chapter 1

Princess Mrella of the house of Xod is in something of a quandary.

About three years ago, blight wiped out her kingdom's crop. It started small enough but quickly grew to infect all the crops in Timoa and the surrounding areas. Her's was an agrarian kingdom with little else to boast of aside from a strong army. And while their allies helped where they could, it was only enough to barely live off.

Her parents searched high and low for a solution. They used the royal treasury to buy enough food for the kingdom, but it was just a short-term fix. Some citizens started to join the army to secure regular meals, but this wasn't sustainable either. Then one day, hope came in the form of a letter.

Newly crowned King Saddiq of the Lothor kingdom needed a queen. He'd sent letters to all the known kingdoms in an attempt to secure a bride. The king and queen could scarcely believe their good luck. Unlike Timoa, Lothor burst at the seams with food. They grew foods and spices found nowhere else and even had the technology to treat most plant illnesses.

There was just one problem. Unlike most kingdoms, the Lothorians valued a corpulent form. For them, thinness was a sign of illness, and Princess Mrella would be the thinnest one there with the famine. But, they had to try.

As it turned out, they needn't have worried. While several other princesses showed up, none of them wanted to marry the king. The princess assumed no one wanted to live in a place that would try to fatten them up. Her parents were the only ones to respond. So after a few weeks of back and forth, she became engaged to a man she'd never seen before.

Which brings one back to the quandary at hand - how can she stay married to the man and stay slim? Though the famine has made her more petite than she would like to be, she's been slender all her life. Her figure is perhaps the only positive thing people outside of her kingdom see about her.

Compared to all the other princesses she's met, Mrella looks rather odd. Like her people, Mrella is green. It's said her kind came from the stars and got stranded. She seems exceptionally bizarre with her large purple eyes and long white hair. Her people, on the other hand, think that she looks pretty. Her silky curls, high cheekbones, full lips, and tall frame always turn heads.

She wouldn't mind so much if she were marrying a Timoan noble. But alas, she's marrying a man who will undoubtedly find her ugly, plus has beauty standards she doesn't want to achieve.

However, her people need her. So she'll find a way to cope.
Unfortunately, it takes nearly a week to reach Lothor. Princess Mrella hardly feels like a person right now. All she wants is to find the nearest bed and fall into a deep coma. Sadly, judging by how the Lothorians are rubbernecking, she won't get to do that. No doubt, they'd never seen green people before - the Lothorians themselves being of the dark brown persuasion.

She doesn't fault them. Were King Saddiq coming to Timoa, her people wouldn't be any better. She just hopes that she'll get to sleep soon.

Her royal procession makes its way to the palace. The rabble follows her to the gates. Although no one is gawking anymore, her anxiety is through the roof. She's on her way to meet the king for the first time. She can't help but imagine him looking at her in disgust before immediately calling the whole thing up. Her meager breakfast tries to reappear, but she wills it to stay down.

The carriage stops, and the coachman helps her out before she knows it. She takes a calming breath and schools her features into a more regal expression. She looks up and nearly swoons at sight.

It seems that her husband-to-be came to greet her. King Saddiq is a tall man - taller than her - and solidly built. He looks made for cuddling and hurling his enemies many yards away. She expected that much. His father was the most fearsome warrior in their kingdom. What she did not expect was the kind expression on such handsome features.

His dark auburn curls and beard framed his face in a way that highlighted in best features and made his hazel eyes and chocolate skin pop. His white and gold suit was tailored to flatter and show off his girth. He looked like no one she'd ever seen before. Pure want burned within her. How would he look underneath her naked and needy? She had to find out.

One of her attendants cleared his throat, snapping her back to reality. She'd been staring. And drooling. Her cheeks flushed. If only the ground would swallow her up.

King Saddiq doesn't seem to mind. Of anything, he looks flattered. He walks down the stairs and towards her. The princess nearly faints when he stands before her. He's the largest man she's ever seen, and she's into it. She is embarrassed by how much she's into it.

The king takes her hand and kisses it. His plush lips feel like velvet on her skin. Standing this close, she can see a faint smattering of freckles across his nose. It's adorable, and she is filled with the need to know if they are anywhere else on him.

"Welcome, Princess Mrella," his deep and husky voice, "to Lothor. I hope you come to love it here as much as I do."

Mrella knows she's gawking again, but she can't help it. No one told her that he'd be so pretty. It just isn't fair.

"But before I get ahead of myself, you must be tired. I'll have someone show you to your rooms. I'll see you at dinner."

Mrella cannot help but nod. Her tongue refuses to make words.

He walks ahead of her. His meaty behind sways and jiggles with every step. She's utterly mesmerized by it. Then all too soon, it's time for them to part ways. He kisses her hand once more before leaving.

A team of plump maids descends upon her with surprising grace. They undo her corset and take down her elaborate updo. Next thing she knows, she's sitting in rose-scented bathwater and getting the best head massage of her life. She closes her eyes and just enjoys the here and now.

"She's so skinny," one of the maids remarks, "I'd heard about the famine, but she is thinner than I thought."

"Shut up. The princess can't help it," another one scolds, "besides, she is your future queen. So show her some respect."

"I'm sorry. I meant no offense. It's just that I've never seen anyone that thin before. It makes me glad that Princess Xod is here now. We'll put some meat on her bones in no time."

The other maids mutter in agreement. Mrella, however, feels her stomach sink. Sure, she wants to gain the weight she lost in the famine. But getting fat is something else entirely. She's always been praised for her figure. She doesn't think she could live with herself if she destroyed it.

Then again, would Saddiq even want her skinny? Most people find Timoans exotic at best and ugly at worst. But, just looking at her husband-to-be makes her heart race. She would die if he didn't feel the same way about her.

Her bath is over before she knows it. The maids put her hair in a simple braid and gave her a silken nightgown to wear. But, unfortunately, it was three sizes too big and looked utterly comical. Indeed, it might have fit her three years before the famine, but she looked like a child right now. The maids rush to apologize.

"Don't worry about it. Just give me one of the nightclothes I brought from home."

They traded the silken garments for her fleece Timoan ones. She's glad for it since she's prone to feeling cold.

"Dinner is in four hours. We'll come to collect you then. In the meantime, sleep well."

The maids show themselves out, leaving Princess Mrella alone with her thoughts. She'd be married by the end of the week. She doesn't mind too much. Her people will get enough food to eat and help eradicate the blight. She'll get to be queen and have an incredibly handsome husband. They'll have kids, and she'll live happily ever after. Nothing but sunshine and rainbows.

The princess trails a hand on her bony hip. Unlike the king, she had almost no curves to speak of. Before the famine, she had small breasts, a tiny waist, and virtually no backside. One could fit a carriage between her thighs and still have room. He'll find a mistress in the best-case scenario to satisfy his needs. Having seen the man, she'd die if she found him in another's arms.

She makes her way over to the bed and flops down. Princess Mrella snakes a hand between her thighs, wishing for Saddiq. The end of the week couldn't come fast enough.