Oh My, I Messed Up the Story

The wedding feast was long and arduous since I couldn't enjoy anything in this death trap dress. I felt a bit pitiful since I really wanted some of each flavor of cake, too.

Al, who was sitting next to me, noticed my line of sight and whispered that there would most likely be leftovers in the kitchen later since the portions being served were so small. It was the first thing he said to me as my husband.

All I could do was nod. I was overloaded by all that happened and wanted nothing more than getting out of my wedding dress.

My wish was granted three hours later after much congratulating and small talk. It occurred to me later that I hadn't found out anything about Shibatsu trade routes.

The plan was blown because my head had been up in the clouds. Or so I thought. Al was craftier than I gave him credit for.

"Why do you look so miserable?" he asked offhandedly as he loosened his cravat once we were in his—now our—chambers. "I thought you would be glad that it was over."

I sighed heavily. "I screwed up the plan. I didn't get a chance to ask about the next trade ship coming from Shibatsu."

He laughed lightly.

"Is that all it is? Don't worry, I have that covered. It was when you were getting your makeup touched up after dinner. The next ship arrives in the spring so we'll have to wait about half a year."

My jaw dropped and I couldn't speak for a few moments before finally getting words out.

"Not gonna lie, I'm impressed. Good job, Al!"

My knees nearly gave out in relief. He completely saved my plan for getting out of here. All I had to do was get this kingdom and the plot back in order in the next six months and I'd be home free.

His grin was a bit smug. "I told you I would be a good husband. Married less than a day and already picking up your slack."

I stuck my tongue out at him. His casual teasing helped me relax a bit. Al was the same as always. Becoming my husband hadn't changed the fact that he was my slightly ridiculous friend.

"Alright, alright. Can you call for someone to help me get out of this thing? I'm dying."

"Let me do it. Everybody is probably long gone already."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't get any strange ideas now."

Almost everything Al had said and done up til this point indicated he wanted a built-in best friend.

I was happy to fulfill that role until it was time for me to leave but I would go no further with someone I wasn't supposed to be with in the first place. I had never even been kissed!

'You may now kiss the bride' wasn't a part of the vows here. Thank goodness.

He held up his hands innocently. "I simply want you to be more comfortable. Relax. I won't bite."

"I'm holding you to that," I warned.

I had already undone the very detailed hairdo so my hair was a tangled mess cascading down my back. I held it up so he could start unbuttoning the back of my dress without anything getting snagged.

Goosebumps appeared all over me as I felt the buttons being undone. This was the most intimacy I had ever experienced with a man.

I backed away very quickly once they were to the point where I could get out of the thing myself and stammered a demand that he turn around while I get changed. True to his word, Al complied.

I flopped back onto the bed in my nightgown with a happy sigh.

"Much better. That thing was a torture device."

"Do you hate dresses that much?" he asked curiously.

"Dresses are fine when they don't involve corsets, cages, or underwire of any sort. Good old fabric is enough for this girl. It's hard being a woman in this world."

He didn't seem to notice my odd word choice. "I'll take your word for it."

I realized my precarious position then and hastily sat up. The bed was large—probably a king sized mattress—but I had to share it. With a guy who stood there in a loose v-neck night shirt.

The awkwardness in the air was tangible. This was not what I bargained for.

As I sat there frozen, Al blew out the lamps in the room and took the initiative to climb into the other side of the bed first.

"Go to sleep, Katie."

"Okay." I scrambled under my half of the sheets.

The bed was huge; I should be perfectly fine if I stuck to my side.

***

I was not perfectly fine. In the middle of the night I got cold and clung to the nearest heat source like an octopus in my half-asleep state.

I didn't realize until first thing in the morning when I woke up with my head on my husband's chest and an arm and a leg slung across him. Reflexively, he had an arm around me too.

I tried staying very still once I realized what had happened. I didn't want him waking up and getting the wrong idea. I was trying to pawn him off on someone else after all.

I very slowly extracted myself from Al's arm and scooted over to my side of the bed, which was freezing. The fire must have died sometime in the night.

I huddled under the blanket as best I could trying to ignore the frantic hammering of my heart.

That was close. I would have to make sure the fire was stoked better before we went to bed in the future.