[b]"Princess Ayana.."[/b] came the calming but professional voice of a royal guard. Normally, one would respond civilly with a polite smile, but Ayana instead gave the guard a glare from over her book. The princess was sitting in her desk chair, wearing a non-traitional, short, pink dress that was still meant for weddings, trying to bury her nose in a book to forget her impending doom. It had been working until her name was called and all the fear and frustration flared up again into anger, but the guard didn't seem phased by it. He was wearing functional, but ceremonial white armor that had golden spirals and the king's crest of a lion stamped to the front, his open-face helm under his arm. [b]"His Majesty is requesting your presence in the courtyard."[/b] It was simple as that before the guard showed himself out and was gone, leaving Ayana alone for a few moments.

Slowly, she put the book down and closed it slowly, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. She was scared and angry that not only was she going to be with a man, but also of another species. She certainly wasn't racist, she knew that, so deep down it was mostly just being upset at having to be with a man for the rest of her days. Ayana felt hurt that her father knew she couldn't stand men that way and yet saw it fit to force it on her anyways - she would never be happy. The princess had let the king know, very vocally, of her disapproval before storming out of his room and to hers and they hadn't spoken since. Combing her hair backwards with her hands, Ayana began to prepare herself that she would have to face her father now.. and in only a couple short hours.. see the man that would be a part of her life from here 'til death.

Down below and several moments later, the chatter from the guards quickly settled as they all saw the sight of the princess pushing open the castle doors open. Brown hair and blue eyes gave the sight of a pink wedding dress slight pause, but it somehow suited her, as if her entire personality was somehow wrapped into the unusual tailoring. Ayana was sure at least a couple of them wished they had been the man she would marry, but it didn't matter at all, because no man would ever get her into bed - that thought alone caused her to shiver in discomfort. Biting her lower lip, she gently climbed into the carriage, the door being opened and closed by guards, and saw her father. He seemed infuriatingly happy as she sat down on the red-cushioned benches, just giving her a proud look as if there was nothing wrong. [b][color=ffc028]"Ready dove?"[/color][/b] he asked.

The question alone caused her to huff and wiggle herself deeper into the bench, as if it was somehow hide her away from all of this. She only nodded silently and turned her gaze to the window, determined not to make eye contact with the king. After how everyone treated her, it seemed he wasn't all that different after all. The carriage jolted slightly as the horses in front began to stride forward down the path to the beach nearby, with all the knights and guards beginning to ride along, the chatter of marriage gossip slowly working it's way back up in volume.

An hour passed on by before Ayana finally looked at her father, who seemed to be looking out the window himself in thought, however as if sensing her movement he returned the gaze only a second later. [b][color=ffc028]"What is it, dove?"[/color][/b] he asked calmly, gently, though he had to admit he was slightly amused by the misunderstanding.

[b][color=d442fb]"I told you..."[/color][/b] she started with a flare of anger, though it was calm enough not to be seen as disrespect among all the subjects - if they could even hear them at all. [b][color=d442fb]"You know.. you [i]know[/i] I don't want to be with a man. I-..."[/color][/b] She looked out the window again, balling up her fist in a mixture of anger and depression. Her sharp gaze snapped back to her father. [b][color=d442fb]"I don't know why you're doing this."[/color][/b]

King Keltin shifted back against the carriage uncomfortably and pursed his lips in thought. As much fun as the surprise would be, he could see how much it was [i]actually[/i] upsetting her. It wasn't wise to keep her in the dark if this was that kind of stress it was causing her, so taking a slow inward breath, he explained. [b][color=ffc028]"People can't just take things all the time without.. something happening in return. Knowing that we have neighbors means it's not only rude, but nearly an act of war to encroach on their seas - even if it's just for fish or exploring other lands. This is to bring our people's together with love and understanding..."[/color][/b] He paused, seeing that Ayana had turned her eyes back to the window in irritation - he knew she didn't want to hear that, but it was just as important as what she needed to hear. [b][color=ffc028]"... and you never gave me a chance to reply yesterday. Despite all your assumptions and fears, dove.. you [i]are[/i] marrying a woman."[/color][/b]

The release of tension was almost so great that one could feel the air get lighter, his daughter slowly looking over to him in confusion, but with a relief that made the older man grin. [b][color=d442fb]"W-what?... r-really?"[/color][/b] she stammered in almost ecstatic surprise. The king only nodded gently. Before he knew it, she had jumped across the way and was hugging him tightly around the shoulders in silence. Giving one last squeeze, she moved back to sit next to her father as her mind worked furiously to imagine the new scenario. [b][color=d442fb]"Oh... I'm so sorry father.."[/color][/b] she gently apologized, getting a gentle pat on her hand in response. As her eyes went up to his, she gave him a small smile. [b][color=d442fb]"Is it okay I'm a tad nervous, now?"[/color][/b] They both shared a happy chuckle.

The next hour was Ayana sitting quietly as butterflies over took her stomach, leaving her biting her lip often in a flurry of nervousness and daydreams and curiosities. She wasn't sure how it'd work between two different species, though she wasn't so put off by the idea as she was genuinely interested, having daydreams of getting to know one another, getting to touch and explore her partner's skin, and simply wondering how it might feel. The princess kept many thoughts in her head to make the hour pass by quickly, such as where they'd live, how she'd be received, and the such. All she really knew was just like any other marriage, Ayana would be left in the care of the other's family, but this was special. Though official planning for a unique home hadn't been fully fleshed out, they had brought with them the very best camping gear they could muster to set up a semi-permanent residence for the princess until something could be worked out between both Humans and Mers.

The carriage came to a slow stop just as Ayana was thinking of being inside her little tent and whether her partner would stay after or go back to her clan and leave her alone. The full stop caused all those thoughts to suddenly wash away though as her nervousness was literally embedded into every single nerve ending, causing her to tense up as the king got out. It was customary for the king to greet them first before the princess was presented, but she had no clue how any of this was going to work - her father had kept her mostly in the dark..

Outside, the knights and guards slowed their horses and eventually dismounted, mostly in an ordered fashion befitting a ceremony. Some of the squires began to tie up the horses to a nearby tree while servants came out of the second carriage to begin setting up the nearby tent site, others gathering around the front to be told what to do with the ceremony preparations. Anyone who wasn't busy was curiously staring at the regal looking band of sea creatures and whispering among themselves. Eventually the king approached and gave a polite, gentle bow to signal respect before offering a friendly smile. [b][color=ffc028]"Welcome honored guests..."[/color][/b] The king continued a short greeting and approached the elder to begin finalizing how the day might plan out. Meanwhile, in the distance, Ayana decided to poke her head out - despite traditions - and looked over the group of Mers, biting her lower lip as she wondered who she was to marry or bond to.