What Madness?

Mirelah;

It was quite a hassle, but I finally got Father to agree. Meadow will stay back and they will 'bring her to me on the wedding day'... As if there would be a wedding.

I stand behind the massive doors, and I hold my breath. They're about to show me off as the chosen bride to my people. I feel sorry I'm going to let them down at the first chance I'm getting, but I'm very sure that if they were in my shoes, they would do the same thing.

The doors are pushed open, and the afternoon sun pours on me like a warm bath. I take another deep breath before walking out, to face the sea of white hairs and golden, judgemental eyes. And just for a moment, I can swear I hear them all fall silent.

Father walks over to me beaming with smiles. A smile I know he has spent years perfecting in the mirror for moments like these. Moments where he absolutely hates something but has to act otherwise. The moment when he has to send his youngest child to a slaughterhouse and act like it is just another walk through a garden.

I curtsy to him as he takes my hand and then we walk. He leads me to stand before the people, and from the corner of my eyes, I can see my sisters standing where they stood this morning.

"People of Velmoria, I present to you. My daughter, Princess Mirelah! The link between Blood Crescent and Velmoria. The key to our victory, and the soon-to-be newest member of the Varkaine family! "He announces, and the crowd is visibly torn. They start covering their mouths and whispering amongst themselves as they stare between my sisters and me, and I swallow. They were also not expecting me to be chosen as the bride. They shouldn't worry though. I won't be the bride.

"Come now. It is a joyous occasion. Our kingdom has been given a shot at groundbreaking greatness. We should celebrate! I don't want to have you all prove exactly how happy you are about my daughter's marriage and the kingdom's growth… "Father adds. Slipping in a threat at the end, and on hearing his casual threat, the people begin to clap and cheer.

Father smiles in satisfaction, and I bow as an act of respect to the people. 

"She would say goodbye to family now, and live with her in-laws. We will see again in seven days, on the day of the wedding. We must make merry and feast as she leaves, to let our princess know that she is not leaving behind a sad home, but a home happy for her growth. "Father says, and I steal a glance up at him. I know he doesn't believe those words. Going with the Varkaines isn't me growing... It's a journey to my end.

Still holding my hand, he leads me over to my sisters and lets go of me in front of Seraphina as he stands beside her.

"Bid farewell to your sisters. "He whispers to me, and my mouth runs dry. This is it? I'll tell them bye, and be on my way??

Just like that, he'll let me be torn from my home??

I stare at Seraphina, frozen in place and unsure of what to do. We hardly ever talk. She no longer stays here, and when she's around, she acts like a mother. Scary and distant… but still caring and warm in a way.

She smiles at me, and my heart skips a beat. I can't remember the last time she ever smiled at me. She's always so stoic, and serious. I never see her play, laugh, or smile. And now, she's smiling?

She leans down a bit and suddenly pulls me into a hug. An act that stuns me. Seraphina hugged me!? It takes me a few seconds to process what is going on, but I finally hug her. Her sweet, spicy vanilla scent floods my nose as I melt into the hug, and she whispers to me.

"I'll stop by frequently. I'll come to every festival and stop by on random days too. I'll not give them the chance to think you're defenceless or alone. Okay? I've got you. "She says before pulling away, and Immediately, I feel tears rush to my eyes. That's the nicest thing she has ever said to me. 

She smiles at me again before gently tilting her head. Signalling me to move over to Veylira. With a smile of gratitude and guilt, I curtsy to her and move.

Standing in front of my second eldest sister, my heart begins to break. She is smiling proudly at me 'for being strong'. If only she knew my plans. Her shoulder-short white hair carries softly in the wind, and she smiles at me before also pulling me into a hug.

"They're only one letter away from a bloody war. "She whispers in my ear, and my blood pauses in my veins as my brows crease in confusion.

"If any of them hurt, or trouble you... Be it Kealith, his brothers… Or even his parents. If they try to hurt a hair on your head, reach out. I'll unleash earthquakes powerful enough to swallow their entire kingdom. You just have to write to me, Miri. That's a promise from the commander of the Velmorian army... And your big sis... "She adds, and I can no longer hold back the tears that slide down my face.

She soon pulls away, and I clench my fists as I struggle to hold back more tears from falling. I inhale deeply as the wind brings her sweet violet, but leathery scent to my nose. There has always been this thing about that scent that soothes me. And now when I feel so conflicted, I need it the most.

I wish I could spend some more time with her. Of all my sisters, Veylira has been the one who showed actual interest in me. Even though it was like I was one of her soldiers taking orders, it was still her taking out time to be with me. To care for me… In her complex, violent... tomboyish way.

"Don't cry, Kiddo. You've got one more sister to say bye to. "She teases in her once-in-a-while playful nature, and I can't help the dry chuckle when she gently nudges my shoulder. 

I move over to Azra, and my small joy vanishes like a puff of smoke when I see the look on her face. She is smiling massively, but I am no fool. I can see the rage burning in her big, bright eyes. Her face might be the sweetest in all kingdoms, and she may look like the most innocent treasure, but her reality is quite different. Of all my sisters, Azra scares me the most.

She is never obvious about her moves. Like a fox, she knows how to lurk and strike when it's just right. I might be overthinking it, but I feel she's upset with me. But why would she be?? Why would she be pissed with me?? I'm not the one who told the Varkaines to propose Kealith and my wedding instead of hers and Darven's.

I played no part in this and would gladly switch roles if I could... But sadly that's impossible.

She suddenly pulls me into a hug, and I freeze with fear pounding in my chest as her signature scent of white roses fills my nose. We stay in silence for a few seconds, and when it begins to get uncomfortable, I try to move away, but she doesn't loosen her grip on me.

"You will not survive the Varkaines. "Her words run down my spine like a chilly spring, and I feel the hairs on my skin rise.

"When they manage to break and ruin you, I'll be there. There to laugh in your face for thinking you could steal my dream from me, Miri. You will pay for what you've done. "She adds, and my heart begins to pound against my rib cage, at the venom in her words.

"Wh-what?? "I whisper in shock, and she scoffs.

"You can fool everyone, Mirelah. But not me. If you didn't want this marriage, you would have fought against it. But you put up a little drama and then accepted the proposal. You stole my dream. My chance to marry the man I have spent months preparing to be with. "She replies, and I exhale in disbelief.

"Don't think I will take it lying down. You will pay "She concludes, and my jaw drops. I have always known Azra to be entitled but this level of narrow-mindedness... Is her anger so hot, that it's refusing her access to proper logic? What's my fault in any of this!? 

She finally pulls away from me, and I stare at her in utter disbelief. She's still smiling. Like she didn't just whisper venom into my ear. With her deceptive smile still on, she reaches for her hair and pulls out a golden hairpin. 

I watch the object glisten in the sun, and I instinctively step back. Is she going to make an attempt on my life!? I shut my eyes in fear, but I feel her place the pin in my hair.

"So, you'll always have a piece of home with you. "She says rather loudly, and my jaw drops at her charade.

She steps forward and kisses my forehead. "May goddess Nyzvara always be with you... "She says, and the crowd begins to cheer.

"Heavens know you'll need her. "She adds in my head, and I stare at her in bewilderment.

Is she bluffing?

She's just trying to mess with me. This is one of her unhinged pranks. It has to be.

However, Azra isn't one to bluff… She never bluffs. She may be a sly fox at times, but she ALWAYS keeps her word.

A chill rushes down my spine as she keeps smiling 'warmly' at me, and I gulp. She's serious. Dead serious. She's going to try and hurt me!

What madness is this? 

What madness is she planning!??