Valarya de Mertaire

Ah, what a wonderful morning to wake up. The birds were chirping, the palace was bustling with things being carried left and right, and I was still in bed. Things really couldn't get any better.

No, it could. It would get better if I got myself out of bed. I mentally dragged myself out—

My door busted open. I jumped, but it was just Wenn and her brigade of wedding dress minions. "Today's the big day!" she squealed, pulling my into my closet. "Let's get that beautiful gown on you."

This was it. I was going to finally get married, according to Wenn.

The hand maids began yanking away at my clothes, replacing it with white garments. I could already tell this dress was going to be much better than the last one I wore.

A knock sounded at the door. Another hand maid opened it, revealing Ilias. I was surprised he made it back from his business trip in time for our wedding. Then again...

He didn't look bad. In fact, he looked the best he ever had. A black suit laced with silver embroidery at the hems, the collar fitting around his neck perfectly. His hair tousled and messy, but still neatly cut. He had even shaven.

"Good morning to my dear bride," he called out, coming into the room.

"Good morning to my husband-to-be." I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Ilias, be a doll and hold this ribbon tight for a second." Wenn handed him a ribbon holding my dress.

When Ilias held it, the faint feeling of his hands scrapped against me bare back. For a second, I felt like I could actually marry him.

"You do realize you look beautiful." He leaned in, laying a kiss on my back. "I'm so happy I get to marry you."

I couldn't say anything back.

Wenn returned with more ribbons to tie up my gown. With one last kiss, Ilias excused himself and left, leaving me to stare at the work being put in.

It was the most gorgeous gown I could've ever worn to a wedding. The kind of gown I had imagined when I was a little girl; the bottom flowed effortlessly at my slightest movements, the top showed off what little I had to offer, but still appeared flattering, and the sleeves cut off at my shoulders and wove into a long train behind me.

I couldn't be happier.

~⚜️~

Music played throughout the halls. I sat in a room near the room, waiting for my groom so we could walk down the aisle together. For some reason, my body was shaking uncontrollably.

I was going to do it. I really was about to do this.

"Valarya." I jerked my head up and saw him standing there. "Come on."

Nodding, I got to my feet and laced my arm through his. The music down the hall had stopped and was replaced with a soft violin and piano. Even the chattering had ceased.

His arm brought me closer to him as we paused in front of the doors. My knees could've been taken away from me.

They opened.

Everyone spun and faced us, their smiles widening. My mother was at the very front, her eyes scolding as she watched us slowly come down the aisle.

This was it. This was going to be the happiest day of my life.

Ilias's hold on my arm tightened as we stepped on the dais, the music coming up into a crescendo.

Everyone's voices muffled around me. From my periphery, I spotted the guests and media people swipe a drink from their wine glasses, their eyes still glued to me and Ilias. I felt a tap on my hands. Ilias was gesturing me to look back at him.

The priest began speaking. My eyes darted around the room, to the ground, back at Ilias, and then back at the ground. Hopefully Diana had everything set up.

"I hope you're happy," the voice inside my head said.

"I will be," I replied back.

The priest was still speaking when I zoned back into the wedding. I could've sworn I was about to vomit all over Ilias.

"As a third-party spectator of their developing love, it was extremely clear that the two of them complement each other and represent a perfect pairing. But now, the moment has come to unite these two individuals under the name of the Saints and everything that is holy." The priest brought his hand into the air, the guests coming to their feet. "Dearly beloved and honored guests, we are gathered here today to join Her Highness Princess Valarya Daen de Mertaire and Ilias Lou Kensintarus in the union of marriage. So now..."

The priest turned to each of us, handing a piece of paper and a pen.

"Do you, Ilias Lou Kensintarus, take Princess Valarya Daen de Mertaire to be your wife? To love, honor, cherish, protect, forsaking all others, and holding unto her forevermore?"

Ilias's hold on my hand tightened. "I do."

The priest smiled and faced me.

"And do you, Princess Valarya Daen de Mertaire, take Ilias Lou Kensintarus to be your husband? To love, honor, cherish, obey, protect, forsaking all others, and holding unto him forevermore?"

This was it. This was my moment.

"I do not."

Right at that moment, several of the guests fell over their chairs. The guards all scrambled to my family's side, quickly escorting them out of the room. Shouting orders, Ilias glared at me and pulled me down the dais, throwing me to the side.

"I had the wine tasted for poison!" Ilias yelled out at the guards.

The poison wasn't in the wine; it was on the rim of the glasses.

"You stupid girl." He grasped onto my shoulder and shook me, the pins falling out my hair. "You did this! Guards, get her!"

I took ahold of the dagger hanging off Ilias's waist, but he pushed me away before I could slash toward him. The guards all turned to me, but I was already sprinting out the door, using the dagger to rip off the gown. Orders flew around behind me, but I pushed through.

My plan was going to work.

I saw the guards catching up behind me.

The guards at the foyer slammed the gateway close. I took a tentative step to the left, but guards swarmed the halls there. Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes. A sharp voice rang amongst the crowd of guards. It was obviously my fiancé... Ex-fiancé? My husband? Ah, well. All the same in love and betrayal.

"You're done, Valarya," he shouted to me. "Put down your dagger, or we will make you!"

I sank to my knees, tears coming down my face. I mustered up a feeling of defeat as I stared blankly at Ilias. "Take my dagger." I slid it to his feet. "Take it!"

"Take her to the High Tower dungeon. I'll have her sorted out once I get the nurses to sort out the poisoned guests."

The guards pulled my from my arms, dragging me away. Ilias walked away, a grin toying his lips. I could practically hear his mental celebration—how he had outsmarted me by taking precautions.