Meili stared with wide eyes and fallen jaws, her father didn't look at her face and continued to speak with Achelous frowning every now and then.
' That man must be nuts!'
The king didn't want his daughter to be badmouthed in anyway, he had thought about this since the first day, that if his plans for Meili were to backfire he would surely secure her place as the wife of the powerful water god and that was just what he was doing, his girl must not lack anything.
" I see this as a proper peace offering, brother— Enki was shut with the glaring eyes of Achelous.
" I see you are working hand in hand with the old man or you have just lost your mind!" Achelous said as he glared at Enki and he shifted.
Now they were seated in the courtroom with some palace elders and guards and elites under the king's command.
" Exactly! Great one, marrying our princess seems to be the solution to all this and not to forget, she becomes yours forever " an elder spoke up and suddenly regretted it when Achelous turned his cold gaze upon him, he didn't need all of this but strangely his inner being seems to be considering or probably liking the fact that Meili would be married to him, if everyone was going to gain then what was in it for him!!
Meili rapped herself in her comforter as the temperature had changed drastically, she felt herself freezing yet something inside her rejoiced as if, seeing something or someone and somehow reunited.
"You keep thinking my dear"
Nanny Oprah came to sit by her, she rubbed her well sleeved arms due to the coldness and she shook a little, Meili crawled over to her and hugged the old lady from behind.
" I can't help it…..why must I go through all this, I, I don't want to get married! I don't even know him…I mean I know he's the lord of the ocean but how could this be possible! How come I'm now hearing of the deal and now those people have gathered for my demise completely!!!" She broke down in tears as she hid her face in the crook of Oprah's neck.
Oprah sighed simply and rubbed the girl's arms softly, there was no way out and even the older woman knew it yet she wanted to say something, words of comfort or perhaps encouragement.
Meili quickly got off from her bed when she saw her nanny entering her room with argent steps which was still slower compared to a young and healthy person.
" He has agreed, princess and the king seems to be on his way here " Meili looked like she had seen a ghost when her father even entered.
" That is right! You will be marrying the Achelous (the water god) on the coming full moon!" The king said as if the girl had no choice and that it was best for her.
Meili shook her head as her tears fell uncontrollably, he couldn't do this to her! She cleaned her face with the back of her hand and took in a deep breath.
'No'
The king just stared at her, hiding away his pain to see her in that condition, but it was the only way to protect her and he had to take the chance even if he does not like it a bit.
" I will not marry him! I would rather die father!!" Meili shouted as she looked at her father with pure anger and disappointment. The king grabbed her arm painfully and brought her forward.
" You will do as I say, Meili!" He said angrily before he pushed her back to the bed, " You caused all of this!!" He added and this time Meili felt pain hit her chest as she clutched her dress and a small sob escaped her lips, how was she really at fault here…..
Throughout the night was filled with her sobs and she did not even realize when darkness overcame her, she felt cold even more like she was thrown into a freezing pool, the pain she felt was still there and a tear slipped out of her closed eyes, a dark shadow of a figure fell on her, it was so close that she felt its breath, that was so heavenly.
When she tried so much to open her eyes, it didn't even move as if they were glued and even her body was stuck and in an effort to still move yet nothing happened, her lips parted with no words or even a sound coming out, she felt the palm of the stranger on her chest and just like that the pain was gone!
The next morning Meili woke up and was surprised to be on the bed, last night she cornered herself on the cold floor and cried her eyes out, how did she end up on the bed, she wanted to freeze to death!
She stood by the window and looked up at the sky, it was clear today and there was even a rainbow, a sign she understood very well.
Her face turned painfully as she saw the faint appearance of the moon in the sky, probably stealing light from the sun, only to use it at night. Because of her wedding coming on, on a full moon, the moon had become her enemy too and even more when she realized it was full and just then a knock was heard on the door.
" my lady, we have been sent here by the king to prepare you for tonight's events " a well dressed lady said as she smiled at Meili.