Chapter 2: Another suitor?

Scarlett jerked awake and sat up abruptly, a soft cry leaving her lips.

It was morning already, and little rays of sunlight pushed through the curtains. Beads of sweat had collected around her forehead while her heart thumped heavily.

She had been dreaming. The same recurring dream that had refused to leave her.

The door opened suddenly, causing her to flinch and curse under her breath.

Leah stepped into the room with a wide smile, holding a breakfast tray.

"Rise and shine, princess." She cheered loudly and placed the tray on the bed.

Then she waltzed towards the curtains and whipped them open.

The bright sunlight blinded Scarlett and she threw her arms up to shield her eyes.

"Leah, what the hell?"

"Language. A princess does not use such words."

Scarlett grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. "Get out of my room."

But Leah simply laughed and climbed into the bed beside her. She picked an apple from the tray and bit into it.

Scarlett peeked at her from under the covers and sighed. "You're not going to leave, are you?"

"No." Leah said smugly. "I'm actually here for a reason."

"What reason?"

"Eat first."

Scarlett glanced at the tray filled with brown bread, omelette, bacon and a mug of hot tea.

"Wait, why didn't the maids bring the tray themselves?" She asked.

"I insisted on bringing it. Your mom sent me to get you."

"What does she want this time?"

"Not just her." Leah answered. "Your dad too. I think they've found you another suitor."

"They're wasting their time. I'm pretty sure this one will end like the last one."

"Scarlett, you just turned twenty-five." Leah said with an eye roll. "As the princess of Eryndor and heir to the throne, you need to choose a suitor who will rule beside you."

"Leah, don't start." Scarlett pushed the covers up and got off the bed. "We've been at this since we turned eighteen. You know how much I despise arranged marriages."

She walked up to the mirror and stared at her reflection. Her mind was restless.

Leah noticed and walked up to her. "What's wrong?"

She sighed and looked at her. "I had that dream again."

"The one where you saw the werewolf?"

She nodded.

"I don't understand." Leah murmured. "It's been five years since you claimed to have seen a real werewolf."

"I saw one, Leah."

"And I don't believe you. I still think you imagined it. Even if werewolves were real, which I don't believe they are, they wouldn't come so close to a human kingdom. We've been told a lot of stories about the enmity between humans and werewolves."

Scarlett refrained from arguing further. Leah didn't believe she saw one of those ruthless creatures. She would never believe it.

"Fine." She said finally. "A new suitor, right? Then I better prepare myself to chase him away."

"You'll do no such thing." Leah laughed. "I heard this one is handsome. You might just like him."

Scarlett snorted. "Not a chance."

"That is so unladylike. You sound like a pig."

Scarlett then chased Leah around the room, snorting loudly until they both bent over, laughing hard.

"Just be open minded about this one." Leah said after a while. "Please, for me."

Scarlett smiled and nodded. "Alright. I'll try. Would you get me Chloe? I need her to draw my bath."

"Sure." Leah walked towards the door, then she paused and turned around. "Scar?"

Scarlett looked up expectantly. "Yeah?"

"Do you remember Aaron?"

"Of course I do. Farmer Gregory's son. The boy you've been head over heels for."

Leah blushed and looked away. "Well, he asked me to marry him."

Scarlett's eyes widened. "Oh my God!" She squealed and threw herself into Leah's arms. "This is the bestest news ever."

Leah laughed softly and tucked a strand of dark hair behind her ear. "I haven't given him an answer though. I wanted you to be beside me when I do."

"You know I will." Scarlett hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "I'm so happy for you, Lee."

Leah beamed happily. "Thanks, Scar. Now go take a bath. You stink."

"Screw you." Scarlett laughed and playfully pushed her out.

Then her smile widened as she spotted the drawing she and Leah had inscribed into the door years ago.

The shape of a heart with their nicknames written within, 'Scar & Lee. BFFs'

She knew how crazy Leah and Aaron were about each other, and she hoped to find that kind of love someday.

...

An hour later, she stood in front of the mirror as Chloe, her personal maid, pulled at the strings of the corset.

She could barely breath with how tight it was. The low neckline hugged her chest tightly, revealing the right amount of cleavage.

"You look beautiful, princess." Chloe said with a shy smile, causing Scarlett to smile too.

"Thank you, Chloe."

"Do you like your hairdo?"

She stared at her bright red hair which had been styled into a half ponytail. The other half trailed down her back.

"I love it."

A knock sounded then, and a middle-aged woman poked her head through the door. A golden crown sat atop her head and she bore a strong resemblance to Scarlett.

"Scarlett, darling, your father is waiting." She called softly.

"Coming, mom." Scarlett replied. She took one last look at her gown and lifted her chin. Time to ruin another arranged marriage proposal.

...

The throne where her father waited was completely silent.

When Scarlett stepped in, she was surprised to see him alone. She had expected her suitor to be present, bearing gifts of pure gold and luxury items.

Her father, King Eddard Windsor II, was the kind of man who had a calm exterior and a hidden ferociousness. A golden crown perched on his red locks, the exact shade with Scarlett's.

Her mother, Queen Katherine, was completely calm in comparison. She took her seat beside him, her spine straight, and waited for him to speak.

Scarlett stopped before the throne and curtseyed.

"Father, you sent for me."

"Rise, daughter." He gestured to her in a deep, baritone voice.

When Scarlett straightened, she noticed how both he and her mother avoided her gaze. She instantly knew something was wrong.

"Is there a problem?" She asked softly.

"As you know." King Eddard began. "I have made preparations for your suitor."

"Dad, you and I know this won't work out..."

"Not this time, Scarlett." He cut her short. "I've given you enough time to play around. I have chosen a husband for you, a king, sort of."

Scarlett frowned as she listened to him.

"An agreement has been made and there's no going back." He continued. "You're to be wedded to him today."

"Dad you can't be serious..."

"I'm dead serious, Scarlett." He said. His expression was stoic, the face of a man who wouldn't change his mind. "He is on his way."

"Who is he?" Scarlett asked. Her voice was already laced with annoyance.

King Eddard hesitated for a moment, then he sat up further in his throne.

"He is King Dylan Blaze Callahan."

Callahan? The name sounded strange to Scarlett. She had never heard of a king with that name.

As she opened her mouth to ask what kingdom he ruled over, the sound of a horn interrupted her.

She turned around just as her parents rose. A small crowd of men stepped into the throne room, their faces covered with eerie black masks.

King Eddard stepped down just as one of the men in the crowd walked up and stopped beside her.

Scarlett couldn't see his face, but she could feel the heat of his stare.

"Scarlett, this is King Dylan Callahan, the husband I have chosen for you."

The man slowly took off his mask, and the moment his gaze met Scarlett's, she gasped.

It was him. The werewolf she stabbed in the forest five years ago, the same one who plagued her dreams.