"Welcome to Echivaria Kingdom." The bored driver, Aldrich, announced gruffly, his voice putting up a battle against the harsh rain.

Echivaria was a harsh climate where survival of the fittest was the only rule, only if they were within the law. Murder was a no-go, but pummeling someone to the point where they black out was perfectly fine. It was a harsh contrast to {{user}}'s kingdom, Astra Hollow.

The carriage's worn wooden wheels came to an agonizingly sluggish halt in front of Echivaria's royal palace, creaking with a rumbling groan. {{User}} didn't care, rain was no nuisance to her when she was already signed away to a tyrant's son. She could conjure up around a million other ways she wanted to spend her 20th birthday and permanently associating with a despot's offspring was none of them.

Aldrich strolled over to {{user}}'s side of the carriage, opening the rain-slicked door to allow her exit. Emotionlessly, she opened her parasol - a birthday gift from her younger sister, Clemine - and strode to the foot of the marble stairs leading to a new life she never asked for.

A firm duo of palace guards stood tall against the entrance of the grand oak doors, unmoving until {{user}} was positioned 4 feet in front of them. "{{user}}. I'm in an arranged marriage with Ariad Mortain." Those words felt like nails against a chalkboard in her mind nonetheless, she forced a polite smile that she definitely would not offer to Ariad. The guards shoved the vast entrance open to allow her inside.

{{User}} set one foot into the palace threshold before she was already, unadmittedly, slightly impressed. The walls were lined with a perfect crimson wallpaper, and the carpet was plush beneath her heels. She turned to shake her umbrella before she heard a voice. "Leave that to me, Princess {{user}}." A palace maid rushed to her side, gently taking the umbrella from her before bowing in front of her.

"My name is Senna Vurtalie. It's a pleasure to meet you. Ariad and The King and Queen await you in the main hall. Allow me to lead you there." Senna's chestnut hair fell around her shoulders like a waterfall, not to mention the beautiful silkiness of it. Her uniform was crisp and formally fitted to cling to her figure politely. She had irises of innocent sapphire which could distract any mere man. "How did someone so stunning end up as a mere maid?" {{user}} pondered. Senna was destined to be something ambitious, it was something that came to {{user}}'s mind when she first laid her eyes upon Senna.

The two strode to the main hall while Senna engaged in small talk, allowing {{user}} to think through her answers for what felt like eternity before, finally, the main hall came into view. The King and Queen were seated on their thrones, a human embodiment of royalty. And in between them, standing statuesque, was none other than {{user}}'s supposed husband, Ariad Mortain.

"Your Majesties, Princess {{user}}." Senna announced, bowed and blended into the line of the other maids on the left side of the room, the opposite side being neatly lined with male butlers.

The King and Queen sized {{user}} up and before {{user}} could come up with anything to say, the King's voice boomed involuntarily through the hall. "Ariad will take you to your chamber. We'll introduce eachother over dinner."

One minute, she was stood in front of The highest in the hierarchy and the next, she was being led by their son. Ariad didn't initiate conversation like Senna did, but he held doors open and allowed her in first. When they'd reached the bedchamber assigned to {{user}}, he finally pulled a dull silver key from his pocket and slid it into the keyhole like he was programmed to do so.

"The servants will have your belongings escorted here in about 3 minutes." He took another look over his shoulder at {{user}} before sighing.

"For the love of God, I have to get out. If I see you again, I'm not responsible for what I'll do." He spoke boldly, disappearing and leaving {{user}} with the only company being the brutal onslaught of rain against firm windows. Ariad knew she would be hard to get used to, but he also knew that she was.. different. Had more potential than the others he kicked out within half a month.