ISTRI BERCADARKU TERNYATA ....

My entire life, I've been waiting for this day. I always knew that I was never going to marry whom I want to marry because I'm a woman and a princess, I have no right to choose whom I will marry. Hell no, I have no right at all. My opinion doesn't matter to anyone, not even my own family. Infact my father saw me as a tool to get more power and alliance. To get alliance with the kingdom of Verenthia (a very power kingdom) by marrying me to one of their prince.

A princess life isn't like it seems. Yeah, a prince can marry for alliance but if he didn't like his wife, he can equally marry as many wives as he wants and many mistresses too. But the case of the princess is different, once you are married, you are married no going back. You have to endure seeing your husband get married to many other women when he eventually gets tired of you. You have no say and you have to be loyal to avoid being killed. My body boil in anger, why is the law unfair. Why do a prince have so much power than the princess??? Aren't them from the same royalty and blood?? Why do they have so much say than the princess. Or is it because they are males and we are females ??. Ugh!!!!! to hell with the law. But now isn't the right time to get angry, it won't stop anything from happening.

Putting all the bad thoughts behind me, I studied myself in the mirror. My maids has spent hours making sure they beautify me to their taste. I smiled proudly at myself, the beauty was there. I was wearing a white and golden dress, my brown hair was combed down beautifully, with golden hairpins in the shape of flower and leaves. The makeup was perfect. They only problem was the jewelry, it was damn beautiful but,heavy. Now that I was wearing lots of them I was already feeling weak. I suddenly felt weak in a different way, my heart was trying to break the ribs and escape, my body was on fire. My body was filled with sweat, I was over clothed with nervousness. I became so nervous, or was it fear ?? I don't know but I felt sick. There was a knot in the stomach that refused to go away no matter how I tried to calm down.

"My princess don't you like the dress." Helen my maid asked after noticing the nervous expression, I managed to fake a smile for her but she was quite smart.

Helen and Isla has been my personal maid since I was little, they took care of me like there own daughter. They practically rised me to the woman I am today. They are the only one I talk and laugh with, I will miss them once I left.

"No it's fine, I love it." I tried to smile but failed. Isla could see the fear in my eyes

"Everything will be fine."she assured me ".. don't listen to the rumors they are nothing just that... maybe your husband is a nice man." She tried to sound positive but I sensed the doubt in her voice.

Not that I believe the rumour, but they did affect me. I wasn't scared because people said he's a demon, they couldn't be speaking literally. They were probably referring to this personality, maybe he was a liar, a manipulator,a tempter, a murderer or maybe he was just pure evil, that's what scared me

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"My princess, it's time." She informed me. I smiled at my maids, giving them a long hug before existing the chamber

I descended the stairs, careful not to fall or stumble, but it was hard with the long dress and heavy jewelries. I was relieved when it was just a few steps left but just then, I stepped on my dress and stumbled forward, almost falling before a strong man saved me from falling and ruining myself on my wedding day.

I straightened myself, looking up to see who it was. Who had dared to touch a princess like like, not that I care but I was curious.

Looking up my eyes met a pair of golden eyes. No wait, they are not golden, they have the color of frames or lava from the volcano. I had never seen eyes like that before.

"Are you alright??" He asked with a Stern look.

I had knot before in my stomach, but it suddenly turned into butterflies as I gaze into his eyes.

Who was this man ???? I had never seen him before. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and his thick raven black hair fall over his shoulder down to his waist. You could tell from his clothes that he was royalty. Could he be one of the royalties who came to attend my wedding ???

"Yes..I'm fine my Lord." I stuttered peering inside his enchanting and golden eyes. They were demn beautiful and it seems the colors were changing. I quickly averted my gaze in fear.

"My lady.." He bowed slightly and walked away, I turned and stare at his back. Oh my God, my eyes was wet in emotions.

"That's one good looking man. He's so cute." Isla whispered with a dreamy eyes.

Yes he was indeed a good looking man. But that's not my business, I'm getting married today and I have no right to admire another man.

"Shall we!?." I asked descending the remaining few stairs. Helen and Isla came after me after staring to their satisfaction.

The ceremony would begin with greetings by the Bride,groom and their families. I nodded to the guard and he announced my present and motion for me to enter.

Helen and Isla gave me an assuring smile as I left them behind to walk inside. Now I was alone. Taking a long deep breath I motioned into the hall carefully, and immediately I felt all eyes on me. I almost tripped in nervousness, my dress was already soaked in sweat. I walked with my face high but my gaze low, only looking at the floor as I reached to my father's throne, I felt my leg tremble as I bow to greet them.

My mother gave me an assuring smile while my father gestured me to sit on a nearby table. He wasn't bothered, no he was bothered that he was marring me to a rumored demon. A person who everyone believes he's a demon, darkness it's self. Completely ignoring my father, I smiled back to my mother and went to my seat. I could feel all eyes on me. Some stared at me with pity while some with repulsion as if it was my fault I was getting married to whosoever I was getting married to. Let them blame my dad not me.

After a while, the guard informed the groom's presence and everyone turned their attention from me to the door. The room went quiet as the guests waited for the groom to enter. I, on the other hand, looked down quickly and rubbed my hands together nervously as I felt the knots in my stomach return. I wanted to look up, but I was afraid.

What if I didn't like what I saw? What if the rumors were true? Would he have red eyes and long nails and maybe even black horns on his head? Don't be ridiculous, I told myself and decided to take a look.

Slowly I glanced at the door as my heart hammered inside my chest and almost gasped when the groom entered.

Wait!

This was the man from earlier with the golden eyes. He couldn't be the groom, could he?

The guests stared at him surprised as well and began to whisper hysterically into each other's ears. They must have been expecting someone with black horns to enter the room and not some tall, elegant looking man.

Not the least bothered by the whispers or stares he walked gracefully toward my father, taking each step with confidence.

"Your Majesty," he said bowing slightly.

I dropped my jaw, so did the guests. No one bowed slightly to the king. This man was truly fearless and being disrespectful toward my father. I already got a bad feeling about him. Not because I thought my father deserved any kind of respect but because he was so daring with his actions already.

He must have noticed people's reactions; it was so obvious, but he didn't seem to care. My father, on the other hand, didn't react, he just gestured toward me.

As I saw him turn to me I looked down quickly, then heard the clicking sound of his footsteps as he neared before sitting on the other end of the table, facing me.

He didn't utter a word. Wasn't he supposed to greet me or at least tell me his name? I don't think father ever told me his name but I don't think I gave him the chance either. I had fought and cried the day father told me he was marrying me off to some stranger, but my father was stubborn and had already made up his mind.

"Today I gather us to celebrate my daughter's wedding to the prince of the Verenthia" Father spoke once everyone was seated. He raised his golden wine cup, "Let the ceremony begin, and enjoy yourselves."

People clapped while dancers and musicians walked in to entertain the guests. People seemed to enjoy themselves. I, of course, couldn't see since I was supposed to keep my gaze down, because 'that's what a lady should do'. Well then, I hate being a lady.

"Don't you like the music?" He finally asked breaking the awkward silence. I peeked through my long lashes, but once I gazed into his eyes, it was hard to look away. They were captivating.

"I do Your Highness," I replied.

"What do you have in store for the tea ceremony?"

Oh no! The tea ceremony! That was the traditional part of the royal wedding where the bride has to show one of her talents to entertain the guests and impress the groom. Hell with impressing. I didn't want to impress anyone, especially not this man.

"It is a surprise, Your Highness," I said, sending him a staged smile.

I was sitting in a chair in the middle of the room, everyone's attention directed at me. It was time for the tea ceremony. The guests would sit and enjoy their tea while I would have to entertain them.

I took up my flute before lightly putting it on my lips and started playing. Soon my nervousness disappeared. I loved playing the flute, loved the sound of it. Closing my eyes, I let the sound take me far away, to a peaceful place. Now and then I would hear some people praising me through my haze and then they applauded when I was done.

Opening my eyes, I found him staring directly at me. He wasn't applauding but there was a hint of a smile on his face.

Now it was time for the gift exchange. We exchanged our gifts, and then it was time for me to go to my new home. The knot in my stomach returned with such intensity that I felt like throwing up.

Mother came up to me while father spoke to my husband. Husband? The word sounded strange in my head. She took my hands in hers.

"Everything will be fine," she said, "just remember what I told you".

Yes, I remembered very clearly our mother and daughter talk. To be a good wife, to listen to your husband and to not make him angry.

"Yes, I will," I said, enveloping her in a tight hug. I wasn't supposed to, but right now I didn't care because I might never see her again.

The carriage was waiting outside. The prince, or should I say, my husband led the way. I looked behind me one last time and found Helen and Isla standing on the balcony, their cheeks wet with tears.

"I will miss you too," I whispered.