"Why... Why did you send Aera away?" Sharrkan slammed his hands on the desk. "Do you really think she's going to be happy there? This is the Kou empire we are talking about after all."

"Sharrkan think about where you are right now!" Ja'far took a step towards him with an annoyed look in his eyes, "you are in front of Sinbad, the king, and you shouldn't be acting in such a way. The thing with Aera is..."

"It's fine Ja'far." Sinbad held up a hand to stop him and leaned back in his chair. "Of course Aera's happiness is important to me, she is my younger sister, but Sindria is just as important and as the king, I bear certain responsibilities."

"But you didn't have to marry Aera off to some random prince!" he yelled, letting his anger get the best of him. "I can't stand for this. I won't!"

"Sharrkan you seem to forget you're my general, and as you are such, put aside whatever feelings you may have for Aera," Sinbad reminded him, then he said, "the marriage is final and there's no cancelling it now. Just think of how good it will be for this country and the country's people."

"Fine," Sharrkan said through gritted teeth. "I'll let it go for now. But don't count on me being happy about it." He strode out of the room and slammed the door.

"Ugh, where am I?" My head felt worse than it did when I had the hangover. The last thing I remember was being torn away from Sharrkan and being forced onto a flying carpet.

Damn that fallen magi.

I sat up in the bed I was lying on and took in my surroundings. It looked like I was in some kind of bedroom; perhaps in the Kou Empire's palace? That's where I think Judar was taking me. It was far fancier than my room in Sindria, that's for sure.

I wonder how Sharrkan's doing?

It's typical, as soon as we confirm our feelings for one another and share our first kiss, something bad had to happen. There was never any good without bad and this just proved it. It's that magi's fault; I just want to yank that braid off his pretty little head.

Grumbling to myself, I got up and put on the robe that was hanging up on the bedroom door. Maybe I should do some exploring - just so I have some idea of where I am.

I left the room and wandered down the long hallway - it seemed to go on forever. The Kou palace sure is huge. I suddenly missed home and hugged the gown closer to myself. It'll be fine, everything will be fine.

I could do this. I could get married to some stranger. It's for the good of the country. Yeah just keep thinking like that and you'll be ok Aera, I thought as I came to a stop outside of a door that stood ajar.

Light streamed out of the room casting shadows on the wall opposite me. I peered into the room and lay eyes on a man with pink hair tied up in a high ponytail, and from the part of his face, I could see he had freckles dusted along his nose.

"Are you just going to stand there gawking at me or are you going to come in?" the man spoke up and swivelled around in his chair, that's when I realised he's the second imperial prince Koumei.

I had to admit he was an attractive man, but not as attractive as Sharrkan - in my eyes, anyway.

'Stop! You shouldn't be thinking of him right now.' I mentally slapped myself. 'This man is probably my fiance.'

This thought kind of made me relieved. I had heard before that the second prince was one of the pleasanter ones out of all the princes and he was a prominent strategist. Any girl would be lucky to be married to him. That's how I should be thinking, but a particular white-haired male would roam through my mind.

"Well?" Koumei asked, snapping me out of my reverie and stood up, waiting for my answer. Behind him were multiple important-looking documents. He had probably been creating war strategies.

"I'm sorry to interrupt you when you're busy." I bowed slightly and tried to be as polite as possible. "It's just that... I was curious about where I was and then I saw the light on in here, so I thought I'd take a look." I smiled at him and my eyes captured his pink ones.

He looked me up and down, a blush clear on his freckled face, as he thought over what I just said. Then he stepped aside with a small smile on his face, making him look even cuter and made a gesture for me to enter. "You may come in if you like. Although I'm afraid, I won't be of much company. There are things that I still have to go over."

"Oh, that's perfectly fine." I smiled at him again and sat down on the sofa near his desk. "Do you mind if I watch?"

"Not at all." He returned to his desk and picked up one of the documents. "But please try to be quiet. I need to concentrate."

A part of me thought this wouldn't be that bad, being married to Koumei, if in fact he was my fiancé, and living my life here - he seemed nice enough and it was no lie that he was charming. If my heart didn't belong to someone else, and in another lifetime, I could see myself being attracted to him.

But in this life it was impossible. Your heart knew what it wanted, but your head knew what was right.

"Um Koumei, may I ask you a couple of questions?" I spoke up after ten minutes of silence. I get bored easily.

"What is it Aera?"

"Whose room did I just wake up in and are you the one that I've been arranged to marry?"

"I asked Judar to put you in my room once you arrived here and yes, I am your fiancé." He smiled kindly at me.

"So you're really my fiancé, huh?" My heart squeezed a little, was I really okay with this? Perhaps I was just lying to myself. "So where will I being sleeping from now on?" Despite what I thought I should just go along with it for now.

"You are to sleep in my room, we will be husband and wife after all."

"I'm going to be sleeping with you?" I stuttered. I have known him for less than an hour and we already shared a bed?

"Is there a problem with that?" He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked a little when he saw my red cheeks.

"Ugh no. I suppose not." I sighed and made my way to the door. "There's not much I can do about it now is there?"

"Why don't you go back to bed? You look rather tired." He still had a kind smile on his face, but now a look of concern had been added to it. "I'll be going to bed after I've finished up here."

"Ok, goodnight Prince Koumei."

Before I completely left the room, I heard:

"Koumei, just call me Koumei."

Once I got back to the room, I noticed an owl perched on the window's ledge with a letter in its mouth. "Hey, what have you got there?" I asked in the squeaky voice you only used for small animals and babies. "Is that a letter for me?"

"Hoo." Was all that answered me.

"I'll take that as a yes." I giggled and took the letter from its mouth and patted the owl on the head. And then it spread its wings and took off into the night.

I glanced at the letter and at once I knew it was from Sharrkan. It was unmistakably his handwritten.

'Dear, my little Aera,

I'm sorry this can only be a short letter. I'm currently writing this in secret, as I have Ja'far constantly breathing down my neck and Sinbad is giving me even more duties. Plus, they have tasked me with training the new kid, Alibaba. Aside from that, I'm thinking of ways to get you out of there and back where you belong in my arms. Don't forget Ra, I love you and always will do. Even if I don't rescue you and you're married to someone else, you will always be mine.

Love, your Sharr.'

Tears welled up in my eyes as I reread the letter.

How could I be thinking of staying here when Sharrkan was waiting for me? I had to think of something. But first things first, I was Sindria's princess and as the princess, I just had to go along with this arranged marriage thing for just a bit longer.

Moments later, I heard the door open and Koumei entered the room.

"Aera what is that?" His eyes were on the letter in my hand.

"Oh, this is just a letter from home." I laughed nervously and hid it under my pillow before getting under the covers and laying down on my back.

"Oh, okay." Koumei got ready for bed and then slid in next to me, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Eventually, I joined him in the land of slumber, with thoughts of Sharrkan coming to rescue his princess from the castle.