Arranged Aristocracy

Chapter 3: Stolen Kisses

Two Years Later….

Ariadne couldn’t believe that two years had already passed, since she was uprooted from life as she knew it and brought into a whole different world entirely. She and Nathalio became fast friends and he never broke his promise of visiting her everyday. He made adjusting to palace life way easier, with all those classes that she had to take to become the perfect empress. What she didn’t understand however, was in her two years of being in the palace she still has no idea what Crown Prince Alaric, her future husband looks like and the curiosity is killing her. On the few occasions that they did meet he always wore a mask, something which she is expected to do as well in the days leading up to the wedding. She was both ecstatic and petrified about her upcoming nuptials. She was counting down the days with bated breath for when she can finally see her husband to be, there were only two years left. She was getting curious about kissing and all the other forms of intimacy. Blame it on her maids who don’t seem to care that innocent ears can hear their risqué conversations. She even developed the hobby of reading the provocative novels left by the maids. At present she was reading the first issue of ‘The Maid and the Coachman’ and boy was it naughty. After reading about the rendezvous by the pond behind the palace gates where anyone could've walked in on them. ‘Oh my Robby, I want you so much, my panties are dripping and it’s running down my leg,” Anna said rubbing her legs together. “Ok Anna my sweet, we only have five minutes so let’s make it quick,” Robby replied excitedly. They ran to the secluded pond behind the palace gates. Robby couldn’t wait, he lifted her skirts and shifted aside the last hurdle between him and heaven, Ariadne read. Her moment of excitement ended abruptly with a knock on her door. This caused her to scramble to hide the novel under her pillow, as Nathalio entered. Upon seeing him she jumped, her ears and cheeks flushed red with embarrassment. She quickly got up to go by the table, where they usually have discussions.

Alaric’s POV:

As I sat by our meeting table looking at Ariadne. I felt an overwhelming emotion bubbling up in my chest. I was completely smitten, head over heels in love with this beautiful creature. How is it that I am so enamoured by her beauty? It is getting harder to control Alduin, who is growing more impatient everyday. We only have to wait two more years but he wants to claim her now. While I was arguing with Alduin, Ariadne took her seat opposite me her face a deep crimson. The blue specks in my eyes became more pronounced signaling Alduin’s take over. She was looking way too irresistible and my reins on Alduin loosened. In the blink of an eye he had captured her lips with ours and she blinked in shock. But what happened next I did not expect. In all my sixteen years never has this happened before.

Ariadne’s POV:

Nathalio kissed me, of all the things to do. How could he? I repeatedly told him I am arranged to marry crown prince Alaric. Now he may not want me anymore. I am now spoilt goods. How could he do this to me? I told him, that everything was arranged before I was even born. Our heads could roll for this. I heard a ringing sound and I felt the palm of my right hand burning. I looked up to see shock embedded on Nathalio’s face and a red mark forming where my hand apparently had been. I looked at him with anger and betrayal on my face. “How could you?” I said, “do you know what can happen to us if we are found out? I told you repeatedly that I am to be married on my eighteenth birthday. Do you think that crown prince Alaric would take goods that has been tampered with? He is a crown prince for Inari's sake. Are you trying to get us killed? Leave and I never want to see you again. How could you betray me like this? I thought that you were my friend.” As Nathalio turned around and left, I fell to my knees and wept. I wept for the only friend that I have ever known. My first kiss that was stolen and may now lead to my death. The fact that once the crown prince finds out he may not want me anymore. This is the ultimate shame that can be brought upon your family. They did such a good job raising me in spite of having to give me up at fourteen, this is the worst form of repayment. That night I cried myself to sleep, wishing that things were different.

Alaric’s POV:

Ariadne slapped me. She really slapped me. I knew that she was sassy but a slap, I wasn’t prepared for. Her lips were soft and sweet, I would totally do it again if given the chance, it was so worth it. “Wow,” Alduin said, “I love her even more now, she is really gutsy. But she has no idea that you are crown prince Alaric, so her actions were completely understandable. It is also for the best that we stop visiting her, as next time I don’t think that I will be able to stop myself with just a kiss.” I must say that I agreed with him as I went to my room and donned my princely attire. From today onwards Nathalio the servant boy is no more.

Author’s Note: Will Ariadne tell crown prince Alaric? Will he accept her even though her virtue has been compromised? Will she miss her first friend? Will her two years of training prepare her for what is to come? Tune in next time on Arranged Aristocracy.