Tate was in mid-painting when the knock of her door came, her attention not directly falling to it as she was distracted herself. It wasn't until Rian stepped into the room, closing the door softly behind him that her attention turned toward the King. It also didn't help her own turmoil of thoughts to know that no one was yet found. Not that she was eager to find out who did it but rather why? Sure, She was a commoner among these people but would they go to those lengths just because they didn't want her on the throne? It made zero sense. "Well let's hope they are found before another attempt is made." She murmured, turning her full attention to him now as he took it upon himself to sit. She didn't known why that made her nervous. It was just Rian, The damned King of Ardalan- her future husband.

Tate's eyes were on everything but the brother now, nerves jumping under her skin with the need to keep distracting herself. But hadn't she done that enough? Perhaps now was the time Tate stopped hiding behind the scenes and speak up to her future husband. She lip captured between her teeth at the apology, not sure how to proceed. Because Rian deserved to know everything and yet it would cost her everything if she told him. Spencers trust included. The selfish part of her winning. And there he was. 'My angel. My savior' acting as though he hadn't saved her life- as if it was just a simple curtesy. "Rian, I- Thank you for saving me. And before you say you merely brought me to the doctors for them to save; Can I just say not everyone would have. Especially for me." She muttered, the last part more dark than the first. But it was the truth.

Tate also realized then that the kiss between them wasn't brought up, at least not in the way she would have thought. Her head tilting to the side at his further explanation. Pity wasn't an emotion she showed often, but to Rian..She often pitied the King. His title was enough burden for them both, and yet he was dead set on allowing it to bury him the way it buried his father. "Can I just say something that we both know you won't listen to?" She hummed pausing before continuing again, "You can let the crown ruin you, or you can have someone who wants to help at your side. And not just for their own Gain but for the better of the Kingdom." Tate stood from the chair she sat in, crossing the room to stand a few feet from him. She could have loved him, cared for him even if only he stopped to care and love himself. It was a pity, because a man like him deserved the world- even if he didn't believe it.

But Tate also couldn't deny wanting a husband who didn't pretend to want to be around her; to love her and show her the affection she craved. Sighing she shrugged, the action not very lady like but in the presence of Rian she couldn't pretend anymore. To be something or someone she wasn't. And now for an entirely different reason she hated the former King. The same eyes that taught him how to love, never taught him how to be loved back. The same man who tossed his youngest son aside for the sake of the Future King. His eldest son. Tate only wished he had showed them both the love they deserved, a father's love. Not a King's. Is this what Tate was subjecting her future children too, A life without joy and love? Maybe it was best they never had children, but then that would be another problem the council would throw in their faces. The pressure was building up again. Tate sighed, running her hands through the curly blonde strands, "I'm sorry if it make everything worse. That is not my intention." She finally added, if only to give him some part of a truth. Her face burning, because Rian deserved to know the truth as well- but again at what cost?

Tate had already nearly lost her life, if she were to accuse the Former King and found lying or worse; the truth- she wasn't sure he life would last very long. She only wished she could share her troubles with Rian. Although Spencer knew which didn't help or ease the worry coursing through her veins. But the fit of anger she had when she slipped up and told Spencer was something that had never happened before and Tate couldn't afford to let it happen again. But now Tate was starting to see the man Rian wanted to become but didn't because he was scared of Failure. Or letting someone get close enough that they could hurt him or worse. "Since we are speaking..freely- I am sorry if I forced myself upon you. That was never my intention. Between the alcohol and Poison I'm not sure what has gotten into me." She mused- her cheeks flushing with heat. Mostly because of embarrassment and because when she wasn't thinking of her life being Threatened it was filled with thoughts of the brothers. Her own heart at war with her head.

There's a story behind every person. There's a reason why there are they way they are, they aren't just like that because they want to be. Something in their past created them, and sometimes its impossible to fix. Tate could not help Rian, the same he could not help her. It was a sad thought, but one that had her straigtning her posture, her nervous hands fidgiting with the dress she wore- thankful to be out of the itchy infirmary gown. "How are you holding up?" She asked instead, switching the conversation from the topic of them to him.

With Tate’s deliverance of her thanks for his act of saving her life, it felt instinctual for him to wave it off, and assure her that he did what anyone would have done. But that would have been a partial lie. In truth, there could have been many individuals who would have seen her in distress, and looked the other way. Whether it be because they cared little for the lives of royals - future and current -, despised Tate out of jealousy for her position, or even if someone desired to see turmoil grip the kingdom. People are strange in their motives, whereas Rian regarded his as simple. “I suppose I’m not everyone,” he replied in a softer sentiment.

Having his gaze pulled toward the painting in the room, he considered that he had intruded on her own fraction of peace in here. Which understandably he knew how seldom it was to find. When she began to speak again, he diverted his eyes back to Tate with a flicker of a smile. “I’m a wonderful listener, it’s the part that pertains to taking advice for myself I fall short with,” he began, “but I appreciate having someone like you to stand beside. I’ve never been concerned about your intentions though, Tate, you have a big heart. Anyone with eyes can see that, but I would be lying if I said that also didn’t worry me to a considerable degree.” Losing the smile and trading it out for a more neutral expression, Rian allowed a sigh to pass even as she encroached. Of all the things he didn’t want, having Tate’s heart turn cold or bitter from the pressures of the title was something he never wanted to see.

Propping his head on the hand of the arm resting on his knee, Rian gave into the lack of formality in the room, though kept his sterling gaze tethered to Tate as he watched various emotions and thoughts pass in and out of her eyes. She was an interesting person to watch, and studying what every subtle shift in her countenance meant was something Rian didn’t think he would grow tired of. Not disguising his genuine reaction to her apology, the brunet’s brows tightly furrowed with a singular sharp shake of his head. “I know it’s not, you don’t need to apologize for anything,” he said firmly but with a gentle expression, “maybe we can mutually agree to stop apologizing for things we can’t control to each other.”

It was a lesson Rian himself needed to learn, or at the very least with Tate. He didn’t fully grasp why he always compulsively felt the need to apologize for everything down to simply existing, he figured if there was one person he needed to learn to find peace around, it would need to be Tate. Unable to not shift his posture as he sat back up, and with Tate furthermore apologizing for the kiss that had happened, Rian’s hands came together again only to clasp in his lap. “I don’t hold what happened against you, it was something that happened while you were under the influence of, well, one or the other substances in your system,” Rian said, trying to dismiss the act altogether. Rian had liked to think a first kiss with anyone was supposed to mean something, although he didn’t allow himself to dwell on the lack of meaning of what had transpired days ago. It would do him no good.

“How am I holding up?” The brunet parroted. “I’m not the one who was on death’s door a few days ago.” In this moment Rian came to determine that they were both too chronically concerned about everyone else’s well-being to pay any fraction of mind to their own. Whether that was endearing or concerning in terms of it being a shared quality, Rian chose not to deflect for the sake of maintaining the trust in truth that they were establishing. “I’m holding up as well as any poorly sewn-together doll would,” he shared, “I feel like I’m unraveling at a concerningly constant rate, and yet I keep using my frayed pieces to stitch myself back together long enough for me to tend to everyone but myself.” Shaking his head, and disliking the comparison he made, he offered a breathy chuckle.

“That was a terrible analogy,” Rian outed himself before gesturing to Tate, “now it’s your turn to tell me how you’re doing, and you’ll likely convey it far better than I did.” He added with an encouraging albeit thin smile. With Tate, Rian was beginning to learn that he wouldn’t always have to pretend to be the King everyone else would see - he could be himself. Which meant he would be allowed to discover in time more so who he actually was as a person beyond a title. The idea frightened him, believing he would only find things he didn’t want to see in himself, but there was also the exhilaration of the possibility that he might actually come to enjoy being in his own skin.

"No. No you're not." Tate replied softly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she moved back to her painting sitting down at the chair and picking up the brush. She had meant what she said earlier when wanting to capture the purity of the tower where Rian had taken her. His own oasis. And here Tate was painting the moment where the sun had gone down; Aero flying high above in the colored sky. She blushed at his compliment, yet was it a compliment if he was worried about her heart? She blinked away her confusion, head tilting as she looked at him briefly- "I have to learn to protect that part of myself- though it's also not something I am willing to just..change about myself. The council will see that I'm very determined when I want something, I only hope that whatever my Reign may bring it does not bring you or your family..disgrace. " She paused taking Rian in for what seemed like the first time. He was only a man trying to do his best, and sometimes to other people even that wasn't enough. Tate vowed to herself she would prove to him, that he was worth every bit of the trouble anyone gave her.

It shocked her to see him so..relaxed in her room. He had never so much as sighed in her presence before; as least that she could recall. It made a small smile lift at the corners of her mouth as she turned her eyes quickly to the painting before her. Painting was something that came easy to Tate, and gave her the comfort she so wished for right now. Especially now when Rian sat her studying her like she was something to be amazed of- and causing emotions that she wasn't sure what they meant. She flicked her attention back to him, her brows raising before she allowed the smile to fully develop "That we can do." She hummed- amused to see him this way. She only hoped it wasn't a fleeting moment because of the incident. "I know it was not my fault but all the same. You did not want me- at least not like that and somewhere in my mind-" She paused trying to find the right words for the kiss that was not intended to happen. "Our first kiss was me out of my mind- what an impression for our marriage." She mused, trying to make light on the subject. Though it did not help the embarrassment she still felt when it came to her delirious actions. Not to mention the kiss with Spencer.

That she could not blame on anyone but herself, and Spencer of course. It wasn't as if she spurred the action, but she also did not stop it. Shaking her head to clear those thoughts she continued the painting only stopping again when Rian asked how she was doing. It was a question the brothers seemed to ask her often, like they needed that peace of mind that Tate was alive and well. It was another thought she let come and pass, a heavy sigh passing her lips as she tried to come up with words to explain how she felt.

"I am alive. That's all I can really say at the moment." She huffed after a while, considering the words and what effect they would have. She looked up at him, shrugging "What else can I do? Until we find out who did this- and why I cannot do much of anything but watch my back at every turn now. Spencer was right when he said I am not careful. Considering the threat that hung over my head and now the attempt to take my life. Have you ever dealt with this before?" She asked, a frown filtering across her features. If so, she had never heard the rumors of anyone trying to kill someone of Royal status, but again Tate was a far cry from that social status; at least for now. Until that wedding bell chimed and that ring was slipped on her finger; and then crowned Queen she would just be another nameless face to the council and the people of Ardarlan. "But, All I can do is try to act as though nothing happened. At least that's what is advised of me." She hummed, a nervous habit of shifting in her seat the only sign of her discomfort.

"But, I have had enough talk of the attempt on my life- I think about it enough." She added dryly, putting down the paint brush. "And Rian everyone comes apart sometimes, it's how you glue yourself back together that matters. You can let life tear you down or you can learn to swim the current life tries to drown you under- Until then..You have me to lean on. Unless of course they actually kill me." She mused trying to lighten the dark and heavy feeling blanketing the room. "I am sorry no one ever said that to you before, but I'm here now. Right?"

Tate couldn't help the smile that spread across her face at the reassurance from Rian, the feeling of butterflies erupting. She could see herself falling for Rian, eventually. But she could also see him as a shoulder to lean on, a best friend. The giggle slipped past her lips before she could stop it at his next remark, "I would have to agree there." She mused letting herself enjoy this small moment between them. It was no telling when they would get another conversation or moment just for them- and Tate etched it into her memory. The feeling of ease slowly eating away at her fear; though she knew it would come rear its ugly head back soon enough.

Tate listened as he recounted events from when his father was alive; a pang of guilt swarming her as her thoughts turned tp the secrets of her own father she was keeping from him. However, she forced herself to listen; nodding when he thought of asking his distant relatives for information on how to go about their own situation. "That's actually a great idea. I'm sure there is something we can do that will...help." She hummed, shifting her attention back to the painting briefly when their eyes had connected. It wasn't until he began spilling sentiments toward her and promises that she straighten from where she sat; her bottom lip catching on her teeth. She felt more than saw him coming toward her- a blush rising to her neck and cheeks as he placed a soft kiss to her cheek before retreating. Tate blinked a few times, trying to reign in her thoughts; " I-Uh. You're welcome." She flushed harder stuttering over her words further. Rian seemed to have changed; at least to Tate when it came to affection. But again, it wasn't long before the wedding bells would be chiming and he would be her husband.

Tate swallowed, clearing her throat; trying even harder to calm her racing heart.

-------wedding day--

Tate forced the nerves out of her body, fingers shaking as she grasped the bottom of the white dress; spinning to face her cousins and aunt. They squealed in delight, laughing as she gushed over her and the castle they now stood in. Never before had Mena and Lena wore such fine clothing either; their own bodies encased in a light pink silk dress. Her aunt and Uncle busy fumbling with their own matching outfits to notice their daughters wondering eyes or the nerves spilling out of Tate. "I..I guess I'm ready." She murmured quietly earning the attention from the maids in the room as well as her family. "You look lovely." Iven spoke Lyla agreeing quickly. Tate shrugged shyly, "I had help." She spoke quietly trying to conceal the shake of her voice. She also couldn't help the memory of Spencer being the one to bring her into town for the Gown. And then the moments afterward; where she saw into him more than either of them wished. But Tate couldn't deny that she always looked for him in every room hoping he would pop out to scare her. Then banter along with him acting as if she hadn't enjoyed it.

A brief flash of their kiss passed her memory as she wondering how Rian's would compare. And she hated herself for it. Lena was the one to break her out of her thoughts giggling as she said, "Maybe we can snag the Prince." It had Tate face turning serious, jealously that didn't belong there rising. "He's not a tool in your games Lena." She uttered before grabbing the bouquet of flowers and stepping from the small pedestal towards the door. "I need a moment." Was all Tate said before slipping out of the door and leaving her family in the room. Oddly enough the hallways were silent, leaving Tate a moment of solitude as she relaxed against a wall. A moments of peace was all she needed on her wedding day, away from her thoughts. Away from the guilt that was eating her alive. Away from the fear that held her captive at night forcing her eyes awake at any little sound.

In just a few hours Tate would be forced into a marriage she wasn't sure she wanted. And yet the thought of letting Rian down had her breathless. But then there was Spencer. Who held her in the dark, who kissed her and pressed her buttons more than she could have ever known. Anxiety was an ugly thing and yet it was pressing down on Tate on a day where she should be grateful for the life she would live. But the danger of losing herself in the process held her prisoner.

Breathing became hard the closer the hour struck, and before Tate could properly form a thought- her uncle was standing beside her holding out his arm. Much to her request, however it didn't help. Not even when he whispered encouraging words that fell of deaf ears. They stood behind the closed doors for what seemed like seconds before the door opened; and the first person she spotted was Rian. Dressed in his suit; crown on-top on his head a smile gracing his handsome features. But then her body betrayed her sliding over the guests until they found Spencer- and her entire body seemed to tense. The one she couldn't have- and yet Rian had done nothing but be there as he helping hand; her friend. Reality was a damned thing, often times crashing into one at the worst times; like now when Tate found herself being handed off to Rian; standing side by side now.

"Hi." She whispered just for them, trying her best to hide the shake in her hands as they joined hands; and yet she could not relax. This was about to be her life; forever. Then she would be crowned Queen shortly after. The thought had her wanting to lift her dress and run at her first chance. But duty always held the upper hand; held that blade over her head and if ever moved an inch she knew that blade would come slicing. A hush fell over the crowd as the priest began, first with traditional vows then personal. And Rian being the perfect man he was had tears springing to Tate's eyes and yet she watched as he slide the solid gold band on her finger marking her as his.

Tate had almost forgotten how to speak, emotions clouding her words before she even began; keeping her words careful yet meaningful. "Rian Iverson, I vow to embrace you tighter on your darker days, but to also hold you close to me every day after too. I vow to pour into your cup as much as i will pour into this kingdom; to never water down or starve our love of the consistency it needs to keep growing. I vow to be your safe place to run to when you need protection, and your place of comfort when you need quiet reflection. I vow to lift you up on days when you find yourself dragging through. I vow to always remind you of your potential because you have shown me more than you can see how great you are- as a person and a King." She finished by sliding the ring she had on his hand- looking up to meet his stare. And for once she smiled without hatred; or resentment towards their union. And yet the thought of his brother watching her kiss Rian now had her stomach turning sour. And before she could even finish that thought the words rang out; "You may kiss your bride." Tate met him halfway; pressing a sweet kiss to Rian's lips before pulling apart. Mostly because of the crowd and partly because of his brother. Tate had thought that when the marriage was completed that all thoughts of Spencer would flee; turns out she was wildly wrong. Flushing, Tate turned toward the crowd before the pair walked hand in hand inside the castle again; where she would spend the rest of her life tied to these boys. One way or another.

Once inside Tate and Rian were thankfully blessed with a moments of peace; the other guests of their wedding heading to the ball room where the rest of the festive activities would hold. For the first time that day Tate let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Her tense shoulders drooping as she looked up at her now husband; and for some strange reason feeling as if she were miles apart. "How are you feeling?" She asked suddenly, her words as breathless as she was standing there; the gold band on her finger feeling heavy. Soon a crown would join the jewelry decorating her body making her feel like an imposter; someone who truly never belonged. It seemed these thoughts even now would never falter; and yet Tate didn't run from these duties. No matter how bad she wished she could.

Breathing became hard the closer the hour struck, and before Tate could properly form a thought- her uncle was standing beside her holding out his arm. Much to her request, however it didn't help. Not even when he whispered encouraging words that fell of deaf ears. They stood behind the closed doors for what seemed like seconds before the door opened; and the first person she spotted was Rian. Dressed in his suit; crown on-top on his head a smile gracing his handsome features. But then her body betrayed her sliding over the guests until they found Spencer- and her entire body seemed to tense. The one she couldn't have- and yet Rian had done nothing but be there as he helping hand; her friend. Reality was a damned thing, often times crashing into one at the worst times; like now when Tate found herself being handed off to Rian; standing side by side now.

"Hi." She whispered just for them, trying her best to hide the shake in her hands as they joined hands; and yet she could not relax. This was about to be her life; forever. Then she would be crowned Queen shortly after. The thought had her wanting to lift her dress and run at her first chance. But duty always held the upper hand; held that blade over her head and if ever moved an inch she knew that blade would come slicing. A hush fell over the crowd as the priest began, first with traditional vows then personal. And Rian being the perfect man he was had tears springing to Tate's eyes and yet she watched as he slide the solid gold band on her finger marking her as his.

Tate had almost forgotten how to speak, emotions clouding her words before she even began; keeping her words careful yet meaningful. "Rian Iverson, I vow to embrace you tighter on your darker days, but to also hold you close to me every day after too. I vow to pour into your cup as much as i will pour into this kingdom; to never water down or starve our love of the consistency it needs to keep growing. I vow to be your safe place to run to when you need protection, and your place of comfort when you need quiet reflection. I vow to lift you up on days when you find yourself dragging through. I vow to always remind you of your potential because you have shown me more than you can see how great you are- as a person and a King." She finished by sliding the ring she had on his hand- looking up to meet his stare. And for once she smiled without hatred; or resentment towards their union. And yet the thought of his brother watching her kiss Rian now had her stomach turning sour. And before she could even finish that thought the words rang out; "You may kiss your bride." Tate met him halfway; pressing a sweet kiss to Rian's lips before pulling apart. Mostly because of the crowd and partly because of his brother. Tate had thought that when the marriage was completed that all thoughts of Spencer would flee; turns out she was wildly wrong. Flushing, Tate turned toward the crowd before the pair walked hand in hand inside the castle again; where she would spend the rest of her life tied to these boys. One way or another.

Once inside Tate and Rian were thankfully blessed with a moments of peace; the other guests of their wedding heading to the ball room where the rest of the festive activities would hold. For the first time that day Tate let out a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Her tense shoulders drooping as she looked up at her now husband; and for some strange reason feeling as if she were miles apart. "How are you feeling?" She asked suddenly, her words as breathless as she was standing there; the gold band on her finger feeling heavy. Soon a crown would join the jewelry decorating her body making her feel like an imposter; someone who truly never belonged. It seemed these thoughts even now would never falter; and yet Tate didn't run from these duties. No matter how bad she wished she could.