в ι т є у σ υ я т σ и g υ є [[мιαкιѕ-n-ℓєιgнα]]

"What if I do not wish to meet him?"
"My daughter, my dear, you must understand. Having a king is for the good of the people. We know you are to rule this country yourself, but the people believe in a lord than a lady."
"You mean a king to a queen?"
"Yes, that."

Anika sighed, pacing back and forth. Her father was such a nincompoop sometimes!! She didn't need a king to rule by her side; only she was suitable for this throne, but her father would not give her the crown unless she had a king by her side.

She'd show him, she would.

"When is he to arrive?" The young sadist queen-to-be asked her elder.
"Tonight." Her father replied, waiting for his daughter's response. Only she was scarier than he when they were infuriated by one thing or another.
"WHAAAAAAAAT?!" Anika replied. Narrowing scarlet eyes at her father, she frowned. "WHY TONIGHT?!"
"Because you are to be wed to him in two weeks' time. Then, you may take my crown and rule over this kingdom as you were to do. Mind you, you shall have more power than he, for you are connected to the bloodline, and he is in here by marriage, after you were... widowed."

Anika giggled softly at her father's joke. She sighed. "Well," she sighed, swishing her dress cutely at her father, whenever she wanted something. "I guess it won't be TOO bad. We don't have an heir, anyways." She sighed. "I just hope he isn't one of those sexist pigs, like David," the name of her ex-husband came off her tongue like acid.

"I have heard various things of your fiance," her father sneered, pacing. "Some good... some very, very, veeeery bad."
"I do not wish to hear," Anika said, drifting to the window. "For if I was meant to know, he will tell me... or I will ask him. Either, or." She smiled evilly.
"You must make a good impression on him, Aniki - we must appear innocent to him and his escorts."

"Yes, Father..." Anika grinned over her shoulder, practicing her walk and presentation of herself for her new fiance's arrival.

This would be something to remember.

"Father, I still don't see why I need to marry. I'm a male, I don't need to marry to become king. If I want an heir, that's what mistresses are for.Tell me again why on earth you're so eager to marry me off as if I was some girl from a poor family that's only looking for money?" Luke stared out the window in annoyance. His father had told him to stop bothering the coach driver about getting there faster, so he found something else to complain about. He really was acting like a child about this whole thing, but who could blame him? He was being married to a girl he's never met and bad rumors were in the air about her having been widowed. Being widowed was a bad omen in his land.

Luke's father seemed to disapprove against his son's behavior, but he made no move to stop it. "You know the rumors. You know what they call you. If the people will be appeased by you getting married, then you should be happy to do so for your country. We can't have another revolt on our hands."

"The idea of a girl calming me is absolutely ludicrous, and you know it. Women are weak creatures only good for food and sex, and here the people have come up with the ridiculous idea that a women could also calm my 'fiery temper' and turn me into a perfectly chivalrous gentleman. If being around a woman hasn't done it for me, than marrying one certainly won't."

"Just stop complaining, son. If you feel so strongly about it, then you can come up with some good perfectly logical excuse to end it after you're married. We're almost there anyways. Remember your manners. Don't insult them, we can't afford to be at war with these people. Act acceptable, and please don't go spouting that nonsense about women. Your future wife won't have any of it."

Once again, Luke took the pouting position and looked out the window of the wagon. What had upset him the most about this whole ordeal was that he had to go over there. Him and his father were both leaving the country just to marry this girl. Didn't it make sense for the girl to be moved? It's not like she had anything to rule. That couldn't be the way his father wanted it though. He had sent the servants to pack his things spouting something about chivalry and women on long trips such as this. Now, here he was. It was a shame that he couldn't bribe the servant packing his things to just leave him be. It seemed that not all the servants would easily fall into money, which he couldn't understand. Money was happiness, wasn't it? Hopefully this female just wasn't those prissy and proper girls that always seemed to chase after him. He couldn't stand to deal with that for any length of time, and he'd probably end up running away before the marriage. If his father thought up that kind of torture, he wouldn't care about the possibility of his actions causing a war.

"My lady," the crier exclaimed. "Your fiance's coach just pulled into the courtyard!"

Anika nodded, dismissing both her father and the crier with a wave. She intended on meeting her fiance by herself. She practically ruled the country by herself, so she wanted to appear strong and independent when meeting said male. She stepped out into the courtyard, her black evening gown held up about her knees. She smiled to the coach, waiting for it to open.

"This is my country, and he will learn his place soon enough. And if he doesn't... well... his coach might go over a side or something like that. I will have to get creative again." Anika thought, dropping the trail of her dress, waiting for the males to step out of the coach and greet her. "This. Is MY country, and I do not intend on sharing power with some sexist pig like David. He was quite annoying.

The creak of the carriage door brought Anika out of her thoughts. She folded her hands in front of her and a kind smile was placed onto her face. Oh, what a facade.

Luke ran a hand through his hair, messing up any order the servants had managed to put it in before they left, earning a scowl from his father. As the coach began to slow, he glared out the window allowing his hair to fall into his eyes, which only served to make his father's scowl deepen. The fact that Luke refused to look absolutely perfect for his new fiance was driving his father mad, and that was just how Luke liked it. There was no way he could get away with acting like anything but a gentleman while his father's watchful eye was on him, but Luke swore that he'd rebel against this in any way that he could. The wheels of the coach groaned as the coach slowed to a stop. They were there, and he was going to meet his fiance.

Without waiting for his father, Luke left the wagon only to glare at the girl standing there. It was obvious that she was his new fiance, but he refused to care about such things. All he saw was the person he'd be forced to be nice to for the rest of his life whether he liked it or not, "Greetings Your Highness." The last two words held a hint of sarcasm, which earned him a cuff to the back of his head from his father, who had come up behind him. Luke growled in response at his father, but refused to amend his rudeness and continued to glare.

Upon seeing Luke's glare, his father cuffed him in the back of the head again before saying, "What did I tell you about being polite?" This caused Luke to growl in anger, but his father ignored his son's outburst and turned to the princess, I apologize for my son's rude behavior, he's just grouchy from being in the coach for so long."

"I am not grouchy!" Luke flinched before his father could deliver a thir blow. He could already guess the suffering of long torturous etiquette lessons when this was all over with. On this note, he decided to try and be civil in hope of changing his father's mind on the matter. "I apologize for my previous sarcasm Your Highness, I am just weary from the long travel." It no longer held that hint of sarcasm, but it still didn't hold the respect that he should show a princess and his fiance. His father only glared in response, but figured that was the best he would get out of Luke without having him throw a tantrum.

"Please, you needn't worry," Anika chuckled. "For I would act quite similar if I was cooped up in a carriage for so long." She let out an uncharacteristic smile, continuing her facade of "the nice queen". "Please, if you'll come in, we will tend to your fatigue and most likely, hunger. Our chefs are some of the best in the land, and will create any dish your heart desires."

"And for the lord senior," she noted, "my father will be in the smoking room after dinner. He is indeed excited to meet you and your son." With a long, flowing gesture, she extended her arm to the castle door, which was now held open by two guards. "Do not worry about any luggage you have brought," Anika continued, "for it will be brought up by my staff soon enough. Until then, your guest rooms are stocked with the basics: towels, soaps, extra sheets, some books for leisure, and if there is anything else either of you will need, please bring it to my or my father's attention; we will take care of it immediately."

Anika bowed once more. "Once again, I thank you for joining the Meridi family. If you will follow me into the dining hall, I shall summon my father and we will get to know each other better." She said, turning towards the door.

The calm reaction caused Luke's father to relax, and Luke relaxed a little as well thinking that her reaction may have actually prevented further punishment. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for her personality. It seemed that his father really had thought to torture him by forcing him in a marriage with some proper lady that's probably all about hosting parties and being prissy. Thinking about it, Luke realized that this could be worse. At least she wasn't pining after him like some lost puppy. That small thought cheered him up slightly, but only such. Perhaps he should have bothered to do some research into what he was dealing with. Luke had finally realized that if his father had been more or less forcing him to put on a facade, then this girl could easily be the same way.

It didn't matter, because now he was being escorted in. The thought of food immediately perked him up and he smiled, "Food would be most gracious, Lady." I thank you." As usual, the way to Luke's heart was always food, and it always managed to cheer him up. There was no time left to ponder any more about how his father could think of torturing him so, and he eagerly followed behind her. His father seemed pleased by Luke's attitude change and followed as well, but he stayed a bit behind to watch how the two interact. He could only hope that Luke continued to act pleasant.

"Meeting with your father would be most appreciated ma'am, and it seems you know how to entertain guests well." Luke's father chuckled at Luke's personality change. This could actually turn out better than he thought if she could continue to keep Luke happy. Silently, he was doubting that it would happen. For, he knew, that Luke could only be happy while eating, sleeping, or taking advantage of his power. As soon as the food was done and talk began, there was no doubt that Luke would go back to complaining and brooding on how unfair it all was.

"Why, thank you. I learned from the best, anyways." She smiled as her father came up behind her as the three - now four - entered the dining hall. In front of them was a large dining table that could seat 13 or 14 easily.

"Anika, you say too much about me," her father chuckled, clasping a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "You must be Luke and his father. My name is Xavier. It is a pleasure to meet the both of you." He extended his hand to two chairs opposite the chairs in which he and Anika would be sitting. "Please, sit. Dinner will be complete in a few moments."

Anika sat, bringing the folds of her dress to tuck under herself as she watched the other two. She had a blade strapped to her thigh and she knew how to use it. Her father's pistol was tucked under his coat. Should their guests be less than... appropriate in their home, they would be taught a quick lesson on how to speak to deadly royalty.

Luke's father's smile seemed almost ignorant, but Luke knew better than to believe that. There was no way that his father could deal with him for this long and be ignorant to the corruption that a king can hold, and the ability to hide it behind a facade. While there was no reason to believe that these two were corrupt, his own personality kept him on guard. Only the most corrupt of people could really be fully prepared to face corruption. Of course, Luke's father had grown used to dealing with it through dealing with Luke, but he wasn't about to assume anything without cause. Luke simply thought everyone was corrupt, but he couldn't care less at the moment. Food was more important. His father said, It's a pleasure to meet you, Xavier. My name Athranenth, but you may call me Aaron."

"It's not like anyone could possibly pronounce your full name, father." Another rude statement, but it only earned Luke a heated glare. It wasn't like Luke had offended his fiance or her father. Luke had simply offended his own father, and he could be punished for it when there weren't more important matters to focus on. Upon being told to sit, Luke sat in front of his fiance and smiled, "I am glad to meet both of you. It really is a pleasure." Luke brushed his hair out of his eyes and glanced them over. He stored any observations in his mind for later contemplation, possibly when his mind wasn't on food.

Despite his lack of knowledge and his failure to assess the situation, Luke wasn't worried. He had a hidden dagger, but he was silently upset that his father hadn't at least let him wear his sword of bring a body guard of some sort. Apparently it would be considered rude, and they had nothing to fear from these two. According to his dad, everything would be fine as long as Luke managed to be polite, but he wasn't on a good start. That didn't matter though. His sword and bow were both packed, and he could grab one later claiming that he was going to practice. Practice had been the only reason his father let him bring it. Something about protecting your family. The idea of having to protect his family upset Luke. If they couldn't fight for themselves, then they weren't worth it.

The food was soon brought out - a roast of lamb with balsamic reduction, as well as cheese fondue and fois gras. Usually, much more food would be brought out, but this was a simple dinner of food, and more could always be brought out if they had to. Everyone was poured a glass of red wine, the best from the cellar. Had to make a good impression on the newest extension-to-be on their family.

"Dinner is served," Xavier noted, "please, eat to your hearts' desires." And with that, he cut himself a piece of the lamb, and Anika helped herself to a plate of the fois gras. The two never ate the same thingl; it was just father-daughter habit.

"So," Anika noted after chewing a bit, swallowing, and wiping her lips on a white napkin-cloth. "Luke, is it? If I might ask, what achievements have you amounted to? Or, well, I guess you could say that I'm asking your hobbies in a way. Either-or would be acceptable." She blinked at the male.

Luke and his father both helped themselves to the lamb. Upon the thought of meat, Luke was happy, and Aaron was beginning to think that this good mood could actually last the rest of the meeting if everything went Luke's way. It was an absurd hope, but a hope nonetheless. Wasn't it natural for some to hope things worked out when there was a potential war on their hands if they accidentally offended them? Especially when Luke had a mouth like he did. When Anika had attempted to make conversation about Luke, Aaron relaxed more. That was an easy way to get on Luke's good side, and he only hoped Luke wouldn't say anything stupid.

Finishing the food in his mouth, Luke smiled, "As far as achievements, it depends on who your talking to. Not everyone likes me, and they can be quite harsh when naming some supposed achievements, but I like to think that it's because they don't really know me. On top of that, what I consider an achievement and what father does is also quite different." Sensing where this could go, Aaron tensed and glanced at his son. It seemed that all that worry was for not, because Luke continued, My hobbies and achievements go hand-in-hand actually. I have won the archery competition five years in a row in our kingdom. On top of that, I have yet to be unseated in a jousting match in the past three years." Luke chuckled when his father relaxed. For some reason, having his father stress over nothing was the most fun for him.

"I enjoy sword fighting, jousting, archery, and reading. I have other hobbies, but father always has stressed those the most, and I find them quite relaxing." By 'other hobbies' Luke meant things less than legal, but his father didn't comment. As long as Luke hadn't said any of the things that would make him less thought of allowed, he was fine. Of course, Luke had to top off his perfect behavior by feigning interest in return. "What about you, beautiful. Do you have and achievements or hobbies?"

In truth, Luke had never been a fan of modern technology such as guns. He felt like they were cheating in a way, for they required less skill and strength. There was no chance that he'd say it allowed though, he not risk his father getting mad again because he spoke without thinking and accidentally offended their gracious host. Besides, these two wonderful people had provided food, the fact that it was a meat was a bonus. There was no way he wanted on their bad side if they kept this up. That was, it all depended how long he could deal with his wife-to-be. If she turned out to be everything he hated, then no amount of good food could ever put him back into a good mood.