Chapter 1: The Forgotten Princess
"Straighten your back. Keep your head down. Remember–this is your last chance to prove keeping you alive was worth something. Do not disappoint me."
Bella Kethril knew that without the harsh words being snarled at her. The thirteenth princess was a nobody, and the fact that she was alive was a miracle enough.
"Yes your majesty," Bella spoke to the man she barely knew as her father, feeling sick to her stomach. It was rare to see him once in a year, yet now she had seen him nearly everyday this last October.
All in preparation for him to throw her away once and for all.
Bella had heard this melody before, too many times. She had practiced taking these steps, carrying the weight of her veil as if it were made of steel.
This beautiful lace wedding dress was a prison. The grand orchestra played music that rang in her ears as mockery. The lights were too bright, her breath too shallow, and her father's grip so, so tight.
"Fix your face, girl." He snarled under his breath as they walked down the aisle. Bella winced with a nod, feeling his strength slowly cut the blood circulation off from her fingers. How could he smile at the crowd of nobles around them? How could he look so joyful, when every noble in the venue knew he couldn't care less about her?
Bella found her hand was nearly as numb as her heart as she got to the end of the aisle. The woman waiting stood tall over her, dressed in a white armored suit. Bella swallowed, still finding it hard to believe who she was about to share her vows with. The infamous phantom knight, Raya Le Fay.
Bella had never seen the Duchess of the North this close up before. Rather, she had only caught glimpses of her bright golden hair and haunting red eyes in balls before. Wherever Raya went, people followed, and Bella had never imagined being able to get close to her before.
Raya had become Duchess at 16 after her father's early passing, and it had been an era of turmoil. Many had covered her position, but despite being young, the Duchess managed to rule the land with an iron fist.
Then 7 years later, she led the fight against the new swarm of monsters at the Northern border. After slaying countless beasts, she protected not just her homeland but the entire empire, and she was seen as a terrifying, yet respected leader...one only less powerful than the Emperor himself.
So of course, to keep Raya on a leash, the man decided to use the daughter he had neglected since birth once and for all.
Hands reached forward towards the princess, snapping Bella out of her thoughts. Raya's hands were large and gloved...
"Ah..." Bella let out a faint sound of surprise when she could finally clearly see the woman before her. The princess held her breath, heart skipping a beat when she met crimson eyes gazing thoughtfully down at her.
Rugged, battle worn–Raya was not like any of the women Bella knew. She had a strong jaw, shoulder length hair, and broad shoulders. Broad...everything, actually.
Goodness, was everyone from the North warriors? Were the other women as towering as this? Bella didn't know if she'd be able to take so many looming figures at once. Especially if they always...stared so...
"Princess?" Bella jumped when the priest spoke to her, and she gasped, realizing everyone was waiting on her. His majesty looked ready to force the vows out of her, and Bella flinched before stammering.
"I-I do." The priest visibly relaxed.
"Then you may kiss the bride."
Bella's eyes widened. She had completely forgotten about this part, given everything that went on. Now she tensed, inwardly panicking. What would they do? Raya definitely didn't want to, not when Bella was merely chains tying her to the Imperial family–
In the midst of her thoughts, fingers grasped her chin, gently tilting her face upward. Surprised, the princess froze as Raya bent, shrinking her tall stature down towards Bella. Was she actually going to–?!
Bella shut her eyes, tensing up with anticipation. However, she only felt soft lips touch the skin next to her cheek–in a way that made it look like they'd shared a kiss from afar.
The venue erupted into cheers, but Bella could only hear the low, rough voice of the Duchess as she leaned back, thumb brushing over the princess bottom lip.
"This will be for another time." Raya spoke with a soft smile, letting her words get lost in the crowd around them.