A princess shunned (Forbidden & Askeladd)

Arthuria and Tarus, two countries that had been neighbors for hundreds of years, Arthuria was a country of great military power, they liked to settle their differences with combat rather then speaking about it. Arthuria was one of the largest empires in the world at the time, another would be the peaceful yet technologically advanced country of Tarus, they were a country that sought to settle any dispute with words rather than combat. These two countries were neutral neither really fighting but never really agreeing with one another, so to set their differences aside and to lay down a new foundation for an alliance a wedding was to be held. But not just any wedding, this wedding would be for the prince of Arthuria and the princess of Tarus, with the two of them married the two countries would be bound together as allies once and for all. Some had doubted it would ever happen after all it had been talked about for years as a mere rumor, but now it was to happen for real and two of the largest empires in the world would unite to become one allied force. It would be the greatest alliance in history they said, the people of both countries were overjoyed to hear that the day was finally coming as only good things could follow. Things would change for the better they all said, with Arthurian soldiers to protect the weak and Tarus technology to help the sick people all thought things were going to change for the better.

However there was one Arthurian who was not overjoyed like everyone else, his name was Dante prince of Athruia and future king of it, he was not really interested in the marriage at all. He had been basically forced into it by his father, literally his father had threatened to cast him out of the royal family if he did not agree to marry the princess, he had no choice but to agree though he did it very reluctantly. He had no interest in marrying right now, sure he was a young male only about twenty now and sure he liked women quite a bit to be honest but he did not want to be married. He had been in the middle of a battle camp when summoned for this marriage, he had been in battle just hours ago and now he was told he was going to be married to a woman who he hardly knew how perfect he thought sarcastically. He was a warrior like all Arthurian's how could he be expected to go to war married, it was already enough trouble being a prince in battle it had taken months to get his father to relent on this request. But now that he was going to be married to the princess to seal the alliance it would never happen, if he died in battle the alliance would falter is all he would hear when he requested to go to battle and as such he would not be allowed anymore which a rather annoying thought. How could he who was known as the prince of blood because his crimson hair and prowess on the battlefield not be allowed onto the battlefield he thought angrily to himself as he and the carravan of royalty, nobles, and servants rode to the main city of Tarus, a city called Carthus. They had reached the gates now and as they opened he could see this place was not going to fit him well, he was used to fighting and grime this place seemed all peaceful and clean down to the very streets they were walking on.

Sita wandered around her chambers, a bored expression upon her normally smiling features. This prince was taking far too long to arrive and her curiousity was devouring her, but she couldn't let that show after all the fuss she'd put up at the idea. At first she'd thrown quite the royal hissy fit at the idea of being married to someone she'd never met before. "he could be ugly, cruel" the list of undesirable adjectives had continued on and on until finally the King had dismissed her, having her body guard drag her back to her room until she was ready to accept the situation. Finally she decided that if it were to benefit her country she would act her position, not to mention this ensured her marriage to at least the proper bloodline. And if she hated the prince? well surely she'd find an attractive male to help her out. After all she was the beauty of the kingdom, long raven hued tresses, bright indigo eyes beneath thick dark lashes, pale skin, and well curved and naturally red lips. She'd had many offers of marriage but none her father would accept, preferring to hold true to the alliance. The 18 year old girl was the pride of this kindgom and he wasn't letting her go without getting a benefit for himself.

"Miss he's arrived. The majesties are waiting in the throne room. Bring him there." Her lady in waiting instructed. The princess wondered why she was being sent to fetch him when that seemed a butler's job but knew better than to question her parent's orders. Walking down she straightened her gown, the dark indigo material accenting her eyes. A few moments and the prince was walking up the stairs towards her. Sita found herself pleasantly surprised, almost stunned, to find she was looking at one of the most attractive men she'd encountered. The rumors didn't lie after all. The thought was made idly as she gave a smile to the prince.

"Prince Dante. A pleasure to finally see you. I'm Princess Sita." A curtsey appropriate to his position and hers was given and she began walking to the throne room, figuring he'd follow along behind her. "The King and Queen are simply thrilled at your arrival." she said lightly to him, her lyrical voice sweet as they entered the room. Their titles were announced and the majesties rose from their respective thrones, waiting for the Prince's approach and greeting.

Dante was less than pleased as he arrived to meet to the princess, it was as they said she was quite the looker especially her eyes they were a marvelous color that he had not seen before. When she introduced herself in such a polite manner acting as if she was actually happy to see him it did not help his mood, even though he did not know of her hissy fits and disapproval of the marriage there was no way a random stranger could be happy to meet him he thought. So her name was Sita he thought to himself, it was an original name unlike his but hey his parents were better at war than thinking, he smiled at this small joke within his mind as it did help to lighten his mood just a tiny bit. The curtsy that she gave was more than useless after all they held the same rank in royalty he thought, after all the only difference between a prince and a princess is that one was female while the other was male. He did not even give bow back to her rather he just brought up his hand to acknowledge her introduction, now he followed her and her overly sweet voice to the throne room to meet his future in laws. What a great day Dante thought to himself sarcastically, right now he could be on the battlefield among people who did not care for his title or bloodline all they would care about is killing him, sure killing him was not the greatest thing they could do for him but at least they were an honest bunch with only one intention.

But no thanks to his father he was sitting in a throne room with people announcing his name and title like he was some kind of celebrity, god what he wouldn't give to be home. As he approached the throne his armor rubbed against itself and caused a bit of noise, he could hear a few whispers as to why the prince was still in armor but this was one thing he would not budge in. His father had wanted to put him in a silk robe with jewels framing every stitch, he had vehemently denied this and told him he would be wearing his armor. This did not go over well, he and his father got into a huge argument about proper etiquette where as Dante finally told his father he could shove etiquette where the sun don't shine, not only that he told him that if he couldn't wear his armor there was no wedding even if he was disowned.

Dante had a stubborn streak that could rival anyone's and when he made up his mind there was no turning back, reluctantly his father had given in and told him he could wear his armor though there was no need for it now. He did bow to the mother and father of the princess, but there was no smile on his face just that bored expression as he went over practiced lines of appeasement. He told them how glad they were all to be here and the other things they so wanted to here, finally his parents came in and they could make pleasantries with each other and he would be able to sneak off to relax.

Startled by his lack of greeting she felt her own mood beginning to shorten. Standing beside him as the niceties were observed she could tell that he was just going through the motions. He seemed to not care about anything but himself, well she would change that. She'd show him that she was worth it, maybe saving him from the court would be a start to it. The second his parents walked in she leaned up to whisper to the prince.

"How about I show you around the gardens and we have some uh time to get to know each other better." Her tone was a little bit suggestive as she smirked at him lightly. Being slightly forward she wrapped slender fingers around his wrist and pulled him towards one of the hidden doors that would take them outside. Hopefully away from other's he'd be able to relax around her and quit acting so stuck up. Getting him alone she looked up to him. "Better?" Without waiting for his reply she stroked a finger down the armor he wore, finding the metal cool to her fingertips. "I thought you'd be in court attire. But armor does seem better suited to you." The princess was nervous and it showed in the way that she babbled, her words rushing together as her fingers wound together and played with the bracelets at her wrists. Wondering what he was thinking of her..hoping he'd loosen up seeing that she was nervous about the whole thing also.

As he heard the princess speaking to him he did not look at her he simply stared blankly at the proceedings around him, when she gave that sentence a suggestive theme he looked at her but his expression did not change. Now he felt her delicate fingers wrapping around his wrist pulling him towards a hidden door which he would remember quite well now, she led him through the passage and out into the garden's which were empty except for the two of them. Here he could indeed relax a bit more as the outdoors was almost always more appealing then the stuffy inside of a castle or palace, as she asked if this was better all she got was a nod from him it was quick and short not like he needed to say he was feeling better as it should be visible on his face by now. His usually bored expression had turned to little more than curious, his eyes looked around the garden now rather then looking at the princess who stood in front of him, most men would have been falling over her doing whatever she asked but he was not one of those men.

That is until he felt her finger pressed against his armor, stroking down the length of his armor and he looked at her now curiously, as she said she thought he would be in court attire he would have laughed but she continued speaking saying that the armor suited him better. He reached forward suddenly and his index finger lightly touched under her chin, the movement made it look like he was holding her up wit one finger, "you're nervous, it is to be expected after all, you meet a man who ignores you when all others have fallen for your wiles" he stated calmly before taking his finger away. It wasn't an insult it was just a statement one he believed to be completely true, he had seen plenty of young beautiful women like her who felt they could get what they wanted because they had a title or had sex appeal they were the kind that often teased rather then put out. "You shouldn't so openly flaunt yourself about like earlier after all people might get the wrong idea about you and think your an easy princess" he said in a playful tone.

She could tell that he was feeling better as he shushed her by touching beneath her chin. The touch was one that served its purpose as she stopped talking long enough to listen to what he had to say to her. Sita's lips parted as she fought to find a response to his statement. She didn't think herself trying to manipulate him at all. "I figured my future husband might be slightly more receptive." she said defensively, wrinkling her nose slightly as his next sentence reached her hearing. "Well when I've been committed to you all my life I'd never have to worry about that consequence now would I?" her own voice matched his teasing as she relaxed slightly. Glad to see that he could have a nice and playful side to counter his dark and silent side. Her smirk was worn easily as her fingers extended toward his waist, seeming that they'd travel somewhere they shouldn't. Instead her hand found the handle of his sword and jerked it from the sheath.


"Think I was going for something else?" she teased as she held the weapon in her hand. An older brother, one killed in battle, had taught her the basics of weapons in secret and she examined his. Simple but effective, it was a well-crafted pieced and one that was obviously effective for the prince. She flipped the sword into the air, watching the handle fall neatly into her palm. It was well-balanced as well. Her brother had told her that a quick way to get attention from a man was to mess with his sword, and here Sita was hoping she could use her brother's warning to her advantage. To get the prince to reveal some passion toward anything, put a new expression on his features. Normally she wasn't one craving attention, but this man she'd spend the rest of her life with and she couldn't help but try and draw reactions from him. To learn him and figure out what life she was in for. At the moment she was thinking she'd spend her time petulant and ignored..though she hoped she was thinking incorrect.

As she said that she thought her future husband would be more receptive he grinned a bit, she was already on the defensive trying to think of excuses how predictable he thought calmly. When she wrinkled her nose he had to admit that it was cute though he would not tell her that, as she shot back her own tease he had to give her some credit she was fighting back as best she could, she was smirking now almost as if she had won and he realized right then what she wanted from him. She was not looking to tease him with words or with her body she just wanted the attention that was supposedly required of a husband, how silly he thought she was like a child almost wanting to be acknowledged for even the little things. It was about now that her fingers came to his waist, he made no reaction even as she acted as though she was going touch somewhere else, he figured it was another little ruse to get him to react to her but instead he saw her hand switch positions and grab the hilt of his sword before pulling it out.

Now she asked if he thought she was going for something else while holding the blade in her slender hands, he was surprised she could hold the blade at all with her arms. She had an eye for detail he could see as she looked over the blade and tested it with her hands, as she flipped the sword into the air and caught it easily he walked towards her. Within but a second he was in her guard as she had nor expected him to move most likely, his body but mere centimeters from hers as he was about a head and a half taller then her he looked down at her. His hand came flashing out to grasp her wrist gently but firmly, "a sword is not a toy to be messed with princess" he said in a calm tone those his dark blue eyes seemed a little colder now. "That sword in particular is not one to be messed with, it has more blood on it than any soldier in this kingdom most likely as it has accompanied me to every battle I have been in since I turned seventeen". His tone was calm though very serous with her, "now I will ask that you give it back to me" his tone softened a little as his free hand wrapped around her waist to pull her against him, "or else I will have to take it back" he said in a challenging yet playful tone.

Sita's frame stiffened as his hand flashed out to grasp her wrist. She could feel the callouses on his hand, proof that he was a warrior and something that intrigued her. Her parents had sheltered her, only her brother had let her in on the real goings on, and the fact that she was to be married to a soldier was something she was slightly appreciative of. Hopefully he'd be able to answer her questions finally. But this wasn't the time for that. Her indigo eyes met his cold blue gaze without fear. "I'd expect nothing less from the blood prince." she spoke easily but with respect. After all she was playing with his weapon. Confusion almost captured her attention as he suddenly softened and pulled her close to him. The challenge in his tone brought a smirk to her features, "You'll have to take it back."

Her free hand came up to grip his wrist, as she used the weight of the sword to help pull her wrist from his hold before ducking out of the hold on her waist. She wielded the sword, bringing it to a starting position as she looked at him, curious to see how he was going to get the sword from her when it was obvious that she had a slight clue of how to fend him off. The hilt was resting easily in her palm and the sunlight glinted on the blade as she waited for his next move, wondering if she'd surprised him yet, wondering if she'd proved something of interest. Her eyes never left his face as she breathed steadily, the motion making the tops of her breasts rise and fall beneath the dip of the gown. Maybe he'd be distracted. Hmm it would be fun to learn how to get his attention she decided.

When her pretty eyes looked into his he smiled a bit sooner than he meant to, he could not help but like the color of her eyes they were so exotic as he had never even seen a hint of that color in someone's eyes. He was a bit surprised as she told him she expected nothing less from the blood prince, he did not think that title would follow him here it was an exaggeration that most overused with him, he had been the name half because of his hair. She had said the title so easily but inside he could hear that she was respectful of the title as well, as she said you'll have to take it back he sighed lightly as it would have rather avoided this as he was still not in the mood to play with her, but she pulled away before he really knew what to do or say back to her. She obviously knew how to wield the blade not just hold it but if she thought she could actually frighten him she was a silly girl indeed, she had not the skills to make him back down through a challenge like this rather than that it made him more likely to call her out.

He walked towards her with no guard, no stance, nothing it was as if he was taking a walk in the open safely rather than facing a princess wielding a blade to try and get his attention. "You won't strike me simple as that, you have never experienced the pain of being slashed or stabbed nor have you see the pain it can bring to others" he explained in that calm voice. "Blood has an unusual smell in large quantities smells almost like iron and it is much warmer than most people think", he was speaking as if this were an every day thing for him which until a week ago it had been. He held out his hand for the sword when he was about a foot away, "the only time a sword should be used is when you plan on taking someone's life princess, are you willing to take my life?". His question was low and firm he was asking her honestly if she had the killer mentality to strike and kill him right now, he was showing her the difference between imagination and reality so she would have to choose carefully.

The sigh almost made her smile as he seemed hesitant to start this..confrontation with her. Her eyes narrowed as he approached her without seeming to care, and she kept her expression indifferent even while paying close attention to the words he was offering her. "Iron resides in the blood to help with oxygen carriage. Hence the smell. And yes body temperature is rather high." Her words were spoken with indifference as she looked at him holding his hand out for the sword. His question made her stop, the blade hovering completely still in the space before her. Kill the man she was supposed to be wed to? Hmm that would probably anger some people..not to mention land her somewhere she didn't want to be. Besides she had no quarrel with him. The sword's tip lowered and she slid her hand to the guard before offering the hilt back to him, the blade resting close to her hip as she pressed the weapon to his palm. "Capable yes. Willing no. Do not underestimate me Dante." Her words were low as she taunted him with use of his name and then released her hold.

Stepping back from him she crossed her arms to regard him, still he seemed indifferent to her. Weapons, suggestive statements, everything he just took in stride. Could anything faze this man? Frustration was beginning to find a hold with her as she wondered how he could be so in control at all times. Lowering her frame to a stone bench she leaned against the tree behind it. "Anything I should know about you Prince? Wouldn't want to underestimate you either." The remark was made with true curiousity, as much as she tried to hide it. Sita looked upon Dante as if he were just something knew for her to learn, commit to memory for use when needed and forget about when not. Though even she knew better than than, knew that he was a man that would keep her on her toes, well at least when he paid her attention.

Dante listening to her explain about how the blood actually had iron in it and the body temperature was rather high sighed again, honestly she had not gotten what he was trying to say to her. He could see that she was hesitating with his last question as well it was a dark question, after all if you asked most people they would have said no but her she was actually thinking about the question which was a little interesting. He could see that she came to her answer within a few moments and let the tip of the sword fall as if in defeat, when she held the sword out to him now he took it back though he did not snatch it away or make it seem like he was angry he simply took it back with a simple movement of his hand making his fingers brush along hers lightly. As she said she was capable of killing him but not willing he nodded as it was true, as she said not to underestimate her he smiled though only a little "I do not underestimate anyone princess for to do so is only for an early death" he said in that overly calm tone of his.

She was getting more and more frustrated he could see it on her face, his calm exterior was causing her to question his every movement as she was trying to understand him, it is exactly what he wanted for like this he was in control of the pace between them.Now she sat on the stone bench while he brought the sword up and then slid the sword into the sheathe once again, now she asked if there was anything she should know about him as she did not want to underestimate him. He laughed a bit as he looked at her still ever so calmly, it was if nothing could make his exterior break as he wanted it to be, he had to keep his calmness at it's best always. If one was not calm they did stupid things or they something stupid, Dante could not afford this kind of thing as he was often on the battlefield, and even if now he was off the battlefield he kept the same mentality. This way he was careful and it was hard for anyone to catch him on something, "me? well there isn't much to know besides my title of blood prince". He said laughing lightly "it is as most nobles say at their banquets and what not, I am but a savage called a prince".

The sound of the sword going back into its sheath almost made her smile, it was a sound she'd missed and a sound that brough back memories of better times. Before her mind could conjure memories she found herself watching him, more like glaring at him if one was to be honest. He was so calm, as if he were in control of every little thing..and this was HER home! Where did he find such confidence as to control every little thing around him? She knew the battlefield could make some men cautious in life, but he didn't seem like the type to be afraid of anything..well except expressing emotion. As he answered her question she could've growled at him. He gave her nothing to work with, absolutely nothing. "And here I thought you'd tell me something interesting." she said, tone sarcastic. She was beginning to lose her tolerance with his silent "I"m so calm" game. Sita wanted him, more than just because it was expected of her but because he was different. He obviously didn't give a shit about her title, or his for that matter, and seemed to not care what she thought. Well two could play the game, or at least she would try.

"I'm going to dress for dinner. I'd recommend not wearing armor. Fetch me from my chambers at 6." Her tone was icy now as she fought to even keep a semblance of her composure. The truth was she wanted to yell at him, demand why he didn't care, beg for attention, anything it took to get him to care about something other than the sword and armor. For all she knew she was fighting a losing battle trying to outcalm him but at least she was trying, though she was sure he'd see her departure as a little hissy fit. Turning on her heel she left him standing there, disappearing through another secret door in the wall of the garden. The tunnel the door led to wound from the garden directly to her chambers and she assumed he'd know better than to follow her. Though she couldn't be sure with him. Though she did wonder how he was going to find her when he was new and didn't know the place. Oh well, another challenge for the mighty Dante, she thought to herself.

Dante did not expect her to be happy with his answer he did not care if she was happy with his answer, he was simply giving the most honest and careful answer that he could. She was glaring at him now like he was some sort of intruder here, well he thought that maybe he was an intruder as well this was her home and not his, usually he would have thrown on the polite happy charade that he had used when he said hello her to parents but she saw right through the polite fake personality. When she said that she thought he would give her an answer that would have been interesting he merely shrugged at her, he had no reason to give her an interesting answer after all besides his warrior antics he was not the most interesting person. He preferred to be left alone, he hated being inside these fancy clean places he preferred the grime of his own tent, places like this did not suit a man like him as he was more than just some prince that was raised with whatever he wanted. He could not claim that he worked for everything he was given but he could damn well say that he fought to protect everything he had without hesitation, he had served in the military and fought in every major conflict that his country had in the past three years.

As she said that she was going to get dressed for dinner and that he should not wear his armor he did not seem to respond, now as she told him not asked him to go get her at six he raised an eyebrow as her tone was icy, his main thought kept coming as she had ordered him to come fetch her. Dante was a lot of things but he was not a man to be ordered around easily if ever, now things were a bit more tense as she walked away back into the secret door that she had led him through to get to this garden just a little while ago. So he did not take the secret door instead he walked around the garden and into the main hall, he got a nasty glare from his father which signaled he had not gone unnoticed through the proceedings. He sighed lightly and waited the extra time it took to get all this done and then went to his chambers which he was shown by a servant of the castle, he took the servant to the side and told him to tell princess Sita that he would be waiting in his room for her to come and get him. With that he went into his room to remove the armor though not the sword at his waist, once the metal armor was off he replaced it with leather clothing rather than silk or some other costly fabric as he was not one to be flashy. It was a dyed leather though crimson like his hair so his entire outfit matched now, his pants were simple cotton and the sword still at his waist as he sat down in the chair waiting for Sita to show, he knew she would even if it was just to chew him out for sending her a servant with a message instead of coming to get her.

In her room Sita continued to mutter, under her breath of course, complaints about the Prince. Of course she was just being petulant and she knew it but while she was alone there was no one else to know of the action. When her maids came in to assist with her dress for dinner she fell silent, smiling and treating them kindly. Everyone knew how much the servants gossiped and she really had no desire for Dante to find proof that he'd gotten under her skin. Clothing was placed on her frame as she told the servants what she wished to wear for dinner, something she knew would get his attention, if he were a real man anyway. The corset narrowed her already slender waist and made her bosom practically pop over the top while the dress itself served to heighten all her other features. The rich blue silk accented her eyes and skin while the silver elements on the dress brought sparks. Diamonds on her wrists and ears and a diamond choker around her neck were her jewels for the night while her hair was kept simple. The long tresses fell in soft waves behind her shoulders, leaving her chest bared, though still appropriate by court standards. Sitting down to wait for the prince she smiled, knowing he'd have to be blind to not react to her now.

The knock at the door made her heart jump slightly with anticipation at the reaction she would draw from the prince. This excitement was quickly replaced by shock, and then anger at the prince's actions. Sending a servant to fetch her to his room? How dare he. She wasn't some common whore to be ordered and brought about whenever the man desired. Fury made her features cold as she followed the servant to the rooms the prince was being held in, planning her speech to him in her mind as they traveled. Entering his room without knocking she dismissed the servant coldly before turning to Dante. "Just who do you think you are? Sending a servant to fetch me to your rooms like I'm some common whore. You were ordered to come fetch me yourself, as is proper. But you wouldn't know a thing about that would you? You've been taught no manners at all I suppose." Her words were indignant as she spoke, tumbling together as she snapped at him. Finding herself short of breath she stopped and looked at him, jaw clenched as she wondered what he would say to defend himself and his honor. As a warrior it was unlikely that he would let a woman degrade him, though who knew, maybe he enjoyed it.

Dante knew who was entering the room the second she opened the door without knocking, usually he would have drawn his sword as a reaction to someone not knocking, but he had been expecting her so the reflex was held back. She dismissed the servant with an icy tone that was befitting a spoiled princess, when she asked who he though his was he shrugged as well he had no answer after all she had brought this little game upon herself. When she compared herself to a common whore because he simply sent a servant to fetch her he smiled at the thought, a perverse image filled his head having her against the wall screaming in ecstasy the image was one that made him lick his lips. Now she called him out saying that he had been ordered to fetch her himself as was proper, and apparently she now attacked his manners saying that he would not know anything about them seeing as he had been taught no manners at all. He yawned slowly letting it draw on as she finished her tirade of angry comments, he seemed just as cool and calculating as he had earlier no maybe he was even calmer now. He stood from the chair that he say in and then stretched out a bit to hear himself think now, he wondered how he should answer as well he actually had to answer this time as he had to stay in control.

He smiled at her though it was a cold smile something that was shown to enemies rather than friends or family, "no if I were to treat you like a common whore I would have simply walked into your room before you were ready and fucked you without a care for your pleasure or discomfort". His tone even and calm though it held an icy edge, "you seem to forget who you are dealing with, I am not one of those flimsy pathetic prince's that prance about in all their glory". His eyes hardened now it was almost as if he were looking at her like an enemy for a brief second "I do not take orders ever remember that before you decide to try it again" he said as he walked towards her. His left hand reached up to grasp her chin now as that cold smile seemed to hit her soul, "or else next time I will treat you like a common whore, besides you are already playing half the part" he said as he glanced down her cleavage before running a finger over her breasts lightly. He then walked out the door laughing softly "we should get to dinner already seeing as we are a bit late now and we would not want our parents being angry at us for it would be such a shame really" he said as he continued to walk without waiting even a second for the angry princess who was probably in shock at this point.

As he began to speak Sita could only feel a mixture of emotions, not one of them coming out on top to define her mood. His eyes chilled her as they seemed to grow colder as he grew angrier, though he still spoke with that unnervingly calm voice of his. The hand that grasped her chin came too fast for her to move away from and she seemed to be frozen in place as he spoke down to her. The tone of his voice made her blood run cold, particularly the bit about the consequences to ordering him about. He wouldn't dare, would he? The way he trailed a finger over her breasts lightly told her that he would dare, and wouldn't hesitate. Her cheeks reddened as he commented on her appearance and she tried to get words out to speak to him but he was already walking away, taunting her with his words and laughter. Flustered and red-faced she lifted her skirts slightly to catch up to him, falling into step beside him. "I'll have you know this dress is court appropriate. And we're only late because of your disgraceful manners." She got the last word in before doors were opened to guide them into the dining hall.

A servant came to escort them to their table, bringing them to the chairs beside the head of the table. His father, as the guest king, had the place of honor at the head of the table with his son on his right side and his soon to be daughter-in-law on his left. The prince and princess were seated across from eachother as court desired, and for the moment, Sita was glad of this positioning. Conversation would have to be kept formal and perhaps she'd learn something of interest about the prince from his father, or at least manage to cool her temper before they were required to share a dance before the court. "Your Majesty, how did your travels fare?" she asked lightly as the first course was brought to them. Her plan was to engage the king in conversation to a point that the prince was either forced to join in or was able to be completely ignored. Really she couldn't care less at the moment, she was in shock and upset with Dante, though she didn't want this matter to appear obvious to those around.

Dante sat at the table without a word of greeting to anyone, even his parents who were always expected to be given a greeting were left without one, he simply was not in the mood to cater to anyone right now. As he looked at the food on the table he wanted to wrinkle his nose and push it away, some of it was the oddest things like fish eggs others were fine just overly prepared like the cooks had decided everything needed to look nice for them. It was food that would simply end up in their stomachs he thought who cared what it looked like, given him a piece of cooked or dried meat and he would be fine, he was truly beginning to think this place was nothing but fancy arrogant people who were pampered quite a bit. The alliance with these people was something that was out of place, he could not see why his father wanted these people as allies, they had money but if they wanted their army could march in and take it, not easily mind you seeing as they had a smaller army but better weapons but it could be done. In fact Dante was now thinking of every little thing he had seen about the city and the palace, the walls had been high and sturdy but the guards lax in their work one simple infiltration squad and the gates could be opened from the inside then taken over in a single night. Capturing the capital of a country did tend to make a country lose it's morale rather quickly, plus it would be the ultimate staging point, but to get a squad in this deep into enemy territory would not be an easy task at all.

His thoughts were easy to read though and his father seeing a certain gleam in his son's eyes gave him a sharp glare, Dante meanwhile let thoughts of war and battle slowly fade away so his father would not have words with him. As the first course came out he was quite happy as well these little appetizers looked little more than a feathers worth of a meal, he disliked wasting time with courses wishing they would just bring it all at once. Dante's attention was now turned toward the princess as she spoke to his father, now there were two maybe three reasons to do this he thought to himself calmly. One she wanted to actually know, two she was being polite or the third and most likely of answers she was looking for info on him from a parent. His father smiled warmly at his soon to be daughter, one would hardly believe this man had once been known as the prince of blood as well, it was a bit of a family title if one proved themselves in combat and held the fiery hair as they did. "Well it was a bit slow for my tastes seeing as we had so much baggage with us and the other nobles, also someone wanted to be at the head of the caravan to look out for bandits and the like". As he said this the king looked directly at Dante with a knowing look in his eyes, "I am almost certain he was looking for a fight out there on the road as he was quite bored with the traveling".

Her attention stayed with the King, though she did catch the look he was giving to his son and couldn't help but wonder what Dante was thinking that made his father look at him that way. Ah well it didn't really matter anyways she supposed. The smile that the king gave her was warm and she couldn't help but to wonder where Dante had gotten his cold side, certainly it couldn't be this man. A soft chuckle and sweet smile graced her features as the King spoke of his son "looking for a fight" during their travels. "Dante? Never." Her voice was teasing and she was glad to have the conspiring laugh with the King, and it didn't hurt that it was at the expense of the prince. "But in truth I'm glad your caravan arrived safely, I'm sure the thought of dealing the blood prince and his father were both tempting and terrifying." Again her smile and soft laugh before she began picking at the food that was placed before her. Of course with the corset wrapped tightly around her she had barely any appetite to speak of, but this just made her appear to eat in a dainty, ladylike fashion. Though in truth she was usually starving and ate more like the boys than girls her age. The meal and conversation continued around them until her father rose to speak, the room falling silent.

"Tonight we gather together to celebrate the arrival of our Arthurian neighbors. With the alliance of our children the kingdoms align as well, and so will rise a new era for both. We are pleased to give our only daughter to their kingdom and hope the two are as blessed as the kingdoms they unite. If the two would please rise and start the dancing of our celebration." The king smiled down at the two, and the other majesties. Though it was phrased as a question Sita knew how these proceedings worked and what was expected. She rose easily and walked around the table, hoping that Dante would rise and join her as he was supposed to. Sita had a nagging thought that he'd turn it down and embarrass her in front of the court, she wouldn't put it past him, and was hoping that he wouldn't. Even if it was only because of the presence of his parents, she hoped that he would respect the custom and dance with her, at least one time.

Dante was not overly upset with his father jabbing at him lightly saying that he was always looking for a fight, half of it was true so how could he deny such things he thought to himself now as they talked. Fighting was in his blood and it was something that he had been doing for three years nonstop such a thing was hard to stop, but now he was suddenly expected to just become some person who listened to the problems of others and sat around all day how preposterous he thought. As the princess attempted to tease him he merely pushed aside a few of the green leaves on his plate that were merely for show, his first course already finished as he refused to eat like some noble prissy boy, he ate quick and to the point which was to get it all down. Now when she began to speak about how she was so happy that their caravan had arrived safely and some other words about the two of them being a tempting yet terrifying prize for brigands or highway men or both who knew what might be out there. Dante grimaced at the thought of running into any of them with his father protecting his back, the man had not been a warrior in many years he had grown slow and weak in his age and time upon the thrown as he was catered to. "There would have been plenty of able fighting men besides myself to take care of them" Dante said in a low tone while his father's stare went cold right at Dante, he did not take kindly to being challenged by his son especially here of all places.

Dante was quiet after that not even bothering to look at anyone or partake in any of the conversations now as he was bored with this group and the things they spoke of. His attention was briefly captured by the princess's father as he began to address everyone with a nice little speech about the alliance and what not, then it was asked of him to dance and he raised an eyebrow, it was common courtesy to at least ask if he wanted to dance wasn't it he thought jokingly to himself. As Sita stood he looked at her calmly but a light grin pulled at the edges of his lips now, he was not standing up and people were beginning to look around as if to ask another if he was truly going to just sit there. As the whispers grew to fill the whole hall now even the kings and queens of then children were wondering what he was doing, but to shut down the climax he slowly stood up in a lazy fashion and walked towards Sita with a predator like gleam in his eyes. As he approached her he took her hand while placing the other on her hip, "amazing how much these people care what happens with this silly little dance and how easy it would have been to shame you". He whispered in a playful tone, "must be quite the hassle wanting everyone to think greatly of you when your husband is the barbarian from the other country who couldn't give two shits about what anyone thought of him" he said jokingly now as he danced with her slowly.

As the whispers grew and spread through the hall Sita couldn't help but feel her own nervousness grow. The infamous butterflies were abundant in her stomach as she waited to see if he would stand, trying to keep her face calm and composed as she waited for him to rise. After ages, it seemed, he finally rose and took her hand, beginning the customary dance with her. "For once I thank you for something. For not shaming me." Her earlier ire with him had run its course and she was at least feeling amicable towards the man. As he joked with her she was able to return the smile and chuckle "Must be nice not caring what people think." She mused as they danced, wondering how it would be to care nothing about what people thought. "Though shouldn't you care about what your wife thinks?" she teased lightly, knowing he'd probably disagree with her but at the moment she was okay with that, giving him a free pass for getting up and dancing with her when she knew it was the last thing he wanted to do.

As the music faded away and a new song began others began to dance and cover the floor, it was the usual for this type of feast. Soon all the drunken men would reach a fever pitch and all the lower bred girls would pop out to pick their bedmates for the night while all the good girls were tucked away for the night by their parents. "I assume you'd like to retire as soon as possible oh antisocial one?" she both teased and asked the question, hoping he'd either want to keep dancing with her or get away from everyone but her. Sita didn't let her hopes get high as she figured the Prince would come up with, yet another, attempt to shaking her off him. But she wouldn't let him achieve solitude that easily, she thought with a mischevious gleam to her violet eyes, quickly recomposing her features before he could comment. She waited with an upturned, and "innocent" expression for his answer to her jest.

Dante could see that several people including his father were giving him questioning looks, his father was getting quite annoyed with his crude son as he had expected a little more compliance with him. What his father didn't know was that Dante hated the man at this point, he had once been a great warrior leader of all warriors, a man that anyone would be willing to fight for and with, but now he was considered a fallen warrior, most of the warriors in their kingdom considered him dead as a warrior. This was the ultimate disgrace to tell a warrior from Arthuria, many had been killed for even hinting at such a thing it was much worse before rules had been incorporated in their country, now one had to arrange a duel with witnesses rather than just drawing their sword and hacking at one another. Honestly if his father were to die the only thing that would make Dante feel a bit bad is that he would have to take over the kingdom for a bit, but at least if he were in charge he could still go to battle for now he was stuck here for three months before the wedding. His thoughts were not helping his mood at all so he let them wander away as Sita spoke to him by thanking him for not shaming her, her thanks meant nothing to him as this was just a demonstration of how he could make things very bad for her. As she side it must be nice not caring he had to nod, he had seen many a man worry too much what others thought of them and it was more stress and problems then it was worth so Dante had pretty much cut off all emotions that he found useless.

Now she jokingly asked if he should care what his wife thinks, he rewarded her with a small grin before leaning in just a bit to whisper into her ear "maybe but you are not my wife yet" his tone playful before he pulled away as the music faded away while another started to pick up. He could see that the fancy get together was degrading into a bar party rather quickly and he liked that, these fancy parties were always so uptight at least a bar people would tell you exactly what they thought of you, the singing was off key and the people crude but at least they were honest for the most part he thought. As she spoke he pulled his eyes away from everyone else and focused solely on her for the moment, she was asking if he would like to retire as he was the antisocial one, by now it seemed all her anger towards him from earlier was gone and she had reverted back to the teasing polite princess from earlier. He knew she was trying to bait him into inviting her somewhere with him, her mock innocent little expression did nothing to hide that from him as he was quite adept at reading between the lines of people. He shook his head as he pulled her to the side "no actually it is much to early to sleep Sita" he said in a gentle voice now, "I want to go back to the garden you showed me earlier, the moonlight must make it look even more beautiful then it did this afternoon".

Sita laughed lightly at his retort, able to smile as it was a true tease..she wasn't yet his wife. Her smile stayed as she watched his features begin to relax as he was removed from being the center of attention. She was starting to see that, even being raised as a prince, he wasn't one of the princes who liked what he'd been given. Each time his hand took hers, such as now while they were dancing, she could feel the callouses that were born of a life holding the sword. He was more warrior than prince and she was starting to understand that, though that didn't make her accept his lack of attention any more than before. Shock registered on her features for a moment though she was quick to compose herself. He'd just willingly invited her somewhere with him, this was a change. "Now that is most unlike you Prince Dante. Wanting to see moonlight on flowers." She teased him with a smirk as she slid along the wall, finding the catch the door and sliding it open. Slipping through gracefully and pulling him along behind her, they emerged in the same spot as before.

She walked along the pathway of the garden, turning her violet gaze up to the stars and picking out constellations from the night sky. Staying quiet, probably the first time in her life, she wandered beside him without speaking. Just looking at the stars, she'd charted them all at one point in time and now she knew the names of most of them and where they rested in the sky depending on the time of year. She looked at him from the corner of her eye for a moment, and lightly slipped her hand into his. Pulling her hand up she brought his with it, turning his palm over and tracing the callouses with her fingertips. A million things ran through her mind that she could say to him, ask him, comment about. And none of them would fall from her lips, as she just bit her lip softly, almost laughing at her own lack of words. Being speechless was something that rarely happened to her, as many would tease her about this fact.

Dante could have complimented her so many times tonight, where many men would have done so he just left her with that simple playful retort, Sita might find a little emotion here and there but she would be limited to what he wanted her to see after all. This was about as relaxed as he would get around others, the only people who had ever seen the true side to him were his brothers in arms as he felt most comfortable around them. As he told her he wanted to go into the garden again he could see the little amount of shock that crossed over her face, she quickly regained composure and acted as if this sort of thing happened all the time though they both knew this was a limited offer from him. He wondered whether or not she was fed up with his little game yet as she seemed to be over the anger part and more curious to know things about him, he had seen questions in her eyes several of which were probably about why he disliked being royalty and why he was more attuned to being a warrior. Though he was not sure he would ever tell her why as well his answer was not the best of sorts, his attention was pulled away from his own thoughts as Sita teased him by saying it was most unlike him to want to see the flowers in moonlight. This made him wonder why she teased with that, she knew little of him and probably thought he just wanted to get away from everyone at the moment, but he was more than just some mindless barbarian he had an eye for beautiful things though his interpretation of beautiful was different from others around him.

He now followed her as she pulled him to the secret passage and then through the dark hall to the outside where it was just easier to breathe for him. He sighed lightly in relief as he felt freed rather than clumped together with so many people he had no desire to know, outside here in the night he could feel comfortable as the cool air caressed their skin and the only light that had now was the moon's light as it shone down upon the earth bathing it a blueish white color. It was almost magical to see the garden in this light he thought as he looked around with sharp eyes, Sita was being quiet like him and once he looked at her he felt her had slip into his like this was also a normal thing for the two of them. He did not resist as she pulled her hand up with his and turned it over so his palm was towards her, she was still being quiet which was a bit surprising, Dante watched her now as she traced the callouses upon his palm with her fingertips he did not pull away still. Instead he reached over with his free hand and picked a rose from one of the bushes, he felt a thorn bite into the skin of his finger though he snapped the rose from the bush anyways as it was barely a scratch, it was a white rose but now in the moonlight it almost looked blue. Using his fingers he spun the rose round and round looking at it calmly though his eyes softened a bit as he found the rose beautiful in this light, he then held the rose out to Sita without a word from his lips wondering how she would react to him now.

Tracing his calluses she smiled softly, thinking how fierce he must've been to achieve these without being hurt. She knew that he was the top of his ranks but that didn't really mean much to her, she'd been kept away from anything that might be deemed unladylike. Her eyebrows lifted slightly as he offered her the rose, the white petals shimmering in the soft light of the moon. Taking the rose she contemplated the flower, lips curved lightly at the edges as she looked at it. Most suitors that gave her flowers she dismissed, saying that she had a whole garden full of them and that they should've been more original. But he'd taken it from her own garden, at a time unique to their presence. And he hadn't used sappy words of comparison between her and the flower. She was unused to this, and found that she appreciated it. Minding the thorns she brought the rose to her face, smelling the sweet and seductive aroma that came from it. Roses weren't the most aromatic flowers and she appreciated that. They were subtle in their seduction, hmm kindof like him. She held back a snicker at the thought and tucked the blossom into her hair, using the thorns to make it stay among her tresses. "You picked a good one." she smiled easily. All she gave him were the five words and the smile, figuring he wouldn't want a thank you from her.

Walking away from him she sat down on one of the benches, contemplating showing him the secret area of the garden. "Follow me." she said easily, not realizing it was an order until a few moments later. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to order you. Would you please follow me?" she rephrased her earlier words and bit her lip softly, hoping he wouldn't get upset. Tonight she didn't want to fight with him, not when she was about to show him something she'd kept secret her entire life. Her parents, the groundskeepers, no one knew about the part of the garden she was about to take him to. It had been a labor of love but she was shy of it, and chose to keep it a secret rather than have people tell her it was ridiculous or unworthy of her time. Now she was just hoping that she hadn't misjudged him. All of this ran through her mind as she waited to see if he was going to follow her.

To the surprise of many including Sita most likely he was not a top ranker in anything but royalty, in combat he never accepted promotions as he always wanted to be on the front lines to fight it out with the enemy. It was a simple thing as he did not want to be stuck behind a desk and he did not want people thinking he got his promotions because he was the prince, everything he did he would do himself no one would ever claim that it was because his father was the king. When she took the rose from his fingers now he gave her a confident smile almost as if he knew she would accept it, he could see in her eyes that she was not sure what to think of him now as his attitude was changed a bit. Before he was a cold almost emotionless man but now he seemed a calm, confident and maybe a little seductive towards her, as she brought the rose up and smelled it he watched her closely to see her reaction to the flower he had picked from her own garden. She seemed to like it he thought to himself calmly as she tucked the rose into her hair, now she said that he had picked a good one so he nodded back to her as it was a simple gesture really as he had merely picked a flower and given it to her from her own garden. The moon in the night in a garden made it seem so much better he thought, the cool air hanging about with the blueish white light covering everything it can reach it could almost be described as mystical.

His thoughts turned towards Sita once more as she walked away to sit down on one of the many benches while looking thoughtful, he briefly wondered what she might be thinking of but got little time to elaborate on his own thoughts as she told him to follow her. He raised an eyebrow in a curious way as she was giving him another order, he would have thought she had learned from the first time what might happen if she ordered him around or tried to. But within a few moments she realized her mistake and apologized while asking him to follow her in a more delicate tone one might say, he nodded now and walked behind her wondering where she might be taking him in this garden now. Perhaps it was a maze he had seen those before and they were a bit fun to run through as one could never quite figure them out the first few times you needed a few runs in the maze before being able to go through it a lot without worry, though he had not seen a maze when he came in.

(sorry for the wait)