The Silent Walk

Chapter 19: The Silent Walk

The maids came for me again, this time with more glowing faces than before.

They looked happy that a wedding was happening today. I was sure many expected me to yell and shout, try to escape which I did, but it was completely useless in the end.

I didn’t say anything. I just couldn’t.

My body was already heavy in the dress, the pearls in my hair were weighing me down even more. It was a tradition for the maids to lead the bride, and for Luna—Leina, in this case—to follow behind.

I didn’t know why, and I didn’t care to ask. I just moved when they told me to, my steps were quiet as I followed them down the hall.

They murmured among themselves with their soft voices. "The pearls match her hair perfectly," one of them whispered.

"So beautiful," said another. "Like she was born to wear them."

I kept my eyes on the floor, my heart a cold, numb thing in my chest. Seven didn’t say a word. She was quiet, like the rest of me, though I could feel her stirring, re