Kai got on his makeshift bed, as he laid his head down. He was completely exhausted from the mental, emotional, and more so the physical strain of traveling. He didn't even remember the last time he had traveled so much on horseback. He was pretty sure that this was the first time. Yes, he had gone on hunting expeditions with his father, but they always returned home that very night. Taking the coverlette he placed it over his body. Resting his head on the pillow he was out like a candle being snuffed out. Kai had peaceful dreams.

However, in the near distant kingdom of Rostice young Rinslet was not fairing so well with her dreams. She lithe, tiny form was drenched in sweat as she tossed and turned on her bed. She gripped the stuffed animal closer to her, trying to get some form of comfort out of it, but there was none to be had. She was dreaming of the future, a future that she could not escape from, her future. Crying out she started to cry in her sleep.

His eyes went over to the prince and smiled as he watched the young prince fall asleep. Leon looked to the sky as he waited for sleep to over take him as well. He looked at the horses who also fell asleep as he laughed slightly. The guard soon rested against the tree and closed his eyes before falling asleep.

Mirial also felt restless since the two were closely connected it seemed. Her eyes opened as she sat up from her sleep and grabbed a robe she kept near her bed, just in case. She walked to her door and then down the hall towards Rinslet's room. The guard knocked on the door and ran into the room when she got no response. When she heard the princess crying, she ran right to herside after pushing through the door of her personal chambers. "Rinslet! Rinslet! Wake up!"

((Nice avatar change))

Rinslet was having a horrible dream. She was then being violently awakened when someone was yelling her name, and telling her to wake up. Cracking open her eyes she clapped her hands together, and the candles came immediately to life. The court sorcerer had charmed the lights so they would turn on and off when someone clapped his or her hands together. More or less it was to surprise would be kidnappers, and intruders. It would momentarily stun them, making enough time that her personal guard, and Mirial would get there to help her. Rinslet was face to face with Mirial, apparently she was the one that had woken her up. She got out of bed, running up to her, as she threw her arms around Mirial and sobbed harder. Life sure sucked.

((Thanks.))

She looked around as the candles lit when Rinslet clapped her hands. Her worried blue eyes went to the sweaty girl as she touched her wet face. Mirial held the crying child to her chest and rubbed her back like a mothers as she tried to calm her. "It's okay. I'm here...I'm here for you, Rinslet." The guard picked her up and sat on the bed as she started to hum a soft tune.

Rinslet could feel that she was being scooped up into strong arms and being placed onto someone's lap. She was so out of it, that she barely knew what was going on, let alone care too much about it. Her crying fit turned into small hiccups as she heard Mirial begin to a lullaby to her. She felt calm and at ease as she rested her head against Mirial's shoulder. Closing her eyes she drifted off into sleep with a small smile on her face.

Her eyes stayed on the child as she held her in her arms and smiled. "It's okay, Rinslet. I am here for you." Mirial said as she rubbed the small girl's back while humming the lullaby. She held her for a little while longer before laying the child down under her blanket. The guard kissed her forehead and decided to sleep in a nearby chair in case of any other nightmares.

((We're time skipping, good god))

The following morning Kai woke up to the chirping of birds and the first light of dawn creeping up over the treetops. Getting up he stretched a few times, and managed to get to his feet, even though it was rather clumsily. Kai began rolling up his blankets and pillow as he placed each piece in one of the pouches on his horse. He glanced over at Leon's sleeping form as he smiled inwardly to himself. He really had to hand it to that guy somethings. Yes, he was annoying and overbearing at times, but he was also like a father figure to him since his own father really didn't care about him. Turning toward the rising sun he took a deep breath in as he went to go and awaken his horse.

Rinslet woke up the next morning surrounded in her numerous stuffed animals and plush. She really enjoyed all of them dearly especially Mr. Shiro, her stuffed whale. Glancing over, she squinted as she was assaulted by the morning light, she noticed that Mirial had fallen asleep in a chair near her bed. She smiled to herself, no matter how much of a pain it was to travel with Mirial all the time, she was glad that she was there for her when her parents were not. Her parents really didn't care for her anyway, they just saw her as a bargaining token to win the favor of the neighboring lands. That was another reason she resented being married off at such a young age. She was completing the only thing that she was born to do. Slidding out of her bed she padded silently over to the double bay windows that led out to the balcony. Throwing open the doors she went running to the balcony and looked out over the grounds surrounding the castle area. Breathing in the cool morning air she laughed lightly as the wind tossed her hair. She felt bittersweet though because she knew what this day would bring. It would bring a prince from another land. A prince that she was destined to marry.

Leon slowly stirred as he heard the prince packing up his blankets and things. The guard laid there for another moment before waking up and stretching. His eyes went to the rising sun as he smiled before doing a quick set of push-ups then dressing in his armor. He looked at Kai as he woke the horses then started walking over with his bedding. "Morning, my lord."

Mirial felt the sun warming her face before the wind started to brush across her face. The young woman looked towards the breeze and smiled slightly as she saw her young princess standing on her balcony. She rose slowly from the chair and stretched out her back and neck. Her eyes closed before she walked over to the balcony and watched her little princess. "Sleep well?" Mirial said with slight sleep in her voice.

Seeing Leon get up from his sleeping position, Kai raised his hand and waved. Today was the big day, he might as well put on a happy face for Leon even though he wished he didn't exist right now. "Today's the big day," said Kai. "Are you ready?" He really wished that he was good at convincing other people, since he was sure as hell he couldn't convince himself.

Turning her head, Rinslet saw Mirial come to her side as she overlooked the balcony with her. "Yes," said Rinslet. "Thanks for asking." She sighed deeply as she lowered her head to rest on the stone banister. "So today is the big day, huh?" Turning around she put a smile on her face. "Well I might as well be happy. I mean it's going to happen whether I like it or not, so I might as well be happy about it. Right?"

His eyes went to the prince as he waved at the guard before walking over. "I should be asking you that my lord." Leon said as he smiled and rubbed Aurora's neck as he looked at her. He then looked at the prince as he feed Aurora her breakfast of apples and oats. "Try to look happy, my lord. I bet the princess isn't happy about this either."

She nodded and looked at the princess as she rested her head on the stone. "Your welcome." Mirial watched her as she rubbed the princess's back. "Just remember, Rinslet. That he may not like it either. And even so I will always be here for you." Her eyes went to the rising sun as she stood there with her lady.

Kai rolled his eyes when he heard Leon say," Try to look happy, my lord." Kai wanted to retort with,"well you try to be happy when you are being forced to marry a kid," but he held his tongue. Finished with feeding his horse he made sure that he everything packed and accounted for as he swung his leg over the saddle of the horse. Adjusting a little he waited for Leon to do the same. His horse was getting restless, as if sensing his masters distress, and pawed at the ground with its hoof.

Rinslet sighed as she continued to look at the morning sun. Mirial had made a lot of sense in what she had said. Maybe, just maybe, she was right. She would assume that Lord Kai was in the same predicament as she was in. Being forced to be married to someone that she didn't even know for the prosperity of a nation that saw her as a bargaining chip. Life sure was grand, wasn't it? "Well," she said. "I might as well make the most of it. Is the dress to meet Lord Kai and his bodyguard ready to be worn?"

He looked at Kai as he feed and packed his horse. Leon sighed before finishing packing Aurora and climbing onto his horse. "My lord, try to at least calm yourself. Your horse knows when your upset and will not be as useful to you. At least for his sake, cheer up." The guard said as he looked at the prince with worried eyes before starting down the path to Rostice.

Her eyes stayed on the sun before sneaking a peek at her young lady. Mirial nodded as she had the maids bring the dress in for her. It was a lovely gown of fine silk fabric that her father had imported with the help of a Frech fashion designer. The same one who dressed queen Marie of France before her end. "Time to get pampered for the big day, Rinslet." Mirial said trying to cheer her up.

Kai didn't even know he was effecting his horse so bad. He was completely wrapped in his own little world to care much about anything else. Leon's words cut into his subconcious though and he snapped to attention. "You're right, Leon," said Kai as he patted Shadow Step's muscled neck. "I should make the best of it. Well times a wasting I guess so let's go." He didn't want to be bossy, but he didn't know how else to phrase it.

Rinslet sighed when she saw the maids bring over the ornate, elegant dress from France. She loved the dress to death, but this wasn't something that she was going to wear to meet her future husband so she did what naturally came to her. She threw a temper tantrum. "I don't want to wear that one! I don't wanna, I don't wanna."

Leon smiled and nodded as he looked at his liege. "As you wish, my lord." The guard said as he started to walk Aurora towards the direction of Rostice. They didn't have much left in the journey before they reached their destination. His eyes stayed on the path ahead of them before looking at the prince when the castle came into their sights. "There it is, sir. Rostice." He said as he smiled to himself.

Mirial watched the gown of pink silk be carried out and away from the princess as she smiled. The maids were careful with the dress and put it back in the closet where it came from. Though they were kind of surprised she turned the gown away. It was one of the colors she commonly asked for in dresses or anything for that manner. Her eyes went to the tan creation that was brought in to replace the pink gown. "How is this one, my lady?" She asked as it was brought into her room for her to decide.

Kai fell into pace behind Leon as they continued onto their destination. Glancing up as the wentover a ridge he could see what could only be Rostice in the backdrop. They had been barely riding for 2 hours, and they were here. It looked like a quaint enough place. He stared at the city. It was bittersweet; on the one hand he was happy that the journey was over, and that by going through with this marriage that he would reunite the two nations. However, on the other hand he was in an arranged marriage, also known as he would be stuck marrying whoever this Princess Rinslet was. He heard Leon say," There it is, sir. Rostice." Nodding his head he trotted next to Leon and said," Well we've come this far what's a few more miles." With that being said he had ShadowStep walk down the hill towards Rostice in the distance.

Rinslet was upset. How dare the maids bring her that pink, offending piece of work. She was supposed to be greeting her future husband in this. If she was dressed like that she would like some kind of kid. She wanted to at least look sophisticated, and ladylike. It's what her father would want. She heard Mirial say," How is this one, my lady?" Glancing over at the dress that Miral brought over brought a smile to her face. That was the creation that her father had gotten her when he had gone overseas. It brought back some good memories. That was the last time that she went traveling with her father two summers ago. "That one looks much better," replied Rinslet.

His eyes stayed on the kingdom in the horizon before looking to the prince who had gone ahead. Leon remained silent as he followed his prince into the city. The people in the city were quiet and they bowed as they recognized the prince's crest. A silence fell upon them until they reached the castle gates. He remained silent as he looked ahead. A pair of guards escourted them into the palace and had two grooms come to take care of their horses.

She bowed her head and nodded as she saw the improvement on her young face. Mirial knew of the sentimental value that it held to Rinslet and was glad the maids picked it for her today. "Very good, shall we get you dressed then, princess?" Her eyes on Rinslet as the maids walked the gown over to the dressing table for Rinslet. The female guard stood and watched as a messanger came to the door. He told Mirial that the prince and his guard had arrived.

As the two of them got closer and closer to the castle the guards that were standing there noticed the crest that was emblazoned on Shadowstep's breastplate. As they continued on through the city grounds before the castle he noticed the people around him take one look at him, the crest, and then they lowered their heads in reverence. The trip to the castle gates was quiet. Getting off of his horse he and Leon were escorted into the castle as two grooms took their horses to be taken care of.

Rinslet looked at the dress. It brought back so many fond memories of a time when she was happier. She heard Mirial say," Very good, shall we get you dressed then, princess?" "Yes," replied Rinslet in return. The maids placed the dress on a nearby table as a messenger came running into the dressing room, walked up to Mirial, and talked to her before leaving through the same door that he had come in from. "Mirial?" asked Rinslet. "What was that about?" She heard some of the maids say that it was undecent for a man to come running into a dressing room like that.

The knight followed Kai into the castle of his future bride. He looked around at all the tapestries and relics that Rinslet's father had either purchased or traded from merchants around the world. Leon hid his amazement as he remained his stoic self. His emotions were rarely shown and are a myth amongst most who know him. Maids and butlers sneaked peeks at the two foreigners as they waited for the princess and her knight.

Her eyes went to Rinslet as she scowled at the chatting maids. "Our guests have arrived." Mirial said as she looked at the young girl and prepared herself for any tantrum that might be thrown. She waited and started to think a counter for any excuse Rinslet may come up with.

Kai continued to follow the servant that was in front of him. He swallowed a few times and let out a slow breath as he tried to calm his frazzled nerves. He was a prince, a prince soon to be married, for God's sake. He shouldn't be worrying about meeting his future bride. It was predestined. His destiny had been decided since the day that he was born that there would be a marriage between the two kingdoms. He was just fulfilling his role. He glanced around at the hanging tapestries and the other ornate pieces of art that hung on the wall. The servant led the two into a drawing room, which was lined with books on shelves "Princess Rinslet, and her guard, Mirial, will be arriving soon. So please wait here." The servant retreated before anything could be said. Kai paced back and forth waiting for whoever he was supposed to meet. For god sake he didn't even remember what the heck this Princess Rinslet even looked like. Let alone did he even care. He didn't want to be involved with this at all. He jumped a little as the doors went flying open. Turning around sharply he was greeted by two figures. One looked like a knight, which meant the other had to be the princess. Looking at her angelic features he smiled at her.

When he saw the Princess approach him he was ecstatic. This meant that they would get off rather well together. He wasn't counting on hearing what she whispered though. At least he thought that he heard her say something to the effect of," Don't get too comfortable." However, that couldn't be right, right?

Meanwhile, in the higher floors of the castle, Rinslet was busy getting the finished dressing up. She was jittery when she heard that her future husband and his guard had arrived. She was even too frazzled to argue with Mirial, so she just sufficed with sending a slight glare her way. She knew that it was childish that she blamed Mirial for her troubles, but her own parent's didn't care about her. They only saw her as a tool to be married off for peace or some other means to make diplomacy. She knew that it was her sad fate, but that didn't mean that she had to enjoy it. Rinslet huffed as she made her way into the drawing room where she was supposed to meet the other two. Hell, who did he think he was strutting around demanding her hand in marriage. To heck with her father for arranging this. She was a human being, not some bargaining piece, nor a prize to be won.Throwing open the doors she whole heartedly intended on knocking the two "foreigners" down a peg. Walking in through the doors she saw that there were two men standing there looking rather confused. There was someone that looked like a knight. Judging from the sword on his belt he had to be a knight, which meant the other one had to be the prince. She noticed that the other was smiling at her. Smiling back she placed the coyest look on her face as she sauntered up to the pair and looked the prince hard in the face and said softly," Don't get too comfortable."

Leon watched the nervous prince with a slight smile and continued to look around once the servant said that the princess would arrive soon. "Don't worry, sir. I'm sure everyone will get along fine. It's only a matter of time." The knight patted his prince's back and waited by his side until he saw the princess and her knight walking towards them. His back became straight and he stood at attention in honor of the princess's prescense.

Mirial walked towards the foreign royalty and his knight as she stayed aware of Rinselt's behavior. "Mind your manners, Rinslet. They still have as much power as you do. And this is part of being a princess. You know this." She said trying to calm the princess as well as acting professional, noticing the other soldier's stance.

-bump-

Kai stiffened a little when he saw the princess enter the room. He greeted her with a wave and a slight bow as he saw her saunter up to him and whisper something in his ear. He immediately stiffened and gave her an odd look at what he had heard. What on god's Earth had he done to her to deserve this?! He was about to say something when he saw that her knight Mirial had taken care of it already. He looked at Mirial and mouthed the words,"Thank you" to her. This was most certainly going to be an interesting encounter if things continued the way that they were going to. He blinked at her when she looked at him and said," Please follow me over to the tables over here." She gestured over towards the tables that were there with matching chairs. She continued by saying,"Welcome to the castle. I hope that your travel here was semi-enjoyable and that you and your belongings have all gotten here safely. Tell me about your travels."

Rinslet turned towards Mirial and gave her a slight nod. Mirial was right. They indeed had the same, if not more power, all together. Power enough to crush their palace, and overrun her kingdoms lands if push came to shove. "You're right," whispered Rinslet to Mirial. Turning towards Prince Kai she curtsied low to the ground as she cast her eyes down in reverence. It had been forced, as well as, fake, but it was something. She saw
Kai's eyes connect with hers as she spoke to him. he listened intently to what she was saying. Sitting down in the chair he looked at her and said curtly,"Traveling was fair. Nothing too spectacular happened." She sighed as she looked out the window. God, she wanted to go back to her room and not be here right now. She would rather be anywhere else.

He watched the princess enter and tried to hold back the blush that was appearing on his face as he watched her waltz into the room. His eyes followed her as if she was a treasure that he was unworthy to have. He gathered his self control as the princess walked closer to his lord and whispered in his ear. The knight watched his lord stiffen as the princess backed away from him and followed his prince to the tables. Leon looked at the female knight that escourted the princess and bowed his head slightly to her.

She looked at the prince and bowed her head to him as she closed her eyes. Mirial followed the royals to the table as she had the maids bring tea for two. Her eyes went to Kai as she bowed her head slightly again as a 'hello' or 'welcome'. The female knight pushed Rinslet's chair into the table as a way to focus her attention back on the prince. Mirial closed her eyes and stood quietly behind Rinslet but kept her ears open to their conversation.

Even sitting down Kai felt completely out of place as if he didn't belong. He was beginning to have doubts that this wedding was going to work. He knew that the marriage would look good on a piece of paper, but he grimaced inwardly when he thought that he would have to be seen in public with this little spitfire. He knew this was going to be rather difficult for himself, and for her as well. He would just have to make the best of it, and hopefully within this meeting he would be able to convey that to her. He knew that saying this was highly inappropriate, but he needed to get it out of the way. He was about to say something when a servant came in a deposited a cup of tea in front of both of them. Taking a small sip out of it he looked at her and said," I understand that you might not want do this whole marriage thing. Hell, I don't want to either, but to be completely honest, we have to do this for our parents sake. Will you please work with me on this?" Kai knew that he was pleading at this point in time to a complete stranger, but he didn't much care.

Rinslet just looked at him from across the table. There was nothing that she liked about the male in front of him. Not his hair, not his face, not even his dashing, albeit handsome, smile. She didn't like him one bit, but here she was forced to sit in a chair, and talk as if everything was right in the world. She glanced over as one of the servants brought them both some tea. She took it in her right hand and pointed her pinky into the air as she took a dainty sip from it as she listened to what the male in front of her was saying. She slammed the cup onto the saucer that was there as she glared daggers at the other man. She was too proud to admit, but he had hit the nail right on the head. Rinslet knew that she had to "put up" with Kai, but for Kai to say something like that so nonchalantly was beyond absurd. Standing up she pushed her chair back and went stomping out of the room as she began to curse unladylike out of the room.

Leon stayed near his lord's side as the princess just stood up and left in a huff. His eyes went to the princess's guard as she followed her to bring her back as a calm human being. He looked to his lord and tried to reassure him of her outburst.

Mirial ran after her princess as she sighed. She got tired of these temper tantrums but would follow her as her guard untill she died or was released. Which ever came first. Her eyes went to the grumpy princess as she followed her. "Rinslet, your mouth." The guard attempted to remind the princess that her parents were in the castle and she would be disciplined if heard.

Kai just stared at the girl that he would be marrying as she went flying out of the room in a rage. "This is going to be impossible to do," thought Kai as he thought to if the two of them would be getting married. He turned his head to Leon as he heard the other male tell him that everything would be alright, and that he knew that Princess Rinslet was going to come around. What the heck was he supposed to do now? Wait here until they came back?

Rinslet walked down the hallway in a huff as she continued to yell ever swear word in the book. She stopped as she turned around to see her guard, Mirial, coming after her. She looked at the ground when she heard her words. She knew that Mirial was right. She felt more swear words bubble to the surface, but decided that she better hold her tongue for her sake and for her guard's sake as well. She walked towards her knight and laid her head on her shoulder as she began to cry. " I don't know what to do anymore," sobbed Rinslet. " It's like I have lost my own freewill."