Thread: Sold to an Arrangement (Rania Lark x Wander)

Susanna was not willing to deceive everyone around her and wallow in the impending loneliness of not having someone she could be completely open with and it seemed like the one person that could fulfill that role was standing before her, the man to whom she was now married, who, by his own words, wanted nothing to do with her. But she would be unable to confide in anyone else and she was now trapped within this life and he was the only respite from the lies that would slowly surround them. Susanna watched as the Prince stared at her hand before explaining his aversion to her offer of a friendship. How he had been taken advantage of and how those who did it were leeches, parasites with nothing more than power and wealth in their minds. Both of those were unimportant to Susanna for she had them already. Then the Prince went on to explain what his definition of friendship was. Susanna remained silent as he recited the promises required to attain what he considered friendship with a slight smile on her face. His oath sounded very much like the wedding vows she had read in many of her books and heard from her tutors of those who wed for love with a promise to be the rock for the other for the rest of their lives. Despite her amusement at his recitations, Susanna remained silent, deeming it better to keep her opinions to herself concerning the similarities lest the Prince find her words insulting and plunging her into the loneliness she feared. The Princess remained still as he released her hand before gathering up some comforts for his night on the opulent, plush sofa, explaining his deal to her and if she agreed, she would meet him where he practiced the next morning as the sun crested above the horizon. Goodnight, Leopold, she replied, curtseying slightly as she climbed into the marriage bed, alone. That night she did not sleep as she had already made her decision for the next morning. Before the sun rose over the hills outside the castle, Susanna sprung from her bed and padded through the corridors back to her dressing room. Inside was one maid and she looked up surprised that the Princess was awake so early the day after her wedding. Susanna did not explain, instead explaining that she wished to go riding that day and would need appropriate clothing. The maid quickly set to work, selecting a white ensemble of tight trousers along with a white bodice with lacing up the front over a linen shirt. All of this would be covered by a long white coat that would drape over the rear of the horse, enabling her to maintain her femininity while riding straddled over the back. Once her hair was pulled up into a loose bun of curls away from her face, Susanna was ready. However, she was not to go alone. Despite Susannas protestations, the maid insisted that she accompany her Mistress on the ride, lest she lose her position and potentially her life should anything happen to the Princess. Susanna was forced to reluctantly agree and the maid was sworn to silence before they even left the dressing room. The maid eagerly agreed, glad that her position was safe. Susanna chose a snow white mare that seemed to have a gentle spirit, her weapon merely a bow and arrow for defense from afar should they be set upon. The maid stared in shock at the idea of an armed women in Xanaphabia but wisely kept silent about the entire ordeal. She was provided a grey mare, smaller than her Mistress and they began their ride into the forest. Susanna rode silently, all the while thinking of how her and the Prince would be both the relief and reprieve from such an oppressive life. They would both be honest with one another and relieve the stress by speaking openly while in private, venting frustrations and dealing with problems they both would face. He would be the only beacon of hope that would light up the night of her new life of servitude beneath him. That was why she rode to him. Emerging into the clearing just as an arrow screamed through the air at a target, Susanna and her maid dismounted from their steeds. The maid remained an arms length away and silent as a small smile spread across Susannas face that he was indeed here and that his words last night were not some sort of test of her new life. She exhaled slowly, her blue eyes sparkling against the blue waters of the falls as the sound of running water filled the clearing.