-Laelia-
This all felt like a dream—a really bad dream that I was going to wake up from any second now. The northern girl, whom I had learned was named Erika, sat on my bed, watching me as I was prepared for the wedding.
“You’re really going through with it, Your Highness?” she asked, sipping the herbal tea that I knew Kayda had made for her.
I could see her reflection in the mirror in front of me. She didn’t look happy, but she did look better than she had in days. I sighed as Libelle brushed my hair, preparing it for the day. I was already wearing the golden stola that the queen had chosen, and I had bathed in specially scented oils that made me smell like an entire flower garden—far too much for my taste, but I hadn’t said a word. It wasn’t like I had a choice in any of this.
“If yo
