EVE
Golden rays cleave through my window, never touching my cold skin or my wintered heart. I closed my eyes to enjoy the warm feeling of nothingness that sank its claws into my heart.
My mind was clouded with the nostalgia that surfaced, the moment I carefully let my gaze run over my room for the fourth time today.
I was leaving everything behind. I was stepping into another world I knew nothing about. Yes, I'd expected that feeling of regret to thrash my being, till I was made a wreck of the stupid decisions I have taken.
Yet, instead of that feeling surfacing, I felt like someone who was standing just a step away from accomplishments.
Fulfilled, I'd rather say.
No, I never regretted my actions to save the empire through this marriage. It was my decision after all.
I was getting married to a prince from a powerful Caliphate. A man I have never met before. A foreigner. A race that was different in all things. The land of wolves. Worshippers of the moon. Children of the night.
Numerous names conjured in my mind, while the words danced off my tongue as I tried to describe them from the stories I heard.
I was gorgeously dressed in a green silk gown that clung to me, and my midnight black hair was up in an elegant updo, decorated with strands of golden pearls and diamond earrings that swayed with every movement I did. This was the royal attire meant for my coronation as the crown princess, but unfortunately, I was wearing this cloth as a bridal dress.
Fate is a bitch'. I cursed.
A knock on my door signaled it was time for my departure. The Royal entourages from the Caliphates had arrived to whisk their bride away.
'So soon' I mused, taking up the few belongings I had managed to pack up. Stepping out of the door, I was greeted by the imperial guards who bowed politely and gestured for me to follow them outside.
The sky was painted with shades of orange and blue, and the softest of breezes was blowing throughout the palace grounds.
My father and his council of advisors were already waiting for me, together with the few nobles that had authority and wealth in the empire. Standing beside them was my father's second wife, and the newly crowned princess of the empire. My step-sister.
Immediately my gaze fell upon the diamond crown encrusted with priceless precious stones resting delicately on her head, my heart clenched in sympathy. Torrid tears threatened to spill out, but I was quick to suppress the emotions that raged within me.
That crown supposed to be mine. I couldn't process the myriads of emotions that registered in my brain. That feeling of seeing what was yours and yet, it was very far from your reach.
I wasn't going to show them my weakness. Not in front of those I was getting married to. I'd braced myself for what is to come. Whether Life or death, I vowed to remain strong.
"You kept us waiting," father said in disapproval, his dark blue eyes narrowed at me.
"They came too soon" was the icy reply my lips produced.
"Allow me to introduce ourselves, King Antonelli. We are the vassals sent by the prince to bring his bride home" One of the guards stepped out of line, bowing deeply.
I'd expected to see the man I was getting married to today. However, it appears he only sent his guards.
"And what sign of disrespect is that? my voice rang through the air, cutting harshly across the silence that followed.
They all looked surprised, including my father who shot angry glances at me.
" Let's cut the chit-chat," my father's second wife snapped. "It's an honor to have you here in our empire, especially how the Sultan was benevolent to heed our humble request," She said graciously, offering the most sincere smile ever given.
I glared at my father's second wife for her insolence.
She ignored it though and continued with the introduction. "This is Princess Genevieve Antonelli, the supposed bride of your prince," she announced, walking towards me.
I swear by the heavens, I'd rip off her tongue.
" Do me the honor, Eve. For the sake of formality just pretend for this time again. I know you hate me, but don't worry, you won't see me again to hate. No, I won't ever see 'YOU' again" she tugged her face slightly towards my ear, whispering those words in a hushed tone.
She grabbed my hands despite my efforts to conceal them from her, and with gentle steps, she brought me right in front of those guards. And that was when I saw what awaited me.
Eight expensive black carriages, luxuriously decorated with gold silk and embroidery, stood patiently in the middle of the courtyard. On each of the front doors, there was carved a crest, which depicted the royal emblem, a red rose with thorns in the center.
"We are to leave immediately if we want to make it to the caliphate on time," the same guard said again.
" My beautiful beloved daughter" my father hugged me in a tight embrace, almost crushing the remaining oxygen left in my lungs.
" I'll miss you. Your pathetic old father will miss you" a small sob escaped my throat as he kissed the top of my head.
"You saved our empire. All thanks to your amazing suggestion. You have done so well, the empire is proud of you". My father was beaming proudly, but a glimmer of pain was evident in his eyes.
Despite the ill fate that befell me and my mother twenty years ago, I knew deep down my father's heart, at the bottom of a locked door located in his deteriorating heart, he still showed some love for her. Part of me believed that he did what he had to do for the sake of the empire. Yet, another part of me was too expensive to trust that idea. Maybe there's more to what the eyes meet.
"I'll miss you too father" I forced a smile.
Releasing his hold on me, I turned towards the door of the carriage which was already opened for me.
" I hope you'll write back to us" my stepmom maliciously remarked, a cruel smirk gracing her features.
I could've sworn she winked at me.
"Of course. I can't wait to bombard you with my letters, especially to our 'Crown' princess Ophelia on how I spent the night with my husband" I trailed my gaze towards Ophelia, my step sister, as anger and pain blanketed her face.
She was so unfortunate that in all the sixty-two suitors that she was set up with, none came back asking for her hand in marriage.
"I'll miss you too, Sister" the word 'Sister' sounded distant as Ophelia spoke.
"Sure. I hope your mother will teach you proper ethics and etiquette as a 'Crown' princess. Who knows when the next Mr. Right might come and never return? Don't you agree with me, 'Mother'? I tried to sound polite while bowing slightly toward my stepmom.
The words stung her skin as if knives were thrown at her, but her eyes remained steady and unemotional.
"You still haven't let go of this attitude of yours? My step-mom faked a smile.
"Just as you still haven't let go of your rebellious character" I shot back at her in the most gentle and calm way possible, which in reality wasn't easy to control.
I made it evident many years ago I wasn't the weak type of princess. If anything, I was the exact opposite, and that has kept me alive to this very day.
My mother might have been easy for them to deal with But I, Eve, daughter of Antonelli, was a blazing inferno. A personification of fire that they were trying desperately to extinguish.
I took one final glance at them. They all held a happy expression, but beneath their facade lay their dark treacherous heart.
Another glance at the vast empire from the courtyard almost shattered my line of defense. The screams of betrayal echoed in my mind, threatening to swallow me whole.
I possessed a virtue none out of the thousands of the inhabitants of Bladmior had. And that was paying evil with good.
I stepped into the carriage without looking back once more. The doors shut and the guards took their positions inside. I stared out the window, watching as the majestic buildings faded into the distance.
I was going to come back again. If not soon, then it would be in years' time. I was going to pay them back, each one of them according to their recompense.
"May the heavens bless me, and the gods guide me through this long tempestuous journey" I prayed solemnly as our empire finally faded out of view.