Magic awoke to the songs of birds filtering through her window, as sunlight touched her face. She had slept more soundly than she could remember; it was the day after her arrival in Fontana, and in that brief time she had experienced more kindness than during the eight years she spent in the dark tower of her father's castle.
She remembered that this room had a bathroom and went to freshen up, fetching some water in a jug to wash her face—feeling the water was a pleasure. After returning to her room, she went to the window. Soon, pretty birds settled on the sill, and her heart felt joy that had been absent for the years she had been neglected by her father.
King Fortem was in his study when there was a knock at the door; it was his Royal Advisor and close friend Tesko, who bowed as per protocol and then they embraced.
"The preparations are proceeding; everything will be ready shortly, Your Majesty," said Tesko.
"I see there's no choice," King Fortem replied, disappointment in his voice, before sitting at his large desk and signing some documents.
"Don't you think the princess's quarters are too far from yours? The nights she is summoned, she will have to traverse a long distance," Tesko remarked.
"I can't bear to see her, do you think I'll call her to my bed?" said the king, anguish coloring his tone.
"Your Majesty, she will become your wife, and from her will come the heir to the throne; you must summon her until at least an heir is conceived," Tesko stated, aware it might vex the king.
"I don't want to think about that now—if you had seen her, you'd realize she still looks like a child with no charm, and frankly, that's better for now; I detest the idea of having to touch her, so let's not speak of an heir just yet," the king said, clearly irritated.
Meanwhile, Lady Marila knocked and then entered the princess's room without waiting for permission. Magic stepped back, surprised; behind Lady Marila followed a procession of servants, carrying flat shoes, unpretentious jewelry, and a simple white dress for the royal wedding, which to Magic was beautiful—she wouldn't have to bear its weight like the one her father had forced upon her. Everyone thought this was a way to humiliate the princess, assuming the young girl was used to opulence, unaware of her sorrowful life.
Magic looked at everything with special delight, grateful for flat shoes that wouldn't hurt when walking and for the lightweight jewelry that wouldn't cause discomfort, thinking that despite her future husband's stern face, he must be kind to have chosen all these things that were far more comfortable than those her father had ordered.
Once she was ready, the princess was taken to the carriage to head to the kingdom's main church. The way from the palace to the church seemed unusually quiet; Lady Marila accompanied her.
"When we arrive at the church and when you face His Majesty, make sure to bow correctly. You might behave rudely in your homeland, but here you must respect the king's office; forget that you were the beloved princess of your kingdom, for you will soon become His Majesty's wife, and must be attentive to the king's will," Lady Marila instructed, although Magic didn't quite grasp her words.
The young girl was puzzled that they thought her to be the once-beloved princess, considering her long years of being forgotten by her father. As she stepped down from the carriage, she was led to a small room for a final touch-up, where she met Yura, the only servant who had shown her kindness, and asked her how to properly bow to the king. Yura was surprised but taught her nonetheless.
Soon the bells began to ring, the king entered the church, and visitors from other realms were present to witness the marriage, a peace agreement between two nations. King Fortem didn't want more deaths or to make his people suffer through wars leading to utter poverty; thus, he had agreed to the marriage the Chancellors had arranged. However, it seemed that King Carpio had refused to accept this, bringing out the forgotten princess from that tower and staging a grand pretense so the Chancellors would believe she was the beloved one, sending her to the enemy kingdom supposedly so her ignorance would greatly offend King Fortem, perhaps resulting in her death at his hands, providing a perfect motive to unleash war again and finally seize the kingdom of Fontana.
It was Magic's turn to enter. As she walked slowly down the vast church, she approached the king and bowed as Yura had taught her, giving King Fortem the utmost respect, much to his relief. After experiencing the princess's past insolent gestures, he had been worried something similar might happen.
The ceremony proceeded, and Magic remained silent throughout. It was an arranged marriage, no consent from the bride or groom required. At the end, the high priest joined their hands with a vine of thorns, causing both to bleed, then submerged their hands in a small basin, sprinkling magical powder over the water, mixing their blood which then turned a bright emerald green. When the vine was cut, a shining emerald tattoo appeared on their hands in the shape of a star—this was the royal marital seal that bound them as husband and wife.
The high priest lifted their hands, displaying the seal to the audience as per tradition, binding them for life.
"King Fortem of Fontana and Princess Magic of Susumira are now officially married; only death shall part them. Congratulations to the newlyweds," the high priest announced.
Amidst formal applause, devoid of any genuine joy for the occasion, still unable to let go of their hands, they walked together down the aisle to reach the carriage. As Magic turned to board, the king took hold of her waist and helped her into the carriage, the first such gesture of kindness she had experienced. After the initial surprise, she quickly took her seat, and the king followed, sitting opposite her, as they journeyed back to the palace.
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