TEN...

IRIS'S POV.

After dinner, the king introduced me to the palace maids and guards. He showed me to important places in the palace then finally took me to the Prince,my husband's chamber, my chamber. My new home.

It had a massive living room, a kitchen of it own, a bathing suit and about four bedrooms.

Four hand maidings, two cooks, a personal stylist and five guards were at my disposal. I had to bite down on my lips to keep from asking about the Prince.

I was beginning to get furious. I had been in the house for about three hours and he was no where in sight. Who did he think he was? Did he think I was there by will?

Well he's not the only one being forced into marriage so he better get his shit together!

"Make yourself at home dear. You must be exhausted from the long journey. Take your rest. Once again I am sorry that my son is yet to return. Have a good night Princess. "

And he was gone.

Was I suppose to stay up and wait for a husband who didn't even care about me? I'd rather have a hot bath and relax for now. Let him stay out all night if he wants to.

The masculine scent in the room hit me as soon as I stepped inside. I didn't need anyone to tell me who smelt like this room.

Sitting down on the bed, I pulled the covers to my nostrils and inhaled. I decided that this was my favorite scent from now on.

"Your bath is ready my Lady. "

I turned to the maid. She was much older than I was with a pretty face. She had her head bowed.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Celestine my Lady."

"Thank you very much Celestine. Please can you help me locate my luggages?"

"They have all been unpacked my Lady. We had already made space for you in the Prince's closet. I'll lay down your sleeping robe as you take your bath. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you. "

I walked into the bathroom and hopped he'd be back by the time I was out of there but I was to be disappointed.

Sighing, I dressed up and lay in bed, surrounded by the only thing I have come to know of him, his scent..

REGAN'S POV.

I felt like an idiot for running away from my own wedding. For how long did I think I could deny the truth? I had a woman to return to whether I liked it or not.

My days of not answering to anyone and doing as I pleased were over. Whatever decisions I made, directly or indirectly affected someone else now.

Staring at the banister, I decided that I had stayed out long enough and it was time to go in. She may be asleep by now.

Hopefully I can manage to postpone our meeting. But I knew of one person who was still awake at that time.

My father.

I knew he was still up, waiting to see me come in. Which was why I was going to jump the banister and enter my room through the back window. Not that I needed to.

I could get to my room without moving a muscle but I hate doing that. I wanted to be as normal as I could.

I don't think that sneaking into your own room through a window was normal though.

IRIS'S POV.

No matter how much I tried,I couldn't sleep. My thoughts were jumping over each other.

What if he didn't like me in his bed? Should I move into one of the guest rooms? I don't want him to feel like I am invading his privacy. I sat up and checked my sleeping robe.

Was it too light? Could he see through it? Did the blue color of the robe match well with my skin tone? Shouldn't I be wearing my hair rather than this bonnet?

I should look sexy right.....oh God! What if my shampoo stinked to him! Or he was allergic to peaches!

Great! Now I was being ridiculous. I was about to lie back when I saw a shadow in the window.

Was I hallucinating now? Who would dare sneak into my chamber with all these guards in the palace.

But then, I felt the shadow move. It was trying to open the bolt on the window!

I gasped . someone was trying to get into my room!. I looked around for a weapon,anything.....hoping out of the bed, I grabbed the first thing I saw, a slipper.

Tiptoeing to the window, I pushed the curtains slowly. There was no one there. I breathed out and turned to go back to bed.

But then,the lights from the balcony came on. I froze.

"Who's there?"

Though my mind screamed at me to get help while I could,my feet carried me to the entrance of the balcony. I raised my slipper, ready to attack. Pushing the curtains out of the way, I stepped out onto the balcony.

"Hello"...

I felt the presence of someone behind me. Turning, I came face to face with the thief or assassin who was trying to get into my room.

I jumped and screamed but with a swift movement,he had me pinned against the wall and my mouth covered with his gaint hands...