Scarlett's attire was striking—a white outfit that reminded me vaguely of a school uniform, but with a sleek formality more akin to military wear. The crisp lines and fitted design carried an air of restrained power, refined yet intimidating.
Sitting in the waiting area, I fidgeted relentlessly, nerves clawing at me. My leg bounced, my hands wouldn't stay still, and I felt like I might vibrate right out of my chair. I had agreed to this marriage, yes, but actually facing the reality of it was a different matter. The kiss, the vows, the… wedding night. My stomach flipped at the thought.
"Nooo… I can't handle this," I muttered, half to myself, clutching my head.
"Lord Roman, please breathe," one of the maids whispered, glancing at me with sympathetic eyes.
The truth was, I'd never even had a girlfriend, let alone considered marriage. This leap into adulthood felt like being hurled off a cliff.
Sensing my spiraling panic, one of the maids stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm. "Lord Roman, I understand you're anxious, but I assure you, Lady Scarlett isn't as frightening as you may have heard."
My eyes narrowed, skeptical but curious. "You're certain?"
She nodded, but added cautiously, "Well… she can be a little… intense at times. There was an incident with a giant insect once, where she punched a hole clean through the floor. And sometimes if she sneezes too hard… walls tend to… well, let's just say they don't stand a chance." She gave a nervous chuckle. "But in truth, she's not so terrible."
My eyebrows shot up, not entirely reassured. "So you're saying she's prone to accidentally wrecking things?"
The maid hesitated before smiling sheepishly. "You could say that. But there's nothing to fear as long as you, well… proceed with caution."
"Great," I muttered under my breath. "Really comforting." I glanced at the maid with a weak smile. "Thanks, I guess."
Just then, another maid appeared and announced, "Lord Roman, it's time. Please come with me to escort your bride."
With that, I was ushered forward, my nerves spiking as I approached the door to Scarlett's room. The moment I took her hand, it would all begin. I swallowed hard, steadying myself with deep breaths, but the pounding of my heart drowned out the little confidence I'd managed to scrape together.
"Alright, Lord Roman, shall we proceed?" the maid urged gently.
"Just—wait a moment," I stammered, clutching my chest as though I could slow my heart. "Just give me a second to… calm down."
She chuckled softly. "There's no going back now, my lord. Lady Scarlett is waiting."
"No, no, no… I can't do this." The words tumbled out in a panic as I backed away. "This feels like a death sentence."
Another maid put a steadying hand on my shoulder. "I promise, Lord Roman, it's only a marriage. You'll survive."
I took another deep breath, reluctant but resigned. "Alright… let's go."
With a gentle smile, the maid opened the door, and I stepped into the small, softly lit chamber beyond. Scarlett stood in the center, a vision in white, her silver hair cascading over her shoulders, catching the warm glow of the light. Her dress was elegant, hugging her figure gracefully while leaving a hint of her collarbone exposed. She looked delicate, poised—a stark contrast to the fierce dragon slayer I'd heard about.
My anxiety stalled for a moment, my gaze locked on her. She was breathtaking, and yet so different from what I had imagined. This wasn't a warrior, not here; she looked like someone out of a dream.
"Lord Roman," the maid prompted, "please take Lady Scarlett's hand and escort her."
Scarlett extended her hand without a word, her expression calm, almost unreadable. I hesitated before reaching out, my fingers trembling as they closed around hers. Her hand felt surprisingly warm through the white glove, a sharp reminder that this was real.
With Scarlett beside me, we began walking down the long corridor toward the ceremonial hall. Guards stood watch along the walls, adding a sense of gravity to the scene. Scarlett's gaze remained fixed ahead, her face serene, as though none of this affected her in the least.
I stole a quick glance at her, marveling at her calmness. Here I was, practically shaking apart, and yet she seemed unfazed. It made me feel, oddly enough, a little steadier just having her beside me.
Just as we reached the end of the corridor, Scarlett turned to me, her voice soft but clear. "Prince Roman," she asked, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity. "What happens next?"
For a moment, I blinked, caught completely off guard.
....