Kyrisse

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Henry listened to Alessandra, gave her a knowing look and then stayed silent. He turned his attention to the royal couple.

"When my father told me about this marriage, I could not contain my excitement on both meeting a handsome prince..." Hye Jin lowered her head and looked shyly at Adrian through her lashes. "...and being able to finally see WhiteHaven. I have only read about it in books, seen it through paintings. I never imagined it to be this beautiful,' she praised.

Adrian chuckled at Hye Jin's praise of him. He looked around, pleased that WhiteHaven was to his future wife's liking. It was truly magnificent. With a smile on his face, he looked back at the princess. "I, myself, have never been to Gyeongsang and like you, Princess, have only seen it through paintings and books. I imagine, however, that it is bigger and more magnificent than WhiteHaven."

Hye Jin shook her head. "Gyeongsang is vast but we do not have the splendid harbors that you do. Seeing the ocean is a treat for me," she said as she turned a whole 360 degrees to take in the scene. "I'm sure, though, that my kingdom will delight you, Adrian. Perhaps we can visit it before our wedding? she suggested.

Adrian turned with her and his eyes fell momentarily on Alessandra. Her cheeks were flushed, probably at something Henry said. He glanced at Henry. He had a smile on his face. Is there something going on between the two of them? he thought as his eyes settled back on his handmaiden.

Hye Jin had been chattering about the scenic places she planned on taking Adrian to when she noticed that the Prince was distracted. She frowned and followed his line of gaze. Her frown deepened when she saw that it was Alessandra that he was looking at. She cleared her throat and raised her voice a little louder. "Do you not think that 6 months is a little too long to wait to be wed?" she asked, making sure that her voice carried over to where Alessandra was standing.

Adrian blinked and then turned back to Hye Jin. He raised an eyebrow. "6 months is just enough time to familiarize ourselves with each other. Do you want to push forward our wedding?" he asked, his attention again fully on the Princess.

Hye Jin smiled up at the prince. "We can always familiarize ourselves with each other even after we are wedded," she giggled shyly. "I merely want to assure myself of my place by your side," she stood on tiptoe and pressed a light kiss on Adrian's cheek. Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink at her bold actions and she immediately lowered her head again. "I like you," she admitted shyly.

Adrian looked surprised at what the Princess did. He chuckled. "I am glad that you do. I can not imagine how difficult it would be if my future queen did not like me," he said.

A small frown crossed Hye Jin's lips at Adrian's response. She was hoping he would say that he liked her too. She did want him to like her too but at the moment, it was more for the sake of Alessandra. A woman of her low rank had the guts to even look straight back at her prince. It made her angry. She replaced the small frown with a charming smile as she looked back up at Adrian. "I hope in time you will find me likeable too."

Adrian returned the smile. "I am sure I will."

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Henry chuckled at how fervently Alessandra described the Princess that had her arm linked through their Crown Prince's. "A snake? This is our first time laying our eyes on this foreign princess yet you've already labeled her as such," he looked around. "It is a good thing that there are no royal guards around. If they heard this conversation, I fear we might not be treated pleasantly," but despite his warning, he continued on. "I am, however, more curious about what you think of her FOR Prince Adrian," he emphasized the word for. He lowered his voice further. "What I am saying is, are you not at all jealous?"

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

The day went by smoothly as Adrian showed Hye Jin around WhiteHaven. Adrian had been the perfect gentleman while Hye Jin played the perfect shy and demure future queen. Once or twice, Hye Jin had been unpleasant to Alessandra but Adrian had always distracted her from making a big fuss about it.

They were at the central park when Henry finally broke the silence and leaned his head slightly towards Alessandra. "She looks beautiful but I am not sure I like her," he whispered and then looked at her face, a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't think you do, either. Do you think she is fit for our Prince Adrian?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He had been constantly at both Adrian and Alessandra's side that he had guessed that the young handmaiden was beginning to look differently at the crown prince.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian gave Alessandra a small smile before he turned to Amelie and gave her a curt nod. He walked past the two women and headed for the sitting room, his thoughts turning back to the conversation he had with Adam about arranged marriages. He clearly remembered how Alessandra had sounded offended when he had announced that he didn't mind having no love in his marriage. While he knew that it was his responsibility to follow his father's commands, he now felt a slight twinge of... Disappointment? Strange that I would feel this about my arranged marriage, he found himself thinking a little perplexedly. He tried to push the thoughts and the feeling away but it nagged at him.

Amelie opened the door for him and he stepped into the sitting room. At the sight of the crown prince, Princess Hye Jin immediately stood up and gave him a bow. She flashed Adrian a pretty smile that showcased the small dimples near the corners of her lips. Adrian gave her a polite bow of his own. He smiled and extended to her his arm to take. "Shall we proceed to our little tour of Whitehaven, Princess?"

The princess looked delighted at how charming Adrian was. She nodded and then curled her arm on Adrian's. "Thank you, Prince Adrian."

Adrian looked amused. Hye Jin was pretty and polite but he wondered how she really was underneath the perfect facade. "You may call me Adrian and I will call you Hye Jin," he started. "It would be good not to be too formal and familiarize yourself with your future husband. And this tour would familiarize you with your future kingdom," he finished in an as-a-matter-of-factly tone.

Hye Jin gracefully lifted a hand to her mouth to cover it as she giggled shyly. "I am looking forward to spending the day seeing Whitehaven... Adrian," she said as she looked up at him.

Alessandra would have thought me self centered for saying that, Adrian found himself thinking and then blinked when he caught himself. He smiled down at Hye Jin and tried to focus his attention on her.

Hye Jin turned her attention to both Amelie and Alessandra, her perfect eyebrows arching in question. Although she looked haughty, her voice remained refined and calm. "Will the two of them accompany us?" she asked, obviously thinking that the two women a hindrance.

Adrian glanced towards Alessandra then at Hye Jin. He should probably have Alessandra stay and just let Henry accompany them. But strangely enough, he wanted the handmaiden close to him. "Amelie is my mother's handmaiden. She will be staying behind," he started. "Alessandra will be coming along with us to tend to both our needs," he finished in a tone that was final and left nothing open for argument. "Come. Henry should be waiting for us in the carriage. He is my personal guard and will be accompanying us as well," he said as he started walking.

Hye Jin nodded meekly but gave Alessandra another pointed look before she turned and walked away with Adrian.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

@Neno 1445 Ugh, finally able to log back in here. Anyway, I'll have a post for you later after work. ^_^

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian's eyes widened as Alessandra threw her arms around him. A snide remark about touching him popped into his head but strangely, he didn't voice it out. Instead, he reached up and patted her head a little awkwardly. The hug was inappropriate but he found it nevertheless nice. He stood there for a few minutes letting her hug him. "I have no doubt about it. Your reading skills have greatly improved..." he paused. "...so Adam has told me. You are free to use the library to your heart's content," he said and then cleared his throat. "Now, if you don't mind releasing me..." he started, unsure of how to get her off him.

"Prince Adrian?" came Amelie's voice from outside his room. It was followed by a soft knock. "Princess Hye Jin is ready and is waiting for you in the sitting room," she called out.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian had just finished putting on one of his formal attires when Alessandra knocked on his door. He was not particularly fond of wearing formal attires but the situation called for it. "You may enter," he called out, expecting more sarcasm from the girl. When she entered the room, he looked at her and was surprised that she had actually dressed up. He gave her an appreciative once over before he caught himself and averted his eyes. He walked over to the table by the window and took the two books that were on it.

"Here. I had originally planned on having them delivered to your room. But obviously, they have nott been delivered yet. These are tokens of gratitude for tending to me while I was ill." He handed her a brown leather diary with a metal clasp to seal it. "It is an empty journal where you can record your thoughts in," he explained before handing her a thicker leather bound book. "This one is a book that has all the folklore, legends and myths of WhiteHaven. You are fond of reading and I hope that you will find this book entertaining." He clasped his hands behind his back after handing Alessandra the gifts he had prepared for her.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

Adrian caught the tone of mock and sarcasm in Alessandra's voice. He honestly didn't know what it was that had offended her this time. He didn't even say anything condescending or rude. He had not said anything of the sort ever since he woke up from his poisoned sleep. Perhaps it was being stuck with him for several months. Tending to his needs must have made her of him. I'm sure her mood would pick up once Adam returns, he thought.

Tight lipped, he nodded as she excused herself. There was really nothing he can do about her mood. For now, he would have to focus his attention to his would be bride.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

"I understand. Then, I shall take my leave and make myself presentable to the Princess so that I may show her around Whitehaven," Adrian gave his parents a respectful bow. The King nodded in approval while his mother beamed at him, proud of how refined he was in how he presented himself to the princess and how graciously he accepted the wishes of his father. Adrian turned away and exited the throne room. He glanced at Alessandra as she followed him as he made his way back to his own room. He didn't say anything. Somehow, hearing Alessandra congratulate him made him feel disappointed.

A part of him expected her to be sad that he was getting married, angry even, after the outburst she had made a few months ago about love and arranged marriages. He shook his head. I can't expect anything like that from you, can I? If I was Adam, I'm sure you would have a lot to say about the marriage, he thought, silently conversing with her in his mind. "Thank you for your thoughts," was all he said to her.

More Than A Lifetime (Kyrisse x Neno 1445)

The castle was bustling with activity when Adrian and Alessandra rode in. The servants all took time to bow to Adrian as he walked past them but it was obvious that they were all frantic as they hurried about. Thinking that Adam was back and that he would report directly to the King, Adrian went straight to the throne room. But Adam was not there. Instead, he saw a woman with long black hair wearing a red hang bok standing in front of both the King and Queen, handmaidens and guards flanking her.

Queen Anne's face lit up at the sight of Adrian, "There you are, Prince Adrian. Come closer and meet Princess Hye Jin of Gyeongsang."

Realization washed over Adrian's face as he realized that this was probably the Princess he had been arranged to marry. He had originally expected that his father would strike up an alliance with either Bareahard or Connelly but the king apparently had greater, more ambitious plans. This Princess came from a long way away. And from what Adrian remembers from his studies, her kingdom was one of the most powerful in the world.

The King looked towards Adrian. "Come forward, Adrian," he commanded.

Adrian obeyed and walked forward. As he stood next to the King's throne, his father looked to the herald and nodded his head in silent command. The herald bowed his head. "May I present Princess Wang Hye Jin of Gyeongsang, the second princess of the House of Wang. Princess, let me present to you Prince Adrian Havensworth, crown prince of Whitehaven."

As the herald finished his intriduction, the Princess smiled prettily and gave Adrian a graceful curtsy. "I am pleased to meet you, Prince Adrian," she said in a heavy accent.

The surprise that had been on Adrian's face a few seconds ago was replaced by a confident smile. He stepped forward, smoothly took the Princess' hand and kissed the back of it. "It is an honor to meet you, Princess Hye Jin," Adrian's voice sounded as confident as he carried himself. "I can imagine the weariness from the long journey you have undertaken to get to Whitehaven," he looked to his father.

King Thomas nodded in approval as the Queen began speaking again. "I had the servants prepare your room to make you as comfortable as possible, Princess Hye Jin. I hope it is to your liking."

Hye Jin gave the Queen and King another curtsy. "I am sure that it will be, Your Majesty." He turned towards Adrian, a shy smile on her face. "If you will allow me, Prince Adrian. I would like to freshen up. And then perhaps have you show me around after?"

"Of course," Adrian smiled back politely.

The queen's handmaiden bowed low to Hye Jin before leading her, her handmaiden and her guards to the room prepared for her. As soon as the princess had left the throne room, King Thomas addressed his son. "I am aware that you have expected an alliance with Bareahard or Connelly, Adrian. But an alliance with Gyeongsang will be more fruitful as they have the same interest as Whitehaven. Princess Hye Jin might not be the crown princess but the House of Wang would still pledge allegiance to us through your marriage. The King of Gyeongsang have already chosen a date for your wedding. It shall be in six months time hence you have until then to familiarize yourself with each other."