His lips were so close that he made her gulp.
"I…..I"
Nhel let out a chuckle seeing her all flustered, "Let's head back."
Anisha in a haze saw him getting the horse ready, disappointed that they hadn't sorted out the topic from earlier.
"I'm sorry for denying you your right as my husband and expecting you to remain starved but could you just refrain from going to them? I promise I'll be ready." Anisha said, voice wavering.
"You believed wrong thinking I was with someone else," Nhel informed from where he was, darkness blending with his features.
Surprise splattered across Anisha's face but on a second thought masked with doubt.
Nhel approached her once again.
"Anisha, you have a problem with misunderstanding things"
Does he know I still think he's going to his mistresses? Anisha asked herself.
Remembering how her name had rolled off his tongue she was rather delighted.
"It's just that, I checked and you indeed have mistresses," She replied.
Nhel stepped even closer, going sour, this made Anisha trip over a stone in a bid to take a step back and in a flash, he caught her waist and pulled her his way.
"I did have mistresses."
Staring into his eyes, Anisha wondered if he meant he was no longer with them.
"Exactly right" Nhel 's lips turned up.
Anisha's eyes widened, "how did you..
"Don't let that bother you,"He broke in.
Upon reaching their chamber, the lights had been dimmed, Anisha got in bed, eyes darting over to Nhel who was taking off his armour. She immediately turned the other way, heart increasing in rate.
"I won't do anything to you"
Anisha didn't turn around still, all her thoughts were if he would be sharing the bed with her.
There it was, a pressure on the bed, Anisha freezed and subconsciously held her breath.
"Goodnight."
The closeness of his voice added to her stillness, however she said hers in return and after a long while, drifted off to sleep.
Anisha realized Nhel was actually attentive when they had breakfast in the room the next morning.
She was not sure if it was because he knew she felt uncomfortable having breakfast alone with the Queen which made her thoughts wonder.
Why hadn't she met anyone else since she arrived here? not the King, not the other Princes, even during meals when everyone was supposed to be present.
It made the whole Palace somewhat eerie.
There was nothing to do so Anisha decided to know her way around. While she explored the courtyards, sounds of carriages made her turn.
It stopped and a young man stepped down dressed in noble attire.
Anisha looked on, she was far from where the carriage parked so she couldn't really make out his face but she was sure that was not her husband. His hair was one thing that could never be mistaken.
She took shade in the garden, a book in her hands which had got her captivated when someone came in with an entourage.
"My Sister-in-law shouldn't be out in the sun," Anisha recognized his clothes as the person whom she had seen earlier. Sister-in-law?
"You're right, I didn't even realize," She squinted her eyes as she looked up, "I was shaded enough, thanks for your concern Your Highness."
Accessing his features, she concluded Nhel was more good-looking. He must be one of the Princes.
"The pleasure is all mine Princess?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Anisha"
"Pardon me, I was not filled in the details." The Prince laughed.
Anisha laughed awkwardly,the things he considered a joke were definitely not one. How could he not know the name of his brother's wife or soon-to-be wife.
The Prince probed, "what are you reading?"
"It's just an old book I came across." replied Anisha.
"I see, my brother at least got a pretty one" The Prince sized her up, a smile across his face.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Anisha responded as she eased a light laughter.
"Of course it is."
"Thank you for coming to see me knowing you should have been resting, I saw you just arrived."
"That's what every gentleman should do now, I would like to get to know my new Sister-in-law, how about we talk over tea?" He suggested.
"That would be pleasant, Your Highness."
"Lovely," then he called on one of the servants who were all at his beck and call.
"You are free on your schedule from the court meeting upwards."
The Prince who had appeared slacked went alarmed.
"And that is?"
"in the next two hours Your Highness "
The Prince then faced Anisha, "Before sunset would be a great time, I hope that's okay with you."
"I don't see why not." Anisha coutseyed.
"In case you see your husband, tell him to attend the meeting and quit shying away."
Confused, Anisha asked, "Is there any reason why he would not attend your Highness?"
"I wish I could figure it out too, it's really uncultured of him to disregard these sort of meetings."
"Oh" Anisha didn't know what else to say.
As far as she knew, there was always a punishment if required officials were not present during an important gathering.
"Is he not at all bothered by the consequences?" Anisha inquired.
The Prince shook his head like he was stressed even talking about it.
"My Father has been ill for quite some time now so the court has been left unorganized, Mother only brought some form of order but dislikes dealing with Nhel. He has always been a pain in the flesh."
He sighed, "Pity you're married to him."
This was whole new information to Anisha, however her husband had done nothing but be nice to her.
"Nhel had made me feel welcome, he didn't treat me any bad."
"Ah that's good to hear," the Prince raised his hands to the side of his mouth, lowering his voice, "I would say your husband can be quite scary."
Anisha paused, "scary in what sense Your Highness?"
Anisha had not felt comfortable talking about Nhel with all his servants who were present.
"Or nevermind I have to go now, it was a pleasure talking to you, your Highness," she said.
"Prince Edmond by the way."
"Prince Edmond, it was nice meeting you."
Nhel couldn't find Anisha in their chamber when he came back so he asked a maid. "Where's Anisha?"
The young maid answered stuttering, "She's at Prince Edmond's quarters having tea Your…Your Highness."
He gave her a hard glare, "she's where?"
The maid began to shake and could not answer, it made Nhel the more furious.
"Show me the place immediately."
Not wanting to deal with her anymore he ordered, "leave!"
He told himself he had to calm down as headed away.
The door to the lounge flinged open. It looked like he barged in on a hearty chatter.
"Brother, you gave us quite a scare," Edmond spoke first.
Nhel walked towards him, still hadn't lowered his rage.
"Haven't I warned you to stay away from me or anything that belongs to me?" Nhel gripped his knuckles.
Edmond titched," I was having such a nice time with Anisha, I forgot she is your wife silly me." He added, "You shouldn't scare your wife like this brother," he shook his head.
Nhel didn't mean to come off as dominant, he saw that Anisha looked surprised.
He just didn't want his new wife believing bad things about him.
Shutting his eyes, he took a calming breath, the guts to even say her name like they had known each other ever since.
" Let's leave here, it's not morally safe being around him, trust me," Nhel urged.
Anisha didn't say anything for a few moments.
"I can't help but say I'm disappointed, I thought you were good. I thought I was lucky to have gotten married to a considerate man but apparently I am far from right."
Anisha continued, "Right from day one I've been alone, from getting married alone to eating alone. I waited before and during lunch only for you not to show up. Edmond was so considerate to have kept me company but now you're dragging me out. That's alright."
Anisha then stood up and left.
Upon her leaving Nhel drove his nails hard into his palm that blood began trickling.
He felt hurt.
She was talking about alone not knowing how lonely it felt when the only person whom he considered family was not on his side.