Her smile wavered when her father announced that she was to marry Strexxa's heir in three months, and again she felt as if she might pass out, her vision going narrow, and the world around her beginning to disappear. Celeste understood that if she fainted now, she'd be punished, so she took in a shuddering breath in a poor attempt to calm down, gripping at the folds of her dress even tighter. Then, focusing on a sewn-in jewel and rubbing her thumb against its smooth, ruby surface, the princess counted each indentation for every breath she breathed.
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
She hoped that the trembling in her hands would be less apparent by doing this and grinned even wider as her father finished his address to the kingdom, the audience's applause only amplifying the apprehension in her heart.
At the conclusion of the speech, the princess' father was by her side in an instant, his tone low and stringent in Celeste's ear. "Do not forget to wave, Celeste. You disappoint me enough as it is." His voice was a dagger in her ear and his words more cutting than steel when he gripped her hip discreetly, the threat of a future punishment looming over the princess' head.
Celeste's arm moved mechanically, and by the sun's grace, she was able to wave goodbye to the crowds. She nodded politely at them and offered a final serene smile before turning away, fighting against her face crumpling with emotion.
"Be still." Demanded her father, his voice harsh in warning. "Be mindful of your surroundings."
At the mention of their kingdom's admonishing phrase for their women, Celeste straightened up, her tears seemingly melting away against her will as they'd been conditioned to.
Her people were dutifully watching her every move, and she knew that if she gave into her emotions publically once again, they would all begin to doubt her father's plans, which was unthinkable and could not happen. If the king could not care for his daughter and ensure her happiness, how could he ensure his people's happiness in turn?
Celeste did her best to continue to portray a serene image as her father guided her through the halls of the palace and to the royal family's private quarters, counting down from 10 in a poor attempt to keep breathing regularly.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
Her father kept his back to her as they entered their living room, politely asking their servants to take their time getting their afternoon lunch. And it was only when the doors closed, and they were finally alone that her father turned around.
The slap came quicker than Celeste anticipated, and knocked her off of her feet and to the ground, her surroundings becoming blurry with her tears and disorientation. Celeste's composure broke like a dam, and she began to sob horribly, barely able to meet her father's gaze as she wept where she fell, too weak to move. "Father…"
King Virion stared at Celeste in odium, a dark glint of repugnance in his eyes as he regarded her cooly. "Why do you seek to embarrass me at every turn, Celeste?"
Instead of answering, Celeste remained silent, trying to stifle her tears as her father glared at her. She wanted to ask why, why was he like this, why did he even keep her alive if this was the life that she was living? Yet she knew she would only earn her father's rage by doing so.
The king's hatred of her was a secret to no one within the palace.
The princess resembled her deceased mother in more ways than one.
And the king couldn't stand it.
In Aephis, women were meant to support their fathers, brothers, and husbands in whatever endeavors they undertook. Women were meant to embody the sun's light by serving the hearth and home and being the pillars of the family and community behind closed doors. They weren't meant to know why things happened or the thoughts behind such monumental decisions within their kingdom.
And that harsh expectation didn't bend because she was a princess.
Instead, Celeste gulped around the sizable ball of anticipation in her throat, trying to calm herself down. Whatever information her father gave her at this moment would have to suffice. In the hopes that he wouldn't harm her further, she apologized to him, bowing her head low in shame. "I-I apologize, Father." She wouldn't make the mistake of saying that it wouldn't happen again, as that seemed to always set her father off into a blind fury.
The last time she'd professed that, he'd beaten her savagely, and locked her in her room.
And he'd ensured while she was locked in her room that she understood she wasn't to question him.
The memory of her father's relentless assault on her 80th birthday was like a stain on her mind, and she did her best to forget about it in the moments of her waking life.
"The sun revealed to me that the two kingdoms of Aephis and Strexxa are meant to unite. Your marriage to Strexxa's heir in three months is essential to this plan." King Virion turned away to stare out a nearby window, gazing at the sun. His voice drew Celeste from the haze of her mind, and she stared at him from her position on the floor as he continued to speak. "Once you marry your husband, he and I will work in tandem to combine our kingdoms." Finally, he glanced back, continuing to regard her in callous contempt. "Get dressed, and have the doctor heal your bruising cheek; Strexxa's prince will arrive within the hour."
Celeste froze when she was told she'd meet her betrothed within the hour and looked down at the ground in horror, a panicked expression on her face. Her body seemed to move mechanically as it always did around the king though, and Celeste finally stood on shaking legs, bowing low to her father. "Yes, Father." She tearfully thanked him for his divine wisdom before leaving their living room and walking upstairs to her bedroom.
The princess was horrified to see servants eagerly waiting to dress her in her room, and bravely told herself to remember her duty, trying to remain calm. She was a princess, the princess of Aephis, no less. And it was her obligation to serve her father, her realm, and now Strexxa's prince, whose acrimonious nature begot a malevolence, unlike anything Stelle had encountered before.
Aestir Iarphyra was the pinnacle of Strexxan eminence, whose temperament aligned with the most diabolical forms of iniquity. The prince first sent shockwaves throughout the land of Stelle when it was proclaimed he'd mastered the art of Sinister Sihir as a 50-year-old adolescent, thus becoming the youngest elf in all of history to achieve the status of a Dark Liege. Strexxans readily served him, believing he was the most authentic embodiment of The Void since Strexxa's inception.
Prince Aestir was currently regarded as one of the most formidable mages in all of Strexxa, and if things continued, Aestir was on track to becoming one of the most powerful mages in existence. Elves all throughout Stelle spread harrowing tales of the curses he'd place on those that crossed him as if they were an augury of calamities to come, the malevolent terrors induced by his illusions rendering those who've seen them catatonic.
They said his eyes were an anomalous hue of beryl blue. The elves brave enough to stare into them were left petrified, noting that their depths held nothing but abysmal corruption. His gaze was as piercing and unforgiving as The Void itself, and there was hardly an elf alive who could remain in his presence and not bow to his will.
And it terrified Celeste to no end to know that it was this man she would be marrying. Fear coursed through her veins as she thought of the life that lay ahead, and a wave of terror washed over her at the sudden realization that she had no idea what kind of husband he would be to her.
"I have heard that the prince of Strexxa is quite handsome," Murmured her attendant Mary, the woman's voice perforating through the haze of Celeste's mind. Celeste looked at her attendant through her mirror, seeing that she was observing their servants as they fixed the princess' curly hair into a more intricate and formal style. "They say his eyes pierce through the soul. I have no doubt that you will help put light behind them in time."
Hearing this didn't calm Celeste's nerves one bit.
In fact, it did quite the opposite.
Celeste's vision blurred as her mind filled with ruinous scenarios, and she reached out to steady herself against the vanity in front of her. Her heart pounded so forcefully in her chest that it was unbearable, and sweat beaded across her brow as she took in a shuddering breath. She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths, fighting to keep from passing out.
"Be still, child; remember your surroundings." Her attendant admonished, and Celeste looked down in shame, remembering she was a princess yet again. She had a role that was imperative to play.
And there was no escaping it.