Scarlet was silent as they walked down the halls, green eyes occasionally looking around to take in the details of their surroundings. When they arrived at their destination, she stepped into the room with her husband and absently shifted a little closer to him as if to protect him or maybe make herself feel safer in the room full of men. Her expression was carefully guarded, though she showed a brief smile to play on the role of the perfect princess.<br/><br/>She sat down as elegantly as possible and folded her hands on her lap. Inwardly, she was bored as they began to discuss the attack. She wanted to give her opinion, but she knew better than to do that. A woman's voice was not to be heard, especially in the matters of men. It was frowned upon and she hated it. Suddenly feeling her husband's gaze on her, she turned her head to regard him and return his smile with one of her own. It was definitely warmer than the previous smile.<br/><br/>However, her attention soon drifted to the king as he stood and spoke. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach as he dismissed the council and turned to her. Her fears were confirmed when he asked if they had consummated their marriage. She fixed him with a steady gaze, not one to back down.<br/><br/>"Not yet, your majesty. Please, forgive me. I was simply tired from the long journey and was not up to it." She bowed her head, playing the part of the apologetic and demure princess even if she was not at all sorry for not consummating the marriage. She knew that her husband was not currently up to it, if he ever would be. However, she did not want him to appear weak to his father.<br/><br/>Scarlet was no idiot. She knew that if she revealed the true reason for their lack of intimacy, he would limit the prince's freedom even more. That was something she did not want to happen, especially if it was her doing. Unintentional or not.