After the fete a few days had passed, my days consisted of either walking around the little palace, horse riding or secretly planning to take me away from both palaces. Aleksander had gone today to talk to them about the whole marriage at seventeen talk. I was to be Ravka's savior but the General's wife as I walked to the chair and sat down brushing my hair. I started to see Amira not Princess Amira the longer I was here.

I see me, not some princess that was adopted. I thought

There was a knock as I looked at the door "Come in." I said as Genya walked in. "Saints, you're not going to be ready." Genya said as she went over and started to help me. I was wondering what she was talking about as we looked at each other in the mirror. "Wait for what?" I asked as she looked at me in the mirror. "The General has sealed the deal for your wedding to be next year and he asked to take you with him while he's gone for the week." Genya said as I was surprised. I thought about it knowing, unlike Genya I was pure in the eyes of the people, even if they didn't I hadn't done anything beforehand. "Genya..Do you think that perhaps.." I started

Genya looked at me, I think she knew what I was considering "You think General Kirigan will try to steal your first kiss?" Genya asked as I looked at her in the mirror while she did her tailor small science. "Is it impossible to be thinking such things? The idea of a first kiss at the wedding in front of everyone doesn't appeal to me." I admitted

For a while Genya seemed quiet at the idea of it, she couldn't say for sure what was going on. "I suppose it is possible, but he would probably try to put you both in a romantic setting away from prying eyes." Genya said as I smiled a little thinking about the idea. "I suppose that is fair but I don't really have a ring to even show for the marriage." I pointed out as she laughed a bit as she was finishing up. "He's got everything planned out, trust him Amira." Genya said

If we become the King and Queen of Ravka, I can make life better for Genya. I thought as one perk of having a right to the throne.

When Genya was done I smiled as she got my Kefta as she brought it over, then she started to pick up my necklace for the royals but I put my hand up. "No, I think it's time for a at home necklace." I said as I got in the drawer and I pulled out the family crest of my birth family putting it on. "I am a Silina, even if the others don't know. I'm not a Lanstov." I said as Genya noticed my confidence. She started to leave before coming back with a light bag of things for the trip. "The General wants you to pack light, he will take care of the rest and it's already taken care of ." Genya said

He had a good point, I'll never be free until this marriage happens..perhaps I shouldn't be so cruel to him. He is trying to fix the fold...fix his mistake. I thought

"What are my arrangements going to be while we're out?" I asked as I was making sure I didn't take anything of overly value to have stolen. "The General is going to insist you share a tent with him, he's got two bed cots prepared so that you're securely protected." Genya said as I looked at her wondering if she as joking but she didn't crack a smile once. I just had to take it in stride here.

After packing light, I was led out there to where everyone else was and I saw him waiting with his carriage. I had no use for formalities but Ivan opened the door and he offered his hand to me. I took it as he led me on and helped me with the light bag as we got in. I was going to sit across from him but when Ivan and Fedyor got in and sat across from me that's when I realized he was sitting by me.

"What an honor it is, but I notice you did not wear any of your royal jewels." Fedyor said as I smiled knowing why. I pulled out the necklace I did have "Because I am embracing who I truly am. I am a De La Rosa and Silina not really a Lanstov." I said as Fedyor looked surprised. "It is true, she is adopted. But that still makes her my Grisha soulmate Fedyor." Aleksander said as he adjusted me some and put his arm around me to hold me close.

should you be doing this? I thought

It felt like hours before we made it as Fedyor and Ivan got out first then Aleksander let me go out. As I got out of the carriage and looked around I saw Grisha setting up his tent as he got out after me. Some of the Grisha there looked at us and I swear they wondered who I was. Without my jewels I was just Amira, an unknown Grisha. Yet as I was in my own thoughts I heard a familiar voice and my heard turned quickly. "Nico.." I said as I looked

Nicolas Stark, a connection to my past as a Grisha girl who had once lived in the village. Back then we were only kids but there was just this familiar sense of knowing. Despite hearing Aleks say to stay close I ended up marching right over ignoring Fedyor and Ivan as I had a goal. "Nicolas Stark" I said as he stopped talking with his fellow first army and looked at me. At first he seemed confused as if he didn't recognize me and I faltered infront of him.

"Do I know you Miss?" Nicolas asked as I felt hurt he didn't recognize me. "Amira..we used to run around in a field together as kids before...before I was...adopted" I said as he looked at me and listened intently to my words. The realization was a relief to me as I laughed a bit "Nico, I swear you didn't forget me. Did you?" I asked but before he could answer I felt the shadows coming.

"Soldier, I see Moya Tsarevna seems to know you." Aleksander said as I crossed my arms. "We're old friends, before I became Moya Tsarevna" I retorted as he looked at me. For the first time since the courting I thought I felt my heart skip a beat knowing he was my freedom still...this was freedom in some way. "Yes, General." Nicolas said

"Your name and rank?" General asked as I didn't know what he wanted from me and knowing about my friend. "Nicolas Stark, tracker." Nicolas said as Aleksander seemed interested in that. "Amira is to be kept a close eye on, she dislikes my right hand Grisha so perhaps you would keep an eye on her while she's with me." Aleksander said as Nico nod in agreement.

Aleksander left me with Nico as he showed me around, but people just saw me as a Grisha. "So what is with you and the General? You arrived with him in his carriage?" Nico asked while showing me around. "He's my Grisha soulmate and he's planning to marry me next year." I admitted as Nico got infront of me as he looked at me getting infront of me as he noticed I was not kidding. "So that's it..you'll be a General's wife." Nico said as I sighed as I walked away and he followed. "I have to or I will never be free. DO things like this." I told him

Nico just nod as he showed me around