I don't know how many times I've paced around the room but I couldn't make a decision.
I talked to the girl I met before.
Her name is Meryl and apparently, she's my maid.
Meryl was patient enough to answer all my questions because she thinks I have a slight memory loss
from the traumatic experience.
This world isn't like earth.
This is the world of mythical creatures.
A place where werewolves, vampires, and magical things exist.
Aria's father is the king of forest creatures.
He rules the fairies, nymphs, and every creature that depends on the forest.
I had a hard time believing everything she told me.
Maybe this is all a dream....I've heard about people having long dreams when they're in a coma.
Maybe I'm in acoma.
This can't be real, right? How can it be? But the pain feels so real....I tried pinching myself and it hurts
like a bitch.
Well, even if it's real or not, I really have to make a decision.
If I don't, I'll be labeled selfish by the whole kingdom.
I think Aria didn't want that.
Maybe that's why she tried to end her life.
But is the Lycan king that bad that someone would choose to end their life rather than be with him?
Just what kind of fucked up thing did I get myself into? I groaned and sat down on the bed.
Uhh....what a fluffy bed...It'd be nice to take a big nap cuddling these fluffy pillows.
A knock on the door made me sit up straight.
"Come in" I said in a soft voice.
I didn't want to yell.
That didn't feel very princessy.
Meryl peeked inside before she smiled.
"Princess, it's time for dinner,"
She chirped as she walked inside.
"You should go to the dining hall.Everyone is waiting,"
"Oh...Did you have dinner ?" Meryl tilted her head.
"No, Princess.We always eat after the royal dinner"
"Oh yes...I forgot"
"You really forgot a lot, didn't you?" Meryl pouted.
"We had a lot of fun growing up but now Princess seems so distant because you forgot it all" I laughed
awkwardly while scratching my neck.
"I didn't mean to make you sad, Meryl.My mind still can't take in a lot of things...I apologize—"
"Oh no! Princess doesn't have to apologize! I was just saying..." I smiled before standing up.
"I'll go to the dining hall then.Do you want to tag along?"
"Okay!"
* * *
The dining hall was filled with unfamiliar faces.
Some of them looked at me with sympathy while the others had their nose scrunched up.
I quietly walked towards the king where an empty chair was.
Aria's father smiled at me before he cleared his throat.
"Everyone" He spoke up to get everyone's attention.
"I have something to tell you,"
He said and gently patted my hands.
"We've decided to refuse the marriage proposal from King Rhysand" And then hell broke loose.
Everyone at the table started gasping and yelling at the king.
"How could you decide that?!"
"He is our only ally!"
"Are you going to sacrifice us for your daughter?!"
"That is very thoughtless!"
"We are going to die because of your deeds, King Lucas!"
"You put your family over the kingdom! That is not fair!" The king sighed.
"Listen, everyone,"
He spoke and the table slowly fell silent.
"I do not want to force her.This is her life.I can't forcefully make her do anything.I'm trying to find other
ways to protect our kingdom..."
"We know there is no other way!" Someone spoke up.
"Your majesty, this is not a wise decision.I love the Princess like my daughter but you are sacrificing our
kingdom for her....That is millions of lives..." An old man said.
I couldn't stay silent any longer.
It wasn't right.
I cleared my throat, catching everyone's attention.
"I would like to say something..."
The table fell silent.
It was astounding how they were respectful even though they all probably hate me.
"I...I changed my decision,"
The table erupted into murmurs.
I saw the king and queen look at me worriedly.I could see their confusion.
It must be surprising to them.
After all, this is coming from their daughter who tried to kill herself because she didn't want to do
this.But I am not Aria.
She's gone now.
"Dear..."
The queen started.
"Did you think it through? You do not have to feel pressured..."
"No, mother...I've made my final decision.I'm going to wed King Rhysand,"
I could hear relieved signs and prayers uttered around me.
They were all happy that I finally caved in.
The king squeezed my hand gently.
"Aria, this is an important decision...You cannot rush it like this,"
"I am fine, father..."
I gave him a small smile.I should be considerate.
The people of our kingdom are my people too.
Their protection comes first
"Aria...I still cannot "
"Your majesty, why are you opposing it if the princess is fine with it?" The king sighed.
"I am not opposing...I was simply making sure that she made this decision after thinking it through..."
"Don't worry, father.I thought about this a lot," I reassured him.
The dinner table was slowly becoming silent and in a few minutes, everyone started to mind their own
business and eat their food.
It relieved me.
These people are crazy intimidating.
They weren't like normal people.
I could feel power oozing out of them.
I slowly ate my food and waited for the king to finish before standing up.
The dinner was over.
I couldn't help but heave a sigh.
I finally made a decision.
It was the right one.
Aria ended it.
It was me now.
I'm the princess.
I'm the daughter of the king.
The fate of this kingdom depends on me.
I didn't want to let them down.
I'm not that cruel.
"Aria..."
I heard a voice behind me.It was the queen.
"You are doing a lot for this country..." She said while gently caressing my face.
Her hands were warm.Is this how it feels to have a mother?
"My daughter grew up so fast...She's a lady now" I chuckled.
"Are you proud of me, mother?"
"I've always been" She smiled.
"Go take some rest.You have to look beautiful tomorrow,"
"Is something special happening tomorrow?"
"Oh, you must have forgotten.King Rhysand will be here to see you..." She trailed off.
I couldn't help but gulp.
I agreed to marry him but I wasn't sure if I was ready to face him yet because according to what I
heard, he's the cruelest guy on this planet.
"Tomorrow is the day where your marriage is going to be royally announced...We were going to refuse
but now that you've agreed..."
"I understand," I smiled.
"I'll get some rest as you said,"
"Sleep well, dear," She said and pulled me into a hug.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warmth for a moment before letting go.
"I'll meet you tomorrow" I smiled.
The queen nodded before placing a kiss on my forehead.
I just wanted to cry then and there.
I couldn't help but feel so emotional.
I felt like a baby.
A mother's warmth was something I never got to experience.
I walked to my room in a daze.
He was coming here tomorrow.
My future husband.
I still couldn't believe I agreed to marry a dude I've never seen in my life.
What if he's going to be an old geezer? Oh my god...
I'm screwed if that's going to happen.
"Princess, you're back,"
Meryl smiled as I entered the room.
"How was dinner? I knew you'd be tired so I made your bed"
"Hey, Meryl,"
Meryl looked at me "How old is King Rhysand?"
"Huh?"
"King Rhysand...How old is he? Is he an old man?"
Meryl broke out into a fit of giggles.
"Oh my goodness!"
She was trying hard to not laugh.
I pouted.
I just asked a serious question.
What is there to laugh about?
"King Rhysand is not an old man, Princess.He's very young and very healthy.He's the most handsome
man I've ever seen.If it weren't for his dangerous reputation, all the girls would be at his feet,"
Meryl said after calming herself down.
"Not saying he doesn't have girls after him.
He does have a lot of girls swooning over him but as per what I heard, he doesn't even look at any of
them" She shrugged.
"Oh, I should go now.Princess needs to sleep.Tomorrow is a big day" Meryl giggled before running out
of the room.
I just stood there not knowing what to do.
"At least, he isn't an old geezer,"
I said as I flopped down on the bed.I would lose my shit if he was one.
Ahh...the fluffy bed feels so good.
And before I knew it, I fell into dreamland.
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