Lady In Red

6

There was nothing my mind could think of but how terrible that pure white piece of cloth looked on me.

"I hope I see you in something better than just plain white, Ruby."

I look away and closed my eyes before looking back again. No, I wasn't considering this colour bad because of what he said. It just looked terrible. But what else would a woman being wed wear?

"Take it off."

The seamstress frowned as she took the fabric off me and I stepped down from the pedestal huffing in frustration and taking a sip of water.

"You do not like the fabric?" My mother asked.

I look at her, her poor face in frown probably thinking I was displeased with her choice of dress. Her hands stopped knitting the new sweater she meant to make for me this coming winter. Her brows were creased and her lips were in a pout.

"No mum, It's not the fabric I-I can't see me in such a blinding white cloth."

My mother, unsure of what I meant, looked at the seamstress. The well-known seamstress, Madam Molly, someone who was trusted by the queen as she sowed many of her gowns stood in question as no woman had ever hated white for her own wedding.

"But, white is a must, It symbolizes-"

"My purity?" I cut my mother off and stare at her with my brows raised mocking the meaning.

My mother chuckled rolling her eyes and keeping that half-knitted sweater down.

"Yes, It does but there is more to it. It symbolizes the beginning of a new life, good fortune, white can be tainted but it can never be forgotten-"

I had no idea what she meant by that, to be honest. I just look back at the mirror standing in my petticoat and sigh.

"Would you please find a fabric less, white?"

Madam Molly raised her eyebrows at me as if to find my request preposterous and nodded before leaving the room.

"Are those-" my mother's finger pointed towards the three boxes kept at the table at the end of the bed.

"I received them from Sir Fred, they are sent by King Xerxes." I stare at it and remember what Sir Fred told me.

"The two below are yours," I said looking at the laces the maid gave me for my new petticoats and she looked at me in question.

My eyes linger over the soft cream lace before returning to my mother's wide eyes My mother slowly walked towards the boxes and opens the topmost box, sitting over the two below. I see her looking at what was inside then keeping the topmost box aside and opening the ones below.

I had not touched them for I had no interest in jewels, in fact, I thought I looked ridiculous in them.

"Goodness, do they expect us to accept this and be happy that my daughter is entering the realm of vicious creatures? how degraded and gullible do they think we are ?"

I spoke nothing about what my mother commented. I did not think of them as any different than us but she was right to think they were a danger to me as a human. It was the truth. And to the think, I was to stand next to their king.

Was I going be a disappointment to his subjects or was I going to be the target of mockery?

Words against the King can be punished but a foreign Queen? What protected me? Nothing...

"Why are you staring at that like you have seen a ghost-" My words were caught in my tongue as I saw the contents of those three boxes.

Rubies, Saffire, diamonds, emeralds, gold, and....pearls.

Carcanet's, lockets, pendants, brooches, watches, and more pearls..It looked so magnificent yet so disgusting.

I chuckled at the jewels and diamonds in the box and then they were a crest. A title was given to my folks to give them permission to enter the fort of their lands on my behalf. Not the castle, just the fort.

"They really think of me as an object mother." I chuckled as she held my hand.

"How dare they think of us like peasants, did the king not offer a good enough treaty in your place that you should now be compared to gems? Petty Objects owned by men, never to be free once claimed, I will send them back, I will not accept any form of bribes-" as my mother turned around but immediately kneeled on the ground in shock, My eyes followed her actions to see the Queen standing at the doors of my temporary chamber.

I gulp giving the queen a curtsey before standing back up. My mother stayed on the ground recognizing her crime of speaking ill of our King.

"Forgive me your highness I spoke out of the tongue."

The queen smiled, "You may rise duchess I understand your anger but, these are traditions. One cannot ignore it. Do not take it as an insult. It was quite gallant of the King to even send such jewels, I heard their traditions may be different but at least they respected ours."

"Forgive me, my Queen, I cannot stop thinking of how I will survive."

"I understand, which is why I am sending one of my own maids with your ladies on waiting and Knight. Any trouble, she will let me know"

I look down at my useless self.

"I-I regret to decline your highness for these decisions. I cannot have you watching over me all the time. I am on my own and I should be capable enough to handle myself. I have Lydia, Sir Fredrick. They will let you know of my well-being"

The queen's lips turned into a proud smile and she nodded.

"Spoken like a Lady and to be a Queen. I shall see you in the court by 5"

I blink at her as she turned around to leave.

"Court?" I asked and she stopped.

"You have to sign the paper my dear." She stated turning to me.

"Paper?" I asked

"The treaty papers. You have to sign them and officially be announced as being betrothed To the King. Those papers will give you the title of a Lady to be...The Queen"

"Oh, I never knew about this."

The queen frowned looking at my mother, "Your father was supposed to let you know before noon today. I suppose he is caught up in work. I shall send your maid in to prepare you."

***

I hang my head low in disappointment. My father refused to even see me after that ball night. When I should be the one ignoring him.

Our heels clicked the echoing hallway as I made my way towards the court. My eyes land on the man who stood with King Xerxes. The man in charge of witnessing my signature was Andrew Lycan. Although I heard he took a different title name, he bowed at me and I give a nod of appreciation to him while I walk towards the end of the court.

The King, Queen, my folks, and some important court subjects stood at the end staring at me. I felt like I would burn under those gazes. And I stood there for ages as it felt when my eyes landed again on Sir Andrew.

I could not understand how he looked much more intimidating than the King himself. There was something about werewolves. Perhaps it was the witnessed actions by humans that continued the fear through humankind, we might never witness their real form, but as our ancestors saw, we knew what they were capable of.

Their eyes always carried that particular aura of standing with a purpose. Not zoning out like us, always being a step ahead. Highly aware of their surroundings and the people surrounding them. One move and they were alert. I did not know this, it was what my folks told me about them when I was a child. And that I had seen a man truly from their side, I could tell it was true. No doubts.

"Ruby." My father's voice echoed through the hollow court and I snapped my head up to him.

He extended his hand for me to grab while walking towards me. I took my time staring into his soft eyes. I loved my father's eyes, they were green and brown, I always envied the way they looked at my mother. I wished for a man to look at me the same way.

"Come, my dear." He whispered and I took his hand still staring at his face. Yes, I loathed him but I did not want to forget his face after I left for good.

Now that I think of it, he could've been killed as well if the treaty did not offer any good price. And The king would hate him for losing the negotiation possibly sending us into a low-rank title and out of this castle ground.

I give a furstrated sigh as I look at the papers spread across the huge oak table.

The priest hands me the pen and I breathe out looking at Sir Andrew who was closest to me to ask where my signature was required. He quickly stepped up and pointed to the small line at the end of the page where a large beautiful confusing signature of King Xerxes lay. It was such a difficult signature that no man could ever redo it.

I didn't think much when I signed it. I stepped back and gave the pen to the King's hand who signed below it as my witness.

There, it was done. I was The Lycan King's wife. And from now, my freedom was good as gone.

I had such fear and stress as they prepared me for the wedding that morning. I blink away some tears several times as I fussed around. I had some tea, but the feeling of an empty stomach coupled with anxiety could wear the toughest man alive. My hand shook and my legs were going numb.

I stare at the bouquet and frown, I thought I had requested them to put sage in it.

"There must be a mistake, My daughter requested the sage to be put in it."

The sage was in our grandmother's memory. But maybe here is where they start suppressing my requests. It was going to happen soon away. The florist bowed before apologizing.

"Forgive me Madam, but I was told no sight of sage should be seen.

I snap my head toward him in confusion.

"What are the creatures afraid of sage ?"

The room fell silent as my mother made a very offensive statement. Speaking in such a way could lead you down the dungeons. I frown at my mother.

" We cannot even put our memory in this wedding." She whispered leaving the bridal chamber.

I sigh looking around ashamed until my eyes settled on the mirror, myself. Me in a champagne white, and cream lace. I had a teardrop pearl and ruby necklace and that was all I wore in my mother's memory.

"Madam." called my maid and opened the doors. I peek outside at the guards and see my father waiting with Sir Andrew.

As I step out they both snapped their heads at me. It was unexpected for Sir Andrew to bow to me out of respect. Flustered I gave a curtsey but he stepped forward.

"From now on, You only curtsey to Kings and Queen, Madam." He stated before gesturing for me to take my father's hand.

I felt the room closing in on me as we walked to the cathedral. I wanted to run away. I wanted to talk to someone. Cry a little. But there I stood, waiting for the door to open.

"Deep breath. Don't let them see your head low." My father whispered and I look up taking a deep breath.

All I could say when the doors opened, was that I saw a man, at the end of the aisle who was looking at me. While the others stared, his brows were creased. And somehow my first thought was.

What is King Xerxes worried about?