Chapter 2: Chapter 2
The air in the grand hall was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation, as if the very room held its breath for what was to come. As I entered, the hushed whispers and curious stares followed me, but I remained steadfast, my steps steady.
My heart skipped a beat as I caught sight of my father, the king, on his throne. Next to him sat his six wives the queens on his left and the other princesses on his right, their presence emanating an aura of elegance. Not bothering to stare at them, since I already knew their presence meant nothing to me.
With each breath, I could feel the eyes of the courtiers and noble guests upon me, their intrigue and expectation palpable. However, my attention remained focused on the floor, avoiding direct eye contact.
As I stood before the throne, the weight of my destiny pressed upon me, reminding me of the significance that this moment carried. My father's eyes met mine, with an indifference strange glimmer present in his gaze.
Summoning all my composure, I stood before the throne and bowed my head respectfully. The weight of my marriage loomed heavily, but I refused to be overwhelmed. In that moment, I drew strength from whatever I could draw my strength from.
Raising my head I met my father's gaze with quiet determination. It was a symbiotic exchange, unsure of what my life would become.
Wordlessly, the queens all stared at me. My father wordlessly wavered his hand allowing me to take my place next to him among the other princesses.
As I settled on the throne, a wave of responsibility washed over me. I took a deep breath.
And so, the ceremony commenced, with all eyes fixed upon us.
I could feel the weight of anticipation in the room, the silence that enveloped us all as we awaited the entrance of the groom. The air crackled with a mixture of curiosity, apprehension, and uncertainty. In that moment, my mind was swirling with conflicting emotions, each one fighting for control.
As I rubbed my clammy hands together, I couldn't help but yearn for a sense of normalcy. But fate had other plans, and now I found myself at the mercy of an arranged marriage, with a groom who was shrouded in rumors and speculation.
With a deep breath, I summoned the courage to steal a quick glance around the room. As expected, all eyes were fixed on the entrance. Some faces held expressions of pity, as if they too understood the weight that pressed upon my shoulders. Others looked upon me with judgment, blaming me for a circumstance that was far beyond my control.
In that moment of vulnerability, I sought comfort imagining if my mother was there with me, surely she would have given me a glimmer of reassurance that would have whispered, "You are not alone." Her always unwavering smile offered a sliver of comfort amidst the sea of uncertainty, emboldening me to stay strong.
Yet, even with that, I couldn't shake the knot of anxiety in my stomach. It tightened with each passing second, as the guard's announcement echoed through the room, signaling the groom's imminent arrival. All eyes shifted toward the doorway, curiosity and trepidation etched on their faces.
Feeling an overwhelming surge of nerves coursing through me, I instinctively lowered my gaze, seeking refuge in the safety of my own thoughts. The mere thought of the groom with so much rumors, one who held the weight of expectations upon him, sent shivers down my spine.
As the room fell into a hushed silence, my heart continued to race. The sound of my own heartbeat filled my ears, a rhythmic reminder of the vulnerability and impending change that lay before me. I wondered who this groom would be, and if i could see beyond the rumors and truly see him for who he was.
With a mix of fear and curiosity, I fought against the desire to look up, to catch a glimpse of the man who would shape my future. The uncertainty loomed in the back of my mind. Hope that this union would bring more than just fullfiling the duty of a princess, that it would yield a connection that could transcend circumstances.
And so, with bated breath, I took a leap of faith, lifting my head slowly to meet the gaze of the man who would complete this union my heart skipped.
My breath caught in my throat as I laid eyes on him once more. It was then I realized who it was It couldn't have been a coincidence, could it? This man with the fiery eyes and grey mask, whose path had crossed mine before, now stood before me as the groom.
The room fell into an unsettled murmur of confusion, guests exchanging bewildered glances and whispering fervently into each other's ears. Their expectations filled with confusion, along with the preconceived notions they held about the groom. He seemed unfazed by their reactions, his composure unyielding as he traversed the room with a confident grace.
As he approached my father, a sense of intrigue mingled with the lingering apprehension within me. I watched as he bowed slightly, addressing my father with a light tone. His voice for some reason carried a melodic quality, each word uttered with purposeful intention.
"Your Majesty," he spoke, his words laced with a quiet confidence and pride that commanded attention.
The weight of my father's gaze shifted from the crowd to him, his eyes silently conveying a mix of curiosity. It seemed that he, too, had been taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. In that moment, I realized that even my wicked father didn't expect this.
Although uncertainty still lingered, there was something about the groom's demeanor that sparked a flicker of curiosity within me. His elegant presence projected an air of mystery, as if he held secrets behind his mask. The stories and rumors that had swirled around him flash before my ears like a whisper.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone