The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 113. Why did we marry?

Chapter 113: 113. Why did we marry?

The days gradually moved on into weeks after that incident that night. But Barak could tell how much she was hurt and traumatized by his actions after that. Just lifting a finger next to her always seemed to make her jolt. And although it hurt him to see her like that, he knew he had no one else to blame but himself. He had acted foolishly and was facing the repercussions of his actions.

Everytime he tried to build up a conversation, it ended almost immediately he started it because all she gave was short responses, either a yes, or a nod of her head.

He hated himself. It was annoying and irritating to see her like that. In fact he preferred their former daily arguments to her shivering silence. It pained him that he was the cause of that silence.

She did not step out of the castle after that day either. She was always in the Kadan-Rana palace, even though Olesia had given her the complete tour around the castle. The only time she left the crown prince’s palace was when his mother invited her for tea.

Other than that, she mostly spent her time with Aria and Riri, or with Barni silently reading a book

Her studying with Eliza was progressing quickly too. Whenever he had the chance, he would pass by the room they used for studying and he heard her words in Tragish getting clearer and better. A sense of pride usually washed over him whenever he saw that, but then it would quickly drain from him when his eyes would stare at her face that seemed soulless.

He once thought she talked too much but dear heavens, he missed those talks. Whatever they may be, insults, arguments, comments... Whatever.

One night he entered their bedchamber to find her sitting up as if she was waiting for him. It made him wonder why as for the past few days, she had always managed to fall asleep before he returned.

"N_Neriah, you are awake." He stuttered, wondering why he was suddenly nervous.

Her head and eyes were downcast still when she spoke, "Something has been on my chest for a while now and you are the only one I can ask." She had said.

"W_What is it? I will answer to the best of my abilities." He took a step closer to her only to halt again when he saw her flinch.

Damn it! I will not hurt you Neriah! What is wrong with you! I did not mean to be so stupid that night, I am sorry for that. I promise it will never happen again. Just stop acting like I am a plague! Forgive me. These were the words he desperately wanted to say to her, but he feared she did not wish to speak about that night and it would probably only make her more upset so he kept his mouth shut and stood where he was, waiting for her to speak.

"T_That day when I fought with your sister—" That day? The day he had misbehaved with her? D_did she want to talk about it?

"—She said something to me. She said something about our marriage being the result of some sort of exchange between our kingdoms, she also said something about a cure that you needed. When she said that, at that time I did not think much about it, but I have had much time to ponder upon those words, and I realized that I never really asked why I was forced to marry you in the first place. It was so sudden that I just hated everyone. I did not ask what either kingdom was gaining by this marriage. Can you explain it to me?" She asked.

He watched her features in the darkness, her head and eyes were still facing the ground. This is how it had been for the past weeks, never looking him in the eye. He hated it. But what right did he have to? It was all his fault.

He pulled a chair and she flinched again, but he just ignored her and drew it closer to where she sat at the edge of the bed. Leaving about a foot space between them, Barak sat himself down in front of his dainty wife.

"About four months ago, there was a sudden outbreak in Fortia, a Dukedom in Trago. It was a plague that we had only heard of, never seen before. After further investigation, we found that some human visitors who had entered Fortia had been the carrier of this plague. Researches were made and we found out that Avelah had a secret cure for this disease."

"So you came to Avelah to ask for the cure?" She asked.

"Simply put, yes."

Silence backed his answer, cold silence. He wanted to reach for her and stroke her cheek, but, ’would she flinch again?’

"If it happened in a dukedom, I believe the duke of the region would have been more suitable to go in search of the cure. Why did you and your father come to Avelah instead?"

"Well as you already know, our kingdoms have a pact to visit each other once a year, it was already that time of the year and..." He paused and stared at her. "The duke of that region happens to be me." He confessed and finally she lifted her head and a smile almost curled up his lips as he finally got to see her eyes, but as quickly as she had lifted her head, she dropped it again. Causing the corners of his lips to drop down again.

"I see." She nodded. "That does not explain our marriage though." She suddenly said.

"On reaching Avelah, your father, the King informed us that they were also in need of our help."

"In need of your help?" She lifted her head and eyes again and he prayed in his heart that it would remain that way. Her eyes were beautiful, he hated that he couldn’t see them.

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