The meeting inside the Great Hall finally concluded, proving that the Seer's vision was right. Today, Mineah would become a bride.
"You look ethereal, my dear."
Mineah smiled at her mother's compliment as she looked at her reflection in the mirror.
Her long, wavy charcoal hair cascaded down in a braid adorned with tiny, delicate flowers, accentuating her innocent and gentle charm. A regal tiara sat atop her head, symbolizing her royal status as the Princess of Ebodia.
Raising an eyebrow, she softly murmured, "Ethereal…"
Admired for her unparalleled beauty, she was considered to be in a league of her own. It was said there was no equal to her captivating features.
Her face and body had been so flawlessly sculpted, it was as though God had personally crafted her. Both men and women desired and envied her, her perfection posing a threat unsettled many.
Most men would simply gawk, none of them daring to approach her. Yet… she had been accepted by the Vampire King to be his bride.
"Yes, ethereal doesn't even begin to describe the extent of your beauty, my dear," her mother said, her voice tinged with emotion.
"Mother," Mineah breathed out, a beautiful and sweet smile gracing her lips as she rose from her chair to face her mother.
"I'm ready," she hummed, feeling her mother lovingly caressing her cheek with her warm palm. Her eyes were a bit puffy, evidence of the fact that she had cried a river before coming to see her.
There was a pause in the air as her mother simply gazed at her. "I am sorry, my dear. I am so helpless…" her mother sighed. "If only my power were as strong as they once were…"
"Hush, Mother… That's enough. You've done everything you can," Mineah comforted with a soothing voice. "How can I reduce your worries and make you feel at ease?"
Mineah reached out and gently held her mother's hand, squeezing it lightly. "I already told you, Mother, that this is completely my own choice… It is a decision born from my own will. No one forced me to do this. I chose this… Him… And if fate is on my side, then this marriage will work out no matter what."
Mineah then flashed a determined smile as she added, "It's time for you to send me off, Mother…"
She was wearing the same royal gown her mother had worn on her own wedding day.
Embellished with golden feathers which accentuated her beauty to a degree beyond measure, it was as if the gown had been made specifically for her, destined to be passed down from mother to daughter.
Mineah tugged her mother's hand and with a knowing nod urged, "Come, Mother. Let's not keep them waiting any longer."
With her mother and handmaidens by her side, she walked pensively until they arrived at the royal chapel. Mineah quietly breathed out when she received the cue to enter the castle chapel.
Her wedding was not an extravagant one. Originally planned as a simple and solemn ceremony adhering to the rules and traditions of Ebodia for Xenia, it had now become her own wedding. It wasn't the kind of wedding she had dreamed of, but it would do nevertheless.
"Nervous?" her father asked as he carefully held her hand and guided her to loop it through his.
Mineah turned to him offering her sweetest smile and said, "Not at all, Father. And before anything, I don't want to hear the word 'sorry' again…"
She weakly chuckled. "I'm tired of hearing that word today. Just smile for me, and remember that everything happening today is a result of my own choices."
"A-Alright… I believe in you, dear," he said and smiled at her. "I know you have the strength to face whatever lies ahead as Seer Beirut said, But… Don't forget that no matter what happens in Valcrez, you always have us, your family. If things become difficult, don't hesitate to come running to us."
Mineah nodded, a glimmer of gratitude in her eyes. "You've made sure I'm well-protected," she chuckled and said, motioning to her loyal handmaidens. "I'm sure they will keep you informed of everything happening around me, Father."
"Still, if those from Valcrez dare to mistreat you-"
"I will take care of them, Father. Don't worry, you raised a strong woman," Mineah assured him, winking playfully.
Her father could only let out a sigh as they began walking down the aisle together.
Mineah could only imagine the turmoil her parents must be in currently. They never wished for their children to be pawns in a political alliance. But at the end of the day, they had to put their people's peace and safety before their own happiness. And so, the two Princesses of Ebodia found themselves bound to a marriage alliance.
Along the way, Mineah noticed the gaze of the esteemed guests from Valcrez who stood on the right side of the chapel. Though this was the first time they'd see her face without obstruction, their eyes held a mix of admiration and mockery. They couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty, yet they saw her as nothing more than a replacement bride.
'She will only bring misfortune to our kingdoms.'
'She may be beautiful, but her beauty isn't enough to pacify us! She's a bearer of bad luck!'
'The King must be blinded by her beauty to agree to King Darius' proposal! This is unacceptable!'
'Just great, we've stuck with the cursed princess… Definitely not the one we want!'
The last comment almost made Mineah laugh, but suppressing it she shook off all the negative thoughts that were so against her. Maybe because she was accustomed to such opposition or maybe because she never really cared about it, she was immune to their impact over time.
On the left side of the chapel, the nobles and officials of their own kingdom sat, bearing witness to her wedding.
'She's finally getting married and going far away from us!'
'I don't know if I should pity her or feel relieved that the cursed princess will be gone from our kingdom.'
Despite reading glimpses of such thoughts, Mineah mustered a timid smile for her people, who in turn nodded curtly in response.
In the eyes of many, Mineah was just a weak and fragile Princess with an unfortunate fate. but as the old saying goes, there's always more than meets the eye.