"No!" A loud gasp tore out of Adelaide's lips, sweat dripping down her forehead.
She slowly moved her hand down to her chest, trying hard not to believe the dream she just had.
The way she was stabbed by King Cedric, the strong metallic smell of her blood, and how she slowly died… it was still clear in her head, replaying just the exact way it was in her dream.
"Princess Adelaide, is anything the matter?" Isla's voice snapped Adelaide out of her chaotic thoughts.
She wanted to say something, to scream out the most terrifying dream she had after discovering her cursed ability, but she can't reveal that.
She can't reveal she has a power forbidden of Faes— to see the future through dreams.
"Nothing… I am fine," she stammered, her voice failing to hide her anxiety.
Isla, who knew Adelaide more than anyone in this castle, reached for Adelaide's hands. "Princess Adelaide, are you afraid of this marriage? I know you don't want to get married to him."
Adelaide bit her lips at Isla's words, trying hard not to think about her dream.
Either she wants it or not, this marriage has to take place— that is the only way, she, her family, and every Faes of Shin-ey won't lose their lives.
"No, I am fine," Adelaide nodded, as if trying to convince herself.
She feigned a faint smile before she began. "Isla, did you pack the hair darkener?"
Isla chuckled at her question. She didn't expect Adelaide to be talking about hair darkener at a crucial time like this.
Before she could reply, the designer and flower-bender assigned by Queen Gloria walked in.
"Princess, it is time to dress you up for your wedding."
Those words were like thorns, piercing Adelaide deeply, making her realize the pit she is about to walk right into.
As much as she wants to believe that dream of hers was nothing, she knew well enough that her dreams always come to pass.
It was the same for when her mother died, when the priestess's only child died, when her father fell in… her dreams were always precognitive.
"Okay," the single word tore out of her lips, followed by her footsteps.
She walked into the special dressing room where all the material needed to dress her up, to make her look like the exact bride King Cedric wanted, were kept.
The designer began with applying layers of makeup on her face, her brow, her lips, then arranging her hair which was dark black unlike the red color it used to be.
"Princess, would you please stand up," the flower-bender requested.
After Adelaide stood up, she began her magic, dressing Adelaide up in different colors and layers of flowers. She continued until the gown which perfectly hugged Adelaide's frame was now glittering.
The designer raised up the mirror to Adelaide's face, making her look at her reflection in the mirror.
She looked extremely beautiful more than she could ever imagine.
Before Adelaide could talk about her look, the flower-bender was already working her magic on her hair, her head aching from the intensity of the magic.
"Are you not done dressing her up?" Queen Gloria's voice echoed before Adelaide could stop the flower-bender.
Both the designer and flower-bender turned to face Queen Gloria before apologizing, "We are sorry, your highness."
"It is—"
"Finish up!" The loud yell of Queen Gloria silenced Adelaide.
The flower-bender quickly continued with styling Adelaide's hair. It went on for what seemed like forever, Adelaide already fed up and feeling like her skull would crack open.
After they were done dressing her up, Queen Gloria walked up to her, then stretched her hand forward.
With the deep frown on Queen Gloria's face, Adelaide took her hand without asking questions.
They walked out of the chamber, down to the hall which was designed specially for her wedding tonight.
Each step she took into the hall, down to King Cedric made her dream replay in her head;
The same King Cedric Greenleaf stabbing her to death.
As much as she wanted to turn and run out of this hall, she couldn't. The fate of thousands of Faes, including her family, is in her hands.
She bit her lips before taking the final step to the spot King Cedric Greenleaf stood.
"Everyone, the most beautiful Faes of Shin-ey, I appreciate you for showing up at my daughter's wedding even though everything was so sudden," King Woodshin began, his voice weak, unlike the vibrant voice all the fae knew. "Today, Adelaide, my only daughter, would be getting married to King Cedric of Eldrid."
Everyone who already knew what this marriage was all about clapped hands upon hearing King Woodshin's speech.
Some were happy the cursed princess would finally be gone, while some were happy their kingdom would finally be free from the grip of the vampires… everyone was happy except for Adelaide.
"Priestess Ize, please come forward and bless this union," King Woodshin muttered, making Priestess Ize find her way through the crowd to the spot he stood.
"I don't have much to say aside from giving my blessing to the both of them, but before I go on," Priestess Ize paused, then turned her gaze to Cedric. "King Cedric, we all have heard rumors about how your wives meet their end, can you assure all of us here that our princess won't meet the same end?"
"And why should I assure you of that? She is my wife! And a tribute from Shin-ey, not a princess," Cedric's voice sent chills down Adelaide's spine, making her eyes wet with tears.
For a split second, her mother's warning reechoed in her head.
"King Woodshin, if you want to change your mind right here, I would gladly pretend all of this never happened and return back to Eldrid," he muttered, his voice cutting through the sudden silent hall. "And say goodbye to the—"