The Wedding Day

Amelia POV

My eyes fluttered open, but I was immediately aware that something was off. The familiar comfort of sleep had barely begun to release its hold on me when a soft, persistent knock echoed from the door. I groaned, rubbing my tired eyes as I tried to remember why I felt so exhausted. Then it hit me—Queen Larissa's words from the previous night.

I had spent hours tossing and turning, haunted by her cold prediction that Lucas would one day find his true mate. It was impossible to silence the doubt creeping into my mind. Was I just a placeholder? A means to an end for Lucas?

Another knock brought me back to the present. I shuffled to the door, still half-asleep, and pulled it open. A row of servants stood there, neatly lined up and waiting patiently. The one at the front, a woman with kind eyes, offered a polite smile.

“Good morning, Lady Amelia. We’re here to help you get ready.”

I blinked at them, still foggy from sleep. "Ready for what?" My voice came out a little hoarse, my brain still trying to catch up.

The servants exchanged glances, some amused, others surprised. The woman who had spoken finally said, “For your wedding, my lady. It's at noon.” She says a matter fact.

Wedding. The word echoed in my mind, jolting me fully awake. My wedding. Today…. Today was my wedding day. Lucas had drop the boom on me the night before, it was also one of the reason that kept me up, but in my sleep-deprived state, it had slipped my mind. Now the realization hit me like a wave, leaving me jittery and anxious.

Snow snorted. She found it amusing.

“Oh,” I managed, stepping aside to let the servants in. They entered the room gracefully, each immediately busy with their tasks. I stood there for a moment, overwhelmed by the sudden activity.

As the women moved about, preparing various beauty tools and laying out the dress, I noticed with a pang that Lucas hadn’t returned to the room last night. My bed was empty, untouched on one side. A fresh wave of doubt swept over me. What was he doing? Was he having second thoughts?

Queen Larissa's words echoed in my mind again, stirring up all the anxieties I had tried to suppress. But before I could get lost in my thoughts, one of the servants gently guided me towards the bathroom.

“Let’s start with a shower, my lady.”

I nodded, following her instructions. The warm water helped ease some of my tension, though my mind remained a battlefield of conflicting emotions. When I stepped out, the servants were waiting, ready to begin the elaborate process of turning me into a bride.

They worked efficiently, styling my curly hair with care. As they did, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. I had never been pampered like this before. Every movement was so precise, so deliberate, as though they were handling something precious.

It wasn’t long before they brought out the dress. I gasp, it was stunning—an elegant, body-fitted pure white chiffon silk gown that seemed almost too perfect. The top was adorned with delicate lace with diamonds stone imbedded into it, the basque area subtly accentuated with a cupid-style tuck, and the back dipped just low enough to feel both modest and alluring. When they showed me the shoes—white pumps that matched the dress perfectly—I felt a pang of surprise. As I, slip into the dress and shoes, I couldn’t help but notice everything was exactly my size, as if it had all been made specifically for me.

How did Lucas get my exact size?

When they were done, they ushered me towards the mirror. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to see myself. But when I finally looked, I hardly recognized the woman staring back. The makeup they had applied highlighted my honey complexion beautifully, giving me a regal, dignified look, my hair in a loose wrap, with a few stray curls hanging. I didn’t look like Amelia anymore—I looked like a princess. Like Royality.

“You look beautiful,” Snow’s voice echoed in my mind, her tone warm and encouraging. “You were meant for this.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This was real. I was really getting married today. But as I stood there, staring at the reflection of a bride-to-be, I couldn’t shake the unease in my chest. Brides were supposed to be excited on their wedding day. They were supposed to be filled with joy, anticipation, love. But all I felt was anxiety. And maybe, just a little bit of fear.

I had always imagined marrying Ethan, even before know he was my true mate. I had pictured us happy, starting our life together, bound by love. But now, here I was, marrying Lucas—the crown prince, the man who was supposed to be nothing more than a strategic choice. And to make it worse, he was Ethan’s cousin.

I wasn’t even marrying for love. I sigh.

A gentle knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. The servants were ready to escort me to the altar. My heart pounded in my chest as I followed them, each step feeling heavier than the last.

When we reached the ceremony hall, my breath caught in my throat. There he was—Lucas—standing at the altar, looking more handsome than I had ever seen him. His tuxedo was perfectly tailored, his dark hair slicked back in a way that highlighted every sharp angle of his face. For a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe.

His intense blue eyes met mine, and the world seemed to narrow to just the two of us. My heart races. This was it. This was really happening.

As I stepped into the hall, I noticed the small crowd—most of the council, Queen Larissa, King Luther all waiting expectantly. But I couldn’t focus on them. All I could see was Lucas.

The soft music plays

And as I walked towards him, I couldn’t help but wonder—was this really the right choice?