RIGHTFUL VENGEANCE

WEDDING DRUMS & KISSES I

Wedding days are usually the days most brides are stressed about. Simply because they want everything to go perfectly for them, never mind the groom. It's all about making the bride happy. Right?

But Selene? She was indifferent and just wanted to be done with it all. As her maids fussed over her trunk chests, they hurriedly yet neatly folded vital garments knowing when she would arrive at Mu a new set of clothes would be tailored for her. All of which would be the attire of the royal family of Mu.

Despite the abuzz, her thoughts drifted far from the preparations of the day and settled on a quiet place where images of Andreas didn't exist. Where her sense of duty didn't suffocate her. A place where she could feign ignorance.

Her two wedding outfits were hung on wooden stands before her. One was a flowing white and gold wedding dress with layers upon layers of fabric carefully arranged to drape around her. The dress was exquisite, every inch of it shimmered with golden threads and stones in ornate patterns.

It had no sleeves which left her shoulders bare with a long cape that trailed behind, it would surely sweep the ground. Just by looking at it, she knew she would look absolutely divine in it.

Her eyes swept over to the other dress, a red royal hanbok woven with intricate golden designs, it looked and felt exotic and oh so foreign. She couldn't help but reach out and run her fingers over the fabric.
It was unlike anything she had ever worn; modest yet richly detailed that it took her breath away.

The material was soft and fluid under her touch, it seemed to be designed to move like water and would make the wearer look gracious. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she admired the delicate craftsmanship and wondered how her seamstress had managed to pull it off.

"Tell my seamstress she did a wonderful job with the hanbok. It's very modest but still so beautiful. I really like it," her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke but they still heard her.

One of her maids stepped forward and bowed her head. "The dress was brought from Mu, your Majesty. The prince gave it to us yesterday after the dinner."

Selene's brows shot up with surprise that broke through her stoic expression. She hadn't expected this. "And he gave us this as well your Highness." Another maid stepped forward and presented a finely crafted wooden box.

Selene didn't take it from her hand but carefully flipped it open. It revealed a golden headpiece that was unlike anything she had seen before. It looked delicate yet strong to the touch.

She couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
How thoughtful of him to send these gifts but here she was rushing thoughtlessly.
A marriage she had pushed forward specifically for her selfish desperate need to escape.

But she had to escape Arcadia, escape her father's rule and escape the pain Andreas wedged into her heart.
Perhaps if she hadn't met Andreas, maybe if she hadn't let herself fall for him like a fool.

Then maybe, just maybe, she would have looked forward to taking her time to get to know Prince Kang Dae. There's something about him that made her believe if her heart weren't occupied she'd have been genuinely interested him.

Instead, here she was using this union as a damn shield as a way to hide from her own pain.

With a flick of her wrist, Selene signaled for her now empty plates to be cleared away while she chewed on some mint leaves. She had eaten her fill even though the food had tasted like ash in her mouth.
To her it was merely another day of duty, she had to take another step toward a life she had no control over.

Last night, after Sameer left her room, she had collapsed into bed and sleep claimed her almost immediately. Perhaps it was because she had already exhausted herself with thoughts and tears of Andreas or perhaps it was because she had nothing left to give.