A few weeks later, Deneve found herself in Sand Grain Bazaar. Atui Balacs was easy enough to find, but the damn bureaucratic bull shit was tying up the King Bareeds request for asylum after Valencia had already agreed to it was testing the limits of her patience.

Before Atui would consider pushing the paperwork through, she insisted that Deneve deliver a package to Prince Barhan Nesser. Being reduced to a messenger was nothing new to her. She realized that this was Valencia’s way of showing who was in charge.

Deneve walked up the road to the Prince’s Quarters located at the top of the mountain most of the Village was found on. As she turned one of the many corners going up this winding path, Deneve felt a hand grab her wrist and spin her around. She felt a dagger on her back. “If you don’t want to be hurt, hand over your silver!” A voice said gruffly from behind her. “I should think you would be more worried about yourself.” She stated evenly as she called on Tett.

The man screamed, “My hands! You shocked me!” Deneve stumbled and fell onto the ground as the man pushed her away in his haste to escape. She couldn’t help but chuckle as she stood and dusted herself off before collecting the package that had fallen to the ground.

“That was an interesting display,” A voice said curiously. “I heard the commotion and came over to help, but you seemed able to handle it on your own. It’s not safe after dark.” The man continued, stepping out of the shadow as he tilted his head, inspecting Deneve with interest.

“Once deliver my package, I will find a room for the night,” Deneve stated.

“So tell me who the intended recipient is, and I will walk you there,” The man replied.

“I have a package for Prince Barhan.” Deneve glanced at the man. He didn’t seem to have any ill intent, but no one could be sure in this place anyway.

The man chuckled with mirth, “Well, you found him. My house isn’t far from here. Come on.”

We walked a short distance up the path before Prince Barhan led her into a yurt. The soldiers inside bow their heads as they pass. Prince Barhan gestured for her to sit on one of the many cushions placed about the floor.

Deneve was relieved to find that this was no trick, handed him the package. The Prince took it, shaking his head. “Atui, you don’t owe me anything.”

Deneve looked at him curiously but kept her silence as it wasn’t her business.

“It’s nothing. Atui was an orphan girl I took in and raised. She feels the need to express her gratitude through sending me trinkets.” He explained.

“I see. Now that Valencia has made their position clear of who is in charge, I suppose I should introduce myself,” Deneve replied with a small smile. She knew this could be an excellent opportunity to talk to someone who could possibly expedite the asylum status for King Bareeds.

“You don’t seem like a normal courier,” He remarked. “Your appearance is quite different than anyone I’ve ever met. I must admit, I’m curious.”

“My apologies, Prince Barhan, I should have introduced myself sooner. I am Princess Deneve of Mediah,” She explained.

“That can happen when you are accosted.” He stated wryly. Prince Barhan frowned thoughtfully at the floor before he raised his gaze to her face. “My apologies Princess, some people are against the idea of providing asylum for the King of Mediah. That is why you were reduced to being treated as a messenger boy.”

“No one knows who I am yet and that gives me the ability to hide in plain sight,” Deneve said, brushing off the apology.

“I want to help Mediah. With the hope of better trade relations in the future. Perhaps we can come to an agreement on how to fix the issue?” Barhans’ s eyes rested on her as though he were assessing her worth.

“What are you suggesting?” Deneve asked curiously.

“I think the quickest way to get asylum for the King is to get engaged,” Prince Barhan claimed.

Deneve froze for a minute. What? She quickly pulled herself together. “Engaged to the King? I can take back the request, but that might be awkward.” She grinned.

Prince Barhan looked at her incredulously for a moment before he started to laugh. He laughed until he was forced to wipe his eyes. “It’s refreshing to see that my prospective fiancée has a sense of humor. It will ensure the King gets asylum until the paperwork is put through the proper channels. The idea is that I can provide protection to my betrothed’s family.”

“I understand,” Deneve replied. Sirare had warned her that this might happen with the Valencian royal family. They would want to keep her where they could watch her movements. As an unknown Princess, she was both a commodity and a liability. “I accept your kind offer.”

“You know you will have to stay with me now,” He stated, watching her for a reaction.

Deneve nodded, knowing he was referring to the customs of Valencia. When a couple agreed to an engagement, they were required to spend a month living with each other to ensure compatibility. The thought of spending so much time, in such close proximity, with someone she barely knew was nerve-wracking, to say the least. But Bareeds needed protection now. “King Bareeds and Sirare educated me on Valencian customs.” She added firmly.

Prince Barhan gave her kind glance, “Don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of the situation.”

“Thank you,” Deneve wanted to change the subject. “I should go collect my things and send word to King Bareeds.”

“I’ll have one of my men collect your belongings and bring them here.” He replied, “Did you forget what I told you about Sand Grain Bazaar at night?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t, but I don’t wish to be bothersome. You have been kind enough.”

“Looks like we are going to have to set down some ground rules right now,” he stated firmly. He clapped his hands five times, and five soldiers came into the room. Prince Barhan quickly penned a letter to King Bareeds and sent two soldiers to collect Deneve’s belongings. The third soldier was sent to procure food and drink. Then He sent the fourth soldier to purchase a few items from the merchants at the bazaar. The fifth soldier was given instructions for the soldiers.

Once the soldiers left, Barhan turned to Deneve. “Now we need to discuss some ground rules. First of all, you are not bothersome. You will be treated as if this is a real engagement. As I said before, I will not pressure you into any contact you are not comfortable with. However, we will need to show affection for each other in public, or the engagement will be seen as a farce. Holding hands, dancing, that sort of thing.”

“I understand,” Deneve replied, “But what are you getting out of this?”

“Aside from the gratitude of a Princess and King?” He teased. She gave him a pointed look. “Fine, you’ve got that angry fiancee glare down already,” he sighed, “I admit I have heard of your prowess on the battlefield, and after seeing what you did to that guy earlier, I am intrigued. And as I mentioned earlier, I hope to have better trade with Mediah once this mess is put behind us. “

They were interrupted by the soldiers returning with Deneve’s belongings. The items purchased have arrived as well. Prince Barhan directed the soldiers in placing the items as they left, the food arrived.

Deneve noticed that Prince Barhan had created a private area with the bath and her trunk behind a row of screens. As a yurt is basically one large round room, he went out of his way to make her feel as comfortable as possible.

Prince Barhan dismissed the last soldier before he turned to Deneve. “Come, you must be hungry,” he gestured to a low table surrounded by giant pillows.

They ate, enjoying some light conversation. Soon Deneve was yawning sleepily. “You should sleep on the bed. I’ll take a bunch of pillows tonight. I can have another brought in tomorrow.” He said kindly.

Deneve appreciated the fact he tried to consider her feelings. However, she worried about someone realizing it was a farce. “Don’t be silly.” She turned to Prince Barhan. “The bed is large enough for us both. You are the commander of the Valencian armies. If a messenger or soldier were to rush into here and see us sleeping in separate beds, that would raise suspicion.”

“You’re right.” He agreed. “I just didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

“Although it’s not normal where I’m from, I’ve become comfortable sharing sleep with others,” She added with a smile as she remembered how many times Sirare, Bareeds, and her had fallen asleep on pillows after a meal.