Meili could hear the guards patrolling outside her room as stiff as she was made to sit, the slightest movement she made received a look from the artists brought for her and she felt like she was a statue for more than three hours and still the four strange but beautiful ladies still moved around her doing only who knew and she couldn't even look at her mirror.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a clap that made her shift, they smiled victoriously as they inspected their work. Meili stared back at them with wide eyes as they turned her face to check the makeup and even her dress, which was a royal blue with peals well arranged on her chest, covering her breast yet the corset of the gown was fixed tight enough to push her breast leaving the swelling top to view. Her long dark hair was gathered and styled with blue and white pins and a cute fascinator on her left.
The remains were left on her back flowing in waves, while a few strands were left curly on the sides of her face, her brows were shaped beautifully fitting her face, her long lashes were straightened with a mascara and her lips were painted slightly pink, matching her light blush on her cheeks, she wear diamond earrings and necklace glowing blue around her neck…..she was looking stunning!
" Are you ready, my lady?" Oprah asked as she came closer, her hands resting on Meili's bare shoulders because her dress was an off shoulder and she just nodded, it was surely a blow inevitably hers and the earlier the better. The older woman took hold of the sparkling silver crown that had a castle like design made from pure diamond stones in Meili's hair before she smiled at the beauty of the young lady and then turned to look at the artists, who nodded and came around her again but this time they held a light blue veil and covered her head with it, her face hidden behind the veil and she stared at her reflection in the mirror...
The loud sound of music was heard even from where she stood and she felt anxious, she felt sick in her stomach as she took in a deep breath, Oprah was no where near her and she felt all her strength being taken away from her. " you're looking beautiful, just like the queen you are and you deserve it" her father said beside her before he took her hand and walked her into the ballroom.
*** Recommended song: YOU ARE THE REASON by Calum Scott, play while reading for a better experience ***
….. Meili looked stunned when her eyes fell on their ballroom, it was looking bigger than before with people filling it and making it look lively with their different colors of dresses and accessories glittering under the lights in the ballroom. The sweet smell of food and dessert filled the air alongside the perfumes of the guests and her eyes landed on strange people, they just gathered at one part of the hall not dancing or eating nor even drinking just staring at….everything.
They were unique in their own way, all seven were in light blue attires with diamond ornaments, the two ladies amongst them were looking elegant with their hair cascading on their backs. They stared at her blankly before turning to look ahead, it was then Meili realized she was just a few steps away from the small podium made at the center of the hall and there he stood, majestically in his silver suit with his long white hair flowing behind him and he stared at her.
" Meili…"
She turned to look at her father, who looked at her with questioning gaze and she closed her mouth, realizing the whole crowd was looking at her, she had stopped walking at a point and was staring at her husband to be.
" Is everything okay?" The king asked her and she shook her head before she started moving again, Achelous extended his hand for her to take and she stared at his pale palm, it reminded her of a certain white flower and she didn't have time to think or remember when she felt her father squeeze her arm softly before putting her small hand in the extended one and she shivered at his coldness, for a moment she thought he was a corpse and he smiled before helping her up in the podium.
The main event continued as the old priest asked for an evidence to prove the day. Something to show that the princess had been married and bounded with the watergod and the king brought out two silver rings, one was plain with no carvings or designs while the other had diamond stones around it, both had the carving of a single leaf on the inner side of the ring, a symbol of the Oceanus land. It was a hair loom passed on over generations and Meili was next in line, she had seen her mother wear the one with diamond stones around and it looked pretty on her, Meili blinked away the tears that was threatening to fall out.
The rings were exchanged before a tall lady in blue came to stand by Achelous, she whisper something into his ears before she placed something in his hand before bowing deeply and glancing at Meili, she nodded at her in affirmation before moving back to her previous position.
Achelous turned to Meili now, and opened his hand, showing a glowing thread, it was weaved in the middle leaving two strands of the thread, glowing blue.
" May I have your hand?" His voice sounded like the sweetest melody when he was not angry, she unconsciously gave him her hand and he tied the thread around her wrist, it was warm enough to make her smile under her veil not realizing that he was staring at her. She was supposed to tie the thread around his wrist too and he cleared his throat and she raised her head, his icy gaze lingering on her parted lips before putting the other thread on her hand.
After she finally tied the thread around his wrist, the priest pronounced them as husband and wife, he raised up her veil after the announcement and the people cheered.
Meili kept her gaze low as she felt him coming near, her heart kept beating fast, the priest quickly regretted asking them to kiss when Achelous glared at him. He had a frown on his face when he realized that he had to kiss her to avoid the princess being mocked at.