Chapter 8: Incomparable beauty

The mysterious king.

It came to Azea's attention that she knew nothing about the ruler of her kingdom. She searched her mind for anything she had ever heard previously of the King.

It was futile. Despite being from a noble family and having attended four balls in her life around the kingdom. Never once did she catch any rumor of the king.

No one ever spoke of him. And before she couldn't be bothered by it however now that she was to be his queen. She was bewildered by it.

A King who was rarely seen or heard of. Only a monster would live in the shadows. She was frozen stiff. "You are lucky, my lady."

The words sounded distant. However much Azea thought of her situation. Nothing about it screamed luckily. It was her bad luck that had led her to that place.

Aleena had used her as a sacrificial lamb and she fell for it. It was the biggest truth of her life and Azea was in no position to speak of it.

Her mind was racing. Here and there trying to catch up with her life. Everything was moving so fast, it was hard to catch her breath.

A few hours ago, she had been sleeping comfortably in her room. Without the worries of the new world, Aleena had introduced her to.

"He must be hideous to hide from the world," the women continued to gossip heartily. Their words cast more panic in Azea's heart.

"His face is scarred. With gross spots all over and he has a hunchback," they went on to say.

Azea never dreamt of being a bride however she didn't want to marry an ugly beast. It would be an injustice to the fate that she was already doomed to.

"Your imperial highness," the women got up and continuously bowed their heads. Azea raised her gaze to meet the queen mother of Astria.

"Your highness," she gracefully curtsied.

"Come now, the wedding must begin," the queen's mother uttered. She clapped her hands. The women made haste to pack up and exited the garden.

"I will be on the other side of the gates. Waiting to receive the new queen, my heartiest congratulations to you, Lady Aleena," Magnolia spoke and took her to leave.

The queen mother took Azea by the hand. Together they marched to the huge stage in the garden. Decorated with dim lights and white roses.

Azea was helped onto the stage by the queen. "Be bold and brave, as you to be queen," the imperial queen mother whispered to her.

She took a step standing next to Azea. Azea witnessed as the stage was projected all around her.

From where she stood, she was certain that the whole of Astria and beyond could see her from rhe projections. It was the most beautiful thing that she had ever seen.

Standing in the luxury white short-sleeved ball gown. Her hair was braided to her back wearing the signature diamond jewelry of the royal family.

Azea smiled slightly. If only her mother and everyone else could see her now. They would take back their comments of her being useless and unladylike. She was a princess.

It was the one comfort she found in her situation. "It's time," the imperial queen announced. Her voice sounded in almost all the corners of Astria. Azea was amazed, she had never seen anything like it.

"Let the bride and groom step forward," she ordered.

Azea glanced around. The groom was nowhere to be seen. Still, she stepped forward and stood before the queen mother.

A gust of wind blew beside her. Against her better judgment, Azea turned to the side to check. Her eyes were glued to the male that had appeared out of thin air.

Her infatuated eyes were fixed on the incomparable beauty standing before her. His sharp grassy green eyes carried an aura of mystery and grace. His jade-like skin was ever so soft to the eyes. Giving his frosty face a glimmering feel.

His hazel hair was a little bit messy on the front as though he had just run his hand through his hair.

Azea blinked.

As she eyes the man, he too turned to glance in her direction. His eyes were lazy as he took her in. Azea's had snow-like skin. Her thin pink lips slightly parted, big round eyes starting unfailingly at him. Blonde hair was neatly braided to reveal her small round face. It was a sight to behold.

Azea was unable to look away. If that was what the devil's illegitimate son looked like, she was more than happy to be dragged to hell.

Seeing the king in person pushed all her worries to the back of her head. The man was a snack to the eyes, one that she didn't mind feasting on. All of her body tingled with excitement.

Not only does get to be queen but she gets such a handsome good looking man as her king. Suddenly it all began to look up for her. Azea couldn't make out the words that the imperial queen was saying. She was lost in those tantalizing green eyes that watched her keenly. "Aleena," the queen called to her.

Azea let out a breath she didn't know she was holding when her name was called out.

"You need to turn around and go on your knees," the queen mother instructed. Azea obeyed, and slowly she turned her back to the king. She went down on her knees, the floor was surprisingly soft.

"As a symbol of acceptance, the king will grace his bride with a scarf of gold and silver linings," The queen announced.

She handed the scarf to the king. The King went down on one knee and carefully wrapped the scarf around Azea's back. His finger brushed against Azea's skin.

Azea inhaled deeply, electricity coursing through the place the king's warm finger touched. She raised her head and met his gaze.

Her mind was clouded with the king's looks. Her eyes softened, gazing at him was enough to make her forget all her problems. Her peace.

'How can a man look so handsome? It's almost blinding,' she thought.

"Are you a god?" she wished to ask him.