It can't be the future she saw.
Even though beasts are horrible, she didn't expect Cedric to kill her. She clearly saw him smile at her corpse with his hands stained with blood.
"Why—"
"I am sorry. This is my first time kissing. I don't really know it takes so much time kissing," she lied, not caring about the murmurs circulating about her in the hall.
"You both are now husband and wife," the priest announced before leaving the hall.
Since the kingdom's security is the most important thing to tend to, King Woodshine couldn't see his daughter off.
"Laide, your brother would see you off. And don't ever forget we are here for you. You can always run back to me if you are tired of Eldrid," her father whispered with teary eyes.
Adelaide, who couldn't hide her sadness anymore, hugged her father, feeling like not breaking from the hug.
"I am going to miss you, dad," she said with tears finally flowing down her cheeks. 'I am sorry this would be the last time we would see each other...' she added inwardly.
Since she hasn't told anyone she could see the future, no one knew about it. If she tells her father that her husband was going to kill her in a few days' time, she was sure her father wouldn't believe her.
Hence, it is better to just give in to her fate. It's been this way since she found out she could see the future of the person she touches. She tried changing the future but had never succeeded.
"Adelaide, I have to go."
King Woodshine's words drifted her back to reality. She quickly disengaged from the hug before walking up to her maid, not wanting to watch her father leave.
It might be five years since they knew each other, but it felt like two decades. While others mock her for being red-haired and weak, King Woodshine made her feel special.
"My lady, you need to go pack up your things so as not to delay King Cedric when he decides to leave," Ana suggested.
"I am even about to do that," Adelaide said before leaving for her chambers.
After she was done arranging her things, she waited for about an hour until King Cedric's guard came to inform her about Cedric's departure.
"I am going to miss you, my lady," Ana said with tears streaming down her face.
"Ana, don't worry. I would make sure I come back to you and father no matter what. Just wait for me, okay?" Her brow raised, she urged Ana to stop crying.
"I would believe you and wait for you," Ana cleaned her tears before carrying Adelaide's bag outside.
Outside her chamber, her elder brother, Prince Davin, who had been waiting to escort her to King Cedric's carriage, walked up to her before she could reach the spot he stood.
"Are you sure you are okay with marrying him? I remembered you telling me your mom's last wish is for you to stay away from beasts," Davin inquired curiously, feeling sad that Adelaide has to sacrifice herself to save this kingdom.
"It is fine. Her wish and warnings died with her," Adelaide lied, playing with her fingers.
"I also don't like anyone from Eldrid kingdom, but I heard they aren't that bad. Just be careful," he said as he escorted her to the carriage.
When they arrived, Davin spoke up before she could. "King Cedric, if you make my sister feel any discomfort, it wouldn't end well with you," he warned.
Cedric chuckled at the father-like son before entering the carriage, waiting for Adelaide to join him.
"Brother, stay safe and make sure our kingdom is free from vampire threats, okay?" she muttered, giving him that childish look.
"You have to join him before he thinks otherwise."
Davin's words made her walk in. She entered the carriage before it finally took off.
She kept staring at the palace until they were out of her father's castle. She made sure to avoid eyes and skin contact with him.
It went on for a while. Cedric, who noticed the avoidance, spoke up, "Princess Adelaide, I am not going to eat you. Look at me the way a wife looks at her husband."
"A wife?" Reminded of the future she foresaw, her lips tilted to the corner as she asked.
It was obvious she was nothing but a sacrifice to save her kingdom. In the end, she would meet her end in his hands.
"You are my wife," his cold voice echoed. "Since I am your husband, that means you are supposed to look at me and not avoid me. You are supposed to learn how to behave as a queen—"
"Wait... Your queen?" She asked, trying to make sense out of his words.
If he was really going to make her his queen, isn't that what she was supposed to see? Or is she going to die before she is crowned as his queen?
"Yes. Only our destined mate can bear us our heir just like the werewolves. Hence, only the queen's son can become the heir," he replied, sounding harmless.
He sounded different compared to the powerful man in the hall.
"Can I ask you a question, King Cedric?"
Cedric smiled faintly at her question before replying, "of course you can, Princess Adelaide."
"If you were to kill me for whatsoever reason, will you hesitate?" She asked, her gaze fixed on the ground, not wanting to know the look on his face.