The Dragon's Call

Chapter 4

-Laelia-

Arrogant. Proud. Snob. Disgusting. Take your pick—he fit them all. I had rolled my eyes so many times, I was surprised they hadn’t fallen out of my skull as I watched my future husband arrive. He and his family came in a blue and gold carriage with curtains drawn tight, ensuring the public couldn’t get a glimpse of them, and they wouldn’t have to see the public either.

As they stepped out of the carriage with the help of the driver, it was immediately clear where Aaron Keplin had inherited his traits. His parents were just the same: noses high in the air, even in front of the king.

They stood together as a pair, but there was nothing but coldness between them. It was obvious theirs wasn’t a happy marriage. They looked like they barely tolerated each other’s presence. I would have laughed if my eyes hadn’t met those of my future husband.

He seemed as disappointed in me as I was in him. I hid my feelings behind a sweet smile, while he simply ignored me, walking past me with my father in the lead, followed by his parents, and then him.

My brothers joined me, and Liam leaned down to whisper in my ear, “And you thought he would be arrogant.”

I hit him on the shoulder. With six brothers, I knew how to throw a decent punch. He rubbed his shoulder, and we exchanged smiles. The whole situation—this marriage, the alliance—felt like a bad joke.

Still, the thought of the upcoming dinner filled me with dread. My palms were sweaty as I sat down beside my future husband. I figured I should at least try to talk to him. Maybe he only acted arrogant in public, and there was a chance he might be sweet in private.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I took a sip of water, trying to steady myself as I watched the lively scene around us. My father was deep in conversation with Aaron’s father, while my brothers joked and laughed. I wasn’t usually this quiet, but I had no idea what to say to him.

I exhaled slowly, trying to calm my nerves, before leaning slightly toward him and asking, “So, Lord Keplin, what do you enjoy doing?”

I thought it was a safe, easy question. Everyone had something they enjoyed, so it seemed like a good start to a simple conversation. Aaron turned to me, his eyes narrowing slightly. I wasn’t sure if he didn’t like the way I was dressed or if there was something on my face, but he didn’t look pleased.

After a few moments, his expression relaxed. He took a calm sip from his cup before answering. “Prostitution.”

I blinked in disbelief. “I’m sorry… What did you say?”

I must have misheard him. No one, let alone a lord, would list prostitution as something they enjoyed.

“Whores. Even a princess must know what that is.”

I was completely shocked! Did my future husband, the man I was supposed to marry tomorrow, honestly just tell me he enjoyed sleeping with prostitutes?

“Are you serious?” I whisper-yelled.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because I’m to be your wife!”

“And as my wife, I expect you to perform your wifely duties at night and then be quiet for the rest of the day. Do whatever you women do to enjoy yourselves, but don’t bother me, and don’t speak to me unless I start the conversation. You are to sit quietly at my side during meals and social events.”

“What?”

“This wedding was thrown together so quickly, I might as well be completely honest with you from the start. Besides, your family needs mine more than we need you.”

“So that makes you think you can speak to me this way?”

Aaron sighed, seemingly unbothered by my rising temper. Aaron leaned in slightly, trying not to disturb the rest of the dinner party.

“Tomorrow we will marry, and you will be legally mine to do with as I wish. And it will be my job to discipline you if you don’t follow the rules I’ve set.”

“D-Discipline?”

“Of course.”

I shook my head, utterly dumbfounded. The arrogance! It was too much. I simply couldn’t sit there any longer, so I quickly rose to my feet, not caring that all conversation stopped and all eyes turned to me. I stormed out, holding back my tears until I reached my chamber. Then I collapsed to the floor, leaning against the door.

“This can’t be my life,” I sobbed quietly. “This can’t be my life…”

***

“White. Representing your purity,” my governess said as she tied the last string on the white dress.

I stood in front of a large mirror in my chamber, watching as my maids and governess added the final touches to my appearance. My black hair cascaded down my back, with two small braids at my temples that met in the back and merged into a larger one.

The white dress I wore was adorned with delicate decorative spirals along the skirt and pearls on the bodice. The long white sleeves ended in loops that hooked onto my middle fingers, keeping the fabric taut.

A long white veil, held in place by a small golden crown hairclip, completed the look. It was all very beautiful, but my face didn’t match the rest. My eyes were still swollen from crying, with small red veins visible in the whites.

Even my pink lips seemed a bit puffy from all the biting I did when I was nervous or worried. And right now, I was terrified. I had spent the entire night tossing, crying, and worrying, and now I felt an overwhelming urge to flee, to run away to somewhere no one could find me. Was it too much to hope that someone might kidnap me at this very moment?

“Let’s get you to the church.”

Apparently, it was too much to hope for. Elizabeth, oblivious to how broken and sad I looked, simply pulled the veil over my face and began to guide me out. We walked all the way to the entrance where a carriage awaited.

The church was located outside the city, giving the ‘happy’ couple a chance to see the people as they returned. We were expected to wave and smile as if our very souls weren’t being forced together. I knew that after tonight, I would never see the outside of the walls again.

That thought weighed heavily on me as I stepped into the carriage and we began to move. We would return to the castle for the party afterward, and then there would be the wedding night—the part I dreaded most.

I gazed out of the small window, watching the people go by. What I wouldn’t give to be any of them at this moment. I almost wanted to open the door and shout, “Does anyone want to trade places?” But I knew nothing would come of that, except perhaps people questioning my sanity. After all, who wouldn’t want to marry a lord, especially a rich one? Apparently, I was the only one…

“Wow. Easy!”

The driver’s voice pulled me from my dark thoughts into my grim reality. We were already here… The man kindly helped me out of the carriage. We had stopped right in front of the grand white doors that led to my worst nightmare. How could something so beautiful lead to a life of darkness?

“Princess, they are waiting,” the driver whispered as I stood frozen on the spot.

I nodded once in thanks before I walked up the white stairs. Two guards stood outside the doors, and one of them opened them for me. I stepped into a small entrance room with another set of doors ahead. My heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest. I wanted to run too, but where could I go?

Everyone knew who I was, and while I could be intimidating when I wanted to be, no one feared me like they did my father. They would likely turn me in, or worse, hold me captive for ransom. No, there was no way out. With that thought, I signaled the guard to open the next set of doors—the ones that led into the chapel.

The music started. People rose from their seats and turned to look at me. I had no idea why so many people had come, but the church was packed. Some even stood in the corners, just to get a glimpse of their princess being married.

At the end of the aisle stood my future husband, his family behind him, and mine on the other side, waiting for me to take my place in front of Aaron. How I wished I could show them my face, so they could see how sad they had made me, but I didn’t.

I kept my back straight, my head held high, and walked to the altar. Aaron and I held hands as the priest began his speech. I wished I could tell him to slow down, but it was clear my father had told him the opposite, and we were given the short version. Rings were exchanged, vows were said, and the bride was revealed. A quick kiss—our lips barely touching—and we were married.

The crowd clapped and cheered as we turned to face them. We walked down the aisle, still holding hands. I felt like throwing up as I kept my eyes down. I couldn’t face the people, feeling as filthy as I did.

When they looked at me, they saw hope, a secure future. That was all I was—not a person, but a future. Their future. And while I wished to protect them and keep them safe, I felt so alone and disgusted.

“Smile,” Aaron whispered.

I tried my best, but it was no use. We walked outside and got into the carriage.