Yes, Prin... cess? (IWishxRedThorn)

A dark sigh came from his lips as he sat in the carriage, glaring out the window as the world quickly moved past. "Tell me again why i have to do this?" His voice was delicate, almost like a woman's though there was a slight gruff behind it. The man across from him sighed, shaking his head as a hand came up to run through his graying hair. "If you fail the kingdom will be destroyed. You must do this. After your mother passed you were our only hope." A soft sigh came from the boy at the man's words, green eyes looking outside the carriage as it moved. "We could have told them the truth." He mumbled the words, only gaining himself a dark frown and a deep sigh.

"Alexis-"
"ALEX!"
"Dammit! That is not your name anymore! You must conform to this new way of life or you will be found out!"

The man rubbed his face, sighing again as Alexis shifted on the pillowed chair adjusting the poofy dress he was wearing. "All my life you've done nothing but demand i be something that i'm not! And now.. now you want me to marry! To a man! Back at home at least i didn't have to wear these stupid clothes!" He threw his arm's up into the air, jostling the perfect curls of his deep black hair. "Or.. have to do this-" He tugged at a curl of his hair, grimacing as it bounced back into place. "With my hair! I am no woman!" His brilliant green eyes glared at the man across from him, gritting his teeth darkly. He knew how good he looked, if he was a woman he would have adored the way he looked. With his slender hips and perfect curves but he wasn't a woman! He was a man. He had balls and a penis! A Man[/]. The very thing the man across from him.

"Please, just bear with it. For the sake of your kingdom Alex-" The older man stopped himself from saying Alexis. It had taken long enough to get used to saying it but he knew his son was still fighting all this. Maybe if he hadn't waited so long to start his womanly training maybe things wouldn't of turned out like this. Alex had been twelve when his mother had passed away, along with his younger sister. It was a terrible accident but nothing was going to bring them back and it wasn't like he could just steal someone and put them in his daughters place. If he did the pact would be broken, the kingdoms would go to war again. It would all fall out of place. "Your kingdom needs you and that should be the thing you worry about the most." Alexis sighed again, leaning back into the cushion's with a dark sigh, rolling his eyes as he looked out the window again. His kingdom's safety was not something he could argue with. He would do what he must but that didn't mean he would just lay down and take it. He'd go kicking and screaming.

It was only a few hours later that they arrived at the castle he would be staying at for the ceremony before traveling to the new castle. Alexis frowned as he shifted forward to look up and at the castle, marveling at it's stone as they passed into the court and stopped before the doors. The door opened and Alexis glared it for a moment before he moved forward and started out. A hand was held out towards him and he glared at the servant waiting for him, waiting until he moved away before stepping out of the carriage. For a moment he fought with the large wedding dress he was wearing, grumbling darkly as he tried to adjust it. Unladylike. That was for damn sure but Alexis only cared about impressing the prince and his parents. No one else. So he grumbled as he made his way up the stairs, ignoring his father who was chuckling behind him.

He didn't stop the grumbling until he was through the front doors, mouth gaping open as he looked around the hall. The castle he lived in was nothing like this. His kingdom was smaller than this, so unlike this. It was marvelous. So much so that Alexis couldn't help but gape until a hand grabbed his arm and started yanking him along. "We are late! Hurry." Alexis glared at his father but hurried anyways, following him through the hall and towards the throne room where the ceremony was going to be taking place. Everyone was already there by the time they made it to the doors, guards standing at attention outside the doors. Alexis' father stepped towards one of the guards, telling him to go inside and tell them that they were there. The two kingdoms had been planning this wedding for years now. Though Alexis had never even once met the prince, or seen him, talking to him or even heard about him. That was what his father had wanted. It was easier to keep from getting cold feet if he didn't know anything about the man he was going to be marrying, right?

So pulling in a deep breath he threaded his arm in his fathers and looked to the doors, waiting for them to open and revealing the man he was supposed to be marrying.

Prince Kadin Dilak’t stood at the threshold of the grand room, or rather more precisely the threshold of a new life. Every year of his living existence had been leading up to this moment and now it was suddenly upon him. He swallowed thickly, remembering how important this was to his father and for his Isadoln kingdom… how important this was for him. The rival kingdom was smaller, but never underestimated. They had proven fierce in battle and as a heavy political force, and Kadin’s father was wise to try and smooth things over in this manner.

He cupped one hand into the other behind his back trying to appear as collected as possible. His attire was rich, regal, and classy; the perfect apparel to woo the heart of a princess, hopefully. Yet it wasn’t pompous or grand like so many of the opinions garnered by foreigners about the Isadoln kingdom. Kadin was never so, and adamantly refused to wear the over-jeweled necklaces, heavy robes, and flashy accessories. His suit made him appear tall…this he knew, and he wondered at what height Princess Alexis would stand compared to his. He heard she was a beauty with dark hair and emerald eyes. His only regret was that he couldn’t have met her before this momentous occasion. They would write about this event in history books for ages down the road in both kingdoms! It was a shame the two betrothed had been forbidden to meet beforehand. But Kadin was confident the Princess was a jewel of a prize because rumors held her so in such high regard.

Finally, things were coming together for the good. Kadin was well aware of how pleased his father was to see this union come into motion. To be honest, the Prince was happily pleased as well. Everything sat well on Kadin so far, and there seemed to be nothing ugly rearing its head in opposition to the royal marriage. Everyone was happy. Even those old bastards who sat on the Council of Nine were happy to see this get underway. As far as Kadin was concerned he was doing exactly what was expected from him and soon would be sharing the bed with a foreign beauty night after day, and day after night. Life couldn’t get any better!

There were festival tapestries that hang from the ceilings in rich colors which swayed with the fresh waft of air rushing into the grand room as the anticipated doors opened to reveal the arrival of the Princess and her escort. Alike the marble columns that stood in perfect rows about the room, all the people who had packed into the place turned their faces to see the royal visitors. The sound of horns flared up to herald her entrance before Kadin could gather his wits, and there she was… even more stunningly beautiful then the rumors had painted her to be. Kadin’s hands fell away from behind his back to grace his sides, and despite the seriousness of the event and what it meant for both kingdoms, he held a genuine smile on his handsome face for his wife-to-be. His dark eyes, which contrasted perfectly to the silver hue of his thick hair, glinted in excitement to her lovely sight.

Alexis’ father escorted her down the wide aisle giving his blessing to the agreement, and once she had reached Kadin’s side the prince bowed to the foreign King and to her, both. His eyes sought for Alexis’ emeralds before he stood straight again. Kadin’s father rose up from his throne chair and took a few steps forward to offer his acknowledgement as well. “Welcome to Isadoln! You are most welcomed here on this grand occasion; the day we finally seal this peace treaty and set it in stone. With the union of our children we will be joined as sister kingdoms and all quarrels set aside.”

The doors opened and Alexis held his breath, shuddering slightly as suddenly all eyes were on him. those brilliant green eyes flicked to his father, gulping slightly before suddenly they were moving forward. He was supposed to marry that.. that.. Alexis couldn't even put into words what the prince was. "His name. You promised." He whispered the words softly to his father as they slowly made their way down the aisle and towards the throne and a beautifully smiling man. "Prince Kadin Dilak't." Alexis' father said the name softly right before they got to the man, Prince Kadin. Alexis himself couldn't help but give a small smile back at the man now standing beside him, giving a small curtsy when Kadin bowed. The sight of such a graceful bow made him sullen, it only showing on his face slightly as he looked to the king, Prince Kadin's father, as he spoke.

“Welcome to Isadoln! You are most welcomed here on this grand occasion; the day we finally seal this peace treaty and set it in stone. With the union of our children we will be joined as sister kingdoms and all quarrels set aside.”

Alexis glanced at Kadin again, inspecting his face as he was most certain that Kadin was probably looking at him. Kadin was the kind of man he wanted to be. He was sure that the prince had females falling over him, probably even tried to get him to elope before this day but the fact that he was here only showed how determined he was as well to get this fighting to stop. That alone was a good quality but Alexis knew this wasn't going to be easy. After this ceremony he was going to have to some how convince Kadin that they didn't need to have sex, make up some kind of excuse or.. well, something. Alexis still had no idea how he was going to go about convincing Kadin to keep this marriage and not break the treaty. Somehow, someway.

Those green eyes flashed to his father when his hand was grabbed, watching as Kadin's hand was taken as well so that his hand could be placed inside it. "I give my daughter to you as my vow for peace." Those words seemed to seal it for Alexis. There was no more turning back now, They would be married soon. The rest of the ceremony went by in a blur as he stared at their joining hands, knowing he was shaking slightly. He truly did not want this, this union. He was a man, not some woman to be protected and watched over. To be outside the throne room while everyone else discussed the out come of the kingdom. He was supposed to be in Kadin's place. Not standing here in this dress. Slowly his eyes looked up at Kadin's face, watching intently as stood there. He could understand now how it felt to be standing in this position, knowing that having a ring placed on his finger meant that he was now married. He now belonged to someone. All his dreams, the throne, this took it all away from him. But.. he had to do this.

when the ring was held out towards him he gently took it, gently biting his lip as he gently slipped it onto kadin's finger. "I do." He almost whispered the words, keeping his eyes on the metal object he was slipping onto Kadin's finger before he held up his own hand, waiting for Kadin to do the same to him. Though it was only seconds later that five words were uttered that sent dark shivers through his spine. "You may kiss your bride."

Kadin’s hand was warm to the touch as Alexis’ father gave his daughter away in vow for peace. He might have seemed calm and steady as he cupped the princess’ hand but it was a well worn façade. There was an old saying in Isadoln that went something like “as calm as a Red Downy Duck”. Meaning, he wasn’t very calm and collected after all! Those red feathered ducks were so graceful and peaceful as they swam around in the pond hardly making a ripple in the glassy reflection of the water. But if one would look underneath, their black-webbed feet were kicking vigorously hard to keep up that collected appearance. Kadin now understood this well. It was exactly how he was, with emotions and thoughts running hard while maintaining the princely appearance.

His thoughts were no longer on the vow being sealed, or on his father being pleased, or on his own duties and responsibilities for the people of his kingdom. Kadin’s thoughts were running around Alexis, trying to pick up or analyze anything about her own reactions to this matrimony. Was she resentful? Was she happy? Why did Kadin even care? Well he did care. He was just not the sort to disregard another’s feelings. He wanted to make the best out of this, for country and for themselves.

Alexis seemed nervous by the way her hand rested in his. She also seemed shy by the way she offered no sentimental affection to the gentle grasp of his touch. Yet she was willing because she was present. She was also curious because she would meet his gaze with hers; emeralds touching his deep, blackened sapphires. Or at least this was everything Kadin thought Alexis to be experiencing as the ceremony pursued. His finger was crowned with the wedding band that she slipped on, and he crowned hers with a mighty diamond fit for a queen. He vowed “I do,” in a confident voice, convinced that this was the right thing to do.

Then those words “you may kiss your bride” came into the air and hung over them like a guide, as if following the directions would ensure a blessed union for years on end. Kadin’s reaction was so slow in coming that the pause could have been devastating to some. It wasn’t that he didn’t want her. Alexis’ dark curls and vibrant eyes and exquisite body made him want her in a very primal way. He just wasn’t sure if Alexis wanted him. So how do you kiss a stranger as if you were meant to be in each other’s arms? Kadin wasn’t sure. However one thing he was certain of, he would definitely find out on their honeymoon!

He stepped closer to Alexis and raised his right hand to her left ear, lacing fingers into her dark strands and letting fingertips relax at the back of her neck. Thumb rested on her cheek where it inched closer to the corner of her mouth as he leaned in for a kiss, and there he let his lips touch hers. It was a meaningful kiss, both gentle and longing, where moist tiers pressed into one another. The feeling of her mouth against his made him want to take that kiss even further but he didn’t. Not yet. Not as strangers. Married they may be, but Kadin was no brute.

There in that kiss was when Kadin’s father raised his hands into the air, joyously. “Let the celebrations begin!”

He paused, Kadin had truly paused. Alexis watched him for a moment with wide eyes, trying to calm his own breathing before a hand reached up to his face. It made his breath catch in his throat, gulping slightly as he watched Kadin move forward. He knew this was how it worked, he knew this was what had to be done but he couldn't help but want to run away. What man wanted to kiss another man? Especially one they had just met? Though he forced himself not to move, to allow a hand to come up and touch his soft skin. Alexis closed his eyes, eyebrows crunched together slightly as lips pressed against his own. It was like a spark ran through him, starting from where their lips met and traveled further down. That was bad. He just knew it was. A very bad thing. He wanted to run from this feeling but he knew he didn't have a choice until he could slip away from all this.

Slowly he pulled back from Kadin, gulping slightly as a cheer rose from the bystanders. Hopefully he would be able to slip away soon. Those green eyes flicked to his father who smiled joyously at him, stepping up and around the two newlyweds to shake the other kings hand. He could hear them talking happily about this and he knew this was the point that he could possibly slip away. "I'm sorry.. I need some air." He gave Kadin a smile before taking a step away and then turning. He didn't give Kadin much chance to say anything as he quickly headed down the steps and through the now crowded hall. People from both kingdoms had come to watch the ceremony and they were now all laughing and cheering and dancing in celebration over the union. This was just further proof that he had done what was right for his kingdom but.. he was still devastated. That ring on his finger was the end of his existence as a man.

Quickly he hurried out to a balcony, gently closing the doors behind him so that he could be in the slight silence the outside world gave him. This was too much. He needed space. Slowly he walked over to the edge, hands grasping the stone railing as he looked out over what appeared to be a garden. It was beautiful, not to mention huge. "wow. It's beautiful." He spoke softly as he looked over the garden, leaning on the railing as he tried to calm himself.