All her life she had been waiting for this moment. She had watched other older girls, how their lives had been reduced to this single moment. She was the princess of Bladinsh one of the most populated kingdom in the whole world and so she knew she couldn't marry someone she wanted. She had to marry for the people. In a way, her father had taught her that women weren't important in the society so they had to help in the way they could. She was told her only duty was to get married to this man who was also a prince in his own kingdom so as to forge alliance with their own kingdom for better security against the neighboring kingdoms.
She would do it of course, it wasn't like she had any choice
Her mother had once warned her that the life of a woman especially one from that of a notable family was not to be trampled on neither was it to be reduced to nothing. Her mother too had had an arranged marriage which meant father could do everything he wanted and she could do nothing but she had made herself happy. Her mother told her happiness cannot be given to her by anyone that only by action could she be made happy.
In fact, just the way her mother warned her, so had others told her but her dad had been indifferent after all, if he couldn't get a son, he would have to make do with the girl to get someone he could call a son.
"My lady?" A voice called jolting me up I looked around expecting more people.
"Your father is calling for you."
I gave her a curt nod and I gathered my gown in my hands following her towards the hall.
I was angry of course but I knew there was nothing I could do to change a fate well sealed.
The fate of a royal wasn't quite the same. As for a prince, he had to have his marriage arranged too but in a different manner. Where the princess couldn't choose, the man could, if he was given a lady he didn't like he would just reject her but it also depended on how powerful the kingdom was. The more powerful the kingdom the prince ruled over, the more choices he had. As a man, he could also have other women at his side while the princess couldn't. She couldn't do anything about him having concubines if she wed him too.
I looked at the mirror in my hand and smiled, impressed.
I was wearing a black dress with a black veil. There had been different dresses with other colors but I chose this because I had a very pale skin and mom always said it brought out my color, more like black was my favorite color. I let out a heavy breath before stepping in. I was more nervous than I liked to let out because a princess should always act as a lady. My sisters sent me an approving smile and I nodded. I wasn't the first child of the queen and king contrarily, I was their last daughter, but the prince had not chosen any of my sisters and now, here I was. Since I am the last one remaining, if the heartless man doesn't accept me then we knew we would all be doomed. Our family's name would be destroyed and then the king would sell us off because we would be worthless regardless of the fact that the king was our biological father. it was a traditional belief that if all the children of a king were rejected then the king himself was without power, hence, to avoid the shame, the king usually dumped those kind of children away as though he was just shedding clothes from his skin.
With that thought, I straightened the dress again before finally putting the veil over my face. I stopped, trying to find a way to balance myself. I didn't still understand the need of the veil after all, the prince would lift it up to check the "goods" before "buying".
I could tell the ceremony had already begun as I heard the king's loud voice echoing through the hall. The hall was not empty so it most have taken a lot of loud effort. He was apparently praising his daughter that he was about to sell off, I thought scoffing before walking again. Someone laughed but judging from the high pitch and the heavy sarcasm laced in it, I could tell it was the prince. I shuddered thinking about how I could have to spend my life with him. A man who would dare to reject two beautiful sisters without any hint of remorse, knowing what could happen to them was indeed a monster.
I finally got to where they were standing and took a bow. I could see perfectly through the veil now after a lot of adjustments.
"Finally," the king called.
"Our beloved princess is here."
In response to that remark, "I would totally love to see what is so lovely about her" another voice spoke.
I gulped down as whoever it was removed the veil from my face and then push it aside.
I still bowed willing myself to stay like that. It would be considered unladylike to do otherwise. I was still waiting when the voice ordered me to lift my head.
I did and immediately I heard a gasp come from the person whose hand was still gripping my chin. from the reaction, I knew that it had to do with my eyes. I knew it would come; my eyes always caused that. The king had even thought of buying lens for me so it wouldn't be that noticeable.
"What is with your eyes?" A woman spoke.
She must be the queen to the other kingdom I figured though it was rare for a queen to involve her self in matters like this.
An auomatic answer flew to my tongue and came out before i could stop the lie. "I was born with it ma."
"Actually she wasn't born like that." My mother countered. that had always been my mother's stance towards the colors of my eyes even though I remembered that I had always had that color of eyes. My eyes were a rare color of sparkling gold and red, the red was atop the gold making it look like a burning fire. Especially when it moved and it did, by itself a couple of times.
I nodded at her even though I knew it was most likely a lie.
"Adonis what do you think?" The queen asked.
I knew immediately that Adonis was the wicked man's name and frowned. I didn't know what was wrong but I could feel the intensity of the ire in my eyeballs increase and my skin prickle as though pins were rolling over it, so I didn't look up until his icy cold fingers dared touch my face. I doubt a man should be allowed to touch a lady's face before marriage and expected someone to correct him, but no one did. Seeing that everyone had unanimously allowed his touch, I simply went along with it.
Everything seemed strange even the way the queen called his name meant the queen was his mother and they had a good relationship which was rare.
I would remember to keep that in mind in case.
"Her eyes?" I thought I heard him murmur before the queen held his hand. "Yes." she said as she zoomed to his eyes. I felt like they were saying something else that I couldn't hear.
He nodded towards my dad. "I would take her."
I don't know how but I knew even then that they weren't accepting me for who I stood as but whatever my eyes meant to them.
I wanted to know what it meant too.
****
After the whole activity I retreated to my room. I knew my sisters would have heard about what happened I just hoped they didn't feel bad
I have a feeling that he would not have chosen me if I didn't have my eyes. And I also knew that they weren't chosen because it wasn't them he was looking for.
Soon enough, they came to my room. I remembered I didn't even tell him my name I wondered how well they knew me.
Layla and Neva sat on my bed their eyes filled with worry. Layla was the one who always spoke for the two of them Neva was the silent one of us. I was the innocent one. But still the bold one.
I sighed before finally facing them.
"I think I know why that man didn't choose any of you."
Layla looked at me surprised. "He mentioned it?"
I shook my head. "His mom specifically looked at my eyes and then the son asked for confirmation.
I bet the woman knows what they are looking for better than the son that is why she follows him around."
"What are they looking for?"
"Anyone with the color of my eyes." I gauged their response. Neva bit her lip as she contemplated what to do about it.
I don't know why they want someone with that eye color. And I am sure I shouldn't be the only one with that eyes.
Neva raised her eyebrow. "You could as well just tell me someone who has the same eye color as you do."
"But I don't know what they want to do with me."
"You should find out if someone else has that eyes and then we can figure it out." Neva offered.
"You don't have that time. We looked up to see who spoke. You are getting married today." Mother spoke.
I looked at Layla a look of alarm had spread through her face.
"Momma," Layla started, "Can't you ask them for at least a day? Tell them she is not feeling well. Certainly they would let her. We don't know what they want with her."
Her mother shook her head. "The king has given them his word he cannot go back on it."
"Moreover, they journeyed far and they have to be back home by next week."
"That far?" Neva asked marveled at the incredulousness of that idea.
"It is almost like they traveled from the other half of the country, I wouldn't be able to visit you people again!" A well of anger and uneasiness filled my throat.
"You wouldn't have to. A girl's place is in her husband's house. You would be fine." She said as she turned to leave not a hint of remorse on her face. I looked at my mother in disbelief.
"What if her life is in danger?!" Layla's face was red now.
"They cannot come to her land and then decide to kill her, it would cause a war I know they know that." She answered before walking off.
"I can't believe this." My mouth was wide open. "They are going to let me off to were God knows where and i might never see you guys again."
Layla hugged me followed by Neva as I sobbed into their arms.
"We would send you letters." Layla promised as maids trooped in, some went over to my closet while some just stood beside me.
"I guess this is it then." I wiped my face and stood before they walked off, leaving me with the maids who were bowing subtly and followed them to the dresser. After an hour, I was ready. When I finally got to see my face I was stunned. I certainly didn't look like the Verity I had been all of my life, all the innocence had been squeezed off my face. They guided me to the room where I hugged my two favorite maids. Apparently, the maids had prepared a send off for me. Very rare but I was very close to the maids much to the king's dismay.
"I hope you would be alright." Ciara, the eldest maid prayed. I nodded before I saw Vera, my most favorite maid weeping. I hugged her as I tried comforting her. "Everything would be alright dear". She nodded but I knew she was just trying to tell herself that. I needed it too.