9 years later…..
Irridessa closed her eyes and her maids immediately hovered around her. She tried her best to calm her pounding heart, talking to herself inwardly and telling herself it would be alright, that everything will go according to her plans. She was so focused on hardening her resolve that she was startled when one of the maids spoke to her.
"You look stunning, milady."
Dessa's eyes flew towards the mirror as she studied her reflection. Her hair was so extravagantly arranged that it felt heavy. It was pretty but not her style. The once innocent looking face had changed into a face more scary looking in her own opinion. The maids had drawn a new set of eyebrows for her, lines by the side of her eyes, and the red craziness on her lips was anything but pretty.
Dessa stared at herself quietly. It had finally arrived, the day of her wedding. Just like every other lady out there, she had also, in her younger years, fantasized about this day, daydreaming about how magical and wonderful it would be to marry the man of her dreams. She had seen herself smiling with so much happiness, excitement and delight as she walked down the aisle towards her dream groom.
But none of these fantasies of hers were going to happen. Instead of excitement and delight, her heart was filled with unease and caution. Such dreams were not good for her, she had come this far, suffered the worst kind of injustice and humiliation in order to reach her goal. She couldn't give up now, when she had come this close.
With that thought, she smiled.
Yes, she too, the stupid princess of Rocenko was about to marry a prince and not a paid noble. Even if he was rumored to be cold and ruthless and was also the nephew of the man she hated to the core, he had still unknowingly helped her and she owed him.
"It's time milady." The maid's voice came again, making her roll her eyes and get up. With a deep sigh she walked towards the door with her head held high.
She stepped gracefully over the sill before proceeding calmly along the corridor which had large paintings of Rocenko empire's dead royals.
With one last step, she finally stood just before the large double door leading towards the wedding hall. Her pulse was racing and all she could do was take deep breaths, again and again. Her hands were shaking and it took almost all her willpower to keep them still again.
Her presence was announced and at long last the procession began.
The hall she walked into screamed of luxury and the beautiful grandeur that filled the room could blind a person. But she was long used to the fancy ways of the royal family of Rocenko as she had lived here for 8 years.
As she walked to the altar, she straightened her shoulders and hardened her gaze with her head still held high, she refused to show fear. She finally reached the altar and looked at the demon prince she was going to marry.
And the moment their eyes met…..Dessa's heart skipped a beat.
The man before her looked nothing like she had imagined. She had expected him to be handsome, one couldn't expect less from a demon. But she didn't expect this breathtaking man to appear before her.
The first thing she noticed was his unusual silver eyes, reminding her of smoke coming from a fire. His hair flowed down his shoulder, silver just like his eyes, thick and shiny. He had a chiseled, well defined face but his long thick lashes and pale pink lips gave a look that was a mix of both roughness and delicacy.
Dessa was lost in a trance but was immediately jolted back to the present when she heard someone clear their throat. She told herself to look away but for some reason her body wasn't responding to her will.
The ceremony started without any further delay. It was clear and obvious to any passerby that no one in the wedding hall was in a celebration spirit. The only emotions the guests were feeling were fear, jealousy, helplessness and pain, and of course greed.
Fear because Zamien Ylvai, the devilish and evil creature was standing in their midst with a cold smirk, about to be wed to their kingdom's princess.
Jealousy because the princess Irridessa was just an adopted little peasant girl and a fool. In the eyes of the noble ladies she wasn't worthy to marry such a powerful prince even though they would never want to be in her shoes.
King Lucius was helplessly watching his wife sniff at intervals. The childless queen could only watch with silent tears as the greedy ministers successfully snatched the only child she could finally call her own.