Chapter 5: A slaughter Sheep.

Sera

“Custom? Worthy? What do you mean?”

My fingers clung to the helm of my gown as I wished more than anything to stand up and stare the speaking man in the face.

Not only was I forcefully uprooted from the only home that I had but I had to prove myself worthy for the man who selected me to be his bride?

They must all be a bunch of comedians.

“I'm sure this is all too confusing for you, Princess Sera but that's how it has been done from the days of our ancestors and it shall continue to be.”

“What the hell is it that has been done? I need to survive some sort of test to prove that I can stand next to your king? You chose me!”

“Language please, Princess Sera. When it's time, everything will be explained to you.

Maids, take the princess to her quarters and make sure her wound is attended to.”

Another protest tried to leave my lips but the pain that shot from my abdomen silenced me.

My throat felt parched, my heart thundering like I was being wheeled to the slaughter house.

In a way I probably was.

What kind of stupid tradition did they have here?

I gripped the arm of my chair as the maid turned a sharp corner and stopped before double white doors with hyacinth flowers painted on them.

Gods I don’t want to go in.

I wanted to run out of the house, beg my uncle for his help and stay in the place that always brought me comfort.

I looked at the maid for any sign of pity. Any hint that she knew what was going to happen and she felt sorry for me.

I might as well have looked at a statue.

The door swung open and I was wheeled through.

My gown was already plastered to my abdomen, the stench of blood assaulting my nostrils accompanied by the slightly musty smell of the room.

“I'll bring in the physician to check your wounds, princess.” The maid said.

My mouth parted to speak. To ask something. Anything.

I couldn't bring myself to say a word and just watched as she left.

I wheeled myself around the room, my eyes taking in the rich earth of the walls painted a soft navy blue with flowers creeping from the edges.

I could feel a headache creeping through the sides of my head and the room began to spin.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

This wasn't how it should have happened. This was never supposed to happen.

I wiped the tears hurriedly as the maid returned followed close by a small middle aged woman whose eyes went wide the minute she saw my bleeding dress.

I stayed silent, hoping the thunder in my heart would rouse some emotions in her as she checked my vitals and cut off the gown from the bleeding area.

I had lost two stitches.

My face was red,carrying dried streaks of tears by the time she finished stitching and making sure I was well bandaged.

Her face was the same as the maids. Almost like they were used to this.

“Your meal is served by Princess Sera.”

“I don't want to eat.”

“It's advised that you have a meal before the celebration.”

“Celebration? Is that what you call it? In a few hours, I'm going to undergo a custom or whatever that will prove whether I'm worthy for the man that chose me and in the case that I'm not worthy I'll probably lose my life and you call it a celebration?” I scoffed, my knuckles around my wheelchair turned white.

The maid looked away, her brows furrowed and hands hidden underneath her apron.

“Tell me, what does this custom entail? Please, I just want to know what to expect.” I hated the plea that overtook my voice but if she could offer some help I didn't care.

“The maids are not privy to the details, princess. Let's head to the dining hall.”

My shoulders slumped, hands hidden amidst the voluminous folds of the new dress I was wearing.

The ride to the dining room was long and I was sad when it came to an end.

Looking at the tasteful spread on the table, I was more than convinced I was going to be offered up as a sacrifice to something tonight.

I forced a grape into my mouth, followed by a slice of cheese and topped it off with a large chug of water to hide my nervousness.

The moment the maid's watchful eyes slipped from me to the guard that walked past, I palmed the knife on my tray and hid it in the tight space that separated my corset from underwear.

“It's time.” She said,

The slice of cheese threatened to spill from my guts.

I nodded and watched as she wheeled me out of the house and handed me to one of the men that showed me in earlier.

We reached a part of the castle that we didn't see when we drove in early, surrounded by thick trees and plants.

There seemed to be a stream flowing somewhere as the sound tickled my ears when we approached.

The group of elders stood before a black door erected before what seemed to be a cave.

“Hello, Princess Sera. Trust you feel better now?” The elderly elderly asked.

I ignored his false kindness and instead fixed my eyes on the looming door.

“Right. Let's get down to it.” He said and signalled an elder who approached me with a gourd.

“Drink the contents.”

“What is it?”

“Just drink, princess Sera. The ritual has already begun.”

My eyes landed on each of them before finally taking the gourd in my shaky hands.

The liquid burned as it travelled down my throat and the taste of blended fruits and herbs filled my mouth.

As I swallowed the fruity taste changed into something bitter and pungent that almost made me retch.

“The rules are simple. Survive a night in the shadow cave and only then will you be fit to marry the Shadow king.”

“What happens if I can't survive the cave? Will the door be opened if I scream?”

From the look in his eyes I could already tell the answer.

Survive or die.

Gods. I don't want to do this. My hands were sweaty.

The dress I wore was slicked to my back. I wanted to run.

But my hands refused the command of my brain.

Please. Someone save me.

I don't want to go in there.

There seemed to be no god listening to my prayer at that point.

The door was pushed open and even without entering into the cave, every nerve on my body screamed for me to flee.

“Good luck, princess Sera. We hope to see you tomorrow and hopefully, crown you as our Luna.”

I could hear the insincerity in his words but I was much more paralysed by fear to retort.

My wheelchair began to move and I was thrust into the darkness.