"Alright, here we go," Selene whispered to herself as she stood at the altar in the heat of the midday sun. The weight of the blade in her hand felt unnatural and cold in her hand despite the oppressive warmth surrounding them.
The sun hung mercilessly high in the sky and its harsh rays casted sharp shadows across the temple steps. The air was thick with the mingling scents of incense and sweat under the intensity of noon.
Selene's skin prickled beneath her ceremonial white gown and the fabric stuck to her in the sweltering heat.
She casted a glance at the prophet of Hera who stood before her, his monotone crackled voice was lost amid the hum of cicadas and the pounding beats of her own heart.
In front of her, in between she and the prophet laid an enormous white cow, it was bound tightly to the altar. Thick ropes dug into its legs and horns, securing it tightly against the altar's stone.
Selene's eyes locked with the animal's and something in its dark liquid gaze made her stomach twist. She had never seen a cow this large but that wasn't what struck her the most. It was how the animal simply surrendered to its fate.
It was clearly afraid, even though it laid still. Its acceptance and the silent resignation in its eyes tugged at something deep inside her.
"It's just like me," she thought. "Bound to an altar and waiting for the inevitable."
The thought struck her sharply, making her grip the blade tighter. The cold metal seemed out of place in the scorching air and its bite grounded her in the reality of what she was about to do.
Born as a princess, Selene knew from childhood that her life was never really her own. Every decision was a careful dance of politics and duty.
She was only but a mere pawn in the grander schemes of power that her father loved to play.
The weight of that realization bore down on her then, just as the relentless sun did. It made every breath she took feel heavy and suffocating.
How foolish she'd been to think her father's indifference to her activities would extend to her marriage. "How naive of me," she thought bitterly. Memories of Andreas flashed before her mind's eye as she realized what a fool loved turned her into.
The thoughts of Andreas all seemed to stop the moment her eyes shifted from the bounded cow to Prince Kang Dae. He stood tall beside her in his navy blue hanbok that shimmered in the bright sun.
Gold threads wove through the fabric and caught the sunlight, reflecting it like the scales of a dragon.
She couldn't deny it. He looked more handsome than ever, his sharp features were accentuated by the daylight.
There was even this air of royalty about him, it was almost magnetic.
Or was it her sadness and her longing for comfort that made her see him this way?
Was it him or was she just desperate to find something good in all this? She swallowed hard as the thoughts blurred in her mind.
Her body felt heavy and weighed down by the heat and the enormity of the moment.
Even as the sun bore down mercilessly through the open roof of the temple, there was no room for feelings and no space for the weak desires of her heart.
"Are you alright?" Prnice Kang Dae's voice broke through her thoughts, it was soft and gentle yet it managed to pull her back from the spiraling chaos in her mind.
He leaned toward her with his expression carefully composed but there was a glimmer of concern in his dark chocolate eyes.
Selene hesitated slightly, sweat beaded on her forehead and trickled down her temple as she whispered back, "I've never killed an animal before." Her fingers trembled as they clutched the blade.
The confession felt foreign on her lips and left her feeling vulnerable, like a crack in the armor she had carefully built around herself.
For a moment, Prince Kang Dae's brow lifted as a brief flash of surprise crossed his features before they softened.
"I'm here, 내 사랑, you wouldn't do it alone." he murmured with a voice oh so warm and filled with reassurance.
Although she could hear the playfulness in his tone, there was still something sincere in his words. It brought a softness that eased the tension in her chest, if only but for a moment. His eyes as well, seemed to pierce through her veil and held her gaze with an intensity that felt both comforting and unnerving.
"Nay saran?" she echoed the foreign words that tumbled awkwardly from her lips. "You said that the other day in my room... What does it mean?" Curiosity flickered in her blue eyes.
Prince Kang Dae's lips twitched into a barely restrained smile while amusement danced in his eyes. He cleared his throat as he quietly struggled to keep his composure.
"She's trying," he thought with a hint of fondness.
Charmed by her earnest attempt to repeat the endearment he had begun to like for her. His amusement was like a small reprieve in this somber ritual, although though he silently thanked the gods their backs were turned to the crowd.
The prophet was too absorbed in his endless chanting from the heavy book in his hands that he hadn't noticed their exchange.
"I'll tell you when I think it's right to tell you," he teased lightly, although there was an undercurrent of sincerity in his tone. His gaze remained intensely steady on her, almost as if he dared her to press the issue further.
Selene narrowed her eyes at him with a spark of playful defiance that flickered beneath her veil. "Do you think I wouldn't just ask one of my interpreters to translate it for me?" Her voice held a teasing edge to it. It was however, softened by the smallest hint of a smile.
"I know you can," He admitted, his voice rumbled lowly. "But I want to be the one to tell you."
His answer caught her off guard and for a brief moment, she couldn't suppress the flicker of warmth that stirred in her chest. "How does he do this?" she wondered as she felt an unfamiliar pull toward him.
But just as quickly as it came she pushed the thought aside. "Are you being serious right now?" she whispered with a touch of amusement in her tone.
"Ahem!" The prophet's voice boomed suddenly jarring them both from their whispered conversation. "In the name of Hera, you may offer your sacrifice for matrimonial grace!"
The sharpness of his words hit Selene like a resounding slap that snapped her back to reality. The blade in her hand suddenly felt heavier like its weight were pulling her down as the gravity of the moment set in.
She glanced at Prince Kang Dae whose playful demeanor had vanished and was replaced by a frown. He stood taller and his posture was more rigid. The harsh light of the temple made him seem larger and more imposing.
"Is it him or is it just all in my head?" The question swirled in her mind as she struggled to steady her breath.
Her fingers tightened around the blade's hilt. The cool metal bit into her palm as she took one last deep breath and her eyes looked at him once more.
Meanwhile, heavy silence had fallen over the crowd as they watched with bated breath the union of two powerful nations. The temple of Hera loomed over them with its grand marble pillars that were carved with intricate depictions of ancient gods.
Prince Kang Dae, the crowned prince of Mu was mere seconds away from making her his wife and soon she would be his queen. That is,!once he inherits the crown. "His queen." The weight of those two words pressed heavily on her.
It was more profound and daunting than she had anticipated. She had never fully grasped the reality of what it meant to be bound to him. She would have to give up her autonomy, her dreams and she would be expected to fulfill the role of a queen.
"Why hadn't I considered this before?" The realization hit her like a cold rolling wave.
Her hands quivered as her fingers trembled uncontrollably as they gripped the cold unyielding handle of the blade. She stood frozen as she now stared down at the cow that lay helplessly on the altar.
Its large, sorrowful eyes seemed to plead for mercy and Selene felt a pang of empathy so sharp it nearly brought tears to her eyes. Her breath hitched and her heart raced as the full weight of the ritual pressed down further on her.
"How am I supposed to do this?" The thought of ending a life was overwhelming. Her grip tightened on the blade but the shaking of her hands made her fear that she might drop it entirely.
Prince Kang Dae noticed the hesitation in her trembling hands. His gaze softened as he assessed her struggle. Without a word, he stepped behind her with smooth deliberate movements. He placed his hand gently over hers, his touch felt warm and reassuring against the cold steel of the dagger.
The contact sent a jolt through her, it was a mixture of relief and nervous anticipation. His tall frame enveloped her smaller one which then created a protective barrier between her and the prying eyes of the crowd. His solid chest pressed against her back and Selene felt the undeniable warmth of his body.
"Shh, it's okay, nae sarang, I got you," he whispered with a voice that felt like a soothing balm against the chaos in her mind. The warmth of his breath on her neck combined with the steady rhythm of his heartbeat that she could feel through the thick fabric of his hanbok, was both grounding and unnerving.
He took another step closer, making their bodies press together in a cocoon of intimacy and Selene could feel every subtle shift of his body against hers.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly as he guided her hand with his. The blade that once felt foreign and daunting now seemed to move more fluidly under his steady touch.
Together, they plunged the dagger into the cow's side. The animal's cry of pain was a haunting wail that echoed through the temple.
Prince Kang Dae without faltering, moved with a practiced ease and dragged the blade in a clean swift motion that disemboweled the beast. The cow's body convulsed and shook as it struggled against its restraints but it was a helpless fit for it was bound tightly to the altar.
Selene's heart clenched as she watched the blood pool around the animal's body staining the stone altar in dark crimson. The sight of the creature's suffering was unbearable for her. So she leaned closer into Prince Kang Dae, her voice was a whisper filled with a desperate plea. "Please... end its suffering."
Without a moment's hesitation, Prince Kang Dae took the bloodstained blade from her hands. He gripped the dagger firmly and aimed for the base of the cow's skull, where he knew the spinal cord connected to its brain. With one precise thrust, he severed the spinal cord and ended the creature's suffering instantly. The cow's body instantly went limp as its final breath escaped in a quiet resigned sigh. The act was quick, merciful and brutally efficient.
The prophet who was unmoved by the violent scene raised his right arm high and his voice boomed with excitement and reverence. "Blessed be the union of Princess Selene and Prince Kang Dae! By the blood of this sacrifice, may Hera grant them grace and prosperity in they matrimony!"
The crowd erupted in applause and their cheers echoed through the grand temple, it filled the vast space with a sense of celebratory fervor. The prophet's next words cut through the clamor and rang out clearly above the noise. "You may kiss the bride and display your union before all gathered here!"
Selene's heart pounded furiously as she turned to face the prince. He had returned to his place beside her, his expression was like a mask of emotions. With a deliberate slowness, he reached out allowing his fingers brush the edge of her veil. The delicate fabric lifted revealing her face and for a moment, he seemed to be struck by her profound beauty.
His dark eyes widened slightly and Selene saw something flicker across his face. Surprise?Admiration? Or maybe even awe?
His lips parted as he did a double-take, it was as though he was seeing her for the first time. "She's so radiant, so... beautiful." The thought seemed to linger in the air between them.
For a fleeting second, Selene saw something else in his eyes, something deeper and more intense. He looked at her with such deep longing that made her breath catch in her throat. His emotions alone were so palpable it seemed to charge the space between them.
"Does he... want me? This much?" The thought made her stomach flip but she quickly pushed it aside. Not now. Not with the eyes of the entire temple were on them, it made her all too self conscious.
She leaned forward slightly, her breath hitching as the prince mirrored her movement. Her eyes fluttered shut and she felt the cool minty breath of his on her lips.
The scent of mint was a small comforting reminder of their shared preparation. At least he put in effort to be thoroughly presentable for her, just like she did.
The proximity was electrifying and as she waited, her heart raced, for the kiss that would seal their union.
But then... nothing.
His lips did not meet hers. Left utterly confused, Selene's eyes flew open. Prince Kang Dae remained inches from her, his gaze were fixed on her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken yet again.
"What are you doing?" she whispered urgently, her voice barely audible. "Kiss me already. Everyone is waiting."
His lips curved into a faint smile but his eyes remained locked on hers. "Not before I do this."
"Before what?"
Without warning, his voice suddenly boomed across the temple, commanding and authoritative. "I wish to make a vow to my wife before you all!"
A murmur rippled through the crowd as a mix of curiosity and surprise went through them all at once. Selene's heart sank as she glanced toward her father, King Lycaon, seated at the front of the gathering. His expression remained inscrutable and his gaze was fixed on the proceedings with a stern detachment.
"A vow?" The concept was foreign to her, as vows were not traditionally spoken in Arcadian marriages, only the prophet's blessing were given.
Selene swallowed hard as she glanced back at Prince Kang Dae, silently she prayed that whatever he was about to do would not turn this moment into a spectacle that would bring her shame.