Wedding

"You don't think she's actually mean, do you?" Zain inquired. There was a crease sitting in between his brows as he stared at the aloof man before him.

If Reginald was not going to respond to his questions, what was the point telling him about it? Sigh... his friend really needed to work on his behavior.

"Get rid of her." Reginald instructed while his dark eyes seemed to have gone darker. The corner of his lips curved in total dislike, he looked as if he wanted to get rid of a stain on his outfit.

Zain's expression was the mixture of three emotions. His jaw slacked open in shock, while his eyes held curiosity. At the same time he felt elated for reasons he never knew.

"Who? Her Royal Highness??" His eyes had circled wide in horror because that was the first thing that came to his mind.

Reginald raised his eyes to stare at him with incredulity seen in them. He didn't even mean to harm the Princess. He wasn't even going to harm anybody. His friend had this kind of imagination that can make anyone stand on their toes.

"Not her, Madeline." With that, he rose from his seat and left the place. Zain blinked in realization of what his friend told him and gritted his teeth.

Of all people to take care of, it was that pest! He didn't even like her from the start. Zain wondered why Reginald had been to patient to allow the proud lady part of their little group.

He always liked being with his friend alone, that way they would get to discuss private and personal issues. Ever since Madeline showed up in their teens, he never had breathing space.

He could bet that Reginald had been enduring the woman's tantrums since. And now, he was tired of it. It was a good choice he decided to get rid of her. That way, Madeline would not cause a misunderstanding between the Princess and his friend.

But he was not aware that the woman had caused far greater than a misunderstanding. The Princess was in a place of no return.

======

Three days passed quicker than she could ever imagine. Olivia returned back to the castle and a day before and was allowed to rest.

This morning, she had been ushered out of her bed by the maids assigned to get her ready.

She was sitted in front of the huge mirror, watching the maids apply faint blush on her cheek. Another maid picked up a tiara that had little ruby jewels as a design to it, and placed it gently on the Princess's head.

They wore her earrings of the same jewel and a necklace which had strings of ruby stones draping to her elegant collar bone.

Once they were done with getting her ready, they took a step backward and bowed. Olivia looked at her reflection without any look of excitement on her face.

She imagined this day supposed being full of smiles. She had wished that she would be very happy on her wedding day at least. But none of that was happening.

Her interior felt really cold as the scene three days ago replayed in her head. She shut her eyes immediately while a slow hiss escape her lips. Her right hand clenched into a ball, and she could feel her nails digging deep into her palm.

She couldn't do this. There was no way she was going to allow herself share a man with another woman. There was no way she would feel unhappy for the rest of her life.

There had to be a solution. A way to resolve all these without placing her father's health in danger. There had to be a way! She was stuck.

There was no way out, except to marry Reginald.

"Your highness?" She was snapped out of her rummaging thoughts. Olivia's lashes rose from her cheek in an exaggeratingly slow manner. It revealed her moonstones that seemed oblivious.

"Huh?" She responded before whipping her head around in a slow motion. She did this because her hairstyle felt a little heavy. Coupled with the fact she was wearing a net-like veil attached to one of the hairpins.

"Her Grace is here to see you." The maid's serene voice announced before she bowed and took some steps away from her. The girl was trembling even though Olivia never said or do something.

It had taken a lot of nerves from the maids who attended to her to keep on with the air around her. Even when the Princess was calm like a lake.

When they were done with the makeup, they had eased up in getting used to her presence. They were quite surprised that someone who was portrayed as a hateful being was actually calm.

They never could tell what was running in her mind though.

As soon as she heard those words, she knew who it might be. Still, she never moved an inch from where she sat, for fear of ruining the heavy dress she wore.

Olivia heard light footsteps and the gentle breeze that came in through her window and the exit. She could feel the presence of her Father's consort behind her. After all, the woman really loved it when she got the attention of other people.

Olivia never knew that the woman grew furious because she didn't rise to acknowledge her presence. She only hid it behind a fake smile and a calm facade.

"You look beautiful, Princess!" Her coquettish voice sliced through the silence.

A forced smile was what she wore. Olivia bowed her head gracefully in accordance to her presence, before sending her an apologetic look. "Thank you. I apologize for not greeting in the right way, as the gown feels too heavy."

"You will get used to it." Adele waved as though she wasn't bothered about it. She raised her chin while a motherly smile was seen on her face.

For the love of gods, why was she showing her this now!? Olivia screamed inwardly as she rolled her eyes in her head. The last time she checked, Adele never bothered about her well-being.

Something just didn't feel right either.

"I'm here to pass on a few tips that might guide you to your husband's heart."

And that was when she lost it.