Final Preparations

Days passed after Meredith's parents visited her. Nothing out of the ordinary happened since then. It was nearing the end of the month and the palace was butstling once again, preparing for the venue of their wedding.

The East hall had been occupied and off-limits for everyone that wasn't working on the venue since then.

"Today, Madam Miriam is arriving to give you your wedding dress." Fiona reported. Meredith stopped writing and set down her quill.

"My, already?" She sighed. "I suppose the wedding is truly happening." She straightened her posture and continued to write. For the weeks she spent in the palace, all she could do was study. It was something no one was requiring her to do, but Fiona admired Meredith's dedication in trying to be useful. Even if her attempt may be in vain.

Later that evening, Madam Miriam arrived with her aid, Hans, carrying a big brown box with her branding on the front. MIRIAM'S DESIGNS it read.

"Your Highness," she smiled. "It is a pleasure to tailor you another gown. For your wedding, too." She gestured to Hans and set down the box on a table.

"Thank you," Meredith smiled and went over to the box, opening it with Fiona's help. Fiona raised the gown, revealing its dark red color and sparkling shine.

It was a puff long-sleeved gown, corset ties in the bodice, flower laces decorating the gown, and a long train about two feet following behind.

"It's perfect." Meredith uttered, remembering Theodore's words from before. She glanced at him and both exchanged a smile.

"I am glad it is to your taste," Madam Miriam stepped forward and touched the gown. "Shall we try it on?"

_______________

It was the night before the wedding, Meredith had just left her bath. The room was dim except for the candle that lit beside her bed, illuminating a little light.

Meredith sighed as she sat on her bed, running her hands on the blanket that sat atop it. Tomorrow will be her wedding. Her official wedding with a tyrant Emperor, too. This was the final day to actually think whether or not she should go through with this.

Though, that would be the worst decision to make. She had already tied herself to Krillien, if she managed to escape, she would most likely be found and be killed right then and there for deceiving him. And all this effort…

She remembered Madam Miriam's words: "it was always the plan, isn't it?" Yes. Indeed it was. Meredith was supposed to marry Krillien's older brother, Friedrich. He was the second prince and as Lady Lillian—the crown prince's former fiancée—did not wish to ally herself in marriage with the royal family, they had chosen Meredith as Prince Friedrich's candidate for his wife.

She had met him. Friedrich. It was a long time ago. Perhaps it feels like a lifetime ago seeing how things have changed far too much.

Meredith closed her eyes and laid down on her bed. She remembered that blank expression on Friedrich's face when they formally met as arranged by their parents. He was quiet, came off as rude because of it. It was clear he did not want this marriage or perhaps did not want Meredith as his wife. She will never know which one.

She noted how similar Krillien and Friedrich looked. Aside from Friedrich's blue eyes and an older and more mature face, it was indeed obvious that they were siblings.

She shivered. The thought of him already dead—especially at Krillien's hand was unnerving. Was she ready to marry him? The man who didn't hesitate to kill his own family?

Shaking her head, Meredith decided to sleep. She had nothing else to live for. No one. Her ties to anyone had all been cut. There was nothing else to live for.

Meredith slept, accepting the future ahead of her. A death so inevitable at some point.

Morning came and as the sun rose, Meredith's eyes were already wide awake. She hadn't shaken off the habit of waking up earlier than the maids that wait for her. Something about the palace had given her comfort and uneasiness.

"Your Highness," Fiona's voice echoed from outside the room. She entered with a train of maids following behind her. Some held today's breakfast while others held the things they needed to prepare Meredith for her wedding, including jewelry, makeup, and corsets.

"Here is your breakfast, Your Highness. Your ladies-in-waiting will come by to help you after you eat." Fiona said as the other maids placed down a tray of food on the table, the utensils clanking with each other.

Meredith stretched and walked towards the table, sitting down as they poured a cup of water for her to drink. She finished her breakfast and a rose-infused bath was prepared for her. The ladies-in-waiting had arrived and started preparing all the things Meredith needed for her wedding.

After her bath, she then sat in front of the vanity. They began working on her hair and face, making sure not one strand and color was out of place.

As they were about to finish, Lady Regina held up a dress. It was short and see through, the neckline as low as her chest. Ribbons holding the fabric together. It wasn't a dress, but her nightgown for… tonight.

"Will you be choosing this nightgown, Your Highness?"

Meredith gulped as she stared at it. It was far too inviting. Yes, she was going to marry Krillien. But to have such relations with him? Meredith only hoped he wasn't too eager to bed her.

"Yes, I will." She answered. Meredith decided to have that thought in the back of her head. There was still a full day ahead of her. Night will not come that soon today.

"It is done, Your Highness." A maid said as she took a step back from her face, admiring the beauty that was their future Empress. The maids and the ladies smiled as they took a much longer look at her. Though depressing it may be for her to marry a man like Krillien, she was indeed a beautiful bride.

If only she would marry someone else.

If only she had married Prince Friedrich.

"Thank you," Meredith said.

The wedding was about to begin.