Queen Irna, What's the matter? You look worried. I asked when a strange feeling washed over me.The queen just sat in the garden, not paying attention to anything, until I placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a light shake. She came back out of her trance and looked at me wide-eyed.Is anything wrong? I asked. Concerned.The queen quickly composes herself and smiles at me.Sorry. I was not paying attention. She said with a weak smile. Her voice was almost nervous, and I never saw her getting nervous.I sat beside the queen and asked her again. "I know something is bothering you. Tell me." I encouraged her softly. The queen lets out a sigh."I am just a little worried.""About what?""History shouldn't repeat itself." She said and looked ahead.I understood what she was worried about. She placed her hand above mine and smiled. "I know what you're thinking, but don't worry. This time, history will not repeat itself. I promise."Queen Irna nodded and squeezed my hand lightly, trying to put on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. We sat there for a while until a maid came running to Kristen."Princess." She says this and catches her breath."What's wrong?" I furrowed my brows at her."Ms. Sophia is here." She says it with a panicked expression on her face.Hearing her name made me feel unpleasant. The time to send blood to vampires is not fixed yet. What is the purpose of her visit now? I thought. "Let her in." The queen says. I turned my head to look at her with a questioning gaze. She just smiled. "We can stop the past from repeating itself; for that, we must know what they are plotting. I am sure there is something. The queen says.The maid bows her head and runs back to open the portal for her.We arrived at the courtroom and requested that all the ministers be present at the court. The ministers all looked very excited when they saw me and started to give me their greetings and express their happiness about my upcoming wedding.Mr.. Aron and Mr. Theo hugged me when I greeted them. Aron always insisted that I call him grandfather, but I never felt comfortable calling him that, today was the first time I greeted him as grandfather. It just came out naturally."Kristen, dear, are you excited for the big day?" He asked happily.I just nodded my head in response. Not feeling the happiness and excitement. There were so many reasons behind it. I always dreamed of my wedding, just like any other girl. To have her parents and relatives in her head and her father walking down the aisle. Though I always dreamed of my adoptive parents before this time, I wished for my real parents to be here, as well as my aunt Anna. Suddenly, her memories floated through my mind, and a lone tear escaped my eyes.Mr. Theo noticed it and hugged me. "Dear, I know what makes you sad, and there is nothing we can do to fill that gap in your life, but you do have so many people who love and care for you, and you have a coven of witches inside you. You are not alone. We are your family, and we will stay by your side always." He said and wiped the tears away from my eyes."Thank you, Mr Theo. It's just I really wish my parents were here with me." I said sadly."I miss them too Kristen. I am sure they are so proud of you and always watching over you." Grandfather says patting my hair.I smile at them and nod my head. The guard announces Sophia's arrival. They all took their seats, and I took mine beside the Queen and my future husband, who sat there with a smile on his face. As soon as I sat beside him, his eyes captured mine, trapping me in his aqua-green eyes. I found myself smiling, despite my instincts. He placed his hand above mine and squeezed it lightly in a reassuring way.Sophia walked in gracefully wearing a sky blue gown and high heels with makeup on, and her hair hung loose on her shoulders. She looked like she got a makeover to look something like me, which irritated me the most. Everyone looked at her with disdain, and Stanley kept a stone face. She had made some effort to look like me, but I didn't know why.She bent her head forward slightly to greet the Queen with a smile, and when she looked at me, her smile was replaced with anger when she saw Stanley holding my hand. She did not greet us and just looked straight at the Queen."Why are you here?" The queen asked in an authoritative tone."I am here to attend my friend's wedding." My queen. She replied. Everyone present in the room knows that she's lying."Who is your friend exactly?" A minister asked.She looked at him with a fake smile on her face. "Of course, the princess." Most of the people present in the room scoffed."State the true purpose of your visit, or else you will be dismissed." Grandfather spoke."I am speaking the truth. I am aware that I am welcome here, but I wanted to be with Kristen at her wedding as her friend." She said with a fake smile again."I am not aware that someone else is getting married here. Who is that friend of yours, Ms Sophia?" I asked, mimicking her uncaring voice and expression. She looked confused for a moment and glared at me, but kept quiet."Did you forget about the treaty you signed with us? You are only permitted to step inside our land when you have to take blood for the vampires. You are just a mode of transport." I said it with much more sarcasm.She gritted her teeth with anger and clenched her fist. Her powers are trying to get released. She looked like she would explode any minute."Ms Sophia. I will ask once again. State the purpose of your visit, and this is your last chance to speak the truth." The queen commanded.She looked at Queen Irna and got intimidated by the way she looked at her. Her eyes immediately looked at the ground."I am here to attend the wedding on behalf of King Edmond. He is saddened that he was not invited to the wedding and asked me to go. He sent his blessings for Kristen and the prince." The queen raised her eyebrows, a crease forming on her otherwise smooth forehead."Don't you dare address the princess by her name?" One of the ministers hissed in a threatening way. "Unless you are ready for the punishment for disrespecting her,"I apologise, princess." She said it without meaning it.I scoffed and looked away."Well, you can return to your king and tell him that his wishes are well received," I said.Sophia's quick shift in attitude caught me off guard. Her face softened, and her words took on an unusually sad tone. It was as if she was trying to draw my sympathy, but I couldn't shake the suspicion that this was all an act."You know, princess," she began, her voice tinged with sadness, "all my life I grew up alone in a forest, away from people. My own pack shunned me because of my powers. I was dragged to the kingdom against my will and forced to do things I didn't want to. But when I met you, for the first time, I felt a connection. I wanted to do the right thing, even if it meant risking everything. That wasn't an act. I'm truly ashamed of the terrible things I did to you, and I want to make things right. It's okay if you don't want to trust me again, but I still see you as my friend and wish to attend your wedding as a commoner. Is that too much to ask?"Her eyes were filled with tears, and for a moment, it seemed genuine enough to tug at anyone's heartstrings. Yet, deep down, I knew Sophia too well. Her ability to manipulate emotions and situations was legendary in court. This sudden display of remorse and vulnerability felt calculated, designed to harm and manipulate."Princess?" The queen asks for my opinion.I maintained a composed facade, though inwardly I felt a mix of scepticism and unease. "Sophia," I began cautiously, choosing my words carefully, "I appreciate your words, but trust is earned. Given our history, it's difficult for me to believe this sudden change of heart. However, if you wish to attend as a guest, you may. But know that I'll be cautious."Sophia nodded, her tears seemingly drying up as quickly as they had appeared. Her expression hardened slightly, a hint of frustration flickering across her features before she composed herself again. "Thank you, princess," she said softly, her voice betraying no emotion now.As she turned to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Sophia's visit than she was letting on."I will grant your request, but you will stay away from me and my family, and you will leave after the wedding," I said, masking my distrust with a polite smile.Sophia's eyes sparkled with a sense of accomplishment, and she replied, "Thank you, Princess," with a wide grin that seemed to border on triumph.Stanley, standing beside me, looked at me questioningly, silently seeking reassurance. I met his gaze briefly, conveying through my expression that everything would be handled.Grandfather interjected, his voice carrying a note of concern. "Princess, we appreciate your kindness, but please reconsider this decision.""She is here on behalf of the vampire king. It's only fair to allow her to attend the wedding," I replied calmly, a hint of sarcasm in my voice. "After all, she wouldn't dare risk anything foolish that might cost her head." My smile widened slightly in a deliberate attempt to emphasise my dominance.Sophia's face glazed with restrained rage, but she held her tongue. We both understood the fact that she was driven by more than just fear."Ms. Terra, please escort our guest to her room and ensure her comfort," I instructed, turning to Terra, who met my gaze with concern but understood my underlying message. She nodded silently and gestured for Sophia to follow her.As they left, I released a heavy sigh, the tension of the meeting passing slightly. This confrontation had been anticipated, and plans had been made to neutralise any potential threats. Sophia would be kept in a chamber where her abilities would be disabled, ensuring she posed no threat. But I did feel her dark energy lingering in the room. It faded, but it was there.