"You are my husband you may ask for what you wish but I cannot promise to agree to it."
"All I want from you is one kiss. Can your heart handle that?" She tilted her head to the side, trying to determine how serious he was. "I do not think it much seeing as we should have already been truly intimate."
"Fine, only one." Josh smiled and leaned forward. As their lips met a large smile appeared on his face. The kiss didn't last long. "Go on, get this thing over with." Still smiling he made sure everything was as it should be before lying on his back again. Even though Aria gave off the illusion of pure indifference Josh knew that it was a lie. Fore, when he kissed her ever so slightly she kissed him back.
July 30th 1688, Afternoon
Lenny stared into the eyes of the newly married Princess of Opilio. To him her eyes brought up the image of melted iron. They seemed to flow in a way that masked any one dominate emotion. It made her increasingly difficult to read.
"Your Highness." He bowed before her.
"Ambassador." For her part she only inclined her head. With that she walked on with her husband. Lenny wasn't sure what to make of the girl. She seemed so peculiar like she were hiding something. But whatever it was it didn't matter. He had seen the blood on the sheets and he was to report back to his master that the deed was done, a treaty with Conila needed to be written.
He watched them disappeared before he turned to go back to his quarters. His Majesty, King Keith, had hoped that the marriage would somehow be void. It would make things easier when they went to attack Timbat, a close ally of Nohwelena, they wouldn't have to worry about betraying Conila. But now, that was all out the window. No matter what they did Wizor would lose. And his King did not like failing.
Years ago things had been different. The two countries were on good terms, King Keith and King Jonathon had made a betrothal arrangement between their children. But then the Timbat Prince was taken away from the poor Princess and was married to the youngest daughter of the King of Mavik. For anything less his King would not have cared but his daughter had been involved and for that he never forgave the family who slighted him.
As harsh as it may seem Lenny had been entrusted with the task of finding the tiniest flaw with the marriage. It did not matter what it was as long as it was there. With his first letter back he knew he had to say he had seen nothing but he would continue to look. They would slip up and when they did he would be there to see it.