Priestess Of The Land

The next day, at dawn, there was a procession already at the front gates of the Prime Minister's estate. Surrounding the area was a crowd, curious at whose wedding it was since there was no announcement made from the royal family. Looking at the beautiful carriages with the royal insignia, they knew it had to be a prince, but which Prince? Well, there is always that one nosy person, who knows everything and likes to gossip about other people's businesses.

"I heard the third Prince got engaged to one of the Prime Minister's daughters", said that certain nosy person,

"Is it the same third Prince I am thinking about?"

"Shh- do you have a death wish, whoever is getting married is not your business", said one sensible bystander

Out of fear of the royal family, the crowd's curiosity decreased, however, they really did not care to talk ill about the third prince. He was famous for being extremely handsome, however, most people knew him as a waste. As great as he looked, this land respected the strong, if you were not strong then you were trash. Even though the third prince was not strong, everyone knew it was due to his spiritual health, as someone had intentionally hurt his soul as soon as he was conceived. If someone's soul is injured, they have no hope of absorbing spiritual power, hence a cripple.

Meanwhile, Tria was slowly walking towards the gates. She encountered many servants, even though they knew she was getting married off today, nobody really cared, as there was no celebration going on. However, when the servants saw her, they were stunned, Tria looked like she came down from another world. The dress that her mother wore for her wedding, was not an ugly dress, but it was too stuck-up, so she made a few alterations. The dress that used to be just a long peach dress with long sleeves and only the cleavage showing, turned out to a backless, short sleeve dress with a slant all the up to her thigh. She had her hair in a high bun with her sides curls out and used some flowers from the outskirts of the forest to make a crown, which was emitting a nice floral scent. She looked mature, and that dress nicely accentuated her bony curves. As such, she continued towards the front, with a little crowd of servants following her like a flock of ducks.

Waiting at the front gates, along with the passengers from the carriages, were Tria's father, Ra, and his wife Madame Ashir. They both dressed like it was just another casual day, and they had an unhappy look on their faces.

"Did you tell her the time that she had to come out?" asked Ra to his wife,

"Yes husband, I did, this girl must be trying to make things difficult for you", Madame Ashir never liked Tria, so she will always try to make her look bad any chance she gets, and she also did not tell her anything about the time.

"Hmph, get one the servants to drag her out of there this instant!", Ra crossed his arms across his chest and looking unhappily towards the carriages. Since the third Prince came, he hasn't taken one step out of his carriage, nor have his servants said anything; they just simply waited.

Before a servant could go inside, Tria came out of the gates with a crowd behind her.

"I am here, father. This daughter was told by eunuch Zuang that I needed to be ready right by sunrise. I decided to come early, I would not want to cause any trouble for the family." In fact, Tria heard Ra Ashir ordering to go drag her out. Well, what is he going to say now?

What could he say, after all, he was there himself when the eunuch said it. Eunuch Zuang was a personal servant of the king, disrespecting a eunuch is nothing major, however, he would be put in a tight spot when he goes to court; it was not worth it.

Ra Ashir was looking at his daughter, 'When did she become so beautiful, she could even be compared to Nala', he thought

Even Madame Ashir was blinded by Tria current charms, though the girl was only skin and bones, that dress made her look like a mature young lady.

"Ahem, it is good that you have come out early, now it is time to meet your husband," signaling Tria to follow him towards the prince's carriage, and right at that time, the third prince came down from his carriage.

He was looking right at Tria, while Tria met his gaze but suddenly lowered her head, because of the sudden pain she felt when she looked at him.

'Ouch! My eyes! What's going on now? What was that dark shadow I saw around his body, it felt like it was sucking my soul out, what was that?' Tria was puzzled as to why her eyes were hurting while looking at this man. However, to him, when she acted like that she seemed weak and timid. Though she seemed to be a very charming girl, he was not in a state of mind to appreciate beauty at the moment.

"Prime Minister Ashir, I, the third Prince of the Land, Crei Chen, will take your daughter as my wife today", getting right to the formalities of when one was accepting a wife, Crei continued to pledge of protecting and honoring Tria, to handing out gifts to the Ashir family, however he never once addressed Prime Minister Ashir as father-in-law. The whole process seemed forced, and like a chore each side couldn't wait to complete. With everything completed, Ra Ashir made a respectful waive to the Prince, and walked off to his estates along with his wife and servants, not giving one glance to his daughter.

Tria was about to ask Crei about the proceeding of this 'union' when he heard him speak,

"Look at me", his voice was so magnetic that it almost made Tria's body slump on the ground.

"I dare not, your highness",'not that I don't dare but your energy is hurting my eyes you know' was what she really wanted to say.

"Then get in the carriage", he wanted to say more to her, however there were still many eyes on them, so he decided to take this inside. He needed to find out 'his wife's' intentions, before deciding whether to bring her along to his manor or drop her off outside the city with some villagers.