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We walked through the hallway, and the only sound visible to my ears was the sound of my heart threatening to burst out of its ribcage and the sound of my heels making a clinking sound on the tiled floor.
There was a huge golden door with two guards dressed in shiny armor, standing like soldiers and when we got close, they opened the door revealing a grand and majestic ballroom, the walls were draped in rich velvet curtains with an angel symbol, a being with wings, which I suspected to be their crest. The soft glow of candlelight scattered throughout the room with intricate chandeliers that cast hues depicting the history of the royal greeted by the melody.
The ballroom itself is sheened and orn with elegant floral center candlelight that dances across the delicate silk drapes and gently sways in the breeze-like atmosphere.
As I made my grand entrance, all silk and adorned with jewels that caught her beauty, whispers filled the room as the princess took the room.
"She's so gorgeous,"
"Wow, who knew the distinct princess was this divine?"
"She looks like a goddess," The whispers from the crowd continued as they gasped in awe.
As I descended the stairs looking around, I could feel all eyes on me, I saw my so-called parents and siblings seated farther away, on their thrones, and highly regarded people clothed in fine silk had stopped their dancing at the sight of me.
"Where's the beast?" I whispered to Miriam who walked behind me closely, my eyes still darting around looking for demons, and hideous beasts. I planned to go through whatever Hazel's disgusting family had planned and then I would run away after the betrothal on my way to the demon kingdom.
"He's the one at the bottom of the stairs my lady, isn't he gorgeous?'' Miriam whispered back and my eyes met with hot, fiery, golden-red eyes, with flames, practically dancing in them.
I froze, not because he was hideous, but because he was the complete opposite, he was...gorgeous. No, gorgeous was an understatement, he was beautiful, heavenly, and devilishly handsome at the same time.
I was busy analyzing his gorgeous features, he had long flowing silver hair, kind of like Hazel's, and his skin was icy pale. With strong jawlines and thin lips, he was extremely hot, and muscular.
His eyes were fiery and looked like the pit of hell like a wormhole sucking me in without warning, a hint of darkness framing sharp power and authority. He had a palpable aura that sent chills down my spine. his fiery gaze was icy and calculative, focusing on me and then a smirk appeared on his lips.
I tripped, yes, what a way to embarrass myself in front of all these people, I was about to tumble down the stairs when I felt a hand grab my waist, holding me steady.
"Are you okay?" I heard a deep voice ask, his voice sending vibrations inside me and causing me to shiver. I raised my gaze to find the devilishly handsome man gazing at me, his expression was unbearable, but the smirk was still evident on his face.
I nodded, without saying a word, his aura made me feel inferior to him, I gulped down several times until my saliva ran dry. "How did--how did you reach me so quickly?"
Without replying to my question, he extended his arm and I hesitantly took it, the crowd began to applaud and we descended the stairs carefully.
We walked down the aisle, and being this close to the demon king, I noticed he smelled so good, he had this masculine and spicy scent that infiltrated my nostrils. I shook my head, reminding myself that he was a cold-blooded demon.
I glanced at Hazel's parents who were seated behind the altar, I couldn't believe that after setting something like this up, they couldn't even do their daughter a favor by walking her to the aisle, did they despise her this much?
This wedding was a union of two kingdoms, according to Miriam, The human Kingdom, Aetheria, was the weakest kingdom compared to the Werewolf kingdom {The Lunar Empire} and the Vampire kingdom, {Shadowcrest Abyss} and the Witch's coven, {The Rune Coven} But with the protection of the Hellfire Citadel, Aetheria Kingdom will be untouchable. Miriam kept reminding me that I had to do this for the Kingdom, that it was my duty, only it wasn't my duty, it was Hazel's duty, not mine.
I had planned to escape after the wedding but that might put Aetheria in trouble with the demons, should I just go with him?
Oh God, why was I having second thoughts, I planned to escape, and I should, I don't know these people after all, but the thought of these people getting into trouble with the demons seemed to tug at my heart, that or...I didn't want to leave just yet, what if I found happiness with the demon king, as weird as it may sound, what if the demon king is an angel in disguise? Or was I being deceived by his looks, a few minutes ago I thought he was a hideous beast but now, I'm awestruck at his sight. Why the hell was I overthinking this?
The alter felt far away than it was, it was as if time had slowed down and we were walking in slow motion, my thoughts were moving a lot faster than my movements.
The ceremony was presided over by the ancient spirits of the Underworld, who chanted ancient incantations and performed mystical rituals to bind the union of the demon king Hades and the human princess Hazel.
It was kind of weird, starting at a floating ethereal ghostly figure, translucent and shimmering. It had a sense of age and wisdom etched on its visage.
As we exchanged vows, the very fabric of reality seemed to shimmer and shift, as if the two realms were being woven together in a tapestry of harmony and peace.
"I swear by the flames of the underworld, Princess Hazel, that I will protect you with all my might even if it means defying fate itself. Your safety is my priority, and I will stop at nothing to ensure your well-being for eternity," The demon king Hades vowed, as we stood facing each other, for some reason, his words touched my heart, even if he didn't mean them, his face was expressionless as if he wasn't even giving a vow, how cold could he be?
"And I vow to stand by your side King Hades, through light and darkness, through joy and sorrow, together we shall defy the odds and forge a new bond that transcends worlds, United in love...united in love and strength until the end of time," I noticed the smirk that broke out on his lips when I stuttered to say the word 'Love' how wouldn't I, it was weird. A few hours ago, my reputation was ruined and I was committing suicide and now I was getting married, to a freakishly hot demon, could my life be any more interesting?
After the vows were exchanged, a grand feast was held, where beings from both Kingdoms mingled and celebrated the union of their rulers. Exotic delicacies from the Underworld and sumptuous human dishes were served, and the air was filled with laughter and music as the two worlds came together in a joyous celebration.
The demons, not one but all of them were so freakishly handsome, they weren't the kind of hideous beasts I had imagined but the complete opposite.
Miriam had told me that a rumor once spread across the palace that Hazel was a demon because of her beauty, according to her, no human was compared to Hazel in terms of beauty, so she was considered a demon. That alone was enough to turn the hearts of her siblings even colder.
"Hazel,"
'Well, think of the devils and they shall arrive,' I rolled my eyes and then turned to them feigning a smile.
"Yes," I replied.
"Congratulations, dear sister, you are now a baby machine for the demons," Zora, the eldest said with a wicked smirk.
"Who knows, you might not only be for the demon king but also all the demons, seeing as they are lust-driven creatures," Nora, the second to Zora whispered in my ear, but loud enough for her sister to hear and then they burst into laughter.
I smiled, "At least I am putting my life on the line to protect this kingdom while you both just sit here and fuck around with guards," I replied and their daughters were replaced with anger.
"What--what did you just say?" Nora asked in shock.
'You heard me...Harlots of Aetheria," I stressed with a smirk and Nora raised her hand to hit me.
"How dare you!" I grabbed Nora's hand in mid-air.
"I'm not your little sister anymore, I'm the demon queen now, so you should treat me with respect," I said and then threw her hand to her side, the shocked expression on their faces was a vision to behold, they didn't expect their little sister, Hazel who was the gentle and easygoing girl, suddenly turning wild and resisting their bullying. But sorry to burst their bubble, I wasn't Hazel.
"Mother!" They called in unison, scurrying away like roaches to report to their Mummy.
"My lady, that was--that was unexpected of you, you never stood up for yourself against them before," Miriam said in awe, she was always annoyed that Hazel was too calm and easygoing when she also had rights, but ever since she woke up, she had noticed something different about the princess.
"They should know not to mess with me anymore," I replied with a smirk.
"Precisely," I heard a voice behind me and when I turned, it was the Demon King, he stood with his arms crossed behind his back, a faint smile on his lips.