Chapter 7: Wedding Day (1)

After the maid prepared a bath for her, and Ruo Yin was dressed, she realized she had not noticed when she fell asleep last night.

"Well, at least I grabbed some sleep. The last thing I need is You Xie telling me I look as if I were going to a funeral. Not as if I'm happily marrying the possible killer of my parents..."

"Xiao Yin, I am so proud of you, and I know your parents will also be proud. Remember your mission," You Xie said to her before they departed to the Sky Clan where the wedding ceremony was going to be held.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know what my mission is," Ruo Yin said monotonously. "Find the truth... Find the truth... Find the truth..." Ruo Yin repeated in her mind like a mantra.

The Demon Lord just stared at her, hoping to read her. Yet, Ruo Yin's body language did not betray her. "Continue trying to read what I'm thinking. I'm not going to spill even half of my secrets to you!" She was doing just as her father had taught her a long time ago. To see the big picture and guess what her opponent's next move was going to be. 

She held herself gracefully as a guard greeted them at the entrance of the Sky Clan.

The guards bowed and there were already maids waiting for Ruo Yin to take her to one of the many manors that were in the Sky Clan had and to dress her up in her wedding attire. Guards guided the Demon Lord to what Ruo Yin supposed as the place where the wedding was going to be held. Which was most likely to be on the reunion hall since it was big enough to gather all the guests.

"Miss, if this servant may speak, I want you to know that you are so pretty and lucky. You are going to marry the War Deity!" one of the maids squealed. 

"Yeah, I feel so blessed," Ruo Yin replied with a lack of emotions.

The maids were so happy and excited that they did not notice Ruo Yin's lack of excitement. It was not as if her own maids noticed it either. Apparently, they were all just blinded because she was marrying the legendary War Deity. 

Ruo Yin have not even noticed that they arrived at the Eternal Youth Manor, where the Sky Empress herself lived. The front yard was beautiful. Different trees and flowers decorated the place.

"Miss, the Sky Empress, herself, wants to help you get ready for your wedding," the maid told her.

Before Ruo Yin could speak, they guided her inside.

"Princess Ruo Yin, greetings," said the Sky Empress.

"Ruo Yin, greets Her Majesty."

"Please, leave the formalities aside. We are soon going to be family. Now, let's get you ready for your wedding. Aren't you excited?" the empress asked her.

"Yes... sort of..."

The empress grabbed Ruo Yin by her arms and sat her in front of her vanity table.

"You know, my own marriage was arranged as well. I was a small immortal from the Bird Clan. I would have never dreamt of marrying the Sky Emperor. Yet it happened," the Sky Empress said as she combed Ruo Yin's hair.

"Sorry for my insolence, but may I ask, do you love the Sky Emperor?" Ruo Yin for the first time sounded interested in the conversation's course. She needed to know how this arranged marriage business worked.

"My dear child, I definitely love the emperor dearly now, but it was not love at first sight. It took us hundreds of years to accept that this was our fate and learn how to fall in love with each other. It's better to be on good terms with the man you share your bed with. Don't you think?" the empress said with a smile.

"Better having my bed for myself only," Ruo Yin thought.

"Now, time for your dress," the Sky Empress patted Ruo Yin's back and led her to the dressing room.

Ruo Yin's wedding gown was white with red embroidery. It was beautiful. If Ruo Yin had married in other circumstances, she would have been happy. The empress helped her dress and later explained to her how the wedding ceremony was going to be held.

"Did you understand the whole ceremony, Ruo Yin?" the empress asked her.

"Yes. It is easy. I just need to get on the carriage that will then take me to the entrance of the reunion hall. Zhan Luo is later going to take me out of the carriage and lead me to the altar where we are going to say our vows in front of the clans. Am I wrong?" Ruo Yin returned to her monotonous voice.

"Yes, my dear. Now, get into the carriage before we miss the auspicious time," the Sky Empress hushed Ruo Yin into the carriage while Ruo Yin could only think there was nothing auspicious with today.