Chapter 4

Oritel walked into the kitchen, greeting the royal chefs before picking a little girl up off the floor, her nose and cheeks and even her reddish hair stained with flour.

"Someone's been eating one too many pastries" he said, grinning,

"Eldora, it's good to see you again" he greeted the child's grandmother.

"Did you really believe I would miss your wedding, dear Prince?" Eldora said warmly. Oritel kissed little Daphne's head.

"Someday soon I'll have a beautiful little girl, just like you" he whispered before setting her back down.

"With such striking parents, I have no doubt about it" Eldora mused, "I trust everything is going well?" she asked. Eldora was more than just his god-mother. She had been around for the most part of his childhood. And now that he was an adult, she had become one of his dearest friends.

"It is. And even if it wasn't, I feel it's too soon to present any of the Kingdom's affairs to Marion. The last thing I want to do is put pressure on her" he explained. Eldora only nodded in understanding.

"A Queen isn't made overnight, but perhaps you shouldn't underestimate her capacity so early on", she advised. Eldora had a special gift for seeing a person for who they were, good or bad.

Marion was more than qualified for the job, he'd known that since the moment they met, but he also wanted to give her time to settle down before she took on her role as Queen of Domino and his wife. And he certainly wasn't about to bring up the topic of children this soon, not when he still didnt know how she felt.

It was bad enough that he'd been tense throughout the entire wedding ceremony, with Marion's ex-boyfriend sitting amongst the guests. Ben's family was extended royalty, however, that wasn't why he allowed it.

After witnessing Bennet's reaction on the night of their engagement, Oritel needed to know if his future wife was doing this against her will. And if she wasn't, then Bennet would have to understand that she was off limits. Marion was his wife now and Ben had no place between them. Or at least, he hoped.

It still wasn't clear whether or not she still had feelings for him. Marion was said to be responsible and loyal, just as much as he was. For all he knew, she could be with him out of devotion to Domino.

Flashback

"How serious was it?" Oritel asked. It wasn't until after the engagement party that he heard about Marion's previous relationship with a noble that he knew. And it'd stunned him even more to know about how he'd broken her heart. Now he was curious about the first man who won Marion's affection, not to mention that he felt uneasy about the whole thing. Afterall, she could still be longing for Ben while promising her life and heart to him.

"It wasn't" Demetri said simply, a petulant look on his face, "Marion invested far too much energy and time into that relationship only to come back empty handed. With all due respect to my sister, I'm glad it's over, I always thought it was a waste of her time…Bennet never really knew her" he admitted openly. The King could tell from his words that Demetri loathed Bennet for hurting his sister, almost as much as he. Not to mention that he was on Oritel's side.

After a moment, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"I'm afraid I don't either". Demetri stared at him surprised, before chuckling in response.

"She's not as complicated as one may think, your majesty"

"Enlighten me", he replied. Demetri shrugged.

"She's addicted to reading" he said with a laugh, "It's nearly impossible to tear a book out of her hands once she's started. But she loves riding River more than anything"

Oritel raised a brow, "River?"

"The horse my father gave her when she became fourteen" he clarified, "Marion is pretty headstrong, not at all the fragile type. She doesn't mind being taken care of, but I know she would rather do things herself", he said, leaning back against a shelf. When Oritel remained silent, he continued.

"She's allergic to raisins"

"We usually have those for brunch" Oritel said, furrowing his brows.

"Not anymore" Demetri chuckled, shaking his head.

"Anything else? Favorite flower?"

"Lilies" he replied automatically. Oritel leaned back in his seat, absorbed by the information.

"…your sister doesn't strike me as the type to admire lilies"

"Mother's fault", Demetri said, "her fondness of them rubbed off on her" he explained. Oritel offered a sheepish half-smile.

"For what its worth, I know you would never hurt her", Demetri told him, and Oritel could sense that Demetri was being honest, he trusted him.

End of flashback

"How's the Earth treating you?" Oritel asked changing the subject, his hands tucked away in his pockets. Eldora sighed content.

"I can't complain, the people of Earth are simply wonderful. But if your children ever need someone to care for them-"

"I know you'll do an amazing job", he told her. Eldora smiled warmly.

Oritel climbed up the grand staircase toward his wing of the palace. He loosened his collar and opened the door to his chambers abruptly, startling his wife in the process. He wasn't used to sharing a room with anyone.

Marion jumped slightly, her hand flying automatically to her chest. There was a suitcase atop of their bed, with clothes still neatly folded. She was unpacking.

"Oritel, I'm sorry, I was just-"

"Marion you're not a guest here, this is your room as well. Make yourself comfortable" he told her. She blushed and smiled, embarrassed.

"You didn't ask the maid to put your things away" he noted. Marion shrugged, "I can do it", she told him, putting a dress away in her side of the closet.

'She likes knowing that she can do things for herself'

Oritel didn't argue with her, instead he went into his office to get some work done. He'd only been married two days and already he behind on work. He started looking through his email when there was a knock at the door.

"Your majesty, this letter came for you this morning but I didn't want to wake you" he heard the maid tell Marion.

"Whose it from?"

"There's no recipient, ma'am", she answered yet again. Marion thanked her before shutting the door.

There was a short silence before the clear, unmistakable sound of paper being ripped to pieces. Oritel furrowed his brows.

Marion's POV

Marion watched as her husband walked into his own private office in their chambers, wearing gray dress pants and a button-down shirt that hugged his muscles. All in all, he looked very attractive. It was still odd, though, seeing him without his royal attire.

Marion took the letter from the maid and shut the door behind her quietly. It had only been two days since the wedding. Her family couldn't miss her that much, could they?

But that idea evaporated as soon as she started reading it. Her olive-green eyes now reflected irritation.

It was Bennet. He wanted her to know that it still wasn't too late to change her mind. And the scumbag had sent it in a blank envelope to make sure she opened it.

Marion was furious. What if Leander or Regina had opened the letter before her? They could've gotten the wrong idea and then what?! And what about her husband?! He could very easily have her hung for this! Marion quickly put the letter back into its envelope and ripped it up heatedly. Bennet was still drinking, that was certain. What kind of a fool would take such a risk?

"Marion...?"

"Ah!" she jumped again,

"Gosh, I've gotta get used to that", she said, blushing. Oritel grinned, amused by her reaction. She still felt like a visitor even though Oritel constantly told her otherwise.

"Is…everything okay?" he asked with uncertainty, his eyes glued to the shredded pieces of paper in her hands.

"Nothing- I mean yes! It's just something useless I forgot to dispose of" she said, rushing over to the bin. Her husband only nodded in response.

Something else about her new husband? He wasn't too keen on showing emotion, he was like Regina in that way. Marion wondered if she would ever see him angry or overjoyed or sentimental, or anything.

Later that afternoon, she finished unpacking and asked one of the maids about her husband's whereabouts, only to find out that he was in the middle of a conference with the council. But Aurora had been clear when she said Marion was to stand by Oritel always. So why hadn't he told her anything?

Half of her felt like going over there and finding out what the conference was about, the other half knew better.

She didn't want to invade her husband's space, but she didn't want to be taken as someone incapable of understanding anything either, just like Bennet had done with her. Oritel wasn't Bennet, but so far, he was doing the same thing, even when his own law dictated the contrary. Men…

After asking for the King, Marion was taken on a stroll through the gardens for most of the afternoon by one of the servants, a kind young woman named Serenity. But after that, she hadn't much else to do. There were plenty of other people in the palace at this time, but she still hadn't made friends with any of them. Even Regina and Leander were nowhere in sight. And Oritel was still busy. Back at home, she would've taken her horse for a stride.

But this was her home now. And River wasn't here.

She spent what little was left of the afternoon with Eldora and her granddaughter before deciding that it was time to go find her husband.

It wasn't long before he walked out of the throne room behind a group of strangers. She only recognized one of them to be an Alfea teacher, Ms. Faragonda. A few others were members of his court.

Finally, she caught sight of Oritel chatting quietly with a tall, slender brunet who wore a uniform with Domino's emblem, on the upper left side. Her face broke into a grin as Oritel said something too quietly for Marion to comprehend. She suddenly regretted her decision to wait for him here instead of upstairs like she'd planned.

They continued this way as they walked out, an uncomfortable feeling washing over her as Oritel completely overlooked her presence yet again. For all he knew, she was a plant sitting on his windowsill.

Suddenly, the woman looked to the side, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of her. It was now, for some reason, that Marion wished she'd worn her crown. She blushed as Oritel finally acknowledged her presence, both of them walking over. She was embarassed enough as it was.

"Your majesty", the woman said, bowing respectfully, "It's an honor to finally meet you", Oritel cleared his throat moving to stand by her side.

"I was told you were looking for me, is everything alright?" he asked, furrowing his brows, probably upset over the interruption, she thought.

"Just curious as to your whereabouts" she said, forcing a smile.

"Marion this is my appointed liaison, Reena",

"It's a pleasure" Marion told her calmly. Reena smiled and peeked at Oritel before answering,

"I've heard great things about you, your majesty, I know I'll enjoy working with you and the King" she said, glancing at her husband yet again. Oritel returned her smile, making Marion feel like there was some sort of secret she wasn't taking part in.

"In the near future, I hope", she replied as gracefully as she could muster.

"If you need anything at all, your majesty, please let me know" she told him.

"Send these notes to Philip, have him leave everything in my office" he instructed dryly, not giving any mind to her eagerness. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Marion's waist.

"Excuse us" he said simply, leading her away.

"I instructed the personell to give you a tour, I trust you enjoyed it?" he asked. Marion looked up, suddenly realizing that when she'd asked for him, someone must've informed him and so he arranged the tour of the gardens for her. She smiled, surprised at his thoughtfulness. Her previous mood was begining to dissipate.

"I did very much...where are we going? I still have things to unpack", she admitted, Oritel chuckled.

"The rest of your unpacking will have to wait until after dinner", he told her, it wasn't until then that she realized she was hungry,

"I can help if you wish",

Marion was about to accept until she remembered what the last of her suitcases contained…she shook her head blushing madly.

Before she even knew they wouldn't be having a honeymoon, her best friend had been kind enough to pack a collection of 'honeymoon clothes' for her. Marion had been ashamed just watching Luna stack it all in her suitcase and it certainly wasn't something the King needed to see. She would rather go naked before wearing any of those embarrassing pieces.

"That won't be necessary your majesty", she said quickly keeping her eyes on the ground and accelerating her pace. But Oritel kept a strong grip around her waist.

"Your majesty? Using titles again, Queen Marion?" he asked, raising a brow. Marion laughed.

"Only when you offer up the chance" she said, grinning.

A/N: Just a small clarification, the Daphne mentioned in these chapter is not the same as Bloom's sister, sorry about that! And thank you so much for reading, R&R