Recap -

For the first time Marina felt as if something inside her cracked. She didn't know why she was upset all of a sudden. It's not like Nathan loved her or she loved him.

In the royal palace of Mystic Falls at the stables -

"You alright?" a concerned looking Alicia, asked Marina while entering the stables.

"Yeah," Marina replied, still lost in her thoughts.

Clearing her throat, Alicia sat beside Marina.

"I got a letter from Jake. He wrote to me that they have successfully crushed the revolt."

"Alicia, can I ask you something?" Marina replied, looking at Alicia.

"Sure."

"Why did you fall in love with Jake when you two hated each other initially?"

"Wow, that's so sudden--"

"You don't have to answer it if you feel uncomfortable--"

"No, it's not about me feeling uncomfortable. I was just shocked to hear you ask about it. Back to your question. Actually, love is a very deep emotion. It is a feeling that no one has control on. We can't control our heart, who we want to fall in love with or when we want to fall in love. It just happens on its own and before you realize what's happening, you are already drunk in love," Alicia replied, smiling at her friend.

"How did you realize you were in love?" Marina asked the question hesitantly.

She didn't know why she wanted to talk about love of all topics. But all her curiosity was being channelled through these questions.

"I guess it starts from small things, little gestures, how the other person treats you, understands you and it slowly escalates to acknowledging each other's absence more than their presence. Feeling emotional over petty fights and words. Yet, wanting to connect back so badly to the other person," Alicia replied, her mind reminiscing the memories of Jake and her conversations.

"Thinking about your loved ones welfare more than you think about your own happiness. The realization of being in love is different for everyone, Marina. For me, it was when I thought Jake would never return back alive from a battle," Alicia replied, grimacing at the flood of painful memories.

"I see," Marina asked, though she wasn't able to fanthom a single word.

"If you ask me, I think you are in love with Prince Nathaniel," Alicia remarked.

"W-What? Why would you even ponder over such a ridiculous and hypothetical situation?" Marina protested as her cheeks betrayed her.

"Hmm... How about I ask you simple questions that you have to reply in all honesty?"

"Fine. But how is this related--"

"What are your views about Princess Admiranda?" Alicia asked, cutting off Marina midway.

"I... I think she is not who she claims to be. In front of Nathan, she's all so sweet and innocent and behind his back she seems to be just the opposite."

"What about her relationship with Prince Nathaniel?"

Marina frowned, thinking for a moment, before answering Alicia.

"I don't have any problems with them being childhood friends. But I'll be honest, I don't like how Princess Admiranda thinks of Nathan as a candy or something that she always needs to hold onto. I mean I just feel that she doesn't want me and Nathan to talk or even look at each other."

"And you are fine with it?"

"No! Not at all after seeing her fake dramatic act today. If it was in my power, I would have probably sent her back to her kingdom in one go," Marina replied, grumbling.

"I see. What about the fight you mentioned? How did you feel about Nathan's reaction today?"

"I think he should have listened to me first, before reaching a conclusion and not blindly belied Princess Admiranda. If she is his best friend then I am his wife--" Marina stopped midway, realizing what she had said.

"I mean, I am his friend too," Marina quickly corrected herself.

"Okay, do you miss Ally?"

"Yes."

"Lucio?"

"Yes."

"Prince Nathaniel?"

"Yes."

It took Marina a few seconds to realize her slip of tongue. Her face flushed again.

"So, you are jealous of Princess Admiranda because she spends way too much time with Prince Nathaniel, who despite being your husband, trusted another woman's words over your words."

Marina was about to deny it all, but when she recalled her answers, she couldn't blame Alicia for thinking like that. Alicia had worked like a mirror, forcing Marina to reflect on her behavior and feelings.

Alicia was like that sun that melted the ice on the ocean and helped it get back to it's original state.

"It is only a matter of time, before you realize your feelings," Alicia remarked as she exited the stables with Marina and Brialle.

~At Night~

Marina sighed as she sauntered towards her room after having dinner with the Princess Admiranda as Nathan was busy with some work and wasn't able to come down for dinner.

"Nathan," Marina said as she came face to face with the last person she wanted to meet in this world. Excluding ghosts, Alfredo, alligators and cockroaches.

"I-Uh wanted to thank you for showing Miranda the stables and sorry for bursting out on you earlier. I panicked seeing Miranda crying, I know it wasn't really your fault since you didn't know about her fear. But, you see Miranda is a very emotional person," Nathan replied, his eyes a flurry of emotions with guilt, being the most prominent of all.

However, it seemed to Marina, that Nathan's words had deeper meaning. His apology and guilt were for something she knew was more complicated than their fight at the stables.

Before Marina could even say a word, Princess Admiranda arrived and told Nathan to go to bed as they have to wake up early tomorrow to see the main church of the Mystic Falls.

Nathan, stared at the two princess', before excusing himself.

"You saw what I just did?" Princess Admiranda replied, flicking her hair

"Flicking your hair? Honestly you should go from left to right and not right to left. It will give people a better view of you," Marina replied, smirking.

"No, that was not what I was talking about," Princess Admiranda said, glaring at Marina.

"What I just did was make Nathan prioritize me before you. He listened to me right away. I made him see you like a ghost," the tribal princess replied with a devilish smile playing on her lips.

"Shut up!" Marina screamed, her face hard with anger.

"Don't shut me up! I am just telling you to get used to this routine. Nathan will always prioritise me before you."

"He is my husband."

"Your husband? Oh wait, he still hasn't told you?" Princess Admiranda fake gasped.

"Poor you, I think Nathan didn't want to hurt you," Princess Admiranda remarked, showing her fake sympathy.

"He didn't tell me what?" Marina asked, uncertainty building inside her.

"About our marriage," Princess Admiranda replied.

"Your what?" Marina asked, shocked.

"I am going to marry Prince Nathaniel Verdirosi. It's a political marriage to strengthen the bond with my tribe as he needs the help of my people in order to maintain control over Vincenzo Island, which just happens to be an important hub for gold mines," Princess Admiranda explained with a smirk.

"Well, I guess I should be going. Tomorrow we are going to visit the main church of the city for our marriage," Princess Admiranda remarked, before going off to her room.

Marina was shocked beyond comparison. She slowly crept inside her room with Princess Admiranda's words playing in her mind.

Marina knew kings married many times to strengthen political relationships. But, why didn't she expect Nathan to marry someone else? Then as cruel as it was, her mind decided to replay the words Nathan had said on their marriage day.

"I will never marry anyone else even if this marriage wasn't a choice. I am going to fulfill all my duties as your husband."

Marina screamed in her pillow. Tears spilled out of her eyes like someone had planted a waterfall.

"He lied to me! Then, also I don't need to freaking cry. I doubt he even remembers his words and empty promises. So, what if they started the preparation for their marriage? It's not like Nathan loves me and his marriage with Princess Admiranda is just political, right?" Marina asked herself, but it seemed as if she was trying to convince herself.

A sob escaped from Marina's mouth. Immediately, Brialle sprang from below the bed and laid beside her. Marina wondered why she was crying so much, why did it matter to her if Nathan broke his promise, why did it matter if Nathan was going to marry another woman. She couldn't understand why it pained so much to think of Nathan marrying Princess Admiranda, another woman.

Her heart clutched in pain as her body shook with sobs. Enraged at herself for acting like a damsel she digged her nails in her palm. She wanted something, anything that could help her get away from the emotional pain, anything that could help her escape the numbness that was slowly creeping and spreading inside her.

It was at that time, Marina realized she had fallen in love with the arrongant green-eyed Prince of Alves, that love is not always a blessing. Love can act as a poison too, slowly killing a person. Neither giving them the option to die quickly nor letting them live. Being in love can be hell or heaven.

"Alicia was right, realisation of being in love is different for everybody," Marina let out a humorous laugh at the irony of life. Life made her realise she was in love with her husband when he was going to marry another woman.

Brialle licked Marina's tears and cried with his master. Marina hugged her friend tightly as darkness engulfed her, finally halting her pain and thoughts.
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Don't kill me! *Hides behind a pillar*

What are your thoughts about this marriage?

I had given subtle clues in the previous chapter too, about what is going to unfold, especially through Nathan. Admiranda has a really important purpose. So, please try to understand. Nathan will give explanation for his actions in the next two-three chapters.

Oh and El Destino completed it's 50 the chapter.

Don't give up yet on the story. Next few chapters are going to be really drama filled XD

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)