The maid's timid voice pierced the air, halting the tense scene unfolding before her. "Excuse me, my lady? I...I'm sorry to interrupt you all." She curtsied, her eyes darting between Rania and her father with a mix of fear and respect.
Rania turned to the maid, her expression a blend of relief and curiosity. "Yes, what is it?" she asked, her voice softening slightly.
The maid hesitated, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her apron. "My lady, I've brought you the things you requested. And I'm afraid you're needed back at the hall. Your husband has asked for you." Her voice trembled slightly as she delivered the message.
Rania's father scoffed, his expression twisted in disgust. "This is no concern of ours," he muttered, turning to leave.
But before he departed, he turned back to Rania, his eyes blazing with warning. "You better know your place, child! And make sure you do what you're told. Don't embarrass me..." His voice trailed off, but the warning was clear.
Lyra followed him, a sly smirk spreading across her face like a dark stain. "We'll see you soon, sister...and before I forget, congratulations." Her chuckle sent shivers down Rania's spine, the sound dripping with malice. "You're really playing with fire this time, Rania. I can't wait to see how it all unfolds."
"Let's go, Ethan," Lyra added, her voice dripping with command.
Ethan hesitated, his eyes locked on Rania with a mixture of concern and reluctance. But then, with a downcast look on his face, he followed Lyra out of the room, leaving Rania with her thoughts.
As Rania's father and Lyra left the space, the maid waiting at the entrance, gave a respectful bow, her eyes cast downward. But before she could straighten up, Rania's father lashed out at her, his face twisted in contempt.
"You useless maid!" he spat, his voice dripping with venom. "How could you leave your mistress unattended?! This just shows the lack of discipline the Winters have."
The maid trembled, her eyes wide with fear. "I-I'm sorry, my lord. I didn't mean to—"
But Rania's father cut her off, his words slicing through the air like a whip. "Your negligence is a reflection of the Winters' sloppy standards! If not for the alliance, I would never allow any of my kin to wed from this backward family. What a waste!"
As they walked away from the scene, the maid watched them go, her expression sympathetic, her eyes brimming with tears. Rania, too, felt the sting of her father's words. She knew that his anger was directed at her.
…
Rania's gaze wandered across the sea of faces, she had returned back to her seat next to her husband, her eyes stinging from the forced smiles and laughter that brimmed the room. The music and festivities seemed to mock her, a cruel contrast to her inner turmoil. She felt like a prisoner in her own wedding ceremony, trapped in a fate she hadn't chosen.
Asher's voice cut through her thoughts, his tone laced with a subtle annoyance. "Quit making that face, you're making me look bad."
Rania's cheeks flushed as she attempted to compose herself. "I'm sorry," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Asher's gaze narrowed, his expression turning icy. "Please Smile, Rania. You're making a scene."
Rania's cheeks burned as she forced a smile onto her face. But inside, she seethed with resentment. How could he be so callous, so uncaring? Didn't he see the despair in her eyes, the desperation in her heart?
As the entertainment continued, Rania's mind wandered to the life she had once imagined for herself. She had dreamed of marrying for love, not convenience. The weight of her reality settled heavy on her heart, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was living a lie.
Asher's hand on hers brought her back to the present, his grip firm but cold. Rania forced another smile, her eyes locking onto his, searching for any sign of warmth or connection. But his expression remained indifferent, his eyes gleaming with a hint of impatience.
The musicians struck up a lively tune, and dancers in colorful silks twirled onto the floor. Rania forced herself to be cheerful, but it felt brittle on her face. She glanced at Asher, his jaw clenched as he nodded stiffly to well-wishers. This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, yet she felt hollow inside.
"You need to at least pretend to be enjoying yourself," Asher said under his breath. "People are starting to talk."
Rania nodded mutely, struggling to keep her feelings hidden behind a mask of joy, but deep down inside, she couldn't help but express her sadness through her somber expression.
Her heart felt heavy as she thought about how this wasn't the husband she had imagined for herself. Asher may have been incredibly handsome and well-built to any woman's liking, but he wasn't the one she had hoped to spend the rest of her life with.
As the night wore on, a gentle tap on Rania's shoulder broke the tension. "It's time, my lady," a soft voice whispered.
Rania turned to see two maids curtsying before her. "Time for what?" she asked, her voice laced with wariness.
"It's time for you to prepare for your wedding night, my lady," the elderly maid replied, her eyes downcast.
Rania's heart sank as she glanced at Asher, who raised an eyebrow in a disinterested inquiry, before he looked away. She nodded curtly and stood up, then the maid led her away, leaving Asher to wonder what lay ahead with a sense of detachment.
As Rania followed the maid, she couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over her. She had been resistant to this marriage from the start, and now the reality of it was settling in. The maid's words replayed in her mind: "Time for you to prepare for your wedding night, my lady."
Rania's heart raced as she was led to a secluded chamber deep within the castle with another maid waiting on them. The maids helped her out of her wedding gown and gently led her to a bath filled with fragrant soap and water, the sweet scent of roses enveloped her, calming her nerves.
The elderly maid, with kind eyes and a warm smile, began to wash Rania's hair, her fingers massaging her scalp in gentle circular motions. Rania closed her eyes, letting out a soft sigh as the tension in her body began to ease.
The young maid, with a shy smile and gentle touch, cleaned Rania's skin, her fingers light and soothing. Rania felt a sense of peace settle over her, the gentle ministrations of the maids a balm to her troubled soul.
As they worked, the maids spoke in soft, soothing tones, their words a gentle hum in the background. Rania's mind began to wander, her thoughts drifting to a place of calm and serenity.
For the first time that day, Rania felt a sense of peace settle over her. The gentle care of the maids was a reprieve from the turmoil that had filled her heart, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there was still beauty to be found.
As the bath came to an end, the maids helped Rania out of the water, wrapping her in a soft, warm towel. They helped her into a delicate nightdress, and Rania's hands trembled as they brushed out her hair, her mind racing with thoughts of what lay ahead.
Asher's indifference had been palpable throughout the ceremony, and Rania couldn't help but wonder if he would even bother to come to her bed. The thought of being intimate with a man who didn't love her, who didn't even seem to care for her, filled her with a sense of despair.
As the maids prepared Rania for her wedding night, she couldn't help but think back to the day she got her first period. She was at her godmother's house, and her godmother had taken her aside, smiling warmly. "Rania, you're now a woman," she had said, her voice full of pride. "You must take care of yourself, body and soul."
Rania had nodded, unsure what it all meant, but her godmother's words had stuck with her. And then there was the time her sister Lyra had whispered to her about the Winters' clan, how they were rough and unkind to women. Rania's heart raced as she wondered what the night ahead held.
The elderly maid, noticing Rania's tension, spoke up. "Relax, child. Just do what your husband says, and everything will be fine."
Rania's mind raced. What did that mean? What exactly was expected of her? She felt a surge of fear, unsure of what lay ahead.
With a sense of gratitude, Rania smiled at the maids, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you for your kindness."
The maids smiled back, their faces filled with warmth and compassion.
The maids finished their preparations, and Rania was left alone, her heart pounding in her chest.
As she waited for Asher, Rania's doubts swirled, her mind a jumble of uncertainty and fear. What would the night bring? Would Asher be kind, or would he be like the men of the Winters' clan that Lyra had spoken of? Rania's heart raced, her body tense, as she waited for the unknown.
Her cheeks flushed as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. The revealing nightgown made her feel exposed and vulnerable. She fidgeted with the delicate fabric, wondering if it was appropriate to be dressed so scantily.
Feeling uneasy, Rania approached the door and cracked it open, peeking outside. She scanned the empty hallway, her head turning from side to side. Seeing no one, she breathed a sigh of relief and retreated back into the room.
Desperate to cover herself, Rania searched the chamber for a robe or a blanket. But her efforts yielded nothing. The room was sparse, with no apparent means of concealment.
As she continued her search, the sound of footsteps echoed outside. Rania's heart skipped a beat. She hastily returned to the bed, her mind racing with anticipation and fear.
With a sense of trepidation, she sat rigidly, her eyes fixed on the door. Who was it? Asher? A servant? The uncertainty only added to her distress.
The footsteps halted outside the door, and Rania held her breath. The handle turned slowly, and the door creaked open. Asher's tall frame filled the entrance, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Rania.
Their gazes met, and Rania felt her vulnerability intensify. She pulled the nightgown tighter around her, but it offered little comfort. Asher's expression was inscrutable, his eyes seeming to bore into her very soul.
Rania's heart raced as Asher stepped inside, his movements deliberate and calm. She felt trapped, unsure of what to expect. The door closed behind him, and Rania's anxiety reached a fever pitch.