Sacrifice and Acclimation

[silvertongue217]

"Another very good question" Marik said smirking and turning to stop them. They were close almost to close for it to be respectable. He reached out cupping her cheek his head slightly cocked and smiling at her as they locked eyes.

"It is not a boast but simple fact you are and it is known to be one of the prettiest and most alluring Princess's I am a man who deserves and demands the best"

He leaned in their lips inches apart "Do you not think so? Do you not think I deserve the best? You my darling?"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn found her breath gone for a moment as he leaned in close once again. Complimenting her beauty and stating how he deserved the best. Gathering her nerve she found her breath and eyes looked down then back up to his. "I wasn't aware that the casing of person defined if they were the best of a person or not." she smiled almost challenging him.

He was dangerous and alluring and she liked it. Never had her heart raced so quickly in the presence of a male. He certainly had an effect upon her that she never anticipated. What was worse is he knew it.

Taking a step back she smiled and turned taking a step in further into the garden. No she wasn't going to melt for him. But it would take a lot of effort not to. He had a powerful ambiance,

 

[silvertongue217]

Marik laughed at that smirking in pleasure as he moved forward with her down the steps.

"Then in your opinion of course" Marik said turning to wink at her "What makes a person the best?"

He turned plucking a rose out of the bushel and handing it to her "I guess what I am asking is what in your opinion makes a person an ideal match for you? What do you look for in a man? What qualities? What are deal breakers? You know stuff like that"

 

[Perplexia]

Taking the rose her eyes flashed up at him through her lashes as he asked her one of the most serious questions that any man could ask a woman. "If I were actively seeking a husband and interviewing potential courtiers I would need to feel at ease in their presence. I would need to feel protected yet treasured. It would be in the way he talked to me and not at me. I would not be looked upon as a possession but instead a partner." Her eyes danced for a moment. "A deal breaker would be a man with a cruel and or selfish soul. One that believed violence and torture were the only ways to accomplish a positive end result. It would also be a man that believed my gender some how made me a subordinate."
She grinned and brought the flower to her nose taking a deep breath.

 

[silvertongue217]

"good qualities to find in a man" Marik stated smirking in pleasure "and I thank you for speaking your mind" He said gesturing for them to start heading back in.

"And while you might think being a subordinate is bad or uncomely of a princess you might find there are some aspects of.... letting a man master you that you enjoy" He said stopping at the steps leading up "I would stress an open mine my princess" he said reaching out and stroking some stray locks of hair.

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn listened and didn't flinch when he took hold of her locks in his fingers. Her eyes didn't faulter from his. "I am sure my King that there is good and bad in all things. It's simply being open enough to see all angles and forming a solid opinion. That is one benefit of having a thirst for knowledge. It gives us feeble women something to think about." She smirked at him teasing

 

[silvertongue217]

"And I am looking forward to making sure you have the most thorough opinion possible" He said smirking in pleasure at that and turning to the door "shall we go in? I am sure your mother is looking for you to see how it went" He told her moving to the door and opening it for her himself.

"And I do so look forward to what you will tell her" he said with a wink as he followed her inside "Until tomorrow princess?" He asked leaning down to kiss her hand.

 

[Perplexia]

There was such a mystery around Marik. He was both charming and direct. There was a humor in his eyes. But she had a feeling that he didn't do anything with out being deliberate.

"of course" she replied giving him a slight bow her eyes dancing with his. Walking through the door ahead of him she didn't turn back. She kept an average pace with her head high and shoulders square.

It was with great effort that she didn't burst out giggling or running down the hall in giddiness at this completely surprising man.

"Well what did you think?" Queen Clara asked her daughter as she entered the room.
"i think he's a very calculative intelligent man that if wasn't already, would make a wonderful king."

Clara frowned not being exactly what she was looking for.
"Could you marry him?" Clara bluntly asked.
"I don't know him well enough to determine that." Kaitlynn responsed with a bow good night and retired to her room.

 

[silvertongue217]

THE NEXT MORNING

King Marik woke at dawn and after making arrangements for the day went about his morning routine. He ran around the castle grounds ignoring the royal gaurd who warily watched him and instead mentally reviewing what his plans were for the day.

And how they could involve the delightful princess

When he was done he washed himself and after doing so went down to the eating hall to have his morning meal.

"Good morning My Queen" King Marik said coming in and kissing her hand "And a very pleasant morning to you Princess" He said winking at her and bowing before sitting down.

"I was wondering if you and the princess had any thing planned for me today?" Marik asked raising an eyebrow at them both "I would like princess to see some of your favorite places in the lands"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn answered for herself. "I will be visiting the poor with baskets today after our meal. You are welcome to join me of course. Then we take a detour and visit those places you wish me to see. Perhaps we can take a picnic?"

Her eyes danced flirtatiously with him. He was so dangerous she couldn't help herself but want to play with fire.

 

[silvertongue217]

"I think I speak for both of us when I say that sounds lovely" Marik said with a smirk and wink as he glanced at the Queen.

"My Queen I also need to make plans with you to go see the troops and make sure they are to your liking" Marik explained as he began to eat his breakfast "I have the utmost confidence in my peoples abilities but it will still do us both some good to see them and make sure our investment is paying off"

"Then I need to talk to you about our upcoming journey" Marik said nodding at the princess I wish to take her home to see the land she is going to be moving to I trust you wont have a problem with that?"

 

[Perplexia]

The Queen watched the interaction between the two of the with curiosity. "Of course, perhaps after lunch we can sit down with my general and go over the details of the armies and discuss the plans you have in taking my daughter with you to learn about your kingdom"

Kaitlynn watched everything he did from the way he handled his fork, to the slight glances he gave to her, to the way he chewed and positioned himself. He was a man of confidence, and oozed superiority.

Excusing herself from the table she went and ensured the baskets were ready and packed for their trip. The wagon jerked slightly causing her to grab his strong arm to steady herself and then she released it.

Once in the village she hopped down without waiting for assistance and began to grab a couple baskets. Waiting for him to join her they stopped at the first home and knocked on the door.

A genuine smile came to her face when a young mother answered who was recently widowed. She bowed and thanked her with sincerity and Kaitlynn asked how each of her children were fairing by their names.

After a few minutes she made her departure taking Mariks arm with her now free hand.

 

[silvertongue217]

He watched and observered her

Occasionally he asked questions and participated and he was never standoffish or not charismatic but if she were to glance back at him she would notice him starring at her and studying her. His eyes were alight with curiosity and delight at seeing her in her natural habitat.

"You did excellent" He said when they were done and walking across the streets of the town.

"It is good to know that you have such charitable notions.... And that you believe strongly in such things I know quite a few places your touch could reach in my kingdom and lives you can affect"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn smiled at him. "I enjoy making a difference in peoples lives. I believe that despite ones station in life you must cherish all life. I look forward to seeing the opportunities that are available to make me a useful queen in your kingdom."

She took his arm enjoying the heat of his skin against her fingertips. "I look forward to seeing some of your favorite place. I wonder if they will be some of mine as well." she smiled to him and then spoke a little lighter. "I enjoyed our walk in the garden last eve. I hope that we make that a ritual of sorts both in my kingdom and yours. A stroll in the garden after dinner?"

 

[silvertongue217]

"I do believe that can be accomplished" Marik said glancing back at her as they kept walking "we do not have a garden per say in my kingdom however we can still walk and see the sights"

He let her pick where they were going making no move to guide her and instead following. He glanced around taking it all in and her as they continued to tour the kingdom.

"Our climate is very hot and airy" He told her with a sideways glance "I am going to have to get you some new dressed things more befitting my people and the culture it should not be a problem I just do not know how much of a difference your aware of between our climates it can be a bit of a shock to the system or so I have been told" He said with a side ways smirk.

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn wrinkled her nose at the thought of the heat. "I will be sure to pack some hand fans to remain cool then." she said not backing down from the challenge. She led him down by the pond and sat on a bench looking out over the hills. "How can you not have gardens?" she questioned curiously.

She had never heard of a castle without a garden, even the large estates had them. This was definitely and odd discovery.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Well you see my castle is kind of in the middle of an oasis" Marik explained watching as she walked "Our culture is very nomadic and a lot of the tribes under me and chieftains move about the area"

"When my family however united the tribes and took rule it was decided ew would need one specific place to call out capital so we took control of the Rub Ka Ih which is the largest oasis in my in the world we built a castle there but given how unique and fragile an oasis is we never changed or introduced any thing to its environment"

"The ground it self is very lush and there are some spectacular things to be seen there however trust me when I say you have yet to see any thing quite like it" he told her unable to stop himself from smiling.

 

[Perplexia]

The smile was not only on his face when he talked of his home. But it was in his voice. She had read about nomadic tribes, they were conjured as being more of the 'wild' people. They did not conform to the civilization as her people had. They were not constrained by traditional expectations.

This also explained how their views of copulation could be so free. It would be a curious experience to explore and learn first hand about his culture and all that may not be included in the well edited books.

"I am looking forward to discovering all that your world has to offer" she said softly with a smile. "I find other cultures and customs curious and know that the books that we're supplied on history have been edited quite a bit in effort to shield our 'delicate' minds. This really will be quite an adventure for me, I'm looking forward to it."

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and determination to take as much as she could about this experience away with her.

 

[silvertongue217]

"Oh it will be the best adventure you can ever go on" Marik said smiling in pleasure at both her words and how open she was "I promise you you will see sights and sounds that you would never have imagined existing in the world"

"But enough about home before I get to home sick" Marik said smiling in pleasure "Let us go have our picnic and then we can go back to the castle and tell your mother how well it went I have to admit I am eager to leave I understand your mother means well but I dont want her to have to much of a guiding hand on our engagement and courting if that makes sense"

 

[Perplexia]

Finding a spot she laid out the blanket and sat down motioning for him to join her. "I would just need a day to ensure that my tasks are properly handled for the time I'm away. So if you wish to leave early, just simply tell her the day after tomorrow you plan to return and take me with you." Kaitlynn shrugged as if she didn't understand the complication with it.

"My mother is a wise woman, she wants our union to occur. Of course she is happy for me that in the event we are not compatible that you aren't requiring i marry you anyway. But as a ruler she wants this union for our countries. She is a queen first, then a mother." she smiled softly accepting that this is her role.

 

[silvertongue217]

"She does I dont doubt that" Marik said grinning and sitting down as well "But she also wants to have some guiding hand in it so that way she can make sure every thing is done properly and I think to make sure I do nothing untowards to you"

"I think however that I shall take your advice" Marik told her reaching out to pat her leg "I think its time we let you find out the truth about your future kingdom and its people as well as let you see your future home"

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitylnn smiled as he patted her leg and didn't jump out of her skin like she almost felt like doing. She made them each a plate of food pouring the wine.
She almost corrected him in saying potential, but figured it went without saying. Sometimes it was just better to say nothing at all.

"How long shall it take us to get there?" she questioned watching his expressions as he tasted their cuisine.

 

[silvertongue217]

"To my country?" Marik asked raising an eyebrow "Not very long at all actually"

He took a long sip of wine and glanced around at the area "Our countries are right on the border of one another it will take two days to get to that border than only one to get to my royal palace"

He turned going back to his food and reaching out to take her hand "I look very much to having you in my country.... showing you all the secrets it has" He leaned in kissing her cheek softly.

 

[Perplexia]

Kaitlynn blushed when his warm soft lips touched her cheek. It wasn't something she was used to. But she did quite enjoy that he felt comfortable enough with her to express a form of affection. Her hand tingled at the warmth of his hand and she didn't pull it away either. That mystified her.
She shouldn't be so informal but with him it just seemed natural.

Smiling up at him her eyes met his from under her lids. "I look forward to finding all the things that bring you such joy. I'm sure they will to me as well.

 

[silvertongue217]

"As I look forward to showing you them" Came his reply a smooth purr. He let the conversation lasp into comfortable silence as they ate and people watched.

Once the picnic was completed they traveled back to the palace. Once they got there Marik let her go for the evening as he planned their trip back. He didnt resurface again until dinner coming in late.

"My apologies my Queen Princess" Marik said bowing his head and sliding into the table "There was much to arrange" He said smiling at her and reaching out to pat her hand.