《Strength through love.》


 Chapter 1,

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 Chapter 2,

    The room exploded into applause as we separated and a woman I had never met walked up to me, her skin bronze like my husbands but her hair was black like mine which made me feel a tinge of excitement that mother and I weren''t the only ones but her eyes drew me in for they were hazel an eye color I had only read about in my romance novels that I collected since I was a young teen. ¡°Hello my queen, I''m Marchioness Belle Thorn, but please call me Belle I''m your lady-in-waiting.¡± She said in excitement. ¡°Yes, and this is your new guard Sir Aaron Ward.¡± Edwin said showing me to a man with brown hair and hazel eyes and I was beginning to suspect that all the people in my new home would be of bronze skin.


    I smiled at them though I was beginning to feel over stimulated and wanted to flee but I forced myself to say as I had been taught. ¡°I am honored to make your acquaintance.¡± Belle curtsied and Aaron bowed, ¡°The honor is ours.¡± They said in unison before Edwin gestured for me to follow him to the head table which I obliged. Belle and Aaron stood behind me as I sat in my spot and saw with horror that Delilah was giving me the look that she always did when I was messing up with her arms folded and her brows slightly down.


    I slid down a little feeling small and insignificant, ¡°Your highness is something wrong?¡± Belle asked making father, mother and Edwin look to me. ¡°No.¡± I whispered as I pulled myself up reminding myself that when I got punished, I was not supposed to show any sign or it would be worse. Father shot a glare at Delilah and cleared his throat, ¡°Thank you all for coming for my sweet Eleanor''s and Grand Duke Edwin''s marriage, with this the war is over and may peace reign. Please partake in this feast.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    With that the room exploded into chatter as I slowly began to eat breathing between each bite. ¡°Is the food not to your liking?¡± Edwin asked with a bit of steak in his mouth. I giggled, ¡°I love the food I just get nervous with a lot of people.¡± His small smile faded, ¡°And can you handle a large group all the time?¡± I nodded knowing what he meant, a queen who couldn''t handle stress was no help to a kingdom. ¡°I can handle large groups it''s just that a lot has happened today.¡± He nodded but I could tell that he didn''t believe me.


    Diner was a bit uncomfortable afterward with Edwin only making small talk after and watching my every reaction until the midnight hour was upon us and mother stood with tears in her eyes and spoke. ¡°Now may my little butterfly, sorry I mean Grand Duchess and Grand Duke Bellmere take to their wedding bed and complete the treaty.¡± She swallowed hard and father looked like he would start swinging but Edwin took my hand in his and we left for the wedding chamber guards marching behind us and as we entered the door was shut and locked.


    I turned to see Edwin just as nervous as I was, we both looked like we might be sick but taking a deep breath I laid my hands on his chest, and he wrapped me in his arms slowly bringing me to the bed and for the first time I had been with a man.

 Chapter 3,

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 Chapter 4,

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 Chapter 5,

    Edwin lit up like I''ve never seen he was home and the world was right for him. He waved to his people while helping me off the ship, ¡°The war is over! Let Drakewind once again be at peace!¡± Edwin announced and the people cheered happy to see their Grand Duke again, I felt excitement from everyone and began waving too which led people to lift pieces of art towards the sun. Edwin leaned over and whispered, ¡°It is your job to show which piece of art you like more you have until we get to the castle so that the people can know what art you hold dear.¡± ¡°Can I choose more than one?¡± Edwin nodded with a smile.


    I looked at all the art as we passed the masses and I couldn''t help but have a little prep in my step as I looked at all my people and their art. I touched a wooden statue of a drake and the young man who was holding it squealed with delight as he handed me the statue and declared, ¡°I am only a student of master William of southern vine, I am honored that you chose my drake your highness!¡± I curtsied then held the drake to my chest for it was beautifully carved from a dark wood and looked like it would come to life at any moment and I swore that I would go and meet him and his master after I got settled.


    I chose two other art pieces; one was a crystal bird cage with little ruby fairies in them and a flower crown made from silver with gold flowers that looked like daisies and both gave a greeting like the first apparently I was good at finding apprentices works. Then near the palace I saw the prettiest and sweetest creature and forgetting myself I rushed to the merchant who looked a bit surprised but smiled, ¡°These cats are known as calico''s and they come from the far east. Would your highness like to buy one.¡± I smiled looking at the mewing cats and was drawn to one who didn''t want anything to do with the other cats much like me at home.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    ¡°How much for this one?¡± He looked at the sulking cat and keeping his smile told me one gold, which Edwin reached over and gave him the gold. I was surprised as I hadn''t known that he had followed me, but I picked up my sweet kitty who looked less than impressed but still sniffed me then put her face into my chest. I loved her right away and Edwin led me back to the road where we finished our march to the castle.


    Once we entered Edwin asked. ¡°What will you name it?¡± I smiled up at him for I had been thinking and said with the biggest smile that I believe that I ever gave and said, ¡°I will name her after the old emperor of the west Pendragon.¡± He nodded and ordered that the art I chose including Pendragon be brought to me chambers as he took my hand and led me into the castle to our new home and whispered, ¡°I hope you can still handle a feast and ball.¡± I took a deep breath and nodded giving him a reassuring smile.

 Chapter 6,

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 Chapter 7,

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 Chapter 8,

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 Chapter 9,

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 Chapter 10,

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