The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 7

Everyone stared in shock as I ran from the dance floor,
"Raven!" I heard mother shout but didn't listen as I ran towards the gardens of the palace, panting I reached the gardens and entered the maze,
"Raven!" I heard people shout but didn't listen, I continued to run in the maze getting deeper and more into the maze. Reaching a dead end I leaned against the shrubbery, why was I so afraid of love? I asked myself as I turned around to find a way out of this maze, slowly walking towards another dead end, voice called out,
"Are you lost baby girl?" Stephen asked huskily as his breath was hot in my neck, I turned and said,
"How the hell did you find me that quickly?" He chuckled and said,
"I know this maze inside and outside. Come on, your family is waiting for you." Shaking my head I said,
"No, no. No one is waiting for me. This is all my imagination, this is a dream." I closed my eyes and I pinched myself to 'wake' myself up, opening them, I see Stephen staring at me in amusement,
"Did it work baby girl?" He laughed, I growled in frustration and said,
"This is the worst birthday of all time!" And walked towards another row, but was stopped by Stephen,
"Come on, I know another way." He then pulled me over to an opening in the wall of the maze, stepping through it a held out a hand to me,
"Why should I trust you? I mean I did leave you on the dance floor!" I said as I grabbed his hand and stepped through the opening,
"Because, if you didn't trust me, you wouldn't have followed me through the opening!" He shouted as I looked around my surroundings to see that we were in the backyard of the castle.

I sighed walking towards a stone bench when Stephen said,
"I'm sorry okay? I have anger issues and you get me riled up." Nodded my head at him I softly said,
"You shouldn't have come after me." He looked down and said,
"No one else was moving to go after you. So I figured I had a shot." And sat besides me,
"Is that true? No one was moving or saying anything after I ran out?" I had tears of disappointment and anger gather in my eyes,
"They always do that. Whenever Ms. Little dramatic rams away no one bothered to check on me or anything." Stephen stared at me as I ranted,
"No one cares about me! Why didn't the moon goddess take me instead of my newborn baby sister! Why couldn't I go in her place and she can come back to life to make the right choices instead of me who made all the wrong choices! I mean my father hits me, and for what? My mother compares me to her dead baby girl, my twin brother only sees me as someone to get high with." I was stopped by Stephen shutting me up with a kiss, sparks flew, warmth came from this lustful kiss, he pulled away and whispered,
"You talk too much baby girl." I laughed and smiled softly at him, he then held out a hand,
"Dance with me Ms. Mastermourn." I laughed and said,
"There's no music! Plus I must be going." I go to walk away but a hand grabbed my hand and pulled me towards them,
"One more dance? Please?" I sighed and nodded my head,
"One more dance Prince Stephen." I teased him as he laughed loudly,
"Well then Princess Raven, one more dance. Consider this other birthday present." Shaking my head towards him I sighed,
"Do you know when your grandparents are choosing the lucky lady?" I said as we danced around the gardens,
"I think they already did." Looking up at him confused, I see his eyes shining as they met mine,
"Oh, me? Why I'm nothing special." He twirled me around one last time,
"To the fates, my grandparents, and the moon goddess. Your pretty special baby girl." We got to walk towards the door but was met with the queen and king, I curtsies in respect, they did the same,
"Grandmama, grandfather. How can I be of service?" Stephen said as Queen Mary and King William said,
"We are putting you two into an arranged marriage, if you do not get married after 90 days then your fathers are punishable to the death sentence." I looked at him and back that the queen and king,
"What? Our fathers are going to be punished if we are not married!" King William sighed softly,
"Come we must announce it." They turned and walked in front of us and approached the ballroom,
"I'm so sorry Raven" said Stephen as we were guided up onto the stage,
"If I could have everyone's attention please!" Said King William as everyone turned and stared at us,
"The bride has been chosen!" They turned towards the side to reveal Stephen and I.

It was silent after that, until someone shouted,
"You're a bitch Raven!" "Yeah! You said you didn't want to be in an arranged marriage!" I felt myself growl at the angered shouts, looking at Stephen, I marched up to the microphone and said,
"It's an arranged marriage. You are put into it, I didn't get a say if I wanted to be in it!" Looking out into the crowd it went silent,
"Do you think I want to be your future queen? I am not perfect but damn it! I try to be! I am not a princess, but for some odd reason the fates, moon goddess and the queen think that I'm a perfect mate for the prince! We all know the punishment for our fathers, sure I would have chosen death over being married months ago, but why do that? I'd rather punish myself than punish my momma and my dad." I said as I looked at the crowd, soon I felt arms wrapped around my legs,
"You tell them sissy! You're a princess!" Said my adorable little sister, I chuckled and picked her up,
"You are most definitely right my Princess Bella!" And I kissed her head as the crowd awwd,
"I love you sissy, my maiden of light!" She said as she play with my necklace,
"And I love you my Princess Bella, my light in the darkest of times." She wrapped her little arms around my neck hugging me, smiling I hugged her back, looking over her shoulders I see Stephen smiling at our interactions,
"Well I think you said that wonderfully Raven!" Said Queen Mary as she walked towards Bella and I,
"Thank you Queen Mary." And bowed my head in respect,
"You're so pretty!" Chimed Bella as she made grabby hands toward the Queen, who blushed and took her from my hands,
"I think we have two princesses joining our family, don't you think William?" She asked King William and said,
"Ah, a QUEEN and a PRINCESS!" And chuckled as Bella had been so intrigued with his grey facial hair, laughing I felt a hand on my back and heard momma spoke,
"They sure are our princesses." Queen Mary and King William smiled at momma and daddy,
"Well, it's settled then. Stephen, Raven, you'll be married in 90 days. You'll have 88 days to get to know each other, 3 days to prepare for your coronations and pledges to lead with responsibilities and guidance to the land." Said William as he bounces Bella like she was a butterfly,
"I'm looking forward to getting to know more about you Ms. Mastermourn." Stephen said as he kissed my hand and bowed at me, I blushed and bowed back,
"It would be my pleasure Prince Stephen." That night all our lives changed forever, romance sparked in the air as the ball continued on.