Chapter 4: You'll know what it's like to be mine.

I was pulled into my chambers the minute it struck three o'clock. I was bathed in a long bath and every single hair in my body was plucked out. I was against it, of course, but I didn't have a choice in the matter. They said that a woman must be soft and hairless. The ladies placed hot wax against my skin, plucking patches of hair with one pull. I learned how excruciating it is to be a bride.

After the painful process of almost skinning me alive, I was again put into a hot bath. This time with all sorts of herbs that were supposed to make me smell like a lady. I reckon cinnamon and vanilla were in there. I swore they were turning me into soup, ready to be served at the wedding.

"How long am I supposed to be groomed?" I asked Hera who was no more displeased than I am.

She replied, "Soon, Angelique. You have to hang in there a little longer." She continued to comb my long dark hair. She fashioned it with pearls and braids, tied together to make a beautiful bun. She topped it off with the royal tiara of my house that's been passed down to every firstborn daughter in each generation. It was made of white gold, pearls, and diamonds.

"You look beautiful, Angelique," she says, moving unto my face. "For sure, he will fall head over heels for you with just one glance."

I smiled.

She sighed, shaking her head. "I assume you don't want to talk about why you were crying alone in the gardens? Hm? That's fine. I know I would cry if I was forced to marry someone I didn't like." She continued to apply blush on my cheeks in the color of peaches. She also curled my long lashes and applied rouge on my lips. Everything was made to look natural, showing off my innocence.

I looked in the mirror. I am a bride alright. The dress I wore was red—the color of my house. It was tight at the bodice and flared at my waist with tons of gorgeous tulle. The sleeves of my dress fell on my shoulders, making me look desirable. The veil Hera placed on my head was made with the same material as the tulle in my dress.

"A bride in red," she said, applauding in approval. "I can't believe you managed to convince your parents into agreeing to let you wear this dress."

I smirked, turning to face her. "Despite their longing for peace, they still loathe the Cross's. They would gladly let me wear red as a last jab at them." I put on my red stilettos, feeling more empowered than ever.

"Let's get this show on the road, shall we?" I said, taking her hand.

My grandmother entered the room, looking at me in approval. "You look beautiful, Angelique," she says, circling me. "You're a woman now."

"Thank you, grandmother, Elliana," I said, curtsying at her. "I wish to make our family proud and fulfill my duties as the next queen of White and Cross."

She smiled, pulling me into an embrace. "I know you don't want to marry him, Angelique," she says, "You cannot fool me. Jonah of Polaris came to me last night, asking for my approval. I told him that he has my blessing if you wish to marry him instead of Damien." She pulled away, looking at me from top to bottom. "Seeing as you're in that dress, I assume you didn't accept his proposal?" she asked, looking rather disappointed.

"I'm merely doing what my duty asks of me, Grandmother," I said, holding back my tears.

She nodded, saying, "I know. I've done the same thing when I was your age. Now, look at me. I'm old and trapped in a loveless marriage. I just don't want you to end up like me and your grandfather. There is duty, and there is life—your life. Are you willing to live a life without love for the crown?"

"Yes," I replied. I already broke Jonah's heart. Even if I chose him, who's to say we wouldn't break each other's hearts? I will be his greatest downfall, and I can't live with that. He deserves a better happy life.

"He loves you," she said, "I saw it in his eyes and in the way he looks at you whenever you're together. I see it in the way he protects you. I saw it when I saw him propose to you for the first time. From the looks of it, he had that ring with him for a long time."

"Please stop," I said, "You will not sway me from performing my duty, grandmother. Jonah and I were over before we even began."

"I saw you two at the garden earlier," she said.

I felt my stomach turn. She witnessed our forbidden act. I know she wouldn't snitch on me, but I still fear her wrath. She is old school. She resents behavior like it.

"Grandmother, I," I tried to explain, but nothing came out. I was caught in the act.

She shook her head, smiling. "It was an act of passion," she said, holding my hand, "I'm just glad you had one moment of happiness before you marched into the lion's den, my sweet child. I shall leave you to it then." With a kiss on my forehead, she left.

Time flew quicker than I thought and the next thing I knew, I was entering the church doors. Everyone's eyes landed on me, watching me carefully. With every step I took, I felt my heart falling and breaking into a billion fragments, scattered all over the floor. I gripped the bouquet of flowers like my life depended on it, keeping a smile on my face. I could hear everyone's whispers. Some say that I'm a beautiful bride, and some say I'm like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. To half the people, I'm the blushing bride, and the other half saw me as the sacrificial lamb. As I neared the altar, I could feel my jaws clenching. I saw everyone. Mother, father, and my whole family. Then I saw him—Jonah—watching me longingly.

I was met by Damien's cold stare as I reached the altar. He managed to crack a smile, but it fooled no one.

"Princess Angelique," he greeted, kissing my hand.

I curtsied in respect. "Prince Damien," I greeted back.

"Family and friends, thank you all for coming today to share in this wonderful occasion," began the officiant, "Today we are here together to unite Prince Damien of House Cross and Princess Angelique of House White in marriage. With their union comes peace and prosperity to all the realms!"

He faced me, saying, "Do you, Princess Angelique of House White, take this Prince to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," I managed to say, almost in a whisper.

He turned to Damien and said, "Do you Prince Damien of House Cross, take this Princess to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live?"

Sighing, he said, "I do."

The officiant continued, "Prince Damien and Princess Angelique have chosen rings to exchange with each other as a symbol of their unending love." He turned to me and said, "As you place this ring on Prince Damien's finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you, my love, now and forever."

I repeated the words, putting the ring on Damien's finger.

The officiant turned to Damien and said, "Prince Damien, as you place this ring on Princess Angelique's finger, please repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed and pledge you, my love, now and forever."

He repeated the words, sliding the ring gently on my finger.

"By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant declared, "You may now kiss the bride!"

Damien unveiled me, staring into my watery black eyes. He planted a soft kiss on my lips and released me as soon as he could. He wasn't as arrogant as he was yesterday. He was sad. I suppose I'm not the only one mourning my freedom today.

After the ceremony, we were brought to the reception where the party was set. I didn't even notice the beauty of the church earlier due to my sadness. But now, I allowed myself to appreciate the beauty of the reception. The people put in a lot of effort to ensure the beauty of our wedding. The reception was decorated in pastels and endless flowers. Champagne and wine were served in every corner and the cake was enormous.

As tradition states, I must dance with Damien in front of the whole ton. Damien led me to the dancefloor rather lazily, placing his hand on my waist and keeping my hand on his other.

"You don't look like a bride," he comments, "You look ready for war."

I laughed bitterly, "You look like you just lost a battle. Oh, wait. You did a few weeks ago!"

He rolled his eyes, whispering, "I know your secret, Princess Angelique."

My eyes grew wide.

"I saw you with Prince Jonah at the gardens today," he said, poison dripping from his voice. He sounded lethal and ready to kill. "I didn't know you could move like that."

"I," I tried to say something, but nothing came out.

He laughed wickedly, saying, "I let you have your fun, but now you're mine. You belong to me, Princess; no one else. You're mine. Only mine."

I looked at him in horror. He looked like the devil ready to eat me alive. Jealousy is an ugly thing. But is he jealous? No. I doubt it. He sees me as his property and nothing more. Jonah's right. Damien's a different kind of monster. He's the worst of them.

"Tonight, when the light goes off, and the room's ours, I will let you burn," he whispered seductively in my ear. "You'll know what it's like to be mine. What happened last night was just a preview of what's to come tonight. I do hope you're ready for it." With that said, he left me dumbfounded on the dance floor, trembling. May God have mercy on me tonight.

My father came to me, ready to dance the traditional father-daughter dance. He smiled proudly, looking at me.

"You're no longer my little girl," he says proudly, "You made us all proud. You will make a great Queen when your time comes, Angelique."

"Thank you, Father," I said blankly, "But was this really necessary? I loathe him and he loathes me. Everybody whispers about it."

"Sh," he says, "That is nonsense. Let the people talk. I need you to remember your duty to our realm. You must secure an heir and keep the peace between our kingdoms. Your triumph will determine your place in history. You will be called the Queen who brought peace to all Kingdoms. The Queen who ended the five-hundred-year war! You will become legendary, my child."

As much as I wanted to believe my father, I can't. I know what I got myself into, and now there's no undoing it. I am in hell, married to Satan himself—Damien Cross. Only God knows if I'll be a triumph or a failure.

The night soon burnt out and I was in my chambers where my ladies were dressing me for the matrimonial act. My hair was left undone and my face was wiped clean. My face was naturally flushed from all the alcohol I took in. I drank as much as I could in hopes of passing out. To my disappointment, no amount of alcohol could save me.

As Damien entered the room, the ladies exited, leaving us alone together. I felt my heart pounding inside me. I wanted to disappear into thin air, but I can't. I'm stuck here now.

He looked at me with sinful eyes, licking his lips. With every step he took, the more my heart clenched. People say it's normal to be nervous on their wedding night. This feeling inside me isn't nervousness—it's fear. I am scared of this man who wears a sinister smile on his face.

"Are you ready?" he asked, closing in on me. I could feel his hot breath brush against my skin, sending chills down my spine. At this moment, I knew I was about to be claimed by the person I loathe the most. I, Princess Angelique of White, will no longer be a maiden. Prince Damien of Cross will make me his own tonight, and I will become a lady of House Cross, bearer of his heirs.