The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, a soft glow that illuminated the room in warm hues. I stirred awake, the sound of hushed whispers and bustling footsteps breaking through the haze of sleep.
Blinking, I sat up, still groggy, only to see my mother standing at the foot of the bed, her hands clasped together, her smile so radiant it could have lit up the entire room.
Beside her was Lily, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement, and a group of servants trailing behind them.
"Oh, Aeliana, you're awake!" my mother exclaimed, her voice tinged with happy tears. "It's your wedding day!"
Lily grinned, clutching a bouquet of flowers pink roses and white lilies, her favorite, I noted with a fond smile. "You're going to look so pretty, Aeliana!"
Before I could respond, a team of servants swept into the room, carrying trays of oils, brushes, and fabrics. I barely had time to process it all before my mother and Lily ushered me out of bed.
"Up, up!" Lily chirped, tugging at my hand. "We have so much to do!"
I laughed softly, still half-asleep but unable to resist their infectious enthusiasm. "Alright, alright, I'm up."
The servants led me to the adjoining bath chamber, where a marble tub filled with steaming water awaited me. Flower petals floated on the surface lavender, jasmine, and rose filling the air with a calming aroma. The bath itself was decadent, but the sheer number of people involved in preparing it felt overwhelming.
Two attendants worked to massage oils into my hair, their fingers gentle but firm as they combed through the dark strands.
Another helped scrub my skin with a mixture of honey and crushed almonds, leaving it soft and fragrant.
The chaos was oddly soothing, though I couldn't help but laugh when one servant nearly dropped an entire jar of rose oil into the water.
"Careful!" my mother scolded gently, her voice full of good-natured humor. "This is my daughter's special day!"
Once the bath was done, I was whisked away to a cushioned chair in the dressing room. My hair was dried and brushed until it gleamed like polished obsidian.
The stylists began their work, weaving intricate braids along the sides of my head, which were then pinned into an elegant updo. Long curls cascaded down my back, their tips glistening faintly with the light dusting of glitter the stylists insisted on adding.
"Oh, you look like a queen already," Lily gasped, her wide eyes full of admiration.
I smiled, my heart swelling at her innocent awe.
The next step was makeup. I wasn't one for heavy cosmetics, but the stylist worked magic with subtle touches a sweep of gold across my eyelids, a hint of blush on my cheeks, and a soft pink tint on my lips.
The final touch was a shimmering highlighter along my cheekbones, giving me an almost ethereal glow.
As the finishing touches were being made, I caught my reflection in the mirror. I barely recognized myself. The woman staring back at me looked regal, confident, and—dare I say it beautiful.
"Alright," my mother said, clapping her hands together. "Now for the dress."
The servants brought it out with reverence, the gown draped over their arms like a precious treasure. It was everything I had dreamed of.
The fabric was a rich, silky white that shimmered faintly with each movement, adorned with intricate silver embroidery in the shape of flowers and vines.
The bodice was fitted, with delicate lace straps that framed my shoulders, and the skirt flowed out in soft layers, trailing behind me like a cloud.
As they helped me into the dress, I couldn't help but marvel at the craftsmanship. The fabric felt like a second skin, hugging me in all the right places while still allowing me to move freely.
"Spin around," Lily said, practically bouncing with excitement.
I obliged, twirling slowly so she could see the full effect. The skirt flared out, the embroidery catching the light in a way that made it look like the flowers were blooming.
"You look like a princess," Lily whispered, her voice full of wonder.
"She looks like a queen," my mother corrected, tears glistening in her eyes.
I turned to her, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by emotion. "Mom..."
She stepped forward, taking my hands in hers. "You look beautiful, Aeliana. Absolutely beautiful."
Lily nodded enthusiastically, clutching my arm. "You're going to be the prettiest bride ever!"
Their words filled me with a warmth I couldn't describe, and for the first time that morning, the weight of the day ahead felt less daunting.
I wasn't just a bundle of nerves anymore I was excited. Ready.
And as I caught another glimpse of myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but smile. This was the beginning of a new chapter, one I couldn't wait to start with Ciara.
---
The sunlight outside was golden and warm as I stepped out of the house, the soft fabric of my gown swishing lightly against my legs.
My heart raced with anticipation as I spotted the sleek, elegant car waiting at the curb. Aeliana Castle's finest of course.
But what really caught my attention was the crowd gathered nearby. My mother, father, and Lily were buzzing with an almost comical level of excitement, while the servants fussed over last-minute details, adjusting my veil and ensuring everything was perfect.
"Oh, my darling girl is getting married!" my mother cried, clutching her chest as though she might faint. She dabbed at imaginary tears with a lace handkerchief, the dramatic flair earning a playful eye roll from Lily.
"Mom, we get it," Lily teased, shaking her head. "She's not going to war; she's just getting married."
"Just getting married?" my father chimed in, looking utterly aghast. He adjusted his tie, which had already been straightened at least three times. "This is a monumental day! Our little girl is about to become a bride!"
I stifled a laugh, feeling both amused and slightly embarrassed. "You guys do know I'm still the same person, right?"
"Not after today," my father declared, his voice brimming with mock seriousness. "Today, you become someone's wife! Someone's partner! Someone's everything!"
"Dad…" I groaned, though I couldn't help but smile.
The driver opened the car door for me, and I carefully climbed inside, the layers of my dress spreading out around me like a delicate cloud.
My parents and Lily piled in next, squeezing into the seats with a level of enthusiasm that could only be described as over-the-top.
The moment the car started moving, my mother launched into a string of nostalgic stories about my childhood, her voice quivering with emotion.
"Do you remember when you were seven and you insisted on wearing that flower crown for an entire week? I knew then you were destined for this day!"
"Oh, and that time she tried to bake a cake for the village festival," my father added, chuckling. "It was an absolute disaster, but she wouldn't let anyone help her. That determination—it's what got her here today!"
"Dad, please," I muttered, covering my face with my hands. "You're going to make me cry before we even get there."
"You've got to cry, sweetheart," he said, winking. "It's tradition!"
Lily leaned over, grinning mischievously. "You should see the way Mom and Dad cried when they found out Ciara proposed. It was like a waterfall in the living room."
"That's because it was such a beautiful moment," my mother defended, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "Our little Aeliana, finding her perfect match…"
"You mean someone who can put up with her stubbornness," Lily teased, earning herself a light smack on the arm from me.
As the car rolled through the countryside, the scenery transformed from lush green fields to the towering spires of Ciara's castle in the distance. My nerves fluttered again, but this time they were mixed with excitement. I was ready.
But my family wasn't quite finished.
"Do you think Ciara's nervous?" my mother asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"She's probably pacing back and forth in her room," my father said, nodding sagely. "Trying to remember her vows or something equally dramatic."
"Or she's plotting her next prank," Lily added, giggling. "You know how she is."
I couldn't help but laugh. They weren't entirely wrong Ciara was the type to channel her nerves into mischief. But that was one of the many things I loved about her.
The car slowed as we approached the castle gates, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight of the grand entrance.
The pathway was lined with flowers, their petals swaying gently in the breeze, and the castle itself seemed to glow in the sunlight.
As the car came to a stop, the door opened, and I carefully stepped out, my heart pounding with anticipation. My parents and Lily followed, their chatter finally slowing as they took in the breathtaking view.
But before I could fully appreciate the moment, a familiar figure stepped into view. Nathaniel.
His dark uniform was pristine, and his smirk was as infuriatingly smug as ever. His eyes gleamed with something between amusement and challenge as he crossed his arms, standing squarely in our path.
"Sorry to interrupt your precious day," he said, his voice dripping with mock courtesy. "But it's over."