Wedding Date

Ignis opened her eyes to the dark room, the candles must have blown out. A cold breeze sent shivers down her already sweaty body. She pried her up on her elbows but soon fell back on the bed. The pain was non existent but she felt exhausted. She looked at the silhouette of Adrian, fearing that she might have woken him up. But, he was still, his chest lightly heaving. He was in deep sleep.

'He must be too exhausted'

Ignis tried again and got up as quietly as possible. She felt a little dizzy when she stood up but held the window frame until the dizziness passed. Then, moved behind the partition and washed her face to shake off the sleep and exhaustion. She took a clean towel and wet it to wipe the sweat off her body. Within a few minutes, she was dressed and ready to move out.

Ignis slowly closed the window and lit a candle. She went to Adrian to wake him up but her hands froze midway when she looked at his peacefully sleeping form. He looked like a child sleeping without any worries in the world. The few fallen tresses reached his eye, pricking them. She lightly brushed the hair from his eyes. The gesture smoothened the line crossing his forehead.

It was still time for them to make a move from the village. She decided to wake him up at the first light of dawn. When she was about to leave, he caught her hand and placed it on his head, surprising her.

"When did you wake up?"

"I woke up when you were tending to me" he said in his sleepy voice and lightly squeezed her hand. "I am sensitive to the touches you see" the tip of his lips curled up, eyes still closed.

She removed her hand from his grasp and moved away to the chair. "Take more rest, I will wake you up". "No thank you, I am wide awake now."

Adrian was up on his feet in a beat. He moved past her to the partition. "We should move before the villagers wake up". He quickly freshened up and changed into his clothes.

They both folded their borrowed cloth and neatly placed them on the table. Ignis went and made the bed, ironing the bed sheet with hand and neatly covering the bed with a blanket. 

"Do you make your bed every morning? This looks good as new" he looked amused.

"Not everyday. Only when I borrow someone else's place or bed" she replied, making Adrian frown.

"Why would you borrow someone's bed?" he asked but Ignis didn't reply.

Soon they walked out of the forest on their horses and moved in the direction of the Palace.

*****

**Few days after their return to the Palace**

"Here are some letters for you" Domi handed over a bunch of letters to Ignis. Mostly were from various guilds. There was one letter with no sender's name. She looked at the purple wax seal with an engraved lavender flower. Ignis eyes widened.

"Why is he contacting me now? Didn't he know that this can be dangerous for him?" Ignis was livid.

"I have no idea" Domi shook her head.

"Do you think anybody would have traced it?"

"I do not think so, My Lady. The letter was delivered by Lumins. They will make sure that no one is able to trace the sender. Please do not worry"

Ignis opened the envelope to find a small bit of paper with words written hastily over it. It said:

Have you settled comfortably? Didn't hear from you for over a month so I am worried.

She felt a warmth fill her heart. It has indeed been a long time since she wrote him a letter. But, she couldn't get any chance from the day she entered Aqua Kingdom. She caressed the familiar handwriting and let out a sigh. Ignis plopped down on the sofa. "This man will be the death of me".

"Who?" Both women turned to the familiar icy voice at the entrance. Adrian was standing with his arms crossed.

Ignis felt her neck to tingle. She slowly pushed the letter between the pillow of the sofa and stood up.

"Max!" Domi blurted out. "We have worked so much with each other that Lady Ignis considers him as her own brother. She is concerned as she has not heard from him for over a month now".

"Ah, I see" he nodded and walked towards them. "Then you do not have to worry. He will be with us before the wedding".

Ignis looked at Domi, whose eyes were almost popped out and then back to Adrian.

"Have you decided on the dates?"

Adrian nodded, smiling ear to ear "We will be having an annual festival celebrating the birth of Goddess Aqua at the start of the next month. We will be marrying on the same day in front of the family and a few nobles. This will be followed by a banquet the next day in the city center for the people of the Kingdom."

"Start of next month? That means we have less than three weeks" Ignis creased her eyebrows. She mentally started calculating the time she will require to prepare for the wedding.

Domi cut her string of thoughts "That won't be a problem. I will arrange everything. You just relax and make sure to stay healthy and beautiful".

"I agree" Adrian said before continuing. "We have many events to attend. First of all, I have just sent a letter to my family. My parents and Roana will be here in a few days. Roana will teach you about the wedding rituals and your responsibilities as a Queen. Our days are going to be more busy henceforth, so as Lady Domini said, do not forget to take care of yourself" he lightly patted her head. "I am busy right now, so I will meet you soon. We will talk in detail" he made his way out of the room.

"He would have just sent someone with the message. Isn't he being too attentive towards you nowadays? Did something happen in the village? You both look close" Domi eyed her suspiciously. Ignis was looking at the door through which he exited. She simply shrugged at her friend's question and moved to the sofa again.

"Let's write a reply first. I do not want any more such letters in the future." She removed the letter from under the pillow and took it to her small study table.

"My Lady, I know this revenge means you a lot. But, if you ever decide to back out to spend your life with His Majesty. I wont criticize you. No one would. Everyone knows about your sacrifice and they will definitely support you." Domi placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze.

Ignis stared at the letter. She remembered the sleeping face of Adrian. A short pang of jealousy washed over her. She quickly took a deep breath.

"I am not doing this for others, but, for myself. I just ... just need one peaceful sleep".