The gifting
1273 Words
"Just play it cool wife"
After he finished speaking, different families came to present their gift to the newlyweds. The first to approach were nobles, men and women dressed in fine clothing, their movements careful and respectful. One by one, they stepped forward, each carrying something valuable for the princess.
A man bowed slightly. "For prosperity in your union."
Nyx accepted the box with both hands. "Thank you."
A woman followed. "May your home be filled with peace."
"Thank you," Nyx said again.
Another came forward, then another. Each gift package was received the same way, with a nod, a polite smile, and a quiet word of gratitude. She did not open any of them. She simply handed them to the maids including Abigail, so she was not scared that they would be stolen, Abigail was there. The maids carefully carried them away.
It went on for a while.Nyx had never seen so much luxury in her life, despite the fact that she was a princess. Gold boxes, wrapped scrolls, decorated cases, expensive jewellery. All taken with a heart of gratitude.
Prince Alaric on the other hand, just sat there still as a statue. He didn't say thank you, or nod in appreciation, he looked clearly bored and wanted this to end as soon as possible.
He was used to the luxury life, and even saw all these things as a burden, because when they are travelling back to his kingdom they would have to carry extra carriages, and he already has most of these things in his castle. 'Can this just end'. He thought to himself.
Then the doors at the far end opened again. Nyx did not turn immediately, but she already knew who it was.The step-sisters.
They walked in slowly, side by side, dressed beautifully as always, with fake smiles plastered on their faces.
As they got closer to the newlyweds, a few people exchanged glances, but no one said anything. Most of them had heard about how they mistreated Nyx , they were surprised at their actions. Maybe the whole rumour was a lie.
Tatiana stepped forward first, holding a narrow velvet box.
She stopped in front of Nyx and gave a small bow.
"My beloved sister, princess Nyx," she said. "We came to present our gift."
Nyx looked at her for a moment, she still felt the hatred coming from her, but then nodded.
"Thank you."
Nyx took it. She had no idea what was inside but she just knew it wouldn't be nice.She passed the box behind her to the attendants.
Isabella stepped forward next.
"We chose it carefully," she said, her tone light, but not kind. "We thought… it would suit you."
Nyx met her eyes this time. Something that would suit me.
"Thank you," she said simply.
The step-sisters held their smiles for a moment longer, then turned and walked away. Nyx finally breathed a sigh of relief, she thought they would cause a scene.
Next came the queens.
Unlike the others, they moved with quiet authority.
First Queen Elizabeth stepped forward, her presence calm but strong.
"May your union strengthen this kingdom," she said.
She handed over her gift.
Nyx accepted it with a slight bow of her head. "Thank you."
Queen Nita followed. "May wisdom guide you in all things."
Nyx nodded again. "I appreciate it."
The gifts were passed on without being opened, just like the rest.
But something about the queens felt different. After a little while they stepped away.
Then the moment she had been waiting for finally arrived. The time for her father to present his gift. Nyx had always thought her father would not acknowledge her on her wedding day, but today it seems different that she could feel that bond of fatherly love from the king. From the moment he apologized to her in her room, she knew he was going to give her a gift today. But what was the gift?, she was curious.
Then the king stood up from his throne.
The entire room straightened almost instantly. Nyx watched as her father walked toward her, steady and composed, holding a single box in his hands.It wasn't large, nor was it decorated like the others.
But something about it drew attention.
When he stopped in front of her, the hall was completely silent.
"My daughter," he said.
His voice was calm, then he extended the box.
"I have a gift for you."
Nyx accepted it carefully. Whatever was inside the box, she would cherish it with all her heart and soul. She didn't open it.
Instead, she held it in both hands.
The king watched her for a moment, then spoke again.
"The gift," he said slowly, "is not just what is inside the box."
The crowd shifted slightly. What did the king mean by that?. Nyx's expression didn't change, but she was curious, was there a horse hidden somewhere?, or a chariot?. What was her father planning?.
The king stepped a little closer.
"I will give you something more," he continued.
"You may ask me for anything."
The words settled into the room. The king just gave his third daughter an open cheque. Nyx blinked once, was she hearing things now or did her father just say anything.
The king, noticing her shock, spoke again.
"Anything at all," he paused, then continued . "Half of the kingdom, Land, Protection, Whatever you desire."
"You only need to say it," he added.
A faint murmur passed through the crowd before quickly dying down again. Every eye in the room turned to her. They were all curious to hear what this princess was going to ask for, some of them could swear that she would ask for riches, or half of the kingdom, or even the throne itself. They continued to stare deeply at her.
Nyx felt it.
The weight of their eyes, the expectation. She looked ahead at first.
Then slowly… she let her gaze move. Across the nobles, across the Queens, across her stepsisters, across the guards standing along the walls.
Her eyes found her step-sisters again.
They were watching her closely now. Waiting, afraid.
Tatiana was so scared, what if she asked her father to make her a slave, or asked for any horrible thing to avenge her, at that moment she began to regret why she ever treated Nyx with so much hate. She wished the ground beneath her would just open up and swallow her.
She felt like begging Nyx , looking back at her she noticed her eyes held some unspoken hate . Tatiana could only silently pray for her punishment to be mild.
Isabella on the other hand was as scared as her sister, fear was boldly written on her face , she was visibly shaken as she clutched her gown tightly. Why would her father make this kind of declaration?.
She was so cruel to Nyx now the gods have punished her and put Nyx in a position higher than her. For the first time in her life she felt powerless before Nyx . Isabella never thought a day like this would come that she would regret being wicked to Nyx. She could only stand and wait to hear Nyx's wish, praying it would be mild on her.
Nyx held their gaze for a moment. The fear in their faces could be clearly seen, she felt like laughing. 'So these girls can be scared to this extent'she thought to herself'. Then she looked away.
"Go on, my child , say the word….. I would do it. I am a Man of my word"
The king spoke, breaking the deafening silence.
- Writer
