The grand hall of the palace was now buzzing with post-wedding festivities.

The marriage of Cecilia Alvarez and Prince Leo of Rivendel had been conducted with all the pomp and ceremony befitting royalty.

But beneath the facade of splendor, the newlyweds were already discovering the less glamorous side of their union.

In their private quarters, the atmosphere was far from serene.

Cecilia and Leo, seated across from each other at a small table, were embroiled in a heated discussion that had escalated from trivial disagreements.

“I told you, Leo, that the curtains should be blue, not green!” Cecilia said, her voice tinged with frustration.

“And I told you, Cecilia, green brings out the color of the garden!”

Leo shot back, his tone equally exasperated.

Cecilia rolled her eyes. “The garden is outside. This is our bedroom. It should be calm and neutral!”

Leo threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Neutral? It’s a bedroom, not a monastery!”

Their argument continued, each trivial point of contention amplifying their irritation.

The conversation swiftly shifted to the placement of furniture.

“I think the chair should go by the window,” Cecilia insisted.

“The chair is perfectly fine where it is,” Leo retorted. “It’s not like it’s going to affect the outcome of a war.”

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed. “Well, if it were up to you, we’d probably be at war with the furniture.”

Leo smirked, leaning back in his chair.

“And if it were up to you, we’d be having tea with the curtains.”

On another fresh afternoon, Cecilia and Leo were preparing to host a diplomatic luncheon for visiting dignitaries.

As Cecilia meticulously arranged the table settings, Leo strolled in with a casual air, his gaze falling on the elaborate display.

“Do we really need this many forks?” Leo asked, picking up a silver fork with a bemused expression.

“I’ve never seen so many utensils in my life.”

“It’s for the formal dinner,” Cecilia replied, trying to maintain her composure.

“Each course requires a different fork. We wouldn’t want to appear uncultured.”

Leo rolled his eyes dramatically. “Oh, of course. Heaven forbid we offend someone with a fork.”

Cecilia shot him with a wry smile. “Well, considering you can’t even remember which hand to hold your glass with,

I’d say the forks are the least of our problems.”

Leo’s face lit up with mock indignation.

“You wound me, Cecilia. My wine-drinking habits are impeccable.”

A few hours later, as they prepared to take their seats at the luncheon, Cecilia was visibly frustrated by Leo’s casual approach to the proceedings.

She had meticulously planned every detail, only to find Leo nonchalantly lounging in his chair, seemingly indifferent to the formality of the event.

“Must you slouch like that?” Cecilia huffed, adjusting her posture to sit more upright.

“It’s not a casual dinner at the tavern.”

Leo smirked. “And must you be so stiff and proper? It’s just a meal.”

“Just a meal?” Cecilia echoed, her voice rising.

“This is a diplomatic event. Your lack of decorum could impact our relations.”

Leo chuckled, leaning closer.

“If you insist on treating everything like a grand performance, it’s no wonder you’re always stressed.”

Cecilia’s eyes narrowed. “And if you can’t take anything seriously, it’s no wonder you’re so frequently dismissed.”

Their bickering was punctuated by exaggerated gestures and sarcastic quips, the room echoing with their playful yet pointed exchanges.

Despite their heated words, there was an undercurrent of humor and affection in their arguments—

a strange sort of bonding through their shared frustrations.

♡♡♡

Outside their private disputes, the political landscape was far from stable.

King Ferdinand, despite his attempts to focus on his daughter’s happiness, was increasingly burdened by the kingdom’s dire state.

The political unrest and economic hardships had reached a critical point, and the pressure on the throne was mounting.

In the council chambers, King Ferdinand convened a meeting with his most trusted advisors, including Lord Hargrove.

“The people are growing restless,” Lord Hargrove said, his voice grim.

“We’re facing protests, shortages, and a collapse in morale.

The union with Rivendel was supposed to be our salvation, but it’s not enough to quell the discontent.”

King Ferdinand’s face was lined with worry. “I can’t abandon Cecilia. She’s already faced so much. But if we don’t find a way to stabilize the kingdom, we might lose everything.”

Lord Hargrove nodded solemnly. “The nobles are more concerned with their own interests than with the welfare of the people.

They view Cecilia’s marriage as a mere formality, a chance to gain favor rather than a genuine solution to our problems.”

King Ferdinand’s frustration was palpable. “It’s disheartening. My daughter is sacrificed for the greater good, and yet those who should be allies are indifferent to her plight.”

As Ferdinand grappled with his responsibilities, the high society of Azmariah remained largely disconnected from the real challenges facing the kingdom.

Social events and gossip continued unabated, with little regard for the welfare of the common people or the difficulties faced by their new princess.

During one such gathering, Cecilia overheard a conversation between two noblewomen.

“It’s a shame about the princess,” one woman remarked, her tone dismissive.

“But we must make do with what we have.”

“Indeed,” the other replied, adjusting her elaborate headdress.

“I hear she’s having quite the struggle with Prince Leo. It’s all very amusing, really.”

Cecilia’s heart sank at the casual indifference displayed by those who were supposed to be her allies.

The high society’s focus on trivial matters and social maneuvering only served to underscore the isolation she felt in her new role.

As she retreated to her chambers, Cecilia reflected on the chasm between her personal struggles and the broader political turmoil.

Her arguments with Leo, though seemingly petty, were a small refuge from the larger, more daunting issues that loomed over them.

Back in the privacy of their quarters, the bickering continued, but beneath the surface, a tentative understanding was beginning to form.

Despite their disagreements, Cecilia and Leo found moments of genuine connection and even humor amidst their conflicts.

As the days passed, Cecilia came to realize that their arguments were a part of a larger journey—

a way to navigate the complexities of their relationship and the political landscape they were bound to.