Chapter 3: /3/ Taffi's wife
<Kingdom of Azeera>
Sania felt as though she weighed more than a bag full of rocks as they arrived at the kingdom of Azeera. She was overwhelmed with fatigue from having to sit for hours.
Along the way, she couldn't resist the urge to find flaws in the man who sat next to her throughout the journey.
She hated his perfume and despised the beard on his face, she had it engraved on the walls of her heart, that she was never going to be happy with him around.
Sania saw that Azeera was a prosperous kingdom, its people were comfortable, and the castle was slightly bigger than her home in Cyris. But since it wasn't a place that she wished to be, Sanai was indifferent.
Once they arrived at the castle, Sania stepped out of the chariot. She was assisted by a palace guard because the shoes she had put on made it likely for her to miss a step and fall.
"Thank you," she said to the guard with a smile, before Taffi took her hand and led her into the castle.
While she admired the paintings and sculptures in the hallway, Taffi asked if she was nervous, an attempt to start a conversation, and to break the awkward silence.
Without looking away from the wall, Sania replied,
"Yes, but there is no need to be nervous, right?" She wished to avoid the conversation and hoped that he wouldn't push it any further.
"First of all," Taffi retorted and stopped in his tracks, just what Sania wished to avoid.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you, or at least when you are talking to me. You don't have to be shy around me, okay?"
"Okay." Sania nodded, she slowly turned and looked into his eyes. It was an awkward moment for her, but she suppressed those feelings. The least she wanted was to get on Taffi's bad side if she was to survive long enough in a land where she knew no one but herself.
"Good," Taffi uttered with a smile.
"Now, for the second part, there is no need to be nervous, if anyone trouble you, just let me know," he added and they both continued to walk towards the throne room.
"Besides," he continued,
"You are the Queen of Azeera, no longer a Princess, they wouldn't dare," he said and Sania reacted with a smile.
"And one more thing." They both stood in front of the door that led to the throne room, and Taffi took both her hands in his.
"Don't let anyone talk you down, you are the second ruler around here," Taffi said to her, but Sania knew that it would take some time to take control.
Being the last child, born to King Ezra, she was used to being led, and controlled. And because she hated it, Sania didn't want to reciprocate, especially not in the same manner as her father.
"I will try," she replied.
The guard who had been with them the whole time opened the large wooden door which revealed the throne room.
It had been rearranged for a feast, with a dining table that held several Azeeran delicacies. However, just one person was present.
"Who is she?" Sania thought to herself.
The young lady occupied the seat next to the King's chair while chewing on the seedless grapes on her plate. She had long brown and stretched-out hair that fell over her barely exposed cleavages. Dressed in a green gown and dangling earrings, she stood up and addressed them.
"Greetings, my King."
"What are you doing here Tehila?" Taffi snapped while she was yet to finish her statement. He stares at her disdainfully, while Sania tried to wrap her head around his sudden change.
"Is this a real attitude?" She wondered.
"To welcome your wife, my King," Tehila replied with a mischievous smile and walked towards them, ignoring Taffi's harsh response.
"Who let her in?" Taffi asked the guard who stood a few feet away from him.
And with a bow, the guard replied,
"Your mother, my Lord."
"Take her out of here, and if she returns, you will be beheaded." Taffi was infuriated, but Tehila was indifferent.
"Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me!" She snapped as the guard approached her. But to avoid the King's wrath, the guard persisted until Taffi stopped him by raising his hand.
"Welcome to Azeera," she said to Sania.
"And I hope you enjoy your stay, my Queen."
Sania did not respond, she was experienced enough and knew when a person was being genuine or intentionally disrespectful.
"Ignore her, Sania," Taffi said and held gently onto her hand.
"Now get out, you have seen her, and you have welcomed her, so leave!" He commanded and Tehila complied.
After closing the door behind her, Taffi turned to Sania and apologized,
"I'm sorry you had to see that."
"It's nothing to worry about." Sania lied. She wanted to know who Tehila was, her relationship with Taffi, and probably the reason why he treated her that way.
"Where is everyone?" Taffi asked as she expected the seats to have been occupied by every member of the Royal family.
"Inside, My lord," replied the guard.
"They said they had important things to attend to."
"All of them?" Taffi yelled in a fit of rage,
"What is so important that they couldn't spare a few minutes to welcome me and my wife?"
"Wait for me," he said to Sania.
"You can sit down anywhere." He added and hastily walked out of that throne room through another exit that led further into the castle.
Sania sighed heavily, she got the impression that her presence wasn't appreciated, but didn't know why. She wondered if Taffi's family hated her even without seeing her, or perhaps they were very busy indeed.
Before Sania could take her seat, Tehila came back into the throne room like she had forgotten something and had come to pick it up.
"You didn't expect this much drama on your first day did you?" She asked and Sania turned around briskly with a quizzical expression.
"Why did she get back in here?" She wondered.
"I'm sorry, but who are you?" Sania inquired, she was being polite to make a good first impression but knew deep down that Tehila wasn't deserving.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Princess!" Tehila emphasized the last word with a hint of sarcasm. She walked towards Sania with a deceitful smile and continued,
"Pardon me for not introducing myself properly,"
"My name is Tehila, I am Taffi's wife."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone