Chapter 22: Married (Alexander's POV)

She looked really pretty. When I saw her that night of the engagement, I realized how pretty she really was. I never noticed it before that. I always knew she was attractive, but I never realized how much until that night. And right now, in a wedding dress, walking to me. She looked beautiful. 

I wish she wasn't out for my blood. 

She stood in front of me and I could see it in her eyes that she genuinely wanted me to compliment her. And out of all things, I chose to tell her that she looked good. 

Just good? Really, Alex? She looks stunning, why did I tell her that? 

She rolled her eyes and we both diverted our attention to the priest as he began speaking. I tuned out for most of it. I couldn't help it, my attention kept going to Aria. 

Is it possible that I kind of like her now? 

"Repeat after me." 

I snapped out of it, clearing my throat. "I, Alexander Phoenix, take you, Aria Rose, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health... Until death do us part," I recited. 

She then repeated the same vows replacing the names and we both turned to the priest expectantly. 

He cleared his throat, "You have now declared your consent before the Church and I now pronounce you as husband and wife." 

Aria and I looked at each other, both of our lips parting as we realized what we had to do now. She pulled her lips into a thin line, clenching her jaw. 

"Alexander, you may now kiss the bride." 

I know I can't just peck her lips. If I do, everybody will be confused and will question the relationship. She arched a questioning brow at me. I have no other choice. Maybe I should have let her kiss me that night she was drunk. At least we would know what the other person's lips felt like. It wouldn't be so awkward. 

I grabbed the back of her neck with one hand while my other rested on her waist and I pulled her closer while stepping forward. I pressed my lips down to hers without giving myself a second to hesitate and doubt it. I felt her hand grabbing my arm before she kissed me back. I knew everyone was now standing and applauding. Her lips moved in sync with mine until we both pulled back, incredibly surprised at each other's actions. 

I cleared my throat, taking her hand, both of us turning to the front. She linked her arm with mine, shooting Riya a look before smiling at Mrs. Faye specifically. 

As we were walking down the aisle, to the entrance, I noticed that she spotted Mr. Charles and had a little heart attack. "You invited him?" she asked me through her smile. 

"I thought it would be a nice surprise," I smirked as we stepped out, getting into our car. I said I would drive, so I did. I opened the door and helped her with her dress while the guests filed out, everyone driving to the field nearby that was selected for the reception. 

It was at a hotel so we all had rooms booked for tonight. In those rooms, we would have an hour to unwind before getting ready for the reception party. The rooms are for important guests and family only. The other guests are all going to head back into town. 

She leaned her head back, running a hand through her hair while I started the car. I put one hand behind her seat, looking back and putting the car in reverse, backing out of the spot. I steered the wheel with one hand before facing the front and shifting gears, looking to the front as I started the drive. The hotel is nearly twenty minutes away. 

"Congratulations," she said. "You're a married man now. Welcome to hell." 

"You too," I smiled, glancing at her. "Congratulations on being married to me," I said cockily. I know she acts like she hates it when I give remarks like that and act higher, but I also know she secretly finds it really amusing. 

"Good God," she groaned. "Why are you so arrogant?" 

"Why do you act like it bothers you? I know you find it funny." 

"I most certainly do not find it funny," she snorted. 

"It makes you smile regardless," I shrugged, turning the corner. 

I felt her eyes on me as she asked, "Why did you kiss me like that?" 

"Like what?" I looked at her. 

She shook her head, "Forget it. Anyhow, can you teach me how to drive?" 

"So you can crash and kill me?" I chuckled. 

"No, so I can get to places on my own." 

I glanced at her again. "Eventually, I'll teach you." 

"Really?" she asked, her smile widening. 

I nodded, "Yeah, I'll teach you." 

"Let's start now." 

"Aria-" 

"Just talk me through it. I know all the gears." 

"Okay, you know all the gears. Tell me which pedal is the brake." 

Silence. 

I laughed, "We'll start later, okay?" I pulled up to the hotel, getting out and then helping her out. We walked inside once I handed the keys to the valet and then headed to the reception. I asked for our keys and room number and once I got them, we left. She was zoned out, admiring the place. 

I grabbed her hand, taking her to the elevators, both of us ignoring the people here that were looking at our attire weirdly. It's not like the whole town was invited, some of these rich people staying here weren't. I pressed the button to the top floor where the honeymoon suite booked for us was and we both stood there in silence, sighing simultaneously. 

"Now what's the plan?" she asked. 

"Now we have an hour to kill. You have to change into the reception dress and then we'll head to the banquet hall for the reception." 

"And then?" 

I turned to her. "And then after that, we'll come back to our room and we'll be done for the weekend." 

"So we leave to go back to the palace on...?" 

"Tuesday morning. It's a long weekend for us," I said as the elevator dinged open. 

"You're telling me I have to share a room with you for three nights?" 

"Nope." I stopped at our room, unlocking the door with the key card. "You have to share a room with me for the rest of your life. Our suitcases will be sent up while we're attending the reception. Your dress should already be here," I said, holding the door open for her as she walked in. 

"What will we do here for three days?" 

"What do married couples do?" I retorted. 

"Married couples are generally in love." 

"Oh, right," I said exaggeratedly. "We'll kill time," I shrugged. "Are you hungry? I can order something." 

She looked around, going straight to the large glass window. "No, I'll wait till the reception." 

I stood beside her, looking at the view of the large field and lake that was located behind this hotel. We're still in kingdom times, but we're not lacking behind in anything. We have everything in Azura. It's a large kingdom, it's got its rich and poor areas. "Married couples probably have a lot of sex, don't they?" I asked. 

She turned to me. "We won't." 

"No, I know. I'm just saying," I shrugged, going back to looking at the lake. 

"Hey, look! A dove!" She pointed excitedly to the single white dove that stopped at the lake, drinking water before flying above the water. 

"You like doves?" 

"They're pretty," she answered. "When I was younger, there was this one dove that would come to my window every morning. I named it Wilson." She turned to me. "Let's name that one Timmy." 

"You just name birds that you see?" 

"Yes, is that a problem?" she asked sassily. 

"No," I laughed, shaking my head. "No problem at all." 

Two doves came by, sitting by the lake. 

"I didn't tell you," I started, taking her attention off the doves. "But you look beautiful today," I nodded, eyeing the dress. "Like a true bride." 

She looked down at the dress. "Your mother picked the dress. But thank you." 

"I don't get a compliment in return?" 

She scoffed, looking back to the birds. "You compliment yourself enough on a daily basis, I won't add fuel to the fire." 

I went and sat on the couch near the bed. "You said we won't have sex, but-" 

"How does your brain take this conversation to having sex?" She spun around to face me, her arms folded across her chest. 

"I'm just asking. What happens when we need to have a child?" 

"It isn't happening any time soon. And... when we do, we'll figure it out." She waved her hand dismissively. We'll figure it out always means we'll face a complication and we'll have to work around it. 

"What about kissing?" 

She glared at me. "Since you love yourself so much, kiss your reflection in the mirror." She walked to the bed and sat down, taking her heels off. Which she managed to walk in flawlessly. She won't admit it, but I saw her practicing in the two days we had until the wedding. 

"But what about our needs?" 

She frowned in confusion at me. 

"Everybody has needs," I shrugged. She grabbed a pillow throwing it at my face. I caught it, tossing it back on the bed. "I'm being serious," I said, my eyes following her while she went and looked at the dress for the reception. 

"Satisfy yourself," she said without looking at me. 

"For the rest of my life?" My eyes widened. 

She let out a laugh. "Yeah," she nodded, turning to me. 

"That sounds... miserable," I mumbled. 

"I won't have sex with you unless it's to have a baby for the next heir. You should know that." She walked over, picking up her heels and going to put them under the TV cabinet. 

"I bet I could change your mind," I smirked. 

She rolled her eyes, ignoring me. 

I grabbed her wrist as she was walking by me and pulled her in front of me. She clicked her tongue in frustration, pulling her wrist back. I grabbed it again, pulling her down to my lap. 

She tried fighting me off and standing back up, but when I put my arms around her and caged her in, she gave up. "What?" she spat. 

"You know I'll change your mind, right?" 

"Why?" she huffed. 

"Don't you think it would be so much easier to make me fall in love with you rather than hurt me? Isn't that your backup plan?" I asked, looking up at her. 

She turned to look at me. "Backup? Yes. But I have something else for you in mind." 

"Oh?" I smirked. 

She slapped my cheek harder than she normally does and then stood up. 

I chuckled, my fingers tracing the spot as I rolled my tongue along the inside of my cheek. 

"Don't be a pervert. I'm your wife now." 

"If I'm not a pervert to you, who else would I be a pervert for?" 

She ignored me and went into the bathroom. She has something else in mind for me. Well, so do I.

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Chapter 22

this chapter is so much longer than usual, you're welcome

anyway, what do you think his plan is now??

next chapter: player