The man glared at me, hatred and resentment blazing in his eyes. "I asked a question, father… who is getting married?" I said daringly.
I didn't need anyone to tell me who this man was, from the way he spoke to my mother, I could tell he was my father.
One thing I hate is abuse, especially on women and no matter what, a man has no rights to raise his voice at a woman.
"You are getting married, sweetheart and the wedding is tomorrow," he replied and I could hear him snarl when he said "sweetheart."
Tomorrow…Ironic.
I barely know anything about myself and here he is suggesting I get married. Is he crazy?
"I will not get married and that is final father. You have no rights to force me." I said defiantly and the man's eyes darkened.
The air felt chilly and it suffocated me. His knuckles clenched at his side and I could see mother trembling in fear.
"What did you say?" He asked again, his voice low.
I wouldn't let him win this. No. I never back down from a challenge.
"I said I won't be getting married." My fists tightened.
He charged at me—pushing me to the wall, grabbing my neck with an intense force. I felt the wall behind me crack.
My lungs burned from lack of oxygen and my already dried throat ached.
"Stop it Kent, do you want to kill her?"Mother yelled, her voice coming off muffled as the world around me began to blur.
She rushed to me as she tried to peel me from her husband's grasp.
I tried to pry his hands off, but he was too strong—curse this body.
If I was still Seraph, I would have set him ablaze and watch the fire burn with a delightful grin on my face but I was Eliana—the weak and feeble princess.
Feeling weak was something I despise but right now, it's becoming a crucial part of my identity and god do I hate it.
Father tossed me to the side and my body banged against the table which was at the corner of the room.
Mother rushed to me, tears brimming in her eyes.
"You'll get married tomorrow Eliana and that's final." He said and stormed out of the room, banging the door behind him.
I felt blood run down my nose, my fingers trembled from pain I felt, my spine felt broken, my vision blurred with tears.
Was I crying?
No, I can't do that.
I tried to reach for my face, I tried to wipe the tears away but I was too weak. The pain I felt was insurmountable and my hand felt heavy—too heavy to lift.
"Help! Someone please help!" Mother yelled, her eyes filled with tears as she tried to lift me but failed miserably.
The door burst open and a man ran into the room. I couldn't see his face since all I could see was in a blur.
I felt strong arms wrap around me, lifting me off the ground. His hold felt so warm, so familiar. The scent of dried lavender with a hint of smoked sandalwood hit my nostrils and I scrunched my brows.
Only one person has this scent.
And it's Sebastian.
Was it him?
I tried to open my eyes, but it felt heavy—
pain shot through me, so I kept them shut, barely holding in my curiosity.
They reached my room and the man who carried me dropped me on the bed and called for a maid to bring a first aid kit.
Even his voice sounded like Sebastian.
"She'll be fine, your highness. I'll take good care of her. You look exhausted so you should go rest—"I heard him say.
"No, I can't leave my daughter in this state, she's bleeding and barely even conscious please. Let me take care of her!" She said in a pleading voice and the man sighed.
"I promise I'll take good care of her, your highness, please trust me and get some rest," he persisted and I heard her sigh.
Then slowly, her footsteps disappeared, leaving just me and the man in the room.
"Seraph…" he called his voice soft. "Is that you?" He added.
I wanted to scream. "It's me." But my lips failed me, I couldn't even speak.
He sighed dryly. "I guess it isn't her." He muttered but I could hear him. I wish I could open my eyes so I could at least see him but my stupid body was weak and every single movement I tried to make hurt.
I could hear the sound of metals clinking. He seemed to be rummaging through the first aid box.
Soon, I felt the cold contact of wool on my lips. A sharp pain shot through me which made me wince slightly. He leaned in and blew air on the wound.
His breath felt warm—so soothing. I calmed slightly as he finished up and dressed the wound.
He then parted my lips and dropped a pill inside my mouth along with some water.
I swallowed the drug, but the pain didn't stop. My fingers twitched. My chest ached. I couldn't cry, but my heart screamed.
Is this it?
I wanted to open my eyes. Just once. Just to see his face. Just to be sure it was really him.
But the pain weighed more than my will.
Darkness crept in again, slow and warm, and I didn't fight it this time.
Sebastian… I hope it's you.
And I let go.
***
THE NEXT DAY.
I woke up to the calm sound of birds chirping, the sun was bright in the sky, it's rays spread across the earth like a warm blanket but what I felt wasn't warm. It was cold. So cold.
I tried to sit up but the pain in my back was unbearable, my mind raced with thoughts.
I was getting married today, Sebastian was here yesterday but I couldn't even see him to be sure it was him, I have an abusive father who almost killed me. Could my life be any worse?
The door was pushed open and my maid walked in the her face neutral, tinged with an expression I couldn't quite decipher. She bowed in front of me. "Good morning your highness, the King said we should prepare you for your wedding."
I scoffed. "How am I supposed to get married when I can't even sit up properly?"
The maid came closer and adjusted me on the bed, my back facing her. "We've got some herbs from the healer and once we apply them on you, your back will be fine." The maid answered, carefully unzipping my dress.
"Was anyone here last night? Like a male?" I asked curiously, hoping they would give me some good info.
"Yes." The maid answered as she applied the cold substance on my bad. I shivered from the cold impact on my skin. "I'm sorry princess, it's a bit cold."
I know, I felt it on my skin.
Brushing the annoyance crawling inside me, I asked. "Who is he?"
"He's your bodyguard, Eren."
Oh, it isn't Sebastian?
The way he spoke, the lavender scent all belonged to Sebastian. He even knew my name was Seraph. Was it really not Sebastian?
My face dropped at the thought. I was starting to think I wasn't alone but I guess I still am.
I sighed. "Why must I get married? Why is father so adamant about it?" I asked, changing the topic.
"Your father wants wealth, connection and the only way for him to get that is if you marry Prince Xavier." She replied and I rolled my eyes.
Classic King behaviour.
All they want is wealth and power. They don't care who gets hurt in the process.
The maid noticed my silence and spoke. "Don't worry. I hear the prince is quite kind. So he won't hurt you." She assured me as though those words meant anything.
I was getting married, my clan back home is perishing slowly because of the curse and here I am, getting married to a Kind Prince?
My heart clenched as I realised I had failed my people, that I had failed my mother.
My eyes shut tightly as warm tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn't just fail as a leader but as a daughter.