Chapter 34 A special dress
Aloria
The afternoon sun filters through the tall windows of my chamber, casting warm, dappled light across the pages of the book resting on my lap. I have been attempting to immerse myself in the story, but my mind flits restlessly from one thought to another. Each line blurs into the next as I wrestle with a growing sense of discontent.
River’s face looms in my mind, and I can’t help but wonder if I should abandon this gilded cage and flee back to his pack, and hope against hope that some day he returns? But the fear of involving the pack, or possibly placing Them in danger stops me.
What would they think of me after I left? Would they even welcome me back? Or would I be seen as a traitor? I shudder at the thought, clenching the book tightly in my hands. The soft knock at my door breaks my reverie, and I look up to see my mother… If I can even call her that… entering my room.
“Aloria,” she says, her voice steady, devoid of warmth. “Your betrothed has arrived. You must prepare yourself.”
My heart sinks, it is almost like the weight of her words hangs heavy in the air, and I barely manage to nod. “What do you mean?”
She gestures for a pair of servants to enter, their faces a mask of practiced efficiency. “Let them bathe you and ready you for the banquet. I have brought a special dress for you.”
I glance at the fabric she carries, a shimmering gown that glistens in the light. As the servants begin to undress me, the fabric slips from her grasp and unfurls before me. My heart races as I take in the sheer material, predicting the way it will cling to the curves of my body. “Is… is something missing?” I ask, my voice trembling.
The Queen’s eyes narrow slightly, her brows knitting together. “It is a traditional Lycan betrothal dress. The groom must see what his future wife has to offer.”
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. “But it’s almost see-through…”
She waves a dismissive hand. “You must understand, Aloria. This is how our kind celebrates unions. It is not merely a dress; it is a declaration of your worth.”
Her words cut deeply. I feel exposed, vulnerable, yet I can’t bring myself to protest further. Instead, I allow the servants to guide me to the bathing chamber, where the warm water envelops me like a soothing embrace. They scrub and pamper, their chatter a constant buzz in the background.
“Have you heard?” one whispers to another, her voice tinged with fear. “The Prince of Eldoria is known for his ruthlessness. They say he has no mercy for those who cross him, and we are to stay out of his path as he is known to… Well it is safest.”
I try to dismiss their words, to remind myself that River had a reputation too, one that I had learned to see past to discover he Was not at all like I had been told. But the gulf between the two men is vast. River had a heart, a warmth that drew me in, while this Prince feels like an icy specter, an enigma wrapped in shadow… however I have not met him and I owe him a chance to prove my fears wrong.
The servants finish their work, and I stand before the mirror, my heart pounding as I survey the reflection. The gown clings to me, every contour visible beneath the sheer veil… Damn everyone will know the colour of my nipples.
I drape a heavy cape over my shoulders, hoping to conceal the dress’s audacity. It feels like a fragile barrier against the judgment I know will come.
“Come, Princess,” one of the maids urges, her voice a mixture of excitement and apprehension. “It’s time.”
With every step toward the banquet hall, I feel the air grow thicker, the anticipation palpable. The grand doors loom ahead, and a wash of anxiety threatens to consume me. I am stepping into a world where I no longer belong, a stage where I am to perform a role I did not choose.
As I enter, the hall stretches before me, adorned with flickering candlelight and vibrant tapestries. Laughter and chatter fill the space, but it all dims as a figure turns toward me.
He stands tall, commanding, with an aura that exudes both power and danger. The Prince. His dark hair falls in waves, accentuating the sharpness of his jawline, and his pale blue eyes, so cold, so calculating, lock onto mine.
For a moment, the world around us fades, and it feels as though we are the only two beings in existence. I can’t help but feel like prey as his gaze sweeps over me, appraising and hungry. My heart races, caught between fear and something else I dare not name.
“Princess Aloria,” he says, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver through me. “You are even more beautiful in person than I was led to believe.”
I force myself to respond, though my voice wavers. “Your Majesty.”
He steps closer, an unsettling smile playing at the corners of his lips. “I look forward to getting to know you better.”
I can feel the eyes of the court upon us. My mind races with thoughts of escape, but I know there is nowhere to run. For better or worse, I am bound to this life now, and the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty.
As the Prince continues to regard me, I remind myself to breathe. This is my reality, whether I like it or not. The future of our kingdoms rests on my shoulders, and I must learn to navigate this treacherous path, even if it means facing the darkness that I now know for sure lurks within this handsome stranger.