Early the next morning, Ari changed into her black dress and covered her nose and mouth with the sheer black veil. Vida changed into her men's clothes, winding her straight, chestnut brown hair into a tight bun before putting a cap on. The women each grabbed a basket of elixirs, pastes and healing herbs that Ari prepared before exiting the palace.

In the market, Vida arranged a table, a few chairs, and a cot while Ari unpacked the baskets. They did this every morning when Ari didn't have any royal duties, which was quite often. Since her family always assumed that she was too fragile or sickly to take on as much work as the rest of them, Ari was able to sneak out and do what she really loved: being a physician. The sun shown brightly and the princess's eyes were a prominent golden honey color in the light. Many people lined up to see Ari on account of the fact that Ari didn't charge for her medical services. She accepted donations however, and people were happy to give them if they were able. At lunch time, they packed up and dropped the earned money off at the orphanage along with vitamin-type herbs to brew with tea.

After bathing and changing into her sparkling jewelry and gown, Ari sent a maid to bring lunch for Vida and herself. She rarely left her quarters when she was at the castle. When she did, the maids had to scurry to cover the windows of the palace just for Ari to walk the halls. It was easier for the princess to stay in her quarters, which was a building somewhat separated from the main halls whose windows were always covered. It also added to the act of being frail and unhealthy.

As the maid returned with trays of food for the princess and her guard, she gave her report of the goings-on in the castle. This was a normal routine for them and they didn't mind doing it, as they knew the princess was rarely in good enough condition to stay in the know herself. "Crown Prince Aasif has plans to meet with His Majesty after they've finished their lunch. If you're able, you're expected to be at a formal dinner with your family and the Othan prince."

Ari smiled at the girl and thanked her before the maid curtsied slightly and left. She quickly ate her delicious meal with Vida and informed the maids that she would be going to the meeting room. This was necessary because the windows from the hall that connected her quarters to the main palace building would need to have the curtains down. The maids scurried ahead of the princess.

As Ari neared the room, she heard the loud voices of her brothers arguing. The loudest, of course, belonged to Aasif. Ari understood him clearly before she even made it to the door.

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"NOBODY is fine with sending her to the wolves! We can't trade the life of our sister for a little extra protection!" he yelled.

Ari knocked on the door, then pushed it open with Vida following behind and closing the door for her. "Thank you all for worrying over me, but I'm fine with protecting our people, even if it means leaving this country."

Everyone turned to see Ari, then looked away sheepishly, feeling guilty that they were discussing her fate without her. Ari held her chin up and her shoulders back, looking more like a royal than any of the others in the room.

Their father cleared his throat to break the obvious tension between the siblings. "Arinja is right. It's for the best. And it is normal for a princess to marry into another country."

"Yes, for countries that think nothing of family..." scoffed Aviir, Ari's eldest brother. He had long, black hair that ran just past his shoulders and was tied off to the side. King Assur threw him an annoyed look.

"I agree, I believe that Ari should be able to choose her own husband in her own time. Arranged marriages are against what we believe," commented her youngest brother. He was a few years older than Ari and was married with his first child on the way.

"Not only that, but that man is a legend in his country in the worst way," Aasif continued. "People call him the Demon of O-"

Assur suddenly slammed his hand on the desk in front of him and glared at his sons for a long moment before everyone heard a light rapping on the door.

"I apologize for the intrusion, I couldn't help but overhear as I passed by the hall." Arellan swept into the room and stood next to Ari, glancing at her briefly with his cold green eyes. Ari felt shorter than she had in a while as she stood next to him. Not to say that Ari was short; in fact, she was 5'10" without shoes and typically towered over women and even some men. But Arellan was at least 6'3", probably closer to 6'4" in height.

"No please, pardon me for not calling for you. I expected this meeting to have significantly less people attending but now it has turned into a debate." Assur smiled at Arellan apologetically.

"I assure you that I would not force Princess Arinja to marry me. I'm well aware of the dangers this marriage will be placing her in." The room went quiet as the brothers fumed in silence.

Again, King Assur was the one to break the awkward atmosphere. "So you are all in agreeance that Arinja should be the one to choose her own husband?" He looked into the eyes of everyone in the room and nobody had the nerve to speak out in opposition. He sighed heavily. "Then it shall be so--"

"I will marry Prince Arellan."

Everyone froze and turned to Ari, Aasif opening his mouth before Ari cut him off in a firm voice. "I choose willingly to marry Prince Arellan."