With Adric holding Oriana’s hand and looking at her straight in the eyes, she wasn’t able to do anything. It was obvious that there was no escape for her, no matter how hard she tried. Oriana inhaled softly, and without a word of complaint, she was dragged outside her room to where a few guests were now waiting to congratulate the new couple.
Adric noticed some of Gwen’s servants looking at them while they walked to the dining room. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought it was even smart that Oriana decided to hide instead of running because she had many people waiting outside to end her life. As they entered the room, the guests who were still waiting got on their feet and bowed to the Crown Prince and Princess. Gwen, who was seated beside her husband, raised her cup to drink her wine while her eyes remained on Adric, who was also looking at her at the moment.
"Long live the Crown Prince and his bride," someone raised a toast in the crowd, and others followed suit. People forgot about the earlier incident and shared a toast, congratulating Oriana and Adric. Oriana just stood beside Adric, tired and weak. She had no strength left to struggle.
After the wedding, the guests dispersed, some back to their various kingdoms, others stayed back to leave the next day. Nicholas, who was also watching from the side, saw how defeated and defenseless Oriana looked. Without saying anything, he left the palace. Alone in the room were now the inner members of the royal family.
"It appears the princess sees us as a joke, that she would keep her guests waiting, and what is this rumor about an attempt to escape?" Gwen asked, looking for something to bite on. Oriana, who had already had enough for the day, said nothing but just sat there beside Adric.
"She even ignores Mother now," Jasmine scowled, adjusting herself on her chair.
Adric, seeing that Oriana was not going to talk, opened his mouth to speak when he heard Oriana say, "I’m sorry for acting like a child and keeping everyone waiting. I promise to act right starting now." She pushed her chair back and bowed deeply. Everyone at the table, including Adric, was surprised.
Fidelis, who was watching from the side, exhaled. He was afraid the Princess had been dragged beyond her limit. "Welcome to the Galgani family, Princess Oriana. Feel free to talk to me as a father."
Oriana, who didn’t have a great relationship with her father, didn’t believe it was possible to have a warm relationship with Adric’s father, but she just smiled and bowed to the man.
"Welcome to the family," Adelaide raised her cup as a toast to Oriana, giving her a warm smile.
Jasmine moved her hair to the side. "Don’t think you’re the queen and try to disrespect Mother. Your coronation is not until the ministers find you worthy," she cleared her throat.
Oriana nodded, "Thank you," she replied calmly. She noticed that Walter and Kai were not present at the table.
"Welcome to the family," Jasmine’s husband toasted without looking Oriana in the face.
Gwen dropped her cup on the table, staring at Oriana with mischief dancing in her eyes. "It looks as though the Princess has a lot going on in her mind, is the wedding not to your taste?" The Queen asked, looking unblinkingly at Oriana.
Oriana shook her head, "I like everything," she replied.
"You did? I doubt that, because you didn’t even show up until the last minute makes one wonder..." Gwen’s voice trailed as she tried to put Oriana in a spot. "Or is it because your family were-"
Adric smirked, "All we need is your blessings, that will do,"
Gwen twitched her lips, "I was only trying to bond with my daughter-in-law, tomorrow then," she smiled reclining on her chair. "Anyways we have welcomed her enough; I think it’s time we let them go ahead with the most important ritual of today’s celebration. Go on."
When Gwen said this, she noticed the look of discomfort on Oriana’s face. Just as she had thought, the princess wasn’t happy with the marriage. It was something she could use to her benefit in the nearest future.
Adric reached out and held Oriana’s cold hands, then he stood up. "Thank you all for your kind wishes," he bowed to his father before leaving the room with Oriana walking behind him. The princess remained silent without saying a word until they got to their room. Adric noticed how Oriana’s hand was still shaking. He stopped walking and let go of her hand.
"Why are you scared?"
Oriana raised her eyes, which were filled with tears, her cheeks flushed and pale. The girl looked really tired, not just because of her failed attempts to escape but because she was tired of being and acting strong.
"Are you scared of me?" Adric asked this time, his voice calm and with nothing teasing about it. It was just plain, his eyes staring coolly at her. For a moment, a glint of pity passed through his eyes, but it disappeared immediately, and Oriana was too heartbroken to even notice it.
"Who wouldn’t be scared?" she asked, looking down at her feet. When she raised her eyes to look at Adric, there was a mix of hate and anger in them. "You force me to stay here against my will, knowing how much I despise royal life."
Adric stared at the girl; she was not the princess he met years ago. The girl in front of him now looked broken. "I gave you a choice."
Oriana scoffed, "To have your child? How is that a choice? It’s the same thing as being married to you."
"Do you hate me that much?" Adric asked, his words not forceful but calm.
Oriana nodded, "Yes, yes, I do. I hate you and this suffocating royal family. I don’t want any of this."
"And you hate me because?" Adric could see the frustration in the girl’s eyes as she spoke.
Oriana sighed, "Is it not obvious? Forcing me to marry you."
Adric nodded; it was okay for her to hate their ill-fated relationship, but letting her go was not possible. "You can live your life hating me, but there is no breaking off this marriage." He entered the room, and with no other choice, Oriana followed him inside.
The room was already set with drinks on the table, and on the bed were flowers to set the moment. Oriana’s belongings were already moved inside the room with those of Adric.
Oriana stood at the door without moving until Adric walked into the bathroom. She went to sit on the couch, waiting for him to come out. This wasn’t her first time, but she was still anxious. When Adric stepped out of the bathroom, shirtless with trousers hanging loosely on his waist, Oriana jumped up from her chair.
"Are you okay?" Adric moved his head to the side, a small towel in his hand which he was using to dry his hair. He noticed the skittish movement from Oriana. He turned and walked to his closet to pick his shirt.
Oriana cleared her throat. Going towards the table, she picked up the jar of wine and gulped, some contents spilling on her dress.
"What are you doing?" Adric, with a brow slightly arched by default, was wondering what had gotten into the princess.
Oriana took another sip of the alcohol, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, "I can’t do this with clear eyes."
Adric chuckled, pulling the shirt he had picked over his shoulder, "You have the wildest thoughts, I give it to you," he sauntered towards Oriana.
"There’s no need for this between us. I can be many things, but I will never touch a woman who doesn’t want me."
Oriana gripped her gown tightly. Staying this close to Adric, the scent of his aftershower wafted to her nose, and she inhaled deeply. She noticed a strand of his wet red hair which now fell on the side of his face, glowing with the dim candlelight. It was beautiful... wait... Oriana shook her head; this wasn’t what she was supposed to be thinking right now.
"But the consummation—" she started.
Adric nodded, "It’s not necessary, between us at least," he smiled.
Oriana blinked and looked away. Adric was right; this wouldn’t be their first time. She looked at Adric from the side of her eyes, wondering why he was now acting very kind. No, this was just the calm before the storm. She knew better than to trust him.
"Can we not share a room too?" Oriana asked.
Adric stared at her for a moment, then he nodded. "Fine, you can do anything you want, but if you eventually change your mind in the nearest future, it will come with a prize," He said, dipping his hand inside his pocket. Looking around the room one more time, he didn’t say anything and just left.
Oriana scowled as she watched him leave the room. "Why would I change my mind," she muttered, going to sit on the bed. This was better than she thought, Adric wasn’t forcing her to do what she didn’t want. She was just going to be his ceremonial wife and nothing else. One day, he would get tired and send her away. Oriana bet on that. Resting her back on the bed, she closed her eyes.
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