The Weight of Expectations

She had a plan.

Since the very first moment her gaze met Damian's, she sensed hope within him. Her gut feelings had never failed her, which is why she understood why Damian had chosen to meet her that night.

His eyes conveyed something she desired to explore further. But if he truly had interest in her, he would appear at her wedding.

Not as a mere guest, but as someone who could alter her destiny. She wanted him to intervene, to halt the marriage because she knew the profound impact her encounter with him had already made with just a single glance.

There was a hunger in his eyes, she could perceive it. Yet, the idea of altering the course of events filled her with a slight apprehension.

"You will be meeting Genghis very soon, probably by dusk today," Kara stated as she entered Sera's room without knocking, interrupting her thoughts. Sera's mind paused.

In her hands, Kara held two dresses. One was yellow and the other velvet, both shimmering with beauty.

"The seamstress made these exclusively for you. She claimed the new lace would work wonders for the dawn ceremony."

"We're having a ceremony?" Sera questioned abruptly. "I thought I was only supposed to meet Genghis."

Kara shook her head. "We both understand how things work here. Your wedding ceremony holds great importance for everyone in the village. It determines our future. The housewife of the family dictates how we face what lies ahead. It's a curse to be born without any powers. But, thankfully, we are spared from the darkness of black magic."

Sera was at a loss for words. It wasn't just a meeting, but a significant event. "I suppose..." she replied, lacking enthusiasm in her tone.

"Well, be prepared. The town's maids will be here any minute. This is as crucial for you as it is for the village. Ah, your hair. When was the last time you had a proper bath?"

-

The dusk arrived earlier than Sera had anticipated. Her modest house appeared grand and adorned with the decorations the villagers had put up.

Lights, lanterns, and various ornaments were carefully placed to match the significance of the impending event. An event that could alter the destiny that loomed over the village.

"Everyone! Please sample the finest bread in town right here, courtesy of Junior Master Bakersby. Delighted to meet you all. Ah, Miss Howsky, care to explore our bread selection?"

A man in his late thirties enthusiastically invited everyone to try his bread. Similar to him, several others had brought their own offerings. The village was small and located far from the kingdom, which made life easier for the commoners who lacked the powers to survive if the village were situated closer. Only the gifted individuals were allowed into the kingdom's territories.

Valerian quietly observed the festivities around him, standing at a corner of the room. His eyes wandered across the joyful smiles of the people.

It hadn't even been two days since his wife had departed from this world, yet no one shed a single tear besides his family. He felt a pang of guilt at the thought. He was marrying off his eldest daughter for the sake of the villagers, who seemed indifferent to the passing of her mother.

"People can be evil and selfish, even without resorting to dark magic," he mused.

Not far from Valerian, an elderly man leaned on his wooden cane, his trusty companion that aided him throughout the day. The cane was his lifeline.

He noticed the sorrowful gaze of Valerian as people passed him by, prompting him to approach and strike up a conversation.

"You're doing a commendable job for the villagers, young man. Your decision aligns with that of your late wife," he remarked as he stood beside him.

Valerian let out a sigh. "I highly doubt that. Everyone is reveling in the night, anticipating favorable news as dusk approaches. They want Sera to marry quickly so that the family title remains intact."

The old man looked straight ahead at the crowd. "It is what it is. Without a marital alliance within the prominent household of the village, we will all be torn apart."

With those words, he began to walk away.

Valerian couldn't help but sigh once more.

-

Clad in a velvet gown, Sera stepped outside her room and surveyed the main yard where the celebration was taking place. Was it truly a celebration or merely an engagement?

"Kara, I mentioned wanting the wedding to be filled with exuberant celebrations, but I didn't anticipate such a... commotion," Sera remarked, the hint of a smile lingering on her lips.

It was a facade. She longed to do anything but smile.

"You're astute enough to know that the villagers are hastening the process. If Genghis is willing to accept you as his bride, you'll be engaged here. In a week, your marriage will take place," Kara explained, exhaling a sigh.

Sera nodded, understanding the situation she had willingly entangled herself in. It was the most challenging position she had ever found herself in. Even when she stood on the cusp of her coronation as Jane, the nerves hadn't consumed her to this extent. Back then, she was about to ascend the throne as queen over an entire kingdom with more than seventy villagers under her reign.

But now, a sliver of fear and worry gnawed at her from beneath the surface.

"We shall see," she replied and made her way into the crowd, hoping to catch sight of the man she was to wed.

As she wandered amidst the throng, she observed people engrossed in hopeful conversations. Some reveled in the festivities, while others stood by curiously, waiting to witness the unfolding events.

Yet, they all shared a common thread—a fear of an uncertain future, a fear of what might come to pass if their plans didn't succeed.

"Ah, Seraphina! Stay right there!"

A masculine voice called out from behind. Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt upon hearing her name. It was still unfamiliar, but she was gradually growing accustomed to it.

She turned around to find her father standing a short distance away, gradually approaching her.

"Papa, how delightful to see you. I was just beginning to get comfortable," she greeted him with an innocent smile.

"You look enchanting, my dear. I never knew your mother's designs could appear so graceful and exquisite, just like a rose flower," he commented, admiring her attire.

"I thought the modiste crafted this for me."

"The modiste always requires designs, as each family has its own traditions, even regarding the attire worn by women. In any case, why don't we head over there? Let's greet Genghis, the man you'll soon marry," he suggested cheerfully.

Sera returned her father's smile.

"You're content with this, aren't you, father?" she inquired as they began walking together.

"Yes, I am..." He cleared his throat, glancing around. "It's happening a bit sooner than I expected, but I'm genuinely pleased with the idea. Smile, dear. People are watching. You are their beacon of hope," he advised, smiling and waving at numerous villagers.

She embodied their hope. The future of these powerless individuals rested upon her shoulders. That single sentence brought to mind the words her birth mother had once uttered.

"Jane, this crown is not truly yours, but it belongs to the people—for the betterment and the challenges of the kingdom. The crown may endure, forever sparkling. But you, my dear, must devote your life to them. That much goes without saying."

Those words had resonated in her mind.

Even in this existence, where she was merely a commoner in a vast world where she could have been anything, she had a life that needed to be sacrificed for the sake of the people.

"Sera, meet Genghis."

Curiosity bubbled within her, but her father's figure cast a shadow as she stood behind him.

He stepped aside, granting his daughter a view of the man with whom her future was intertwined.

A soft gasp escaped her lips upon beholding him. He appeared rather elderly, in his mid-thirties. His hair was entirely gray, and the only captivating aspect about him was his attire. He carried a stooped posture, accentuating his eerie demeanor as if burdened by the weight of concealed secrets upon his shoulders. Deep lines etched his wrinkled face, resembling a map forged by a long and treacherous journey through life. His sunken, piercing eyes seemed to harbor wisdom surpassing his years, yet also harbored an unsettling air of mystery.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Genghis," Sera offered a kind smile that failed to reach her eyes.

"Woman," Genghis uttered in a high-pitched voice.

As this interaction unfolded, all eyes were fixed upon them. One man held a half-eaten piece of bread in his hand, his mouth agape.

"Allow me to reintroduce Seraphina Rose," her father announced.

The situation worsened for Sera as numerous eyes were already fixated upon her.