It's been a week since my mother informed me that she had enrolled me in the Perfect Match system, and ever since, it's been all I can think about. Who would my perfect match be? The question haunted my thoughts day and night.
I was in my room, clearly procrastinating. For the past two days, I was supposed to write a report on a recent mission, but I kept pushing it off. The half-finished report sat on my desk, taunting me with its incompleteness. Sighing, I decided to try and make some progress.
I sat at my desk, picked up my pen, and stared at the blank parchment in front of me. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts kept drifting back to the Perfect Match system. Frustration bubbled up inside me, and after several futile attempts to write, I threw my pen down.
"I need a break," I muttered to myself, standing up abruptly.
I decided to go for a walk outside. The fresh air might clear my mind and help me focus later. Leaving my room, I wandered through the castle's grand hallways, the stone walls echoing with my footsteps. I finally made my way outside into the castle gardens, the scent of blooming flowers enveloping me.
As I walked, I heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind. Turning, I saw my sister, Lyria, hurrying to catch up with me. Lyria was two years younger than me, with a mischievous glint always present in her purple eyes.
Her long, wavy blond hair cascaded down her back, and she was wearing a simple yet elegant green dress that complemented her playful demeanor.
"Seraphine!" Lyria called out, a teasing smile on her lips. "Avoiding work again, are we?"
I rolled my eyes. "What do you want, Lyria? I'm trying to clear my head."
"Oh, just checking up on my dear sister," she said innocently, though I could see the mischief in her eyes. "You seem awfully distracted lately. Thinking about your Perfect Match, perhaps?"
I groaned inwardly. "Lyria, please, I really don't have the patience for your teasing right now."
Lyria giggled, clearly enjoying herself. "Come on, Seraphine. Aren't you curious? What if she's a dashing princess or a valiant warrior?"
"Or what if it's someone completely unsuitable?" I shot back, irritation creeping into my voice.
Lyria's grin widened. "Speaking of which, I heard some interesting news today. The results of the Perfect Match system have arrived. They're in your study."
Before she even finished her sentence, I was already sprinting back toward the castle. My heart pounded in my chest as I ran, and the world around me seemed to blur. Time itself seemed to stretch out agonizingly. Each second felt like an eternity, the anticipation and anxiety making every moment feel longer than the last.
I raced through the hallways, my breaths coming in short, excited bursts. My mind was a whirlwind of possibilities. Who could it be? Would they be kind, strong, or someone I already knew? The questions swirled in my head, fueling my urgency.
At long last, I reached my study. I flung the door open and stepped inside, my eyes immediately falling on the envelope sitting on my desk. It was a delicate thing, made of fine parchment with an elegant seal bearing the crest of the Perfect Match system. The sight of it made my heart race even faster.
With trembling hands, I picked up the envelope and carefully broke the seal. Slowly, I unfolded the letter inside and began to read. The formalities seemed endless, my eyes skimming over the words until I reached the line I had been waiting for.
"Congratulations, Princess Seraphine. Your perfect match has been determined, and it is Riley Starcrest."
I gasped, my heart leaping with joy. Riley Starcrest! I couldn't believe it. A wide grin spread across my face, and I felt an overwhelming urge to jump up and down. But then, as quickly as the joy had come, a wave of worry washed over me.
Riley… Riley seemed to despise me. She had every reason to, after all. I had killed her former lover , and she don't look like she has forgiven me for it. The memory of her cold, angry eyes haunted me, and I wondered how she would react to this news.
I continued reading, my excitement mingling with dread. "In the next few hours, your perfect match will be brought to your castle."
There it was. In a matter of hours, Riley would be here, and I would have to face her. My mind raced with thoughts of how she might react, what she might say. But despite my fears, a small part of me couldn't help but feel hopeful. Maybe this could be a new beginning, a chance to make things right.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. The next few hours would be crucial, and I needed to be prepared. I glanced around my study, taking in the familiar surroundings. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with ancient texts and scrolls. My desk was cluttered with papers and maps, evidence of my ongoing responsibilities.
I walked to the window and looked out at the castle grounds. The sun was setting, casting a warm golden light over the landscape. It was beautiful, and for a moment, I allowed myself to simply enjoy the view. But the peace didn't last long. My thoughts kept drifting back to Riley and the impending meeting.
"Riley Starcrest," I whispered to myself, the name both a promise and a challenge. "What will you think of this?"
I turned away from the window and began to pace the room, trying to think of what to say to her. Apologies seemed inadequate, but I had to start somewhere. I needed to find a way to show her that I regretted what had happened even if I regretted nothing and that I was willing to make amends.
As I paced, my sister Lyria appeared in the doorway, a knowing smile on her face. "So, have you read it?"
I nodded, my expression serious. "It's Riley Starcrest."
Lyria's eyes widened in surprise. "Riley? The same Riley who…?"
"Yes," I interrupted, not wanting to revisit the painful memories. "The same Riley."
Lyria looked at me thoughtfully. "Well, this is going to be interesting."
I couldn't help but laugh at her understatement. "That's one way to put it."
Lyria stepped into the room and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Seraphine, you'll figure it out. Just be honest with her. She might surprise you."
I nodded, appreciating her support. "Thanks, Lyria."
She squeezed my shoulder before turning to leave. "I'll leave you to prepare. Good luck, sister."
As she left, I took a deep breath and sat down at my desk. There was nothing more I could do now but wait. I tried to focus on other tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to Riley. Time seemed to crawl by, each minute stretching out as I anticipated her arrival.