"I choose willingly to marry Prince Arellan."

The air was intensely palpable in the meeting room as everyone stared at Ari with mixed emotions for what seemed like minutes on end. Ari wanted to shift nervously but she held her ground, not showing any hesitation.

Arellan felt his cheeks burn and was glad that everyone's attention was on the princess.

King Assur, ever the diplomat, clapped his hands together, making everyone jump in shock. "That settles it then! The one getting married is Arinja, not you boys, and she has made her choice. I'll hear no more arguments on the matter. Tomorrow night will be her last as a resident of this palace."

Ari smiled as she bowed, though her father's last words stung in her heart. She loved this country dearly. The people, the culture, her family. All of it. But even if you love something, sometimes the best thing to do is to leave it.

Dinner that night was as awkward as one would imagine it to be. Luckily after several minutes of strained silence, Andile (the youngest of Ari's elder brothers) arrived with his wife. Ari stood up in excitement as the woman waddled into the room. She braced herself for Ari's hug attack and grinned at her sister-in-law.

Ari stepped back and gently touched her fingertips on Mei Lin's belly, giving her a questioning glance. Princess Mei Lin nodded and smiled at Ari, giving her permission to touch her belly. Andile took his seat and spoke with the men of the family as Arellan watched Ari curiously.

Ari felt her little nephew in Mei Lin's belly with her eyes closed for a moment, then stepped back. "He's growing well and seems to have flipped already. That should make your delivery a little easier. Not much longer until my nephew is born!"

Mei Lin giggled. "You're so good at this. You must've been a physician in your past life. But how do you know that it's a boy? I want a girl!"

Ari gulped nervously. Obviously she couldn't say that she was a well-known physician NOW and definitely couldn't say that she asked the goddess Athena to find out the gender for her months ago. Ari twirled a strand of hair in her fingers anxiously. "Just a hunch!" she answered flippantly. "What will you name him?"

Mei Lin leaned in close and peeked around to make sure nobody was listening. Arellan pretended to listen to the king speak. "If it's a girl, Amaya. Akira for a boy."

Ari nodded seriously in agreement. "Akira is a wonderful name."

Mei Lin laughed and let Ari lead her to the table. Names that start with A were a tradition in Ari's family, and she was glad that Mei Lin was keeping to that tradition. Though she was quite upset that she wouldn't be here for her first nephew's birth, she would surely visit after she got settled in Otha.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

King Assur looked knowingly at the bitter expression on his daughter's face as she took her seat. "I'm a little sad that I won't be able to see your wedding ceremony," he confessed as the women sat down, almost mirroring Ari's thoughts. "But maybe we'll hold a small one of our own when you have time to visit!" The maids entered with dinner trays for everyone. Ari reached over and took Mei Lin's teacup from her tray, whispering to a maid asking for a second glass of water.

Mei Lin sighed. "I miss tea."

Andile chuckled at his wife. "You think I don't notice that you wake up in the middle of the night and sneak to the kitchen to make tea cakes?"

Mei Lin pouted. "Don't tell everyone that!"

Ari gave Mei Lin an accusing glance before smiling softly. "Cravings are natural. If you notice her getting up, dear brother, maybe you can help your wife bake so that she can get back to sleep faster."

Andile scoffed. "She'd probably be done faster if I didn't interfere."

The family laughed as Arellan gazed at them. He'd never experienced a dinner like this. Everyone was sitting closely around a table, laughing and talking so easily. His family wasn't like this, and he regretted pulling Ari from such a happy home.

But... maybe... he might be happier in his home. With her in it.

Ari glanced at him. "Are you okay?"

Arellan nodded and finished his cup of tea. He hesitated for a second, then asked, "Will you join me before dinner tomorrow? I plan to go to the market and purchase some things that we don't have in Otha."

"Yes, please. There are some things I'd like as well and wasn't sure if I had the time to get them," Ari answered, her eyes sparkling at the idea. Arellan felt a little victorious, coming up with an idea that she liked. Especially after making her so angry the night before. Yikes.

The next morning, Ari and Vida woke up extra early to go to the market and set up the physician's table. Ari was adamant about saying goodbye and letting people know to see the other physicians in town from that point on. She left a large additional amount of money for the orphanage that she usually donated to, and hugged the owner before waving goodbye. Tears threatened to sting her eyes on the walk back, but she held them in well enough. They made their way into the courtyard leading to the princess's quarters when...

BAM! Ari nearly tumbled backwards after knocking into something, but she felt a hand on her arm steadying her.

Ari looked up into Arellan's green eyes and his darkened when he looked at her golden ones. He probably didn't take kindly to being run into.

"The forest physician?" Arellan asked aloud, suspicion lacing his deep voice. "What are you doing in the palace?"

Ari shifted nervously, then stood up straight while clutching her basket so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Vida kept her head down, avoiding the scrutinizing gazes of the prince and his guard. Ari raised her voice a bit higher than her normal one when she answered and tried not to look him in the eye. "I'm the princess's personal physician. I came to do a quick examination to ensure that she can make the journey to Otha in good health. Please forgive me for being unaware of my surroundings." She bowed swiftly.

She glanced at his hand still wrapped around her arm and he looked at it too. "Ah," he said as if remembering that it was indeed his hand on her arm and removed it. "Apologies. If you could, please let the princess know that I'll be waiting at the front gate."

Ari bowed her head in response and quickly scurried inside.