Sophie put on the third dress she selected for the ceremony, looking at her reflection on the full body mirror; she smiled at her choice, a long-sleeved red dress hugged her body and showed her curves perfectly.
She exited her walk-in closet and sat on her bed, taking a deep breath. All the preparations for the wedding ceremony ended. Searching for the best subject to be a bride was not a simple task, after selecting three candidates, she chose the easiest one to handle.
They would send her to the werewolves to ensure the peace between two races Known for their enmity, but until when?
If something caused the peace treaty to end, then the chosen bride would be the first to pay the price, or not if she was smart enough to save herself.
It was the reason she chose Blythe. The young woman was used to being controlled by her father, nodding at what he told for years, and never went against his order. They would manipulate her as they pleased, adding to the fact that she was a beauty. If she used it to control her husband-to-be, the next to be a king, he would be of great help to them.
The knocking sound snapped Sophie out of her thoughts. She looked over. "Get in," she said as she walked to the couch and sat down.
"Blythe, come and sit," she said, seeing Blythe still standing on the door and tilting her head. She somehow felt something bad was going to happen.
"Why didn't you get ready? The ceremony will start in a few hours. What's the matter Blythe?" she asked, raising a brow at the young woman who sat quietly.
"I–I am.. not going to… marry," Blythe murmured. Her voice was shaking and her eyes focused on her hands.
"It's normal to feel nervous on the day of marriage. Don't worry, you will be alright once you get married. You are doing a great help to the kingdom you grew up in. The royal palace would be in debt to you forever." Sophie tried to smooth her voice as much as she could and smiled at Blythe. But her hand under the table tightened in a fist.
'Hopefully, she will accept the matter or else..'
"I don't want this marriage from the start. I just followed my father's order, but I will not do that anymore. Please, I wanted to live for myself for once, please your royal Highness I don't want this," Blythe said, as she bent her head down till he was a few inches ahead from the table. She took the first step. It was not as hard as she had imagined.
She wanted to live just for once far from her father's control or her family's mess. They all wanted the power, but they never asked what she wanted. They never cared about her, and she would do the same.
Sophie looked at the pathetic view before her and her gentle look cracked down to be replaced by a serious expression, glaring intensely at the woman crying pitifully.
'She was docile the day before, she never opposed her orders. How come in one night everything changed to this way? From where did she get this bravery!'
Sophie tried to convince Blythe, but the latter didn't listen and kept refusing her goodwill.
Sophie patted her forehand with her index and sat beside Blythe to console her. She put her hand on her shoulder. "Don't cry," she said.
"I will try to help." she locked her eyes with Blythe. Seconds later, Sophie shifted her gaze away from Blythe who looked cheerful, and a sinister smile printed on the vampiress' face.
"I will talk to the king and see what he will decide," Sophie said, jumping from her seat and exiting the room without looking back.
Sophie walked to the king's working room and requested an audience, she waited for half an hour then she got in to meet the king.
.
"Your majesty, we have a problem."
King Arius raised his head, "What happened, Sophie?" he asked, looking at the troubled expression Sophie showed.
"The bride refused to get married. I tried to convince her, but she declined," Sophie said, pressing her lips in displeasure.
Arius's jaw clenched and his face turned gloomy. Rejecting the king's order and leaving the marriage.
How could a mere lady do that? Is she counting on her family's name?
There would be many women who would accept the offer, but accept then withdraw.
Did the Lysos see me as a joke?
"I will solve the matter," Sophie said, and he raised a brow to question her. "Trust me this time, I will not fail you," she said and waited for what the king would say but he didn't open his mouth.
"Do not ruin it," his deep voice echoed in the room. Sophie gulped and excused herself. He never doubted his cousin's ability, so she would handle it.
The gloomy expression on the king extended when Sophie left. He called his right-hand man, then looked at the plant that withered, showing a smile.
After a while, Jolay entered the room showing his blonde hair and skinny figure. "Your majesty." he offered a bow.
"Confiscate the Lysio's belongings and ban them from stepping inside the kingdom ever again. They dare to insult the royal palace and deceive them by rejecting the marriage proposal just a few hours before the wedding," Arius said in a haughty tone while Jolay stood there with widened eyes.
"But your majesty, isn't the Lysio one of the founders? If you ban them, the other families will object to your decision. What if they caused a ruckus, you already know the Lysio, Kantu, and Sanders objected to your enthronement," Jolay said.
Arius relaxed his head on his comfortable seat. "I waited for this for many years, Jolay. I removed one obstacle and it will remain another three. Then I will build a new era where the vampires will live like the other races."