The wedding day of the Crown Prince of Orta should have filled the entire kingdom with joy. The marriage took place one month after the death of the king. At the very least, the people could use that moment to deal with their grief in the aftermath of King Ragash Lenoir's death.
But tonight was somber and serene, the night wind howled caressing the banner on the moving horse-drawn carriage, and the folks came out of their houses to lit and fly the lanterns. But instead of rejoicing, they wait, nervous and guessing.
It was as if the entire Orta was holding back their tension for the crown prince to finally choose someone as his wife.
"Smile!"
In the small bedroom of modest Winstelle castle, a woman snapped at a sitting girl squeezing the beautiful white silk dress she was wearing.
Her mother's wedding dress. Pure white like the Lilly of the valley, represents the holiness of a maiden. This is the color that will be worn in sacred ceremonies such as tonight.
A swarm of maids surrounded her as they donned the girl a small silver tiara, translucent bridal veil, earrings, and a pearl necklace. Her pale cheeks and lips were tinted rose pink to conceal the pallor on her face. They were getting ready for a girl's wedding tonight.
All of them are overjoyed because one of their family members was getting married to the crown prince. It is the highest honor any family can be given. Being married to a royal family would elevate even the lowest noble name.
"My dear Amaryllis, smile." The girl's stepmother tilted her chin, "Everything will be fine" says Velska Winstelle to her stepdaughter. "You're doing this for your father, right? be a brave lady. Lift your chin like a queen"
Amaryllis ventured to look her stepmother in the eye. She wouldn't have dared to do this before, but she had to be brave, she had to get used to it. If she was even shrunk by her stepmother's gaze, how would she survive living with her husband then?
"No need to be so sad" Velska stroked her mahogany strands, smoothing the soft bridal veil so that it fell gracefully down her back like a waterfall of mist "You will marry the most powerful man in the whole kingdom"
With a soft touch on her cheek, Velska left her.
Amaryllis smiled sadly, she pretended to believe that what Velska said was true. Not that it's a lie. The whole country knows the crown prince, Zacharias.
Despite being born a prince, his teenage years have been spent with his pack. Living wild in the forest, he left all the luxuries and comforts of the palace. live to fight and kill. It was only when he was eighteen that he returned to the palace to study royal politics and war strategy. It was ten years since the prince returned to the palace.
Born with a high position and power, the crown prince is the ideal figure in the dreams of every young girl. Those who think that the fairy tales they read have no dark side lurking.
The prince's perfection was commensurate with the rumors circulating about him. No, he is not a Casanova. He has only ever had one lover so far. Even so, the woman was now a corpse.
No noble lady or princess dared to ask him to marry them. Behind the perfection of his figures, lay the fact that he's a cold-blooded killer.
No woman would become the future wife of the prince until the day when the will of the deceased king was read. And it was that letter that made the cruel crown prince her husband tonight.
*****
"Lady Amaryllis" The voice directed Mary's attention to the doorway.
Aida, the maid and her closest friend in Winstelle castle, trotted over to her and tightly hugged her. Amaryllis allowed herself to be at ease for a brief moment. This could be the last time she hugged Aida like this, once prince Zacharias took her, they wouldn't see each other again.
"Lady, I will miss you terribly when you are not here," Aida said, looking into the amaryllis' eyes.
"I still can't believe I'm marrying tonight."
Aida gave a gentle smile "Are you happy?
I'm delighted for you as well."
Amaryllis slowly shook her head "I...i'm so scared Aida" Only when with Aida did Amary let tears roll down her cheeks.
Being ten years older than Amaryllis, Aida was like a nurturing older sister. The family figure that the girl missed.
"Will His Highness kill me?" That was what she heard from Verity and Verona's conversation yesterday. Her twin stepsisters.
"Prince Zacharias may not be a gentle man, but his highness would never do that to his wife." Aida held Amary's cold hand in the hope of soothing her.
"But I am not the wife he desires. This marriage is not of his choosing."
"My lady, please calm down, the Prince will not execute you. He'll take you to the palace and you'll live happily ever after as his wife"
Amaryllis desperately wanted to believe it. But even Aida sounded skeptical when she said it. How could Zacharias, the most powerful and feared man, accept a sickly girl as his wife? That is completely absurd.
Velska entered with her two daughters, Verity and Verona as the door opened. Both of the girls are charming. Dressed in crimson and violet garments that accentuated the pale blonde of their strands, loosely hung down their back. Drops of ruby blood hung in Verona's ears while Verity chose a deep purple crystal that gather her strands of hair together in intricate tiny knots.
"Are you ready, my dear?"
Amaryllis rose to her feet and nodded. The softness with which her stepmother called her name gave shivers runs down her spine. It was hard to believe that Lady Winstelle was conversing with the same girl she used to lock up in the barn until the girl had a fever and left to get sick.
She changed her attitude toward her stepdaughter tonight because this marriage was beneficial to her. For this wedding gift, the crown prince has presented a majestic castle complete with its estate and farms. The castle will be the location of their wedding.
Velska scrutinized her stepdaughter's appearance, making sure there wasn't even the vaguest bruise or scratch on Amaryllis's skin that the royal family would notice. She wouldn't let Prince Zacharias find out that his future wife has bruises on the skin where she usually receives punishment.
"I am ready, mother"
"You look as beautiful as a dove tonight, Amary" there was jealousy hiding behind Verona's compliments.
After all, who doesn't want to marry a prince? Verona and Verity naturally envied the fate of their half-siblings. Mary would become queen if she was not killed. However, Verona is skeptical that the prince will keep this marriage last long.
"All right then, let's go," Lady Velska said, clapping her hands."