The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, a soft glow that illuminated the room in warm hues. I stirred awake, the sound of hushed whispers and bustling footsteps breaking through the haze of sleep.
Blinking, I sat up, still groggy, only to see my mother standing at the foot of the bed, her hands clasped together, her smile so radiant it could have lit up the entire room.
Beside her was Lily, practically bouncing on her toes with excitement, and a group of servants trailing behind them.
"Oh, Aeliana, you're awake!" my mother exclaimed, her voice tinged with happy tears. "It's your wedding day!"
Lily grinned, clutching a bouquet of flowers pink roses and white lilies, her favorite, I noted with a fond smile. "You're going to look so pretty, Aeliana!"