• Vanyel swept his cool gaze over the many vassals of his king's court, silver eyes narrowing at their fineries. The more gaudy of the many outfits caught his attention and he fought to keep his face cool and calculating. Courtly life was definitely one of the more annoying things he could think of. Dealing with the many suitors of his King's young daughter and acting as the royal mage, he found he would quickly have traded for the life of one of the villagers. He was no more royal than any of them, but having wealth and the ability to control wind and water seemed to make him much higher in social standing. He stood tall behind the large throne- the position of an advisor- as the vassals and knights trailed out to make room for the common folk to hold their court and make requests for their well-being. This was how he lived, and this was what he dealt with. He was Vanyel Kantor, Stormbringer.
    Princess Rose was of sixteen and her father was already lining her up for a suitor. She barely spoke, but she does people always stopped what they were doing and listened. She control ice and fire with her hands. She could hear suitors arguing over who would be best for her. Even Vanyel's name was brought up in the fighting. Rose got fed up and went to see what was going on.
    Vanyel's name was only brought up as a sarcastic remark. "If the king lets you be his daughter's husband, then he might as well let Vanyel here!" Vanyel's eyes narrowed at this remark. He was uninterested in marriage to anyone, let alone royalty. The king had left the room for the duration of ten minutes. Had he not, no one would be arguing at this volume. Though Vanyel was in charge of keeping the crowd under control, he figured that if they fought like this freely then he could give the king better council.
    Rose came to the room door where they were fighting. She saw her father and gave him a smile. Rose entered the room with her father after ten minutes. Everyone quieted down and settled in their seats. With just one look, Rose could calm a room down. She sat down beside her father not saying a word. She was not cold hearted or spoiled. Just shy and unsure of herself.
    Vanyel bowed as the pair entered, but knelt beside the king's throne afterwards. He muttered a few things into the king's ear, no doubt eliminating most of the men in the room. The king nodded and looked out at the crowd. He had to be polite, and would not call them out, but they were officially out of consideration. "Very well, then." He said, and Vanyel stood back up between the two thrones. "You may now come up one by one and present yourself to His Majesty and Her Highness. State your reason for her hand and prove your worth." Vanyel's voice rang out clear and confident, but icy cold.
    Rose saw her father and Vanyel talking about something. She looked away from them and looked over at suitors. All of them strong and handsome. That did not matter to her. Rose wanted some one strong but gently. Some one who would let her speak her mind and not put her down because of her gender. She craved some one who would not be cold or harsh towards her. Some one worth calling her husband and future king of her people.
    Vanyel and the king had developed a system of communication without being too obvious. If Vanyel did not like a suitor, he would tap the back of the throne once. If he did not care, he would tap three times. Two was for liking, but he never used it. Vanyel was twenty four- much too old in his opinion to court the princess. Not that he thought of it much. However, once the king had sat him down and told him that if no suitor were found, he would be stuck with the task. Now, as the princess was so young, they had plenty of time. Four years at least. However, the king thought that it was never too early to try.
    Rose listened to each suitors’' reason of wanting her hand and wanted them prove their worth to her. She looked into their eyes and listened to their tone of voice. She said no to each suitor kindly. She did not like any of them and she had a bad feeling about most of them. Rose looked at each suitor as they left. Then she began to leave the room but her father stopped her.
    "Rose..." He said, indicating for her to sit back down. Vanyel was in the middle of bowing his way out. "Mage, you stay here too. You'll need to hear this." He turned back to his daughter. "What exactly are you looking for in a man? So far, Vanyel has found every one of these young men unsuitable for you. And I want to know if he is making the right decisions. Even if you say no, there have been others that have asked. He turned them down to." Vanyel stood tall in front of the two, silent with his hands behind his back. He was intimidating to say the least.
    Rose says, "I want some one strong but gently. Some one who will let me speak my mind and not put me down because of my gender. I craved some one who will not be cold or harsh towards me. Some one worth of me calling him my husband and future king of the people of this land." Rose looked at Vanyel with a kind look on her face. She did not think he was too old for her. Rose found him attractive sometimes. It is his eyes that she liked about him the most.
    Vanyel's eyes were steady, but to anyone he did not find particularly interesting, were like cold sapphires. To the royals, they were sympathetic, however. He felt sorry for them. Born into serving their people. Forced into a life whether they chose it or not. However, as far as he could tell, the king did not mind. He met Rose's eyes for a moment before snapping his attention to her father. "You demand much, my child. A gentle man is hard to find, and you are a feisty one." He had doubts in his mind about whether or not he should have assigned Vanyel to his daughter. He was cold and harsh usually. Not to mention stern with everyone he spoke to.
    Rose smiled as her father called her a feisty one. Rose asks him, "Would you rather me be a woman with no back bone and no honor so other people could walk all me? Or a feisty one?" The king shook his head. "No, no, Rose. However, not being a feisty one does not necessarily mean having no backbone. It just means not being quite so... How should I put this?" Vanyel interjected. "Loud." It was the best word either man could think of at the time, and the king nodded. "Yes, loud. And if you continue to be so loud, your honors will no longer matter, and we'll never find you a groom." Vanyel was starting to feel increasingly uncomfortable, though unnoticeably.
    Rose looked away from her father and Vanyel. She says, "I am not loud. I barely speak unless I have to." She looked out the window and at the sky. She thinks, "The common people are so lucky. They do not have to deal with this kind of stuff as much. Sure their father chooses the suitor, but they are given enough time in childhood to figure what the purpose of love and stuff like that." She looked back at her father and Vanyel. His eyes still charming to her. She says calmly, "I will marry whoever you choose for me..." She then walked out the room and into her own room. She got out a book and began to read. She thinks, "As long as my people and father are happy, I am happy."
    Vanyel watched her leave, his hands unclasping as he looked to the king. "Your Majesty, I humbly advise that you speak with her." He bowed, and the man nodded. "We understand. You are dismissed." We was a Royal term for 'I'. It was very formal, and if anyone not of royal heritage used it, it was suggested that they admit to having a 'mouse in their pocket'. The king exited and found Rose sitting in her room. "You left the door open, sweetheart." He entered cautiously. "Tell me what you're thinking."
    Rose figured her father would come and try to talk to her. He was no good at it. Rose sat on the side of her bed and said, "I am thinking that it is pointless of me to choose my husband. None of the suitors I saw today seems to really...want to be my husband. They just wanted to be king. And our people deserve a good king and me a husband who actually wants me." Rose did not look at her father. She was crying inside and knew if he looked into her eyes, he would see it.
    The king looked at his daughter sadly. "I have not chosen yet, and if you have not noticed, I've asked you about most of them. Tell me, do you have anyone in mind?" He did not look into her eyes, but instead in the same direction she looked, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever she was staring at.
    Rose says, "I don't really have some one on my mind." She thought a moment about Vanyel. She asks, "What will happen to Vanyel once you are gone Papa?" She could not get Vanyel's picture out of her head now. A smile came to her lips without her knowing it. She thinks, "Vanyel...would you ever see me the way I see you?" Her eyes close a moment.
    The king looked at her oddly for a moment. "Well, I won't be gone for a very long time, child. There is no need to worry about that." He comforted. Vanyel would probably be sent back home and have his job removed from him and given to whomever the next king saw fit. The king did not plan to die any time soon, though.
    Rose says, "What if I was to choose Vanyel as my husband?" She looked at her father with a slight smile. She says, "You and I both trust him and he has dealt with my longer than any other man other than you of course." She was completely serious and willing to marry Vanyel. He was not afraid to tell her she was being loud or stupid. She rather enjoyed it when he noticed her.
    The king laughed. "Well, then he'd be the future king." He did not take this question seriously. Vanyel had never shown any real interest in Rose, and they only talked when necessary. "I know he has, dear. This is why we think of him as your uncle." They did not really. However, he was much like her babysitter at times. She states strongly and kindly, "I want Vanyel as my husband." She was serious and her father could probably tell by her tone of voice. She says, "I know I can trust him and be true myself around him."
    The king choked. "Rose, I don't think it's funny to joke with me like that." Then he caught her eyes and sighed. "Have you talked with him about it?" Vanyel would have told him if they had, and they had not so far. Vanyel was not very talkative. "You still have four years before you must make a choice. Don't you think it wise to wait until someone you really fall for comes along? I don't want you making hasty decisions."
    Rose thought a moment. She says, "In a way, I have fallen in love with him father. He is just...I do not know how to describe to you how I see him Papa. He in a way calms me and when I look into his eyes I can't help but smile and feel happy for once in my life." She lost her mother at six, so it was weird telling her father this stuff, but she had no one else.
    The king sighed. "Then you should talk to him. I won't make him marry you against his will…” The elderly man sighed, standing. "Let me know when you've talked. I will not send him to you. This is your business, now." And he left, shaking his head. Vanyel strolled about in the garden below, admiring the flowers other than roses. Roses were too overdone in the court, and he found himself annoyed with them. He stood in front of a bunch of small purple flowers, his hands on his hips and his face unreadable.
    Rose went to the garden knowing that was where Vanyel would be. She went to his side and tapped his shoulder gently. She soon uses a kind voice no one had ever heard her use. She says in her true soft gentle voice, "Vanyel can I please talk to you? It's kind of important." She was trying not to look nervous. However, it showed in her voice, figure and eyes.
    Vanyel glanced at her over his shoulder before turning full around. "Yes, you’re Highness." He bowed low, not changing his facial expression in the slightest. He did not know if she wanted to talk somewhere else, or just settle it here. There was no one in the garden at the time, but it was not technically a private place. He rose into a standing position and clasped his hands behind his back once more.
    Rose asks, "Can't you please just call me Rose?" She stood in front of him unsure how to ask him. She finally got the words to form. She asks, "How would you feel about being my husband?" Her voice was shy and fragile. She looked into his eyes. Her cheeks blushing. Something no one saw her do in her life.
    Vanyel seemed incredibly shocked. "Pardon me, Your Hi- Rose?" He corrected himself, and for a moment the stone face he typically held faltered into one of confusion, but quickly moved right back. "I would be honored, but I fail to see your reasoning." He did not love her. Not yet. And she should know that. They had never been particularly close. At least, not in his eyes. All he knew was that she often looked at him longer than she should have, and he just put it aside as a childish crush.
    Rose says, "Well I thought about it a for a while. You are pretty much the only person I can seem to trust. I know we do not talk much. I have wanted to get to know you better, it's just hard for me to talk to you around my father." She was being very honest with him. Her heart was completely open to him. She asks, "So will you give me a chance and be my husband?"
    Vanyel nodded. "I'll be your husband." He could hardly say no, and she had a point. He did trust himself more than many of the men that had come for her hand. He was not conceded, but it was natural for a person to trust himself or herself more than another. Turning, he plucked on of the small purple flowers and offered it to her. "My lady."
    Rose took the flowers and hugged him. She says, "Thank you Vanyel. You won't regret it, I promise." She kissed his cheek and says, "I better good tell father." She kissed his cheek again and ran to tell her father of the news. She looked throughout palace/castle for him.
    Vanyel stiffened as he was embraced before watching her run off. Rubbing his cheek, he turned back to the flowers. What had he gotten himself into this time? The king was in the kitchens, on request of the Chef, who wanted to know what to cook for that night's meal. He turned as his daughter entered. "What is it, my child?"
    Rose took a minute breathe before speaking. Rose says, "I talked to Vanyel and asked if he would give me a chance and be my husband. And he said yes. Can you belive it!" Rose was so happy. She was jumping for joy. Her eyes dancing and shining. Her heart pounding with excitement.
    The king stared as his daughter practically danced around the kitchen, getting in the way of some of the staff before she moved. "No, actually. I can't believe it." He was shocked to say the least. "Are you sure?" He gave her an odd look before leading her out of the kitchens.
    Rose smiled and said, "He said yes to me Papa." She held the flowers he gave her in her hand. She was so happy. She says, "Oh papa I never thought he would ever say yes to me. But he did and now I am filled with so much joy I just feeling like it's all going to be great." She looked at the flowers and smiled thinking, "I love Vanyel with all my heart. I hope he can soon feel the same for me."
    The king's eyes widened and he gave her a huge kingly hug. The kind an old man with too much strength gives his grandson when he first meets him. "Oh, Rose! My darling Rose! In love and to be wed. I can't believe it! I'm so happy for you!" He kissed her forehead and spun her around. "I'll send the best tailors to your room to fit you for your wedding dress, and I'll have Vanyel move into the room next to yours. Oh, happy day!" And he waddled off, practically singing his plans to himself.
    Meanwhile, Vanyel was kneeling in the garden and inspecting the flowers. He had dirt under his fingernails, for he had spotted a patch of weeds in one of the beds of morning glories, and was busy pulling them out. He managed to keep dirt off of himself, however. It was an odd thing, for a man dressed major in white, to work in dirt and not let it be easily noticed.
    Rose hurried to her room ready to actually do this. Her heart would not stop fluttering in her chest. She looked out the window to the garden. She saw Vanyel in the dirt diging out weeds. She thinks, "He must really care about flowers..." Soon tailors came in her room. They smiled at her and then got to work on her dress. Pure white, made out of silk, without a train or puffiness, and a soft light vial.
    Vanyel felt a tap on his shoulder and turned around quickly. His eyes narrowed as a woman smiled at him. "His majesty has assigned you a new room. You're to go across from Her Highness immediately. The tailors will be in to measure you momentarily. The king has ordered a rush wedding and you two will be an item tonight." Vanyel nodded and bowed to her as he stood before leaving her there and heading straight to his new room. It was very elegant, but he paid no attention as he was emotionlessly hurled into the chaos of measurements.
    Rose finally got the dress the way it need to be made to fit Rose's figure. The tailors left the room and hair dressers and make up people showed up. When they were done with her, she looked like an angel and Rose felt like one too. She could not wait to be Vanyel's wife. She would be the best wife she could be for him. Although she worried about her father a bit. She knew his health was not the greatest but it was not bad either.
    Vanyel ended up sitting in a chair with a fine white outfit that made him look more handsome than normal. He was wearing a new earring in his left ear, and stared ahead of him as an older woman fussed over his eyebrows. Finally he was left to his own devices and he stood from the chair. He paced the room absently and his face fell from its usual cold stare. He looked worried. "Oh, Vanyel....... What were you thinking? You don't know anything about running a country!" He combed his fingers through his hair worriedly before throwing himself onto his bed with a heavy sigh.
    Rose sat on her bed thinking things through. She thinks, "He probably thinking about not doing this. Who could blame him? I am just a princess with a stupid huge crush on a guy who barely talks to me. Of course I don't talk to him much either. But I love I want him and need him." She stayed liked that until it was time for the wedding to begin.
    Vanyel was startled out of his reverie when a knock came to his ears. He stood abruptly as the king entered, and bowed low. "Your Majesty." The king smiled at him and suddenly embraced him. Vanyel's face had returned to its nonchalant state, but the king did not seem to notice his lack of enthusiasm. "You're needed in the Grand Hall, my boy! Come! Come!" And the high advisor of the king was dragged out of the room at twenty miles an hour- exaggeratedly of course. The next thing he knew he was standing in front of a priest and absently listening to the chatter behind him- be it of nurse hens or jealous suitors. His face never changed. He waited silently for the music to start. The king was gone. He had in fact gone to Rose's room to gather her for the wedding. He knocked on the door. "Dear? May I escort you?"
    Rose opened the door and she had nervous look on her face. She says, "I'm ready Papa." She came out of her room in her dress which felt like a night gown to her. Her hair only to her shoulders now. Her lips all glossed up with a form of red lipstick. She was wearing white semi-high heals. A vial over her face. She licked her arm with her father's and walked towards the aisle closer and closer to Vanyel.
    Vanyel felt a chill go up his spine as the music started. He was terrified... Yet.... He could not withhold his excitement. He dared not look, and yet.... He glanced over his shoulder before the rest of his body followed. He watched her coming towards him. His girl. He'd known her for years. His princess. She was an honorable ruler. His bride. And now she was his forever. Then something odd happened. Even with people staring at him, he felt something on his face twitch. And then... He broke out into a happy smile. Finally, he took her from her father and held her hand up gently. He wanted to tell her how wonderful she looked, but the priest was talking, and he was too busy trying to stop smiling.
    Rose could not help but blush under her vial as Vanyel smiled. She let him take her hand in his. The priest had the audience pretty much sleep when he finally reached the vows. They each repeated their vow to one another. Rose's eyes did not leave his. She thinks, "He is so handsome right now. I wish the priest would hurry up though. Standing in one place for very long is hard on me and I bet it's hard on Vanyel's legs as well." She also wanted to kiss him deeply very badly.
    Vanyel swallowed hard as he stared into the eyes of the princess. He was smiling. In front of her! She'd never seen him smile before. At last the priest asked the dreaded yet awaited question he had been expecting this whole time. "Do you, Vanyel Kantor, take this woman, Her Royal Highness, Princess Rose, to be your lovely wedded wife? To love and to hold until death do you part?" Vanyel gave a tight response. "I-" He faltered. "I do." And then the priest asked much the same question of Rose.
    Rose smiled back him and said "I do." He then pronounced them husband and wife. She waited for Vanyel to lift the vial to kiss her. She was smiling inside and out. Her heart pounding heavily and loudly in her chest. She could hear some one whisper to another person, "Aren't they going to kiss?"
    Vanyel's heart caught in his throat as he slowly reached out. He thought his hand was shaking, but it wasn't. He knew it wasn't. He lifted the veil over her face and took a step closer to her. This was not his first kiss, of course, but it had been a while. And suddenly his frozen heart began beating rapidly. His lips were inches from hers... And then they touched. It was a gentle, chaste kiss, but it was breathtaking. Somewhere in the audience, her father sobbed. Vanyel tried to make himself pull away, but instead he wrapped his arms around her and deepened the kiss. He didn't love her yet, no. But he was sealing the deal of marriage, and for some reason she was too pretty for him to stop kissing. At last he pulled away for air, a stricken look on his face. He took a deep breath before the applause started.
    Rose blushed as their lips touched. She instantly melted into the kiss. She began kissing him back. The kiss was everything she thought it would be. She wrapped her arms around his neck as the kiss deepened. They both pulled away breathless. Claps were heard as soon as they had caught their breathe. Rose blushed realizing they had all witnessed her first real kiss.
    Vanyel smiled at her again. He really didn't know what came next, so he was stuck standing there, glancing between his new wife and the crowd that was hooting and clapping. A few of the men whistled and many of the ladies cried. Vanyel scratched the back of his head, unsure of where to go, so he did the only thing he could think of. He grabbed Rose's hand and ran back down the isle and into the open of the ballroom. He had been right. There was already a crowd there. A hastily set up banquet had been called, and this was where the reception would be held.
    Rose ran with him to the open ballroom. She looked around the room. She saw huge tables with food on them. Man was she starved. Rose took the vial off her head for a moment revealing her now shoulder length hair. Doors and windows were open because it was a very hot night. The men were wearing all black so they were even hotter than anybody else in the room. Rose whispers in Vanyel's ear, "If you want to go change into something cooler you can."
    Vanyel's smile returned to his typical cool expression and he shook his head. He was wearing all white, so there was no need for him to change. Instead he removed his cloak and tabard, leaving himself standing in a modest tunic and breeches. He draped his clothes over his chair at the high table before looking out at the crowd. He would have to dance with Rose tonight. It was not that he had never done it before, but now he was married to a girl eight years younger than himself, and he was expected to show love for her. But he didn't love her yet...
    Akira Rose's cousin came up to Rose. He asks, "May I have a dance with the new bride?" Rose knew Vanyel would not really mind. She nodded and Akira took her out on the dance floor. It was a very slow song and dance. Akira's hands on Rose's sides. She had her arms wrapped around his neck. She was smiling at Vanyel loving once in a while as she danced with Akira.
    Vanyel nodded to Rose before sitting at the table and interlocking his fingers in front of his face. He watched the girl dance, not smiling now. He admired her shortened hair, now though. He found it much less elegant and stuffy than before. It was much more 'fun' now. Akira was a very handsome young man, but Vanyel did not mind. Though it was not uncommon for people to wed their cousins at that time, Vanyel did not find him a threat. Rose had almost begged him to marry her.
    Rose got done dancing with Akira and sat down beside Vanyel. Many women were bummed that he got married. Rose hid her sadness behind her smile, She then realized he might as well have married one of the other women. He did not show her love other than their one deep kiss. She knew it would take time but his non budging closed off self was eating at her heart.
    Vanyel cleared his throat. "Rose." He did not look at her. "Would you like to dance?" He glanced at her. He'd never love her if he didn't at least play along. But she would have to do some serious stunts. Something to earn his full respect and admiration. Something to capture his full attention. He was a very solemn person, never letting anyone close. Ever. And it never really bothered him. He had feelings for Rose, yes. So there was something to start with. But they were merely the feelings of a guardian. An overseer.
    Rose nodded and grabbed his hand gently leading on the dance floor. Soon every man was questing this marriage. Rose stopped dancing with him looked at everyone. She says, "I love Vanyel even if he never loves me the way I love him! It is better than being married off to someone who would pretend to love just to get power! So stop judging us and our marriage okay!" She was willing to tick up and fight for Vanyel now.
    Vanyel flinched as she acknowledged the comments. He wrapped an arm around her from behind and used the other to gently place a finger over her mouth. "Ignore them, Rose." And then his voice followed hers. "There is a catch to this comment, though. I love her more than any of these jackal's, no matter how." His face was straight and his posture imposing. "Your comments are disturbing my wife. If you do not desist, then I will be forced to remove you from this castle." And when he said 'remove' it was like a physical threat. He released Rose and spun her to face him, resuming the dance as though nothing had happened. Even if the music had stopped. From his lead, it started up again.
    Rose blushed as he spun her around to continue dancing with her. She asks, "Did you really mean what you said Vanyel? Do you love me?" No one else heard her speak. She was whispering in his ear. Her breathe warm and teasing upon his ear and neck. Her father was watching them as though trying to figure the two of them out. Rose did not care anymore. She just wanted to be loved.
    Vanyel ignored the brush of breath on his ear, and shrugged in response. "In a way. Not romantically, of course. But I won't lie and say that there's nothing there." He spun her about, not once cracking a smile. He spoke no more- not one to use more words than necessary. He risked a glance at the King, who seemed very interested in the couple. Vanyel hardly cared, though. Every second he stayed in his shell, the farther he went back into it. The only reason he'd smiled at the wedding was because he'd broken it in his bedroom, but now it was back up and he was sinking farther and farther.
    Rose stopped dancing with him. She was unsure what to say. She was glad that there was some kind of feeling there. She took his hand led him to a private room. She asks, "Why are you so distant?" She sat down in front of him. Rose says, "You know I have not ever been truly happy a day in my life. No matter what my father bought or gave him. Until today when you said yes to me. The only thing I have ever wanted in my life was your love. I know to you this may sound stupid and just a big joke. Well it's not to me. I choose you because I knew I could trust you with my heart, my father, and my people. I knew you were good at solving problems with people and given the chance you could change a lot of things. But I guess I was wrong to hope so much. Thought I would of learned not to hope since my mother died."
    Vanyel was unsure of what she was talking about. He sat in a chair and put his hand on his chin, listening to her ramble. "You have been happy, Rose. Don't say you haven't. I remember you being happy. There's no use lying and saying you weren't." He leaned forward, clasping his hands in his lap. "Rose, you're being spoiled. You can't be picky over what you get in life. You only just admitted to having feelings for me. I can't just suddenly love you." He shook his head. "You proposed to me, married me, and are now complaining, all in one day. I married you for your good and the good of your people." He did not show emotion openly on his face, but for one who admired his eyes so much, she would probably be able to tell that he was angry with her. "You're being incredibly unreasonable, Rose. I haven't even gotten a chance yet." Who knew. Maybe there would be a divorce on the same day. The whole thing would have been a scandal. Vanyel should have said no and he knew it. Rose was not yet mature enough to be a wife.
    Rose says, "I am being spoiled and unreasonable. But I am not the one who is living in a shell of coldness." She took off the wedding ring on her hand and gave it him gently. She says, "Give that to the woman who can smelt the cold barrier around your heart." She kissed his forehead and walked out and telling everyone that they were through in a calm gentle voice. All the while thinking, "Maybe in four years we'll be ready for each other..."
    Vanyel watched her place the ring in his hand and his eyes followed her out. He felt the shell starting to crack, or at least soften. His eyes grew dark and he stood abruptly, throwing the ring onto the ground angrily. She hadn't even tried. They'd been married for all of twenty minutes and she'd given up on him. He stormed out the other way, not caring that the door slammed loudly. He'd go to his office, pack up his things, and meet with the king. He'd tell him to tell the public that he had seduced Rose, and fooled her into marrying him. When she finally realized what was going on, she called it off. That would save her reputation. He'd also have to add- as a bit of advice- that Rose was not ready to be wed.
    Rose walked him go in front of her father and lie for her with tears in her eyes. She laid on her bed and cried for a whole week. Four years later, it was time for Rose to choose a groom. She had matured quite a bit since she screwed up the wedding with Vanyel. She talked more and lowered her standards. She had posters put up telling the people that any man from age 20-35 from any money class could marry her.
    Vanyel had been gone for the duration of the years, and had not changed at all for the most part. If at all, he had gotten worse. It was said that on the night of the engagement, wedding, and then inevitable divorce, the sky darkened and one of the worst storms in years struck. It was Vanyel's first tantrum. A week after Rose's twentieth birthday, he rode into the city on a tall white stallion. If it were possible, he looked even more cold and emotionless than ever before. Even more than the people had remembered- and rumors had made it even more severe. He stopped outside of the gate to the palace, placing a hand on his hip even as he sat on his horse.
    The king and Rose stepped outside the gate to meet with him. Rose had dark blue hair, lighter blue eyes, and lips that taunted the most respectable of men. Rose looked into his eyes and her own eyes saddened. The king asked him, "What do you seek here Vanyel?" He know the truth of what happened at the reception.
    Vanyel did not bow at the king or princess. He had, after all, been a prince for all of a half hour. "I feel I have a responsibility to meet my ex-wife's husband to be, at least." He used the term mercilessly. "Didn't you miss me?" There was the difference. In the four years, instead of just being quiet and cold, he had adopted a severe case of cruel sarcasm, which made him just a touch meaner than they remembered him. He was almost thirty, and held a grudge against Rose for the way she spoke to him last.
    Rose nodded and said, "Yes I did miss you dearly Vanyel. But because how badly I acted and treated you, I figured you'd never want to see me again." She gave him a mature and honest answer. She says, "I have not chosen a husband yet and I until tonight to do so or my father will choose for me." She began to walk inside until Vanyel stopped in her tracks.
    He spun the horse around in front of her, having trotted through the gates to catch her. "You need to learn that you can't just say things and walk away. Been four years, huh? Picky picky." He taunted, leaping off of the horse and walking in front of her. He placed his hands on the side of her face and brought her face close to his. His lips came dangerously close to hers, but then he pulled back. Something dark flashed in his eyes and he turned away, heading inside quickly. She had given up on him too quickly. And he would make sure that she was tormented on this night, if only for payback. After tonight he would leave her be. But this was his day to teach her any lessons he felt had not been learned yet.
    Rose walked inside the castle only slightly moved by his taunting and teasing lips. She was not as easily affected by men as she use to be. Although it did bring back memories of their first shared kiss. She went to her room and shut the door. She grabbed a book and began to read on her bed. She thinks, "Before I get married again, I will kiss Vanyel one last time."
    Vanyel entered his old office angrily. He tended to work himself into fits now. The sound of what seemed to be thunder radiated off of him. He shouted and shoved all of his old books and papers off of his desk. And then a familiar cling hit his eardrums, and though he couldn't see it, he knew it was there. Suddenly he didn't want to be in the room anymore. Then he spot the silver band, glinting on the cold stone floor. Plucking it up, he eyed it warily before sitting in his old chair. There he attempted to calm himself. The sound of dull thunder did not stop, however, and the moisture level in the room was dropping drastically. It was all going into his left hand, though his eyes were closed, and the ring was becoming trapped inside the clear fluid.
    Rose came into his office and saw him holding the ring while it being trapped inside a watery type of liquid. She looked at him in the eyes. She knew the sight of the ring pain him. She says, "I was not ready to wed Vanyel. I an sorry I did not stick with you long enough to say I tried. I don't blame you for hating me. You and I weren't really in love." She sat down in front of him and stared into his eyes. She says, "Those perfect eyes...The same ones I fell in love with."
    But they were not the same. They were much more bitter and angry than cool and calculating. He snapped them open as she spoke. "I respect the fact that you admit you never loved me. However..." He threw the ball of water at her and it splashed all over her face, the ring smacking her in the forehead before falling towards the floor. "But you still need to knock. It's dangerous to walk in on me without me knowing it." He could quite literally make it rain inside. "Get out." She was now soaked.
    Rose says, "I meant that you and I were never in love with each other. I loved you but was not ready to be a wife. It's was too early for you to open up to me." She sat there soaked and slightly laughed. She says, "I won't leave you not again."
    Vanyel stood, his hands flat on his desk and his chair falling back behind him. "I said get out." One could hear the thunder once more, and the air in the room began to spin slightly. It was only a bit at first, and it was slowly growing. "GO!" And his shout was like a lightning strike- loud and commanding and overwhelming in anger. The wind picked up.
    Rose shook her head. She says calmly and gentle stroking his cheek, "I won't leave. You may hate me, but you are still my friend and first love." She knew Vanyel would probably slap her hand away. Her touch was soft and warm. His skin was cold on her skin. She thinks, "If I could, I would pin him to his desk or a wall and make love to him here and now."
    Vanyel did indeed slap her hand away. He was growing increasingly irritated with her, and the wind was rapidly picking up speed. Papers were flying around the room and the chair that he had knocked over was sliding a bit. "It takes two to tango. So I am not your friend." He hissed, not caring about the warmth of her touch or the gentleness in her gaze. Leaning forward a bit more and holding himself up on his desk with one hand, he pulled the other back and brought it down hard against Rose's cheek.
    Rose felt his hand hit her cheek hard. Leaving a red mark upon her cheek. She did not even flinch. Rose just took it without a word. She walked out and said nothing to him for the rest of the day. She did not cry a tear for what he had done. And when people would ask what happened to her face, she would lie and say she just bumped hard into a wall while not looking where she was going.
    A gust of wind pulled Vanyel's chair up right under him as he started to sit. Then everything stopped. He realized bitterly that he did not regret hitting her. He didn't even care. He sat there for the rest of the day, his head in his hand as he thought. Who on earth would her father choose? This was a ridiculous game. He had no clue why he had come back.
    Rose did not choose a man. Her father decided that she would be married off to her cousin Akira. Keeping the blood pure and he knew that Rose would be safe with him. Rose did not want to marry Akira. She wanted to be with Vanyel again as long as he did not hit her again. Their marriage took place within an hour. Neither Akira or Rose spoke. Even if one of them said no they would be forced to marry one another.
    Vanyel forced himself to attend the wedding, finding a seat in the front row and staring at her darkly. He was happy that she was forced to marry Akira. At least he would be good to her. Maybe he was a bit spineless, but he would be good to her. And this gave him the opportunity to make her night painful, staying as close to her as possible the whole time. He wanted her to question herself. She would compromise her honor if she so much as kissed him, and he would bring her mind as close to that brink of unitary as he could.
    Rose pushed Vanyel away from her. She says, "I will not give into your damn game." Rose walked over to her husband calmly. She was held close to him as he glared at Vanyel. He says, "Don't come near her."
    Vanyel's eyebrow twitched- perhaps in jealousy or perhaps in annoyance. He didn't know which. He told himself it was the latter, and exited the building. He didn't feel much like trying any more. He'd just be on his way. He found his office and packed up his things.
    Rose walks in his office and kisses his cheek. She whispers in his ear, "I never stopped loving you Vanyel and I never will." She then walked out and went to the gardens before being swept away by tears.
    Vanyel stiffened, not paying enough attention to hear her enter or see her standing so close to him. Her words were really not as moving as she had meant them to be, and Vanyel, being so cold hearted, was not moved. So after she left, it was like a breath of wind had entered the room for a moment, and then left. Vanyel needed to go apologize to Akira. He had no reason to want the future king to hold a grudge against him, so he put his bag over his shoulder and returned to the ballroom. He passed Rose on the way, but made no move to console her. He murmured as he passed, just loud enough for her to hear. "You did this to yourself." And then he was gone. He entered the ballroom and looked around for the new prince. He bowed in respect, and when he rose bore one of the most awkward smiles in the world on his face. "I apologize for any discomfort I may have caused you and your bride. Shall we call it a fit of jealousy? Either way, I should be out of your way within the hour."
    Akira looked at him. He made everyone else leave the room. He sat down in a chair. He says, "I know you're in love with Rose. And I know Rose loves you."
    Vanyel's brow rose. "Is that so, Your Highness? The fact of the matter is that I hate Rose." He shook his head. "Well, I mean, hate is a bit of a strong term, but I definitely don't have good wishes for her." He crossed his arms. "She may love me, and that is all well and good, but something tells me that she's lost it." He shook his head. Rose was hopeless, really. No matter how much she'd grown, she still acted like a kid in his eyes.
    Rose stayed in the gardens. The winds blew on her skin gently. She thinks, "I have to love Akira now, but how can I love him when my heart belongs to another man. I hope I can try and ignore Vanyel." Akira shook his head. Akira says, "She may act like a child, but she has changed in the last four years. Her feelings for you will never change. I know you are mad at her, but please don't lie to me. I can tell you love her." Akira took out divorce papers. He says, "I don't love her and I don't want to force more pain on her."
    Vanyel stepped forward and boldly snatched the papers away from him. "Don't overestimate your perception." He ripped the papers apart then and there. "You'll force more pain on her over her lifetime now if you divorce her. Do you really think it's practical for a girl to have been married twice, and both times divorced on the same day? I lied for her the first time, but now you couldn't fool anyone." He came dangerously close to Akira's face. "I don't care what your position is, but if you do this then I'll sure as hell come after you." He offered the shredded divorce papers. "I may not give a damn about Rose, but I care about this country more than you'd think. You love her in your own way. I'm leaving tonight. I won't be around to hurt her. So you just do your princely deeds and I'll be on my way."
    Akira looked at him coldly. He says with eerie, "I love a common girl. I can and will not fake love towards her." Rose came in the castle from the gardens. She headed to where Akira and Vanyel and stopped at the door. She heard Akira say something about being in love with a common girl. Rose walked in the door and says, "Go be with her Akira." She looked at the divorce paper. She says, "I will sign the new papers when you get them." Rose then walked out the door with a calm blank face. Rose went to her room and looked at a knife she had. She picked it up and then scarves a mark in her chest. She says, "Love no one."