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Asriel disliked it really. At how kind he was being to her. At how he seemed to have just the right timing to find her in such an embarrasing predicament. She knew she should savor his feelings of kindness towards her but the thought of it being forced rather than naturally irked her some. So, Asriel proceed in brushing aside his offered arm; it annoyed her when he did that anyways. As if he knew everything to be able to guide her, a seemingly naive child. And stubborn as she was, Asriel did not give any sign of relief that he was here or that she was happy to have him with her. She was doing fine on her own, right?

Asriel tightened the cloak around her, wary of Alister. "I didn't need your help," she murmured in a low voice but motioned that she'd go with him. "And don't laugh at me," Asriel added with a pout.

Asriel kept quiet. She knew that her stubborness had put him in a bitter mood; she could practically feel it oozing out of him. She watched his back while he walked, his pace quick and having gave up trying to keep by his side, Asriel followed behind him.
He was trying his best, that she could tell, with what he was given. And yet...
And yet they were only married on paper and only husband and wife in name. She was only a possession, only an offering to Alister and his kingdom. Why go through such an extent to make her like him, or even fall in love with him for that matter?

In deep thought, surely Asriel would've gotten lost if it hadn't been for Alister who had taken her hand. It caught her by suprise some. The crowds of people strained their hands' embrace until Asriel tried squeezing through. Her grip on Alister's hand tightened until she found herself brushing against his arm while cheering and celebratory people wafted around them. Asriel felt the welcoming, the acceptance of these people rather than the harshness of the streets. This land surely was versatile and it still amazed her. From the streets where she saw the daily life of workers to this, a friendly bunch celebrating the very fact that they were still living, was like reading something out of a book. All so different and new to her; yet Asriel found herself growing comfortable being here. If only she were born a commoner than the horrid blue blood she so despised.
"What holiday is it? Why are they celebrating?" Asriel asked quietly, looking upon the many people with wide blue eyes.

Asriel relied on the hand heavily to guide her through the crowds until they reached a much more calmer ring of people. She watched Alister as he let go of his hand. He seemed to know so much, seemed to have so many experiences. Watching the light dance in his eyes, to see his delight in rememberance...It was quite a sight to behold. It gave Asriel a pleasant feeling to know he was enjoying himself. And the people...Oh so joyous. Her heart felt so heavy, she felt the sudden need to cry. She wiped at her eyes but tears didn't come. No, she would not cry; she vowed herself not to a long time ago. If only...If only she could've lived a life like this. Oh how she wanted to kill herself then, wanting desperately to be reincarnated into a happier life than her own.

She laughed then. How selfish of her to think of such ideas. Abolishing it from her thoughts, Asriel picked up her pace, following Alister's back. She watched the back of Alister's head, his dark hair blowing ever so softly. Truth be told, Alister was truly a beautiful man. He probably could have any woman he wanted. She could only feel sorry for him to be stuck with her. Finally, Asriel caugh tup, striding by his side. "You were a rebel when you were younger, huh?" Asriel looked at him then with a small smile before looking at the passerbys. She stretched out her arms. "Ah, it must've been nice..." She observed a little boy tossing hacky sacks around.

"Wait!"

Asriel finally remembered at the mention of sun sets. She gave Alister a panicked expression. "What time is it?! The dinner starts at six. We should've been there by now!" She had a mental panic, hitting her head. "I can't believe I forgot," she cursed to herself. "What do we do? What do we do?" Asriel pulled on Alister's sleeve. "We forgot the dinner!"

Asriel didn't want to be disliked. She didn't want Alister's family to hate her as much as her own. So of course, she still worried about it. However, the reassurance Alister held sort of comforted her and she found herself soon calming down after Alister held her hand. She watched her feet, waiting for the redness on her cheeks to fade. Rarely had she felt such kindness from people. It had both surprised her and soothed her. She liked such a tingly feeling.

Asriel was led to a bench where she seated herself. She enjoyed being seated; it was easy on her legs. Placing her hands into her lap, Asriel looked up at Alister for a moment. He was so confident; Asriel admired such a characteristic. She looked at her fingers that played with the sash at her waist, smiling a bit. Making the most at what he was given, ehh? Though he didn't insinuate anything, she couldn't help but feel she was just a burden for him.
She looked up then, the sun now gone and the lights twinkling around them. The lanterns were bright, illuminating the path where they stood. It was a gorgeous sight, obviously one Asriel had never beheld before. She gave a glance towards Alister, who seemed to admire the sight as well. At last, she cleared her throat. She remained seated. "I just..." She paused, "I just want to make sure that you be yourself. If you choose to be a certain way... I won't judge. And though you say you aren't forcing yourself to be kind, I know that being kind to me isn't always possible. I know...I feel that you got put up with an unruly wife and that no one should have to be kind to such a pitiful person." She smoothed out the sash as she played with it, now smoothing the fabric of her pants at her thigh.

Asriel listened quietly, staring at the floor. She couldn't help but feel better, feeling reassured that Alister wouldn't beat her like she had expected him to. So different than her expectations of her husband. Where he was so passive and calm, she expected greed and arrogance. Though he was sort of cold, he held wisdom and loyalty. The whole day yesterday she waited for him to snap and reveal his wrath. However, not once did this man do so. With wonderment, Asriel looked back up. His smile was so warm and compassionate. She was unused to such kindness. It made her feel uncomfortable. Though the feeling was nice, she couldn't help but feel vexatious.

"I'll take your word for it," she murmured and stood, looking down the path again and up at the trees. "If it only meant being a begger for the rest of my life, I'd easily give up my blood to live here forever," she whispered. If anyone else would've heard that, they'd think of her as mad. It was something she felt very personally, something she thought she could confide with Alister. Since he did mention he'd be there for her to keep her happy, she thought it'd be okay to open herself a little. And only a little to Alister. She didn't plan to love Alister yet much less like him, but one fact was clear: she didn't hate him.

Alister's comment made Asriel laugh a little. She wasn't normal, huh? Asriel smiled to herself, putting her hands behind her back. She ignored his outstretched arm. "Though you say you want to try this marriage out and live your life happily, I'm not looking for you to reach out to me all the time nor am I looking to fall in love any time soon," she commented, striding ahead. She turned a little, not exactly knowing how to get back and waited for Alister to go ahead. With her back to him, she looked ahead with thoughtfullness. Again, Alister's words reverbrated through her head.

The war, physically, appeared over for now. However, Asriel could only feel that the war between the two countries, the animosity and hate between them, were far from over. Think what Alister must, Asriel couldn't shake such a feeling. Her grandfather...Why would he ever submit to a draw? Though the treaty between Eureka and Demetria seemed to have its benefits, allowing him to get rid of his disgraceful princess to the beasts of Demetria and pausing the losing tides Eureka had faced, there was certainly some other reason her grandfather agreed to the treaty. She glanced behind her shoulder at Alister. How would their fates twine together now that the two blood bathed countries seemed to quiet? Asriel's gut told her it would not be for the better.
Quickly she changed her expression from such grim thoughts to a simple, small smile, as if chiding Alister on. Besides, Asriel was hungry.

Asriel lowered her eyes, feeling very self conscious as she entered the carriage. She looked up then after placing her hands in her lap at the male who spoke to Alister in a brutish tone. Was this what royalty looked like? Alister's brother was surely very handsome but looked nothing like the man seated next to her. His hair was light and his chin looked so angled. The only thing that she felt they had in common was their eyes. The air around him felt so noble and rich, Asriel felt so minuscule sharing the same carriage.

When she found herself staring, Asriel looked the other way, catching a glimpse to the woman next to him. Such beauty! Asriel looked at her hands. She was in a carriage with such lovely people, Asriel felt really out of place. The woman's smile was so comforting and warm, Asriel couldn't help but try to hide her blush.

Yet, the words Alister and his brother snapped at each other struck her as odd. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it. Alister seemed to be lying, taking the blame for being late when it really was Asriel's fault.
Asriel remained silent, watching as Alister's brother believed the lie and spoke to his brother in such an arrogant tone. If it wasn't for his beauty, Asriel surely would slapped him. Such ill words from such delicate looking lips, Asriel could only feel shock.
Was this how Alister lived? Bullied by his brother, ignored by his father, scolded by his mother all while living in the shadow of someone else. That even though Alister achieved the highest medals, he would never shine in the eyes of his family? Asriel didn't pity him, no, but felt rather sad by the thought. She looked up to catch Alister's brother's fiance glancing at Alister before glancing at Asriel and smiling. Asriel felt the strong need to leave the carriage then, feeling as if there was so little room in such a grand carriage. When the carriage stopped, Asriel was the first one out. She stood, waiting for Alister with a rather weary face.