Authors: Juli Blood
Her frustration mounted as she thought of more and more things that needed to be done. Feeling it, Bryan decided to refocus h
er attention with a question. “What about us? Isn't our marriage important enough to be worthy of some time?” With each word he tried to convey calm reassurance but wasn't sure if it was working the way he hoped.
Hearing his thoughts and feeling his peace
, Kalea took a deep breath and leaned back against the back of the sofa. Closing her eyes she answered, “Yes, our getting to know each other is important. I'm sorry if I made it seem otherwise. This has been nice but you see, I had a plan. I wanted to show you my world as we got to know each other. To really understand me, you need to see some of my favorite places. I’m frustrated that this happened and now all those plans seem to be going up in smoke. Or maybe sea spray would be a better description.” She smiled but still didn't open her eyes or lift her head. Bryan could feel her frustration ebbing away while he appreciated the opportunity to study her beautiful face and speculate about the taste of her soft smiling lips.
Trying to keep his mind on the conversation Bryan began, “I know having your plans changed can be frustrating.” Sensing her sudden tension he quickly continued to get them back on track. “
I understand you have an interesting post-wedding tradition,”
Lifting her head Kalea smiled at him and relaxed again, “
Yes, it is similar to your honeymoon tradition only longer. Normally a couple will travel for about six months and visit many different areas around the planet. Some even go off world to the space ports and experience something totally new for both of them. Family and friends help to cover the costs and everyone enjoys the stories when they get back. I had anticipated that by the time we could take our trip you would have seen almost everything so I was just going to take you to some of my special places and then let you decide what to do from there.” Her lips lifted in a smile as she thought of her plans but then slid downward when thoughts of how long they would have to wait for that trip sank in.
Fascinated, not only by the tradition but also the awareness of her every emotion Bryan
again tried to distract her. “What’s your favorite color?”
Laughing
, Princess Kalea sat up and noticed her security detail turning to check on her. But they quickly went back to watching their game.
Facing Bryan she answered, “Sky
blue. My favorite foods are watermelon and raspberries. I like spending time in the gardens enjoying the wonders of the Creator. I don't like kale or anything bitter. My favorite flower is Bleeding Heart because it reminds me of The Way. And I like most outdoor activities and playing mind games with my brothers. Any other questions we didn’t cover already?”
Chuckling at
her response, Bryan smiled and nodded ‘yes’ as he tried to figure how to word the question without seeming rude. Deciding to start slow and lead up to it he asked, “Why did you want only a hand written letter from me? Why not a holographic interview, or to meet me in person?”
The seriousness of the question had her sinking back into the softness of the sofa as she tried to decide how
to answer. Finally she said, “I set up very specific guidelines for each candidate. As a potential groom I allowed the Security Council to give you whatever information about me that you would need. A few things were kept private but no one asked for them anyway. I decided since I would need to choose relatively quickly and without the benefit of actually knowing any of the candidates I would use an old science that studied a person’s handwriting. I specifically did not want any pictures - only the letter. Of course the Security Council did a complete background check. That's how we found out about Wilhelm VonCloust.”
“What about Wilhelm?”
Bryan interrupted, confused as to why he would be mentioned.
“He is only 12,”
Kalea answered.
“
Yes, I know but why would you even know of him?” Bryan asked.
“
His name was submitted as a candidate even though the agreement stipulated that all candidates had to be at least 25,” she answered.
“
I can't believe they thought they could get away with that!” Bryan's outrage was clearly felt over the link and Kalea decided to get the conversation back on track.
“
Well, they didn't and they were highly embarrassed when we confronted them about it. Anyway, security gave me a fact sheet on each of you and it listed things like age, education, health and status. Additional reports were also provided to my Father but I didn't want to read them. They were more specific and included current relationships, likes and dislikes as well as a holographic image, etcetera.”
“
Using the handwritten letters I first looked at the content. Who actually answered my questions and who simply talked about themselves. Then, after I felt that I had given each a fair evaluation I used the methods of handwriting graphology to see what they would tell me. I was surprised that my first impressions were supported by those of the researchers. Then I simply prayed. I prayed for guidance and wisdom and narrowed my choices down to two.
“
Then I took them to my Father and told him who I was considering. I could tell he was relieved with my choices and so I knew that whichever one I chose would get approved. I then got in my personal shuttle and went to one of my favorite places and waited for the answer. The Holy One waited until I was fully resting in Him. Trusting that this was indeed His plan for my life and then he gave me peace about you. I didn't receive any peace at all about the other one, and so I chose you.”
Awed by all that she had done and by what she
hadn't, Bryan just sat there and stared at her for several moments. When he started to feel her discomfort he quickly pulled himself together and said, “You’re amazing. Somehow I just know that even if your Father had picked your husband, you would have gone through with it.”
“Of course,” Kalea answered. “
In a sense he did. You see it was the Royal Council who decided that I would be the bride.”
“
Yes, of course, I knew that, but you still had some say in the groom. I'm still surprised. I know that my sister would never have submitted to anyone on the matter of her marriage. Though as you know women do not have the same type of, uh...I guess autonomy on my world. Marriage is really the only area in their lives where they truly have control.”
“
I noticed that when I studied your language,” Kalea replied. “I don't fully understand how that works exactly, but I'm sure I will in time.”
Bryan wondered if she could fully understand after seeing how different their two worlds were on this issue. He didn't even understand why things were the way they were on his world other than that was just the way it had always been.
“How did you choose?” Kalea asked.
“I didn't.”
Bryan answered honestly.
“What!” Kalea exclaimed
surprising herself as well as Franklin and the others. All of whom were now on their feet facing her. Clearing her throat Kalea addressed them. “Sorry, I was just startled. I'm fine, you can relax.” Nodding, they sat back down but still glanced over occasionally to check on her. They weren’t sure what word she had said since they didn’t understand Saxionese, but they hadn’t like the tone.
“It's simple,”
Bryan answered softly as soon as she looked back at him. “When the agreement was signed each Royal Family decided that whichever son was chosen would go for the betterment of the entire system. We, the sons, didn't find out about it until after everything was signed and sealed. My father had mentioned it to me in a roundabout sort of way but it wasn't until we received your instructions for writing the letters that we truly understood what was at stake. You see, I think my Father and the others thought that they would be the ones choosing the groom - not the bride. In our culture the women have so little authority that no one seemed to pay attention to that detail during the negotiations.
“
Then, when they found out your age my father realized that my brother and I were the only ones from our family that qualified. He was really upset because he had planned to submit only my brother’s information but Mark had just left on an extended mission and wouldn’t be back in time to participate. That just left me.
“
Obviously planning to substitute the younger son is what happened with Wilhelm. He has an older brother who was just admitted for rehab for use of illegal substances. Knowing they needed to participate, they must have thought they could substitute Wilhelm until Gerard finished his treatment.
“
When I learned the full extent of what was happening I must admit; I was furious at my father, your government and…you. I didn't want anyone else running my life. It took a lot of prayer for me to accept that if I believe what I say I believe, then I already had Someone else running my life.” With that he smiled and felt her relaxing again. Her tension had skyrocketed.
“Then after I calmed down I chose to
trust the Lord with my future. I admitted to myself that I actually would do whatever I could to help my people. So, I guess in that sense I did choose. I chose to trust that God had a plan for my life and it was a good one.
“Then,
I received your instructions and I must say I was curious. I requested holographic images of you doing anything that was normal. I listened as you gave a presentation for your final exam in Oceanic Biology, and also to your speech before the Royal Council on improving bio hazardous waste disposal methods.”
“
You were so sure of yourself. You are the first woman I’ve ever had any contact with that expressed such confidence in a non-overbearing way.” They both smiled at that comment and then he continued.
“
I also watched you walking through what I thought at the time was a holographic imaging room but I now know was the Palace gardens. You were so calm and peaceful yet confident even in that amazing setting. Our women are pleasing and quiet but they rarely display confidence because it is considered unbecoming, although I'm not sure why.
“
The more I saw, the more I was intrigued, but I still wished I could get to know you before we married. That actually was a sore spot until the wedding. Finally, I just surrendered it. Now I'm very thankful that I did. You are amazing and I am more at peace about our relationship.” Bryan reached for her hand.
“But I offered to communicate with you?” Kalea pointed out wondering why he hadn’t if it had bothered him so.
Bryan looked down at their entwined hands and answered without looking up. “When the offer came I was still so upset that I wasn’t thinking clearly. I refused to communicate. Then later, after I had surrendered the entire matter to the Lord, I was too embarrassed. I’m sorry to say my pride wouldn’t let me admit to having changed my mind.”
Pleased by his sincerity
, Kalea reveled in the sensation of holding hands and feeling it both in her hand and via the link as she experienced his pleasure as well.
'I like this. I like being able to express myself even when words fail me,' Bryan said
intentionally using the link as his thumb caressed her hand.
'Me too.
It gives me a sense of security, knowing that I don't have to second guess what you mean or if you truly mean what you say. I almost wish we could form temporary links with others especially when negotiating an agreement.' Kalea smiled and winked.
Bryan returned her smile and then after a moment he said, 'Yes, I can see how it would be helpful
, but it seems even more special and amazing that it’s just us. I don't think I would want anyone but you in my head.'
That comment earned him a
smile. Just as he was about to explore that concept a little more, the monitor turned on and interrupted.
“Princess Kalea, Crown Prince Bryan and
security detail crew, you will be happy to know that the Royal Physician and Royal Council Representative and others have arrived and will be joining you shortly. They will escort you to your final destination. Good day.”
Bryan looked to Kalea and she quickly translated for him. Just as she finished the door opened
, in walked Dr. Wingate, King Douglas, Leo, Edward and a staff member that Kalea didn't recognize so she assumed it was one of Bryan's aides.
“This is a good sign,” Dr. Wingate stated as he approached the couple. “She hasn't broken anything and no one is injured.”
Kalea rolled her eyes at the doctor as Edward translated. Leo and the other staff member had perplexed expressions, but Bryan only laughed.
As King Douglas approached Bryan squeezed her hand and then moved over to talk with Leo and Erickson
, the closest thing to a medical person on his staff. Erickson wasn't a professional but he could run the scanners and give first aid. As they began grilling him with questions, he enjoyed the happy reunion of father and daughter via the link and from the corner of his eye.
King Douglas pulled Kalea into a bone crushing hug when he reached her. “Are you really alright?”
he whispered in her ear.