Chapter Two

Even Kalys had to admit the gown was beautiful. Normally she hadn't much care for clothes; she didn't really have to up until this point. Though Celie had given her a love for embroidered cuffs, all her gowns were simply cut, comfortable and practical. She made her own undergarments, sticking to what she had worn at the Found instead of the dozens of layers Sleynth women apparently preferred. But now, since she was the crown prince's betrothed, she needed an entirely new wardrobe. It was very annoying. She hated all of the gowns; they were much too gaudy for her style, though Lilah still complained they were too simple for the future queen. But the wedding gown. Kalys couldn't stop looking at it.

Apparently, Sleyne had a tradition of passing down a wedding gown for the crown princess that would match the tunic of her husband. It started a couple generations past, and Kalys couldn't help but adore it. White with green and silver embroidery on the bodice and sleeves, it was stunning to her. With long, flowing sleeves, a lace-up bodice, and trailing skirt, Kalys was in love with it. And though she was sort of dreading her upcoming marriage, she couldn't wait to wear it.

Right now the problem was that it didn't fit right. It had to be hemmed for one thing, and the bust and hips had to be taken out quite a bit. She could envy Queen Celina and Lilah's long, slender bodies all day, but it wouldn't change her curvier build.

"Really, darling, there's plenty of room for it to be let out," Queen Celina gushed as Kalys scowled. She didn't love standing here, with a tight, low bust making her nearly spill out, being poked and pinned with needles. Not to mention after this, apparently she had to attend something in the village in her least favorite gown. Betrothal ceremonies. "Surely it will be done in two weeks."

Two weeks. That was all that was left until the wedding, something that made both her heart flutter with girlish excitement (she was a girl after all, and this was a wedding to a prince, not some rude Arkish man on an island), and fill with dread. Her duties would be less of what she loved, and more of learning to run a castle. Not to mention, the seriousness that Rolf had emphasized about Sleynth marriages. Not that Kalys fooled around with marriage, she was a traditional Hathelocke, but it just cemented into her brain more she supposed.

The invitations for the wedding had set the date for just enough time to get them out, which meant five weeks. That was another shock. Not only was the crown prince betrothed at sixteen, he was marrying in five weeks. Kalys winced at the rumors she already heard of a pregnancy outside of wedlock. Queen Celina assured her there were always rumors of that kind, but the rushed engagement and wedding was rather suspicious. She thought the affection Rolf showed her for the public was just pushing the rumors, but Lilah assured her it was normal. She wasn't uncomfortable, but she couldn't ignore the slightly judgmental looks coming from middle-aged women who kept glancing at her abdomen to see if it had expanded. Rolf had accidentally let his hand wander farther than her waist once, letting it halfway rest on her stomach, and she had nearly jumped six feet away from him, which he had then told her made it look much more like they were hiding something.

They'd had some awkward interactions by themselves, though neither of them really talked about it. It was sort of awkward being a part of an arranged marriage with someone one didn't know very well. And the betrothal celebrations really were not helping with the discomfort around each other. Kalys just wished they could talk about it, but she knew that was pointless.

Speaking of her betrothed, he opened the door. The seamstresses shrieked, and Queen Celina pushed him halfway out the door, but not before they made eye contact and his eyes wandered to a certain part of her. Kalys was beginning to feel very embarrassed about considering all the attention drawn to it. He flushed, immediately shutting the door, and Kalys buried her hands in her face.

"Look at the time! No wonder he showed for his fittings! We are late! Come along, Kalys dear, we should probably begin to ready you for the celebration in a few hours."

Apparently, since Rolf's tunic only needed the hem let out slightly, since it had already been taken in, it was squeezed in right after hers. Kalys learned that as Lilah began to pile her hair on top of her head. Normally, maids were supposed to do it, but Lilah had apparently been dying to do her hair. Kalys didn't know why, her hair was awful to work with, but Celie said it was because Lilah was fascinated by curls and Celie refused to let her sister touch her own. Kalys didn't really care that much, except Lilah had a tendency to pull a touch too harshly at times.

"There, you look like a doll!" Lilah exclaimed, clapping her hands together. Kalys made a face at Celie; she didn't particularly want to look like a doll, but it was meant as a compliment she supposed. "You two together will look darling."

Kalys tried to sigh, but her corset was too tight. Her dress matched her eyes, and there had been makeup drawn on them to make the pop even more. The dress felt very poofy, and her beaded slippers were sort of pinchy. It was stiff and uncomfortable, but she realized she had to deal with it.

Rolf's hand was sweaty when she took it, and Queen Celina nodded as she smoothed down the tunic matching the fabric of her dress. While she wasn't technically a princess so she (thank the gods) didn't wear a headpiece, Rolf wore a light, simple crown atop his head. His hair had been freshly trimmed, and Kalys thought he looked handsome, though she wouldn't say it aloud.

"You look very nice," he complimented awkwardly, and Kalys was immediately taken back to their shared eye contact just a few hours ago. "And I think I'll kiss you at the end of this."

A flutter went through her body. Her first kiss should be real, she knew that, but she still was a bit jittery if she was honest with herself. "Really? And further the rumors of a pregnancy?"

Rolf raised an eyebrow at her blunt comment. "Choose between that and furthering the rumors that you've entranced me and the Castle with some sort of wicked love spell."

Kalys wrinkled her nose, and then remembered to smile as she walked and waved to the crowd, still clutching Rolf's fingers. She shuddered, before realizing his sarcasm. "You made that up."

He laughed. She tried to think of a retort, but the parade had started. She tried to smile, and seem comfortable, but the sun was hot, and her dress was heavy. She was used to much lighter ribboned clothing, and she was sure the heavy skirts would give her a heat stroke. She could feel sweat dripping down her back, which really wasn't that princess or ladylike, but inevitable. She tried to seem smitten as Rolf planted a kiss on her cheek, but it was sort of hard when she was hot and cranky.

Kalys ran a hand over Dagger's back, before accepting a flower from a little girl. She genuinely grinned at the child, squeezing her hand. Her heart swelled as the girl blushed and beamed at her. It was a sweet feeling to please a child by such a little gesture. She looked up to see Rolf looking at her, a dazed look on his face. She wrinkled her nose at him, and he ducked his head. She fluttered a bit.

It was the little things.

"Oh, Lilah, stop complaining," Celie said, stroking the silky coat of Rose the unicorn.

"I'm not complaining," Lilah argued, flopping dramatically on the floor beside her. "I'm just stating the injustice of Mother and Father letting Rolf marry in two weeks. At sixteen. They're making me wait until I'm almost nineteen."

Celie knew that was the core reason. Lilah was jealous. Really, it was slightly unfair when Celie thought about it: Lilah had waited nearly two years for her wedding, going through a lot during their engagement. Here was Rolf, betrothed at sixteen waiting a month to marry. Really, though, it wasn't like he wanted the marriage any more than Lilah did. Besides, Lulath and Lilah's marriage hadn't been decided by the Castle.

"Yes, but it was what the Castle wanted, and they can't very well defy the Castle," Celie pointed out.

They had asked Kalys before going through with the wedding if she was willing to marry Rolf. Especially considering the reason why she left the Found, it probably was a pretty good idea. Celie wondered if Rolf had any choice in the matter, or if her parents had even asked how he felt about it. No, Celie decided, Rolf had an intense sense of duty forced into him since he'd been declared heir. He loved the Castle, and would go through with its wishes. Apparently, Kalys had felt the same way.

Lilah sighed loudly, coming to brush the gleaming unicorn. It wasn't like Rose needed it, but Lilah was both a perfectionist and one who needed something to do with her hands at times like these. Celie was about to let out a loud sigh, too.

"If Mother and Father had let you marry in a month and a half you wouldn't have had time to plan such an extravagant wedding. Also, we never would have found the unicorns," Celie pointed out, knowing she had Lilah there.

Despite being annoyed with Lilah's rants about their brother's upcoming marriage, Celie understood it a little bit. Of course, every king had to marry and provide heirs, but this young? Celie knew that it really was quite common, after all, Kalys had been betrothed before. But Rolf? The idea didn't settle with Celie. And seeing him kiss Kalys right on the mouth the day before at the end of the parade was a bit unsettling to watch. Because it sealed the deal. At least to Celie.

She perked up as Rufus trotted in. She smiled as he butted his head against her. Rufus could usually turn her mood around. Celie looked up, smirking at Lilah as Rolf and Dagger followed her griffin in. Lilah stuck her tongue out, making Rolf frown and give Celie a quizzical look.

"We were just talking about you," Celie wheedled, still smirking at her sister.

Rolf raised his eyebrows, no doubt knowing exactly what it was about, and took a seat on the floor beside Celie. Dagger tried to lay across them both, but settled for putting his head in Rolf's lap. Celie couldn't help but notice how stern Rolf looked; much more grown up, and serious.

"Were you now?" He asked lazily, though she could still see that his jaw was set.

"Yep." Celie popped her lips, grinning up at him. "We were discussing your upcoming marriage and how Lilah is jealous that you're getting married before her."

Rolf grinned back at her. "Something good had to come out of it."

Lilah huffed, leaning over to whack Rolf on the arm, and to glare at Celie. It was obvious she meant the conversation to stay between them, but Celie thought Rolf deserved to know. Besides, it wasn't like it was a secret.

"I am not," she stated, though it lacked conviction.

"You so are," Rolf said, laughing.

Lilah rolled her eyes, and her siblings shared an amused look. It had been sort of apparent, but really not out in the open. She had been rather testy around Rolf, and he certainly wasn't stupid enough not to know what it was about. Celie had to disagree with Rolf, though. It may be a good thing for him, but she was sick of Lilah complaining about it.

"How did the fitting go yesterday?" Lilah asked, changing the subject before either of them could get a snarky comment in.

He shrugged. "It was fine. They just needed to let out the hem a bit. Thanks to Mother, I'm a couple inches taller than Father. They took it in a bit yesterday."

The wedding tunic was lovely. Celie hadn't seen it in person until a few days ago. It was usually kept in preservation. It was made from pure linen, with embroidery done on it. It really was quite nice, and a good tradition. Celie was a little excited to see the two pieces together, as they were meant to stand.

"How did Kalys's fitting go?" Lilah asked, eager to keep on a subject that she could control, instead of letting it spiral into one that would make fun of her emotions.

Rolf blushed and ducked his head. "Why would I know?"

Celie raised her eyebrows and he ducked his head, and Celie could see his ears were red. "Because your fitting was right after hers?"

"Hers ended late," he stated unhelpfully, and Celie realized there was probably a story considering the flushing, and timid voice. "It was just a tad uncomfortable. And they have a bit of work to do."

Celie decided not to ask, considering how uncomfortable and embarrassed he looked. Apparently Lilah decided the same.

"Well, the seamstresses have two weeks," she said, wincing at Celie.

Rolf cleared his throat. "Two weeks."

Celie could hear the disappointment in his voice, and then she winced for him, too. It was a bit unsteady. Guests had been flooding in as of the late, and Celie had begun to hide after her lessons to get away from them.

"I thought you liked Kalys," she said. "You had me fooled at the parade yesterday with that kiss."

The corners of his mouth turned slightly up. "Just because I kissed her doesn't mean I want to marry her. Especially because it was for the public eye"

Lilah cocked her head. She had a great talent of knowing when someone wasn't saying everything they could or how they felt. Maybe it was because she felt so many things herself.

"We all knew the moment Kalys stepped onto the Ship we were going to get married. We travelled to the Found just to get her, and one would have to be extremely oblivious to not notice. I accepted that the moment she told us she was the last Hathelock and it clicked-"

"You figured it out that fast?" Celie demanded, annoyed because she hadn't figured out until Kalys was a bit shy towards her brother.

Rolf shrugged. "I figured that's why we were here. No offense, Lilah, but I thought the Ship had a lot bigger purposes in sailing us for weeks and risking our lives multiple times than just getting unicorns. Once she said she was the last of her people, it made sense. Why wouldn't the Castle want the last Hathelocke to be queen? And to get there, she'd marry me," he explained. For all of his jokes and teasing, Celie sometimes forgot how logical Rolf was.

"Unicorns are a worthy cause," Lilah whined, and Rolf rolled his eyes at her. "But anyway, keep going."

"It's not like I even minded that much," he added. "I like Kalys. She doesn't lose her head, she's smart, she's funny. She has the guts to be a good queen, and honestly a good wife. The timeline just looks a lot different to me. You know, flirt awhile, go crusading and when the realization of death hits, start up a courtship, cause a scandal with it`-"

"Rolf!" Lilah scolded, catching his meaning, and whacking him on the chest, making him grin and amusement.

"I knew that would at least get you," he said. "But really, get betrothed around nineteen, marry around twenty. Not sixteen. Then it will all be matching clothes and more fittings, and endless questions about babies."

Celie grinned. "I think a new baby would be a great addition to the griffin and unicorn hoard."

Rolf flushed again. "I don't really want to talk about having babies. Leave that to Lilah and Lulath." He stood up, rolling his shoulders. "I really do like Kalys, really, it makes the publicity stunts much easier. It just feels awkward being around her.

"Speaking of feelings, Cel, Pogue wanted you to go to Bran's workspace. He said he thought you might want to see something."

Celie blushed. She was surprised Rolf admitted that, considering how much he hated both being teased about those sort of things, and because he would know he was due cause for revenge teasing. Now she was annoyed for once again, being teased about the knight. It really was getting sort of old. Now that his eldest sister was betrothed, he spent time teasing the next one about the handsome blacksmith turned knight.

"He's my friend, and I don't have feelings for him. I wish you would stop," she told him rather curtly.

"Maybe I wasn't talking about you." Rolf tweaked a curl, laughing at Celie's flush. She scowled; she hated being teased about boys.

"What does that even mean?" she demanded, getting to her feet as Rolf headed toward the door.

"Take it as you will, dear sister. I have to go get congratulated on my betrothal," Rolf said, his tone irritating Celie as he bolted out of the griffin tower.

"Don't take what he says to heart, Celie. He's just messing with you," Lilah reassured Celie's exact thoughts.

She just shared an eye roll with her sister and shrugged. She whistled for Rufus, a bit curious to see what Pogue had wanted her to see, and why Rolf had waited so long to tell her. It couldn't have been too urgent. If it was, it would've been a lot more apparent.

When she pushed open the door to Bran's rooms, she nearly burst out laughing. Pogue was grinning at a terror-stricken, shaking, fidgety Bran. And Celie saw why. Really, it was funny to see Bran so shocked, especially with his voluminous wizard robes.

"Took you long enough," Pogue told her, and Celie explained that Rolf hadn't exactly been timely with the message.

There was a very tiny griffin mewling at Bran's feet, the cause for such emotion from her brother. Pogue was openly laughing, while trying to convince Bran to give it some food.

"Feed her," Celie hissed. She could tell it was a female with her size (which was smaller, really, than any griffin hatchling Celie had seen female or not), and because of her coloring. It almost matched Juliet's.

Bran obeyed, slowly bending down to give the griffin a biscuit. It gobbled it up happily, before jumping up into his arms. He awkwardly patted the sticky thing, his face looking quite boyish as he stared at it. It was so tiny that it looked like a newborn baby in the wizard's arms.

"That's the egg Kalys didn't think was nearly ready to hatch considering the size of the embryo she felt. She asked Bran to see if he could look through it considering it had been waiting for so long. This is what happened," Pogue explained and Celie nodded. "I hope she'll survive. She's so small."

Bran looked helplessly at both of them, and Celie bit back a laugh. He really did look horrified, and she didn't want to make fun of him for it.

"It's just a griffin, Bran. I would've thought you'd gotten used to them by now," she lectured, sounding very grown up in her opinion.

She stuck her hand out to the cute little griffin, expecting maybe a coo or some other noise like it, but all she got was a hiss. It apparently only wanted her new companion touching her. Celie scowled. All the griffins liked her.

"I don't have time for a griffin!" Bran finally spoke, his voice raising nearly an octave. He clutched the little thing to his chest protectively though. "I'm the royal wizard of one of the most magical countries there is. I already have too much to do. I can't raise a griffin."

"Technically Kalys, Celie, and I will be working on obedience training. You just have to do the easy parts," Pogue pointed out, spreading his hands. He was right, though easy was still an understatement. It was like having a newborn baby, considering their sleep schedule.

Bran ran a hand down his face. "I suppose you're right." He looked down at the griffin. "At least I know what to do with you. She's so tiny, though. I don't think I'll ever be able to ride; not that that's a huge desire of mine."

Celie was surprised at how easily Bran calmed down. Usually, when he got upset it was like a storm. It was part of being a perfectionist, or at least that's what Rolf said. He didn't get emotional often, but it affected everyone. Then again, Bran was more logical anyway, a trait only one of the siblings inherited from their mother.

The wizard looked down at his new responsibility. "I suppose I should give you a bath."

The little griffin just cooed back up at him.

Rolf looked at the setting sun and sighed. Dagger sat at his feet, basking in the last of the sun. Though the balcony was free to anyone in the castle, no one ever really came to it, except Rolf. It was a nice spot, perhaps a bit small, but relaxing. It was off of a supply closet which was why it was a little weird, but convenient for a crown prince trying to get his head together. It looked over the green meadows, facing the east. He had always wanted to go to the east. No one ever really talked about the east. Bendswe was to the west, Grath to the south, Vhervine to the north. There were a couple countries to the east that Rolf had learned about, but other than one, they were barely out of Sleyne. He'd always wondered if he'd ever go there.

Well, he knew not anymore. Princes often traveled, even heirs while the king was still on the throne. But once they were married? No, it was domestic life after that. And this was the night before his wedding. No more purposeful adventures, no crusades, or exploring. That would be left officially to Bran now. He doubted he even would make trips to other countries on behalf of his father. He would be constantly pressured to provide an heir, constantly asked when his offspring would make an appearance.

Kalys. She was the only reason why he settled into this, why he didn't make a fuss. That, and his duty to the Castle. But really, he figured, the prick of excitement and slight anticipation was there because it was Kalys he was marrying. Because Kalys was Kalys. It had only been two months since they returned from Grath, but there was something that drew him to her. Well, not really anymore, he got the sense she didn't really want him around. Either that, or he was psyching himself out with all of this. She did agree to marry him, so that was something. She hadn't made a fuss with any of his affection except for once. Perhaps he should've tried to talk to her about it a little more than just planning their wedding, but it was too late now.

As if on cue, he turned when he heard a soft grunt. There she was carrying a rather large plant. The curls that had come out of her braids stuck to her sweaty face. The soft greens of her gown brought out the colors in her eyes. Rolf took the plant from her, and watched as she avoided eye contact with him.

"My apologies. I didn't know you were up here," she mumbled, scuffing her bare toe against the stone.

"Am I that bad of company?" He asked good-naturedly, making her flush and squirm.

She smirked, before resting her forearms on the rail, coming to stand beside him. She let out a sigh, and tugged at one of the cuffs of her sleeves. It wasn't Sleynth, that much was obvious, but it also wasn't a ribboned outfit either. It was probably Hathelock. Rolf wasn't Lilah, he just knew it was too short to be Sleynth considering he could see her ankles, and there was sheer fabric coming only just past her elbows.

"Tomorrow," she whispered. "What are you most nervous about?"

He frowned, looking down at her, who was staring at him, eyebrows knit. "The day, or the marriage?"

She laughed. "Let's stick with the day."

"Probably letting it slip that you're pregnant," he joked, earning an eye roll. But her lips did turn up a little.

"I'm nervous for the kiss," she said bluntly. "Because really, people are going to expecting more than a peck like the one at the parade."

It was a fair point. So he plunged.

Slowly, he cupped her cheeks, brushing the stray hair from her face, lowering his lips to hers. It was softer, deeper than their first kiss. Her hand came to curl at his chest, his still cupping her face. He rested his forehead against hers for a second as he pulled away. But then she was kissing him again. She was so soft he could cry. Her lips, her skin, her face.

"Was that better?" He asked when he got the chance.

She let out a squeak before nodding. "Much. I should probably head in." She kissed his cheek, making him grin a little. "Goodnight, Rolf. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Kalys," he said, watching her skirts swirl as she left. He swallowed, the feeling of glowing warmth filling him as her braids bounced.

Maybe this marriage wouldn't be too bad.