Chapter 1: Lavina Rainteau

"Do not expect love from me." The King, Nol, says to Lavina upon their marriage.

"Fear not, my Lord," Lavina keeps her head up high and straight, "for that is something I do not desire."

Lavina knows that their marriage is nothing more than a political arrangement proposed by the Queen Mother. Lavina could have rejected the proposal but she didn't. There is something that she wants more than everything else, spite.

Nol takes a quick glance at his bride. Lavina Rainteau, this woman is the war heroine worshiped by his entire kingdom. She could easily have anything her little heart desires, why did she agree to this silly marriage? She must have an ulterior motive.

"Have a seat," Nol says to his wife as he makes his way to the table by the open window. It has been a long day. The night sky seems to have finally calmed down. It has been years since Nol last seemed this peaceful.

Lavina follows and takes the seat across from Nol. Her hair ornaments jiggle as she pours herself a cup of tea.

"What exactly do you want?" Nol studies his wife's features. She is ordinary at best. Her figure is slim, her hands are small, and her hair is darker than the night, it's difficult to imagine her fighting in a war.

"I…" Lavina takes a sip of her cup of tea. The tea is cold by now, perfect. "...simply want to live my best life."

Nol stares at his wife, a little frustrated by her response. "If that's the case then let's set some boundaries."

"Oh yes, let's." Lavina eagerly gets up to grab the sheets of paper and dip pen she put in the drawer by the bed this morning.

Nol watches as Lavina moves around in her heavy attire. It looks like she has had this planned all along.

Lavina sets the sheets of paper in front of Nol. "Everything must be written in a contract, we wouldn't want any gray areas would we now?"

Nol says nothing. This is going much better than he has hoped, so long as his bride cooperates then this marriage of theirs would not be an obstacle.

"What shall the first clause be?" Lavina swings around to her seat again and begins pouring herself another cup of tea with a grin. "Cold tea isn't so bad." Lavina gestures at her groom with her cup since Lavina notices he hasn't touched it at all.

Nol picks up the dip pen and small vial of ink. "Contract," Nol writes in large print on the top of the page. And in small letters underneath it, "Between Nol Azov and Lavina Rainteau".

"Clause one," Lavina taps her finger at the sheet for Nol to start writing, "We are independent individuals. I don't belong to you nor you to me."

Nol glances up at Lavina, the teacup never left her lips as she speaks. An odd woman with odd behavior that just became his bride now wants to be independent. It's not that Nol doesn't like the idea, it is just that something about her is frustrating.

"Two," Lavina continues, "as we are independent individuals, we will respect each other's peace and boundaries. That said, so long as you don't disrupt my daily life, I won't disrupt yours, whether it is your duty as King or your private matters."

"And your third clause?" Nol asks as he finishes writing down the second clause without looking up.

"We will live and sleep in different chambers," Lavina says with a smile and sets her teacup down on the platter. "I claim this one so you can pack up after we are done here."

"This chamber is mine." Nol objects sternly.

"I called it first."

"Fine." Nol concedes in irritation. Peaceful, Nol reminds himself. "Next?"

Lavina is already up and walking to the other side of the room where the bast mirror hangs on the wall. "That's all I have, you can add more to it if you like. It's a work in progress, we can define the boundaries as they arise."

"Clause four," Nol says out loud as he writes on the sheet, "we will act and fulfill our role accordingly."

Lavina lifts her eyes to look at the reflection of Nol in the mirror. "What does that mean?"

Nol sets the dip pen down, picks up the contract, and rolls it up in one hand. "Independent as we may be, you still have to conduct yourself as the Queen of this country."

Nol walks up behind Lavina while making eye contact through the mirror. "This is yours to keep, check it if you like." Nol holds up the rolled-up contract to Lavina's right shoulder.

"Thank you, my dear husband." With a sweet smile emerging on Lavina's face, Lavina takes the contract and gently places it on the bed.

"One last reminder," Nol's hands are behind his back as he walks toward the door, "don't fall in love with me."