Have a Heart

Ellona remained silent.

"It's arranged. There's nothing natural about this," Daniel went on. "I don't expect you to love me. We just have to get along, or least tolerate each other in public."

"Your family will expect children" Ellona stated quietly. "I know that's why they betroth to nobles and talented heroes and knights. For the good blood."

"Yeah," Daniel replied. He remembered how he used to be so excited about that part. I'm gonna get a beautiful princess, and then we're gonna have like five kids. What, you plan on having six Adair? Well then I'll have seven! Now it hardly seemed to matter, though it was no less important.

"It seems so stupid." Ellona continued. "skill doesn't come to you because you have good genes. You have to work for skill."

"Agreed," said David. "In the end, if you go back far enough, all royal lines started with some pauper who had the skills to make it to the top."

Ellona made a noise of agreement.

"So, what to do about this," Daniel mused, looking at the cuffs. "I could call my uncles over and have them complain about it. Might even break off the engagement if he's pissed enough. I don't like relying on those guys though. I always have to pay them back more than it's worth."

"I don't care what you do." Ellona grumbled softly.

Gregory walked in at that moment with a small bundle of Daniel's pajamas. "Getting dark out. You guys want your dinner sent up here I guess?"

Ellona growled lowly in her throat.

"Let's go with that," Daniel replied. He doubted Ellona wanted to be seen by others handcuffed to her fiance just yet.

"Do you want to change into your pajamas now or after you eat?" Gregory asked

"What do you think?" Daniel asked Ellona.

Ellona grumbled a minute. "Now." She finally grumbled

"Now," Daniel repeated to Gregory.

Gregory crossed the room to them and pulled the keys from his boot after dropping the bundle in Daniel's lap. He unlocked the shackles and took them with him to the door. "You have three minutes" He stated before closing the door behind him.

Ellona got up and moved over to her closet. She unbuckled her belt and pulled her tunic and undershirt off before pulling off her breast wrap, not caring if Daniel was looking or not. She had small yet ample breasts.

Though he found it somewhat tempting, he decided not to look as he turned around to change into his own pajamas. He would be chained to her for the rest of the night, and the following days, and he didn't need to give her another reason to hate him.

Ellona pulled a long blue tunic from the closet and pulled it on before kicking off her boots and removing her breeches. The tunic fell all the way to her knees and she pulled it up slightly to inhale its scent as she closed her eyes. It still smelled of Seirra, and it made her heart ache for him.

Daniel's nightwear was not anything special, simply light green silky top and pants. Every one of his siblings had the same thing.

Ellona returned to her bed. She looked more withdrawn and defeated as she sat on the edge.

Daniel walked over to her but did not sit down. She looked sadly tranquil now, but it probably wouldn't take much to set her off again.

Gregory knocked on the door. "You guys done?" He called

"Yeah," Daniel called back.

Gregory came back in and reattached the shackles to them. "Good luck" he stated to Daniel. "I'll send dinner up in a bit."

"Alright," Daniel replied, examining the shackles again. He wondered if he would ever get used to them.

Ellona sighed and laid back down, curling slightly on her side.