The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 64. Another punishment.

Chapter 64: 64. Another punishment.

Neriah stood next to Barak in front of her parents with so much hate in her heart. She was trying to comprehend the information they were passing on to her but she could not. How could they do this to her?! First they marry her off to a creature that is no more than a beast and now this?!

"Why?" She had to ask. Why were they doing this to her?

"Well I am divinely shocked by the fact that you would still demand a reason from us when you very well know it." Queen Erra scoffed. "But since you asked I shall give you an answer. It is your punishment." Queen Erra calmly stated.

"What?" Neriah wanted to ask what she had done to deserve this new punishment but she could guess it already. "You would send me off to a foreign land alone!!" She hissed, trying her best to hold back the tears that stung her eyes.

"Well if you did not wish to go alone, then you should never have pulled that stunt on your wedding day!" Queen Erra retorted. "And besides, you shall not be going alone. You have your husband with you now. Aria and your menacing fairy would continue receiving punishment here for failing to obey the orders of their king and Queen."

Neriah could not believe the words coming out of her Mother’s mouth. She had thought that at least her life would not be such a hell till she figured out a way of escape. She had believed that since she would have Aria and Riri she would be fine. But now, now they were taking them away from her too.

How could anyone do this to their own child? How could anyone not care for their child at all? How could they send her to an unknown land without her personal maid!

"Father please—" She turned to her father as she knew very well that she could not dissuade her mother. She hated this. Hated that she had to beg. But she did not want to go alone. She could not survive in a new place with no familiar face beside her. "—I know no one where I am headed. I shall be like a single sheep in the midst of strange goats." A snort sounded next to her and she needed no one to tell her who it came from. Her dear husband... Lords she loathed him.

"I will be out of place. I will be all alone. I cannot go alone. I will have no one to talk to. I have also heard they speak a different language there, how shall I communicate? To whom will I converse? Please father. It would take me a long time to learn their language. I cannot—" Her lips pursed and trembled. "Please free Aria and Riri. It was my fault, so please free them and allow them to come with me." and the final touch to her act... tears. She let them finally trail down her face. Making the most sorrowful and yet adorable puppy eyes she could create.

She could see it in his eyes. She could see her acting was working. She could tell that she had won this round as he father took a step closer to her and took her hands in his own. And all she awaited was his go-ahead.

"My dear child," he stroked her hair and smiled at her and she hummed a response, "You say you shall not be able to adapt alone?" He asked and she nodded and sniffled, "Oh but you are clearly adapting already." His words earned a confused hum from her mouth.

"Look at you in this Tragonian attire. You look utterly beautiful." He complimented. And Neriah did not like where this was going.

"If you can fit into this dress so perfectly, I am certain you would fit into your new home wonderfully without your maid and fairy." He said and before Neriah could even accept his words he had released her and turned his attention to the knights, "Escort the princess to the carriage and see that she reaches the ship. I shall have a few words with my son-in-law." He ordered and some maids instantly came out of nowhere and were gently leading Neriah away.

"Father! Mother!! You cannot send me away like this!" She cried out as she was being led out.

"You know she has a tendency to run. Make sure she reaches the ship and stays there!" Gerald emphasized.

"May the peace of Aveliana rest upon your new home my darling daughter." Erra lifted her hand and blessed her child from a distance. She had already given all the motherly prayers and blessings and said her heartfelt goodbye before Neriah asked for Aria and Riri, so there was no need to repeat them again.

"I do hope to get news of my grandchild soon." Gerald added as he placed a hand upon Barak’s shoulder and turned his back to Neriah who was still crying and pleading with crocodile tears. "Oh, a girl would do. Just please let her not be as troublesome as you." He turned his neck and said.

"Oh no a boy first. She is married to the crown prince, so the cry of a bouncing baby boy should be heard first, although a princess is also not a bad idea. But a boy would do first." Erra also turned to Barak with a broad smile.

Neriah just watched them all with an unbelievable expression on her face. They were not her parents! She was certain of this fact now. They must have adopted her when she was a babe. They would not treat their own child like this!

With clearly no way of escape now and also painfully accepting the fact that she would be leaving without Aria, Neriah could only pray that they were not punished too much for her sake as she stepped into the carriage. With no time to waste, it began to move, escorted by knights on horses.

After what happened today, she was even more determined now. She would escape this life. One way or another. She suddenly wondered if Riri ever got the chance to meet Lyle. But then she concluded that that plan had failed because her mother clearly has Riri too.

’But he must have heard of my marriage by now. I wonder if he is thinking of me now. I wonder if he plans to come and rescue me. I wish he would fight through all these guards, take my hand and then we’ll run away together.’

She opened the small window of the carriage and rested her hand and head upon the sill as she thought to herself... My knight in shining armor, Lyle. I wonder how he is doing.

Just as the thought settled with a deep breath in her heart a small white dove landed next to her head on the window sill, causing her to jump in shock as it suddenly appeared out of nowhere...

The bird on the other hand did not seem alarmed by the flinching lady. Rather it stared at her like it was expecting something from her. Suddenly, her gaze was pulled towards the feet of the bird. There was something attached to it. A piece of paper.

Slowly she reached for the bird, thinking it would fly away if she rushed at it, and she untied the paper from the birds leg and—

’My dear immaculate sunshine,’ Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the writing and read the first word. She needed no one to tell her who it was from. Tears filled her eyes as she looked up at the dove who was still cooing and standing there waiting for only the goddess knew what.

She held the paper to her heart then wiped her tears to continue reading...

’It breaks my heart to write this letter to you, I can only imagine the immense suffering you are being made to endure at the hands of that barbarian. You have no idea how much I am holding myself back from riding to you now and taking you away with me. I must be patient because you might be put in danger if I proceed without caution. I write this letter to let you know that I have not forsaken you. Nor will I ever forsake you. You and I are one my dear and just because you do not see me does not mean I am not with you. I am with you. I am going with you. Together, we shall work this out and find a way to break you free from those beasts. What I can write is limited, so I shall contact you again with my plans for your rescue. Till then, remain strong and know that I love you now and always. Your beloved... Lyle."