Shackled Sorceress

Chapter 5 - Conditions

Kalliope’s first reaction when Malus moved in with that kiss was to freeze. Her next reaction was to punch him in the face.

Unfortunately, being both a Princess and a Sorceress, Kalliope’s strength wasn’t her strongest forte. Though the hit managed to surprise Malus, it certainly seemed like Kalliope’s fist hurt more than the Prince’s cheek.

“Well, that was unexpected.” Malus gave her a curious, tilted-head stare, while Kalliope shook her bruised knuckles.

“What in damnation are you made of???”

He gave her a slow blink, “You are certainly the first who dared to strike me. Not even my father-”

“Yes, yes. Can we get over my audacity already?!”

Malus chuckled, but wisely kept his distance.

“I see that you have no intention of consummating our marriage tonight.”

Narrowing her eyes, Kalliope’s retort came out sarcastically, “Forgive me, Prince, but I am afraid you came off rather strong for me.”

 “Ah...And here I thought you liked me. The first time we met.”

Massaging her temples, Kalliope blew out a frustrated breath, “That was before you suddenly strode in on that banquet with your ridiculous offer!”

Malus’ eyes sparkled, “So you did like me.”

Disbelievingly, Kalliope glared at him. The nerves of this mad man! “That is not the point! I do not know you, Prince! Being married to you is bad enough, but sharing a bed as well?! What were you expecting??? For me to fawn over you the moment you demanded for my hand???”

“I did expect you to be more compliant, as you did not outright refuse me at the banquet. I certainly did not expect this.” Instead of being frustrated, Malus seemed to grow more and more amused.

Kalliope’s glare intensified, “I am not my sister.”

Something glinted in his endless blue eyes, “I never said you were.”

With another charming smile, Malus turned away to refill his wine. Kalliope’s eyes followed his movements suspiciously.

“You are not going to try and force me into it, are you?”

“I am insulted that you would think so lowly of me.” He said, glass swirling in one hand, “However, we are stuck together, even if it is only by law. We must learn to...compromise, else the future might be difficult.”

“Again. It’s your fault.”

Malus ignored that comment, “Perhaps you are right. This is all too sudden and shocking for you. We know very little about each other and we did not have time for a proper courtship.”

Kalliope watched him with distrust as Malus picked up her forgotten glass of wine and offered it to her.

“Perhaps it is a little late. Perhaps this is unorthodox. But would you like to go through a courting ritual with me?”

Kalliope’s eyebrows disappeared behind her swooping hair, “After we got married.”

Malus grinned, “I did say it is unorthodox.”

Out of principal, she wanted to argue. But Kalliope was always the more level-headed one, as opposed to Venus, cunning she might be. 

There was no way Kalliope could get out of this marriage now. It was by order of the Queen. And fighting it any further (possibly murdering Malus right here and now) would only make matters worse, not just for herself by for the entire kingdom as well. Caelora, as Queen Virille had said, was growing far too quickly through the means of conquests, and it wasn't just the remote island or the primitive continent across the sea that they were eyeing. Charming as he might be, Malus was still a War-Prince, who had led many expeditions and used extreme means to conquer more lands for his empire. He wasn't to be trifled with.

Besides, Kalliope still didn't know why Malus was fireproof. Who knew what he could do to her if truly pushed to defend himself?

Despite his ridiculous proposal, and actually getting it, Malus was being reasonable. It would be smart to play along for now. For all she knew, Malus could be as easily bored as he was easily amused. Perhaps when they actually got to know each other, he would grow tired of her and leave Kalliope alone to her device.

It wasn't a pleasant thought. No one would like to think they were so boring they would disinterest their own husband. But such was Kalliope's reality. She played the role of being quiet in the background well. A wallflower. 

"Fine." Kalliope plucked the glass of wine from Malus' hand and ignored his triumphant grin, "But I have some conditions."

"Oh?" 

"I am not bedding you until I explicitly say I will."

"But wife, surely for us to sleep in separate beds would raise questions. It would leave us vulnerable to rumours and the court's schemes."

Kalliope glared at his attempt at acting hurt, "We are not having s*x. Happy?"

That got her a grimace out of Malus, "No man in his right mind would be happy with that. But yes, I will not force myself on you. I am not a barbarian."

"Good." Kalliope nodded, "The second condition is, under no circumstances would you force me to act against my family and kingdom of Aleria."

"I commend your loyalty once again, however, after marriage, I and Caelora would be your family and kingdom, too."

Kalliope narrowed her eyes, "You are not helping your care right now."

Malus rolled his eyes, the notion itself comically childish considering his position, "As you wish, wife. But in return, I do expect some amount of loyalty towards myself as well, at the very least."

Swallowing dryly, Kalliope prompted, "I will not stab you in the back if you won't give me any cause to."

"Oh? And here I thought you were more like a 'incinerate at the front' type of Princess."

That almost caught her off guard. Kalliope bit the inside of her cheeks so she wouldn't smile, "That is true. I shall not incinerate your face unless you give me the reason to."

"Perfect. Anything else?"

"I am a rather private person. I would like my own time for myself in the day."

"Ah...I presume you are not exactly interested in court and regular duties given to a Princess, seeing that your intended role was Sorceress Supreme?"

She felt a pang of bitterness when he used past tense, "...Correct."

"That can be arranged. However, I must warn you that, as my consort, there will be certain expectations once we settle in Caelora. But I shall do my best to make the transition painless for you."

Yet another detail that had her torn, "Fine."

"Would that be all, my Princess?"

Kalliope thought about it for a moment.

“...That would be all.”

The smile Malus was showing her was perhaps a little too happy to Kalliope’s likings, as he proffered his glass, “To us, dear wife.”

Hesitantly, because she still didn’t know whether this was the best decision she could make or not, Kalliope clinked their glasses together.

“To us...Husband.”