The Alpha's Elemental

Moving Day

    Two days after the dinner, that went surprisingly well, the Edwards family sent a letter requesting that Anya move in on the following Monday before the wedding. Her parents were slightly bewildered, and maybe even a tad bit angry - but nonetheless all of the Walshs wanted this arranged marriage and treaty to go smoothly, so they obliged. "It's a ten-hour trip, so be sure to remind the driver to take a break at the midway point before carrying on the next five hours," Her mother said as the servants hoisted a trunk into the carriage's trunk. "It seems like you've packed up your whole life, Anya," Her mother commented.

    "It is mostly dresses, a dew trinkets and whatnot for old times sake are also packed away." Anya paused as her mother tied her cloak around her shoulders and put a bonnet on her head. Anya sighed as she fixed the placement of the bonnet before tying it off around her chin. "I just wanted to be reminded of home, who knows how long it will be before I can visit you again," Anya gave her mother a brave smile before they both dropped their hands off of her person. Her mother had a faraway look in her eye as she looked at her daughter.

    "Try to think happy thoughts, love," Eliza said as she brushed Anya's loose hairs out of her face. "Prince Duncan did allow you to take a maid with you to help you settle in more," The familiar blob of blonde hair darted in and out of view as Anya smiled favorably at Marie. Anya turned back to Eliza, allowing her to continue speaking. "After all your father and I was an arranged marriage, however, we managed to actually fall in love with one another," Eliza reached up and grabbed her daughter's hands, squeezing them which Anya instinctively returned. "I'm not saying try to, but if it does happen, try to be happy with him if you can, dear Anya,"

    "I'll try mother," Anya said with a faint smile as Eliza kissed her forehead. The driver helped Anya up into the carriage, followed by Marie. He shut the carriage door and took the driver's seat, the horses shortly took after a slow trot down the stoned road. Anya sighed, relaxing against the plush seat as Marie looked outside the window - awe, and wonder in her eyes. "Have you ever been outside of Crelatha?" Anya asked.

    "Only once or twice, when I was a young girl," Marie replied. The two have grown closer over the days, and Anya jumped at the chance to bring Marie with her. She didn't know if Marie had ever been outside of the village's border, but she did want her new friend to see more of the magical world around them. "My mother once took me to Harrgrove when I was young on a business trip. She's a fabric trader and managed to sell and buy some fabrics at a low price to bring back to the King and Queen," Marie explained. She turned towards Anya and gave her a soft smile. "Your velvet cloak is made out of the same material, I do believe."

    Anya's hand subconsciously felt of the velvet fabric, it had been in the castle since she was a young girl. The cloak was her grandmother's, it was one of the few things she had left of her. Anya smiled softly before looking out the window. "It's beautifully made, your mother has a good eye," Marie seemed happy from the praise before turning her attention to the window. The scenery passed by and Anya felt her eyelids grow heavy. "I wonder what Maes will hold in store for us," Anya said as her eyes closed and she willed herself to get some sleep before they got to the halfway point.

    Anya was shaken awake by Maire, who was smiling at her. "We're at the halfway point, Princess Anya. It would do some good to get out and stretch your legs," Anya adjusted her posture and stood up, the door already opened as the driver was waiting on them. Anya was helped from the carriage, it was about mid-afternoon now and there were citizens roaming about the city of Harrgrove. "Isn't Harrgrove so nice?" Marie asked as she emerged from the carriage. Harrgrove was a small village that was governed by the witches and warlocks. It mostly had magic for its technology, but appeared to be stuck in the early 1900s, specifically the twenties. Anya looked in awe at the women who had on so few layers, briefly wondering what it would be like to live in Harrgrove.

    "Would it be alright to take a look around, Edmund?" Anya looked at the driver. He pulled out his pocketwatch before turning back to the princess.

    "We're actually two hours ahead of schedule, so I suppose maybe an hour and a half wouldn't hurt? The horses would sure like to rest and eat as well," Edmund replied with a smile. "I trust Marie would be overlooking you?"

    "Yessir!" Marie replied. Anya smiled and looped her arm through Marie's, the other guiding her down to the town square where there was some signs pointing in various directions while Edmund went off to find a feed store. There seemed to be hushed whispers as the two girls walked, Anya tried to keep her mind focused as she looked at some of the signs, deciding on going to a small cafe to eat at when she felt someone tap on her shoulder. When she turned, it was a rather tall and skinny girl with wavy blonde hair and hazel eyes that were close to green. She was wearing a skirt that stopped below her knees and a button up shirt that was tucked in. She roughly looked like Anya's age, she had a cheery smile as she looked at the two.

    "Excuse me, my friends are awful gossips and too shy to ask you outright," The girl began. "But, are you perhaps Princess Anya?" Anya looked at Marie before nodding.

    "I am, may I ask who you are, miss?" Anya replied.

    "Sorry, my name is Samantha. We're not used to royals being in the town square, but we recognized the carriage as a Walsh from the family crest," She pointed to the red carriage that was on the side of the road. Edmund had gathered some feed and water for the horses, and was tending to them. "Would it be too much of a bother to accompany you two for a few minutes?"

    "I don't see why not," Anya said. "We were just about to go get a late lunch, we're traveling to Maes," Samantha seemed visibly confused but nodded, motioning for her two friends to join them. One had short brown hair and was rather chubby, but cute nonetheless. The other had black hair pulled away from her face and glasses framing her eyes, she appeared a bit snobbish for Anya's taste, but she's learned to hold her tongue.

    The five of them began setting off for Madam Gibson's Cafe when Samantha suddenly spoke up, "Might I ask why you're traveling to Maes, Princess Anya?" She asked. 

    "Honestly I'm surprised that the news hasn't spread," Anya began with a soft smile. "I'm getting married to Prince Duncan this Friday, it's simply an arranged marriage." She felt Marie's hand tightened on her arm, but she paid no mind. "He seems rather nice, he was a gentleman when we had dinner with our families two nights ago," Samantha seemed to be eating this information up. Anya was no fool, she knew that Samantha was the gossip within the friend group from her question. Anya didn't mind, it would be breaking out in papers sooner or later anyways.

    "Then, what if he finds his mate?" Samantha asked. Anya went tight lipped at that, "Sorry, it's just - everyone knows that werewolves have mates, otherwise they have a premature death."

    "No, it's quite alright," Anya said with a soft smile. "No matter what, I'll be the queen - as the treaty states. If he wishes to lie with his mate, who am I to say no? He cannot live without her, I would want him to be happy," The three new 'friends' that she amassed jaws dropped as they heard her. Whatever image of her they had in her in their head, it surely wasn't this one. A calm and rational, yet understanding young woman. "I'm quite famished, what is the best thing here?" She asked as they arrived at the cafe.

    "Her stew is to die for!" The one with glasses spoke up.

    "I don't think I would enjoy dying from stew," Anya said a bit concern. The three girls chuckled at this.

    "It's an expression, Princess Anya," Samantha explained. "What Waverly was trying to say is that her stew is rather delicious," Anya nodded at this, Marie visibly relaxing. "I actually like her sandwiches, it just depends on your taste!" The five lapsed into a conversation about the differences between their kingdoms as they ate, soon enough it was time for Anya and Marie to leave. Samantha slipped Anya her address so that the two could exchange letters. Despite being an awful gossip, Anya concluded that Samantha was actually a rather nice young woman. 

    Marie and Anya made their way to the carriage, Edmund waiting on them. "Are you two ready to go?" Edmund asked. Truthfully, Anya was scared at the idea of being married at such an early age - however, she had no choice in the matter. Anya simply nodded and allowed Edmund to assist her into the carriage, Marie following suit. The carriage ride to Maes was rather quiet as Anya fell back asleep.

    She didn't know what she would wake up to in the morning.