After the wedding, everyone celebrated the day with sake and different types of food. There were people who showed their excellent talents including some people performing their traditional dances but my parents had to depart since it wasn't good to leave the territory for too long.

Before leaving, my father called me and I looked at Prince Daichi for permission. He nodded as I went to a corner. My heart was sinking at the thought that I wouldn't be able to see them again.

He said, "Rose, make sure they don't send you back. I will be back when your coronation will happen."

"Coronation?"

"Yes, you will be called Princess Rose after that." He said, "But I guess, there are some trials before that... I am not really aware of it."

I nodded. Their system was different than ours.

He looked at me and said, "I am leaving one of my man here but don't let anyone know. I have hired someone from their people."

I nodded as he continued, "If anything happens or they treat you poorly, I will know of it."

I felt relieved and said, "Okay..."

He smiled at me and said, "If they don't give you the title you deserve, after I get the money, I will take you back with me. Okay?"

I nodded again and he kissed on my forehead. "Alright. I have to go now. Take care of you."

And then my mother came and cried a little... Well, a lot before leaving and then I came back to where Prince Daichi was seated.

As I was enjoying the evening, my heart still cried for my parents. My mind was fogged with questions like, 'will I ever cope with them? Can I manage everything?' I was still confused about what was going on with Prince Daichi's father and with my own father...

As my mind was diverted from my own thoughts, my eyes unknowingly went to Prince Daichi and I saw he looked so lonely even when we were surrounded by people. His eyes stayed somewhere and I moved my eyes where he was looking.

I saw a pretty lady sitting a bit far away from us. Her mood didn't appear good at how she looked and Prince Daichi was looking at her. My heart ached...

There was longing in his looks and there was sadness. Was she his lover?

I diverted my eyes and after a while that pretty lady came, behind her, there was a beautiful lady. She looked to be in her late forties.

They came and bowed before Prince Daichi and said something. It felt like they congratulated him but he wasn't happy.

He nodded and chatted with them. He looked at me and said, "Meet Princess Akio."

I nodded and I was confused if I should do a curtsey or a bow. I looked at him helplessly and he seemed to get me as he said, "Just bow."

I bowed my head.

I didn't understand what were they saying but from how he looked at Princess Akio, it felt like they loved each other.

There was a dull ache in my heart as I diverted my attention to enjoying the evening but my mind was too occupied with everything.

After the celebration ended, I had been guided to my husband's chamber and I saw it was a different room. It was larger than the room I was in before.

I sat on the bed. It was soft.

Then I realised, last night he had come to my room and he lied about everything!

For what? To make me feel more guilty?

He was so wicked!

I wanted to tell him something today but he was a prince and if I said something rude, he might get me annihilated. Not to mention, my status was lowar than him until the coronation.

I heard his footsteps and my heartbeat fastened.

I recalled his words and my cheeks heated. He said something teaching me about other things...

As the doors opened, I looked at him. His mood seemed a bit sour as he looked at me.

He closed the doors behind him and came near as my heart was now pounding like a horse in a marathon.

However, he said, "I need to tell you something..."

I looked at him for a while and nodded. My heart was beating fast but it somehow was beating in an unusual ways. Like I knew he was going to say something that would make me sad.

He said, "I wanted to tell you yesterday but you were extremely tired so... I am going to tell you now."

I nodded and he took a seat beside me on the bed. He took a deep breath and said, "Rose..."

The way my name sounded in his tongue made my stomach flipped. This was the first time, he called me with my name.

"I..." He began but it seemed he was a bit hesitant.

I smiled and patted on his shoulders as his head snapped at me at my gesture. Well, it was a habit I had gained over time. Whenever my father was distressed or disturbed, I would pat on his shoulders. He never said anything about it so I gained that habit.

I said, "It's okay. You can tell me..."

He nodded and he didn't say anything about me patting his shoulders.

He said, "You have seen Princess Akio..."

I nodded as he continued, "I love her."

It somehow paused my hands. My heart sank deeper but I already knew that. I took a breath and patted again as I said, "I-I am sorry..."

He shook his head and said, "It isn't your fault. I don't know why my father made me marry you. Well, I am not complaining but I wanted to marry..."

Princess Akio...

The name didn't need to leave from his mouth because I knew it.

Well, it was just sad that he had to marry me like that. I felt guilty about becoming a third wheel in their love. If my father and his father hadn't made that deal, his life wouldn't be so sad.

He said, "Your room is just at the opposite side of mine."

I nodded and was about to go there since I knew he didn't want to spent time with me. But he stopped me as he caught my arm.

I looked at him questioningly as he said, "You can't go outside now."

Why? Didn't he clearly say that he didn't want me? Well, he didn't had to say but I could look that on his face. He wasn't interested in me.

He said, "The guards are outside of the doors. If we don't stay here together tonight, they will tell my father."

"Oh..." I said and sat down again but he never left my arm. His hold was firm and I felt tingle there at his touch.

He said, "Can you please stay here tonight? I won't touch you..."

I pouted, "But you touched me yesterday!"

He looked at me with a raised brow and said, "Want me to touch you somewhere different?"

I shook my head and stepped further back as he laughed. He looked very handsome when he smiled that my heart began to beat again.

That night, we both chatted with each other until we both fell asleep and I came to know he loved to visit different places and explore different cultures. He told me his favourite food, he told me what he loved to do and also he told me about his embarrassing moments.

I told him about our cultures and about the place I lived. I told him everything about me and he made fun of me saying that I had no embarrassing moments.

He said, "You haven't lived if you don't have one or two embarrassing moments."

I laughed and I loved that person he was. Prince Daichi was an excellent prince and my father was right. He was a good man.

However, I had no idea that the bond we had for the next few months would be shattered in a blink.

The Prince Daichi I had was about to fell in love with would change...

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29th November, 22
1370
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A/n:

In European countries, a woman who marries a prince will almost always become a princess, but a man who marries a princess will almost never become a prince, unless specifically created so.

But I changed it because who doesn't like a coronation...? XD

That is exactly how Bianka had to do the trial. If she gets qualified, she will get the ceremony... ;)